Ready for First TVR, anyone know this one?

[xxrb86]

Hi folks,

First post, have been lurking for some time though.

Signed over my MGB GT at the weekend to my mum who loved it too much to let me sell it, so I've given it to her for nothing and as she's decided she wants to restore it.

So right not I've got no wheels and have been scouring the classifieds for something a little more modern with more power and a soft top.

I've looked at:

MX-5 (wanted to be first to suggest!)
MGB V8 Roadsters (ok, not so modern!)
BMZ Z4 Roadster (close 2nd choice)
TVR Chimera 400 (which brings me to this forum!)

I've got a max budget of £9-10k and had been drooling over the the car below, does anyone know anything about it's history?

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3554109.htm

Also does anyone have any suggestions on other cars I should be looking at? I'm 26 in Feb and live Near Stockwell/Clapham/Brixton and will have to park on the street, am I mad for considering a TVR? (Or does the madness help??)

Cheers,

Rick

[M@H]

"This is the HC model which means increased performance on the standard 4 litre, it's BHP figures are actually closer to those of a 4.5 litre."

..closeer than what exactly?

Seriously, if its been well looked after and is solid underneath it could be a very nice car. Some nice photo's by the owner!


Edited to add:

"Retro-fit fan-override switch for when stuck in traffic to cool the engine before it has a chance to get too hot"

..wonder why that was done??

Edited by M@H on Monday 16th January 14:50

[TJC46]

A well known car and owner on this forum so should be well worth viewing.

Do you have any mechanical knowledge? I only ask this as these cars need to be carefully inspected, especially in the chassis dept.


One that has been for sale for a while, and you may get it a bit cheaper than its advertised price is this one http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3122510.htm.[Forgive me on the colour choice if you look on my profile youll see im a bit biased.]
Had work on my chim done at TrackvRoad and they come very highly recommended on this and lotus forums. Some of the guys there are ex factory TVR engineers so know there stuff. With this in mind anything they sell will be in tip top fettle.

[TVR Jim]

M@H said:

"This is the HC model which means increased performance on the standard 4 litre, it's BHP figures are actually closer to those of a 4.5 litre."

..closeer than what exactly?

Seriously, if its been well looked after and is solid underneath it could be a very nice car. Some nice photo's by the owner!


Edited to add:

"Retro-fit fan-override switch for when stuck in traffic to cool the engine before it has a chance to get too hot"

..wonder why that was done??

Mine has the 2nd fan override switch too.. I don't really use it TBH as it cuts in and out as it should. Nice to know its there tho!

TVR Jim

Edited by M@H on Monday 16th January 14:50

[M@H]

just realised ..this is 4lmikes car !

Edited by M@H on Monday 16th January 15:42

[Dr Mike Oxgreen]

Subject to the usual chassis caveats, it looks like it could be a nice car at a very reasonable price. I wouldn't dither too long over it, because at that price I doubt it'll hang around too long if the chassis is sound. Go take a look, and get a specialist inspection done.

By the way, your mum sounds like a very cool lady. It's great that your old car is staying in the family!

[smash]

xxrb86 said:

Hi folks,

I've got a max budget of £9-10k and had been drooling over the the car below, does anyone know anything about it's history?

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3554109.htm


Cheers,

Rick

Should've gone to Specsavers! http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... about 5 threads away from this one...

The fact it was an HC (Highlift Cam) model is largely irelevant cos it's now got a different cam anyway!

Edited by smash on Monday 16th January 16:18

[xxrb86]

Will have to try and see it this weekend. Few pictures of the B from early last year, the rust had got pretty bad so am glad it's being restored. Mum plans to get it a bare metal respray and new wiring loom.

When the novelty wears off in a couple of years I'll give her some cash to cover the work she's had done and get it a Eaton Super charger!

EDIT: P.S. Dr Mike Oxgreen, forget about chatting up my mum :P

Edited by xxrb86 on Monday 16th January 16:58

[xxrb86]

Will make sure I get the car inspected independently when I go to view.

From a day to day living with the car perspective, obviously it's going to be a lot more trouble than my creaky old B, but it's not going to be a nightmare to drive is it??

Thanks,

Rick

[M@H]

xxrb86 said:

Will make sure I get the car inspected independently when I go to view.

From a day to day living with the car perspective, obviously it's going to be a lot more trouble than my creaky old B, but it's not going to be a nightmare to drive is it??

Thanks,

Rick

Huh - have you not driven one? Get along to a local meet and get in one - try; less trouble and not a nightmare

[TJC46]

xxrb86 said:

Will make sure I get the car inspected independently when I go to view.

From a day to day living with the car perspective, obviously it's going to be a lot more trouble than my creaky old B, but it's not going to be a nightmare to drive is it??

Thanks,

Rick

Can be a few brown pants moments in the wet. But wait till you drive one.................the noise, the acceleration, the torque of the engine and the looks from everyone else............priceless.
You wont stop grinning for at least a week. . Theres 7 to start you off.

[davegrimmett]

Also, don't stress about keeping it on the street. So long as you get a smart Stormforce outdoor fitted cover (£150), mine's been absolutely fine over the last year.

Good luck and don't bother with MX5.. Girl's car,

[SILICONEKID340HP]

xxrb86 said:

Will have to try and see it this weekend. Few pictures of the B from early last year, the rust had got pretty bad so am glad it's being restored. Mum plans to get it a bare metal respray and new wiring loom.

When the novelty wears off in a couple of years I'll give her some cash to cover the work she's had done and get it a Eaton Super charger!

EDIT: P.S. Dr Mike Oxgreen, forget about chatting up my mum :P

Edited by xxrb86 on Monday 16th January 16:58

Forget the Eaton supercharger ,its cheaper to have a 1860 rebuild by Peter Burgess
fast road head 285 cam 1 3/4" carbs electronic ignition 115bhp at the wheels ,you will only get 90bhp at the wheels with the eaton charger with standard engine.

I know my Mg`s, this was my car and i miss it..
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C104129

[Chris71]

If you go in with your eyes open - which you seem to be doing - then I'd definitely go for the TVR. Compared to the MX5, they don't feel quite as nimble, they're a bit more prone to niggling issues and they're somewhat more expensive to run, but the Chimaera just feels like so much more of an event!

The noise, the performance, the design, and the bespoke feel you get from a handbuilt car are just intoxicating. If you've lived with a classic before you'll find the TVR pushes all the same buttons, only more so.

[REM2112]

Had mine in Clapham on the street for 8 years. No problem other than some tosser knocking off the wing mirror, but then he or she did every car in the street!