Discussion
SO HERE GOES. What is or isn't original about that dashboard? 
Is the steering wheel correct?
Chassis/Engine no.
Original seats?
Condition of engine bay.
Spares with the car. Trim, spare wheel, bumpers, lights etc and some unidentifiable trim.
Got to be original.
A one off decal.
Any thoughts on those questions guys.
Thanks Jaybee
Is the steering wheel correct?
Chassis/Engine no.
Original seats?
Condition of engine bay.
Spares with the car. Trim, spare wheel, bumpers, lights etc and some unidentifiable trim.
Got to be original.
A one off decal.
Any thoughts on those questions guys.
Thanks Jaybee
Jaybee,
I reckon that this is about as original as you'll find any Vixen. The dash panel looks original but at it's wood veneer finish rather than the more common padded vinyl best compare with Tomtrout who has similar.
The bottom two dials in centre of dash are unlikely to be original and I think they would have been AC dials originally, not Smiths. The white pull knob isn't original but the black rocker switches are. You should also have a rotating heater switch from an early MGB which are available to buy new. Where the black push button (looks like washer) is, I would expect to see the ignition key.
The seats look original but I think have had the centre panels recovered. I believe they would have been
basket weave vinyl which can still be purchased new. The same basket weave would have been used on the door cards. If you need contact details I can dig them out for you.
The engine bay is as it would have left the factory.
The chassis number is the 11th from last Vixen S3 made, so late 1971.
Steering wheel looks original.
Moto
I reckon that this is about as original as you'll find any Vixen. The dash panel looks original but at it's wood veneer finish rather than the more common padded vinyl best compare with Tomtrout who has similar.
The bottom two dials in centre of dash are unlikely to be original and I think they would have been AC dials originally, not Smiths. The white pull knob isn't original but the black rocker switches are. You should also have a rotating heater switch from an early MGB which are available to buy new. Where the black push button (looks like washer) is, I would expect to see the ignition key.
The seats look original but I think have had the centre panels recovered. I believe they would have been
basket weave vinyl which can still be purchased new. The same basket weave would have been used on the door cards. If you need contact details I can dig them out for you.
The engine bay is as it would have left the factory.
The chassis number is the 11th from last Vixen S3 made, so late 1971.
Steering wheel looks original.
Moto
Dash is not original and the switches etc are not all in correct place. it looks like the dash has been made up to fit the car. The dash top is correct and it wouldn't be hard to re-make an original type dashboard I had thought at first that it may have been an S1 based dash but it isn't and generally you only find wood dash's in S1's and early pre-servo S2's
Chassis numbers are correct but Having checked may or may not have an LVX prefix..see comments below….
Is the Steering wheel a Motolita? It looks like a Mountney and with 2 holes is not the original type wheel which should be a 13" Motolita
The seats look to be the correct Hi-backs which came either corded or with a leatherette basket weave insert.
Its a servo equipped car with cable clutch which is correct for all S3 on Vixens
An S3 should have a 711M Capri crossflow block
Decals are all made up and not original to the car.
The car itself though looks to be a nice complete S3 and will be a good project.
Can you take some side profile shots and also some close ups of the correct lamp Bezels which the car has.
Neil.
NOTE:: RE Chassis Numbers…..Just checked..During S3 S4 production the LVX prefix was gradually dropped so the 2228/4 is a correct S3 sequence, just a slightly different chassis plate from the Norm which is not showing the LVX prefix. the last S3 vixen I believe was 2239 It is likely that the plate is correct and follows the pattern.
Its about as an original and unmolested vixen you are likely to find. evidently over the years things get changed and modified from a period in time when the cars were kept going and ran as runners when the parts supply position was perhaps not as good as it is now.
My advice is to build it as you want it so you can enjoy it rather than getting too anal about what is supposedly original or not original…These cars were always tweaked to be enjoyed..
N.
Chassis numbers are correct but Having checked may or may not have an LVX prefix..see comments below….
Is the Steering wheel a Motolita? It looks like a Mountney and with 2 holes is not the original type wheel which should be a 13" Motolita
The seats look to be the correct Hi-backs which came either corded or with a leatherette basket weave insert.
Its a servo equipped car with cable clutch which is correct for all S3 on Vixens
An S3 should have a 711M Capri crossflow block
Decals are all made up and not original to the car.
The car itself though looks to be a nice complete S3 and will be a good project.
Can you take some side profile shots and also some close ups of the correct lamp Bezels which the car has.
Neil.
NOTE:: RE Chassis Numbers…..Just checked..During S3 S4 production the LVX prefix was gradually dropped so the 2228/4 is a correct S3 sequence, just a slightly different chassis plate from the Norm which is not showing the LVX prefix. the last S3 vixen I believe was 2239 It is likely that the plate is correct and follows the pattern.
Its about as an original and unmolested vixen you are likely to find. evidently over the years things get changed and modified from a period in time when the cars were kept going and ran as runners when the parts supply position was perhaps not as good as it is now.
My advice is to build it as you want it so you can enjoy it rather than getting too anal about what is supposedly original or not original…These cars were always tweaked to be enjoyed..
N.
Edited by Dollyman1850 on Saturday 30th July 17:12
I agree with Neil on the chassis plate. I have never seen one without the suffix.
What I would do is get hold of the cars history from the DVLA to be sure. Your V5 should have the correct chassis number on it, it could be the owner lost the plate when they did some work on the car.
The engine number Looks sort of correct. TVR don't seem to have used a Ford numbering series and I suspect the engine numbers were blank when they arrived a the factory.
The Engine bay does look surprisingly original, even down to the original Battery bracket, by the looks of it.
Only the Series ones and the first few series twos had wooden dashes, so if yours IS a series 3 then the dash is non original. K reg puts it in 72 and so probably among the last 20 odd cars built. Dashes are easy to fabricate and cover with vinyl from Woolies trim. The subsidiary gauges should be AC on the later cars i think. S3 switches, I am not familiar with
Steering wheel should be a 3 spoke 13" Motolita with the top two spokes horizontal, black anodised. Your Horn button is correct. Hold on to it for dear life they are about £100 each (I kid you not)
What I would do is get hold of the cars history from the DVLA to be sure. Your V5 should have the correct chassis number on it, it could be the owner lost the plate when they did some work on the car.
The engine number Looks sort of correct. TVR don't seem to have used a Ford numbering series and I suspect the engine numbers were blank when they arrived a the factory.
The Engine bay does look surprisingly original, even down to the original Battery bracket, by the looks of it.
Only the Series ones and the first few series twos had wooden dashes, so if yours IS a series 3 then the dash is non original. K reg puts it in 72 and so probably among the last 20 odd cars built. Dashes are easy to fabricate and cover with vinyl from Woolies trim. The subsidiary gauges should be AC on the later cars i think. S3 switches, I am not familiar with
Steering wheel should be a 3 spoke 13" Motolita with the top two spokes horizontal, black anodised. Your Horn button is correct. Hold on to it for dear life they are about £100 each (I kid you not)
Edited by Astacus on Saturday 30th July 17:09
Astacus said:
Ha... the chassis plate looks correct then.
Funny, while I was writing that I thought I heard a voice complaining about internet experts, can't think who it might have been!......
Sadly we only have a very few true experts when it comes to these cars and I certainly don't count myself as one of them! Funny, while I was writing that I thought I heard a voice complaining about internet experts, can't think who it might have been!......
N.
Thanks you guys.
I did a search a couple of months back and added favourites to my browser, regarding the dashboard. Don't seem to have saved the one on pictures, so will search again. Seats are fabric in the centre and told by the former keeper that he believes are original. The gauges are smiths with black rims with the exception of one. Will they be accurate to the senders? The fuel gauge probably won't work as there is a rattle coming from the petrol tank! Old sender collapsed? But on the upside, I have identified all the trim panels and all is complete. Even the spare wheel cover, if that's original. Fits perfect on the spare. Is the centre console correct? Opened the ashtray to see if I might find some spare change, it was full of cigarette butts. Oh well. Chassis has plenty of surface rust but I believe will be OK after cleaning and coating. Just have to find a suitable place in Yorkshire to do this. Anyone?
Again many thanks for the Info and I'll post more pics when I advance on the car.
Jaybee
I did a search a couple of months back and added favourites to my browser, regarding the dashboard. Don't seem to have saved the one on pictures, so will search again. Seats are fabric in the centre and told by the former keeper that he believes are original. The gauges are smiths with black rims with the exception of one. Will they be accurate to the senders? The fuel gauge probably won't work as there is a rattle coming from the petrol tank! Old sender collapsed? But on the upside, I have identified all the trim panels and all is complete. Even the spare wheel cover, if that's original. Fits perfect on the spare. Is the centre console correct? Opened the ashtray to see if I might find some spare change, it was full of cigarette butts. Oh well. Chassis has plenty of surface rust but I believe will be OK after cleaning and coating. Just have to find a suitable place in Yorkshire to do this. Anyone?
Again many thanks for the Info and I'll post more pics when I advance on the car.
Jaybee
Jaybee,
Yes the centre console is correct apart from the gear knob. The ashtray is the original MGB item.
As per Neil's post, 2239 is the last S3 (I know as it's mine) and the chassis plate is identical to yours. As your's, mine is a fairly original car, so I can be fairly sure that if yours (probably manufactured within a few weeks of mine) and mine has the same item, it likely to be original.
That's my theory anyway.
Moto
Yes the centre console is correct apart from the gear knob. The ashtray is the original MGB item.
As per Neil's post, 2239 is the last S3 (I know as it's mine) and the chassis plate is identical to yours. As your's, mine is a fairly original car, so I can be fairly sure that if yours (probably manufactured within a few weeks of mine) and mine has the same item, it likely to be original.
That's my theory anyway.
Moto
Hi Moto
The gear knob has the correct reverse, would this just make it a ford item and TVR had its own?
Thanks for the info on the chassis no. I still have to get in touch with TVRCC to see if they have any info on the original purchase.
Jaybee
Oh, forgot to mention about the ignition switch. this has a column mounted switch which has been butchered. the former owner has the key and barrel and the rest has been supplied with the car. Have the cars ever been fitted with a column ignition with steering lock or has this been retrofitted?
Jaybee
The gear knob has the correct reverse, would this just make it a ford item and TVR had its own?
Thanks for the info on the chassis no. I still have to get in touch with TVRCC to see if they have any info on the original purchase.
Jaybee
Oh, forgot to mention about the ignition switch. this has a column mounted switch which has been butchered. the former owner has the key and barrel and the rest has been supplied with the car. Have the cars ever been fitted with a column ignition with steering lock or has this been retrofitted?
Jaybee
Edited by jaybee747 on Saturday 30th July 18:07
jaybee747 said:
Hi
Very nice transformation!
Hope mine can be anywhere near that little beaut.
Do you know a reputable chassis company in Yorks by any chance?
Jaybee
Get the body off first…Thorpey is in Sheffield and he is in a position to fully refurb your chassis and carry out any repairs it may need..Very nice transformation!
Hope mine can be anywhere near that little beaut.
Do you know a reputable chassis company in Yorks by any chance?
Jaybee
Google RT racing
http://www.rtracing.co.uk/content/tvr-chassis-rest...
Whereabouts in Yorks are you..its a Big county?
N.
Edited by Dollyman1850 on Saturday 30th July 18:20
[quote=jaybee747]Hi Moto
The gear knob has the correct reverse, would this just make it a ford item and TVR had its own?
Thanks for the info on the chassis no. I still have to get in touch with TVRCC to see if they have any info on the original purchase.
Jaybee
Oh, forgot to mention about the ignition switch. this has a column mounted switch which has been butchered. the former owner has the key and barrel and the rest has been supplied with the car. Have the cars ever been fitted with a column ignition with steering lock or has this been retrofitted?
Jaybee
Oddly, my car also had the ignition & steering lock fitted to the steering column when I purchased it. Adrian@ told me it should not have it and it was the 'M' series unit that had been retro fitted. The console confirmed this as 'ignition' is labelled on the original metal insert plate where I relocated it to.
Moto
The gear knob has the correct reverse, would this just make it a ford item and TVR had its own?
Thanks for the info on the chassis no. I still have to get in touch with TVRCC to see if they have any info on the original purchase.
Jaybee
Oh, forgot to mention about the ignition switch. this has a column mounted switch which has been butchered. the former owner has the key and barrel and the rest has been supplied with the car. Have the cars ever been fitted with a column ignition with steering lock or has this been retrofitted?
Jaybee
Oddly, my car also had the ignition & steering lock fitted to the steering column when I purchased it. Adrian@ told me it should not have it and it was the 'M' series unit that had been retro fitted. The console confirmed this as 'ignition' is labelled on the original metal insert plate where I relocated it to.
Moto
If you are looking for some helpful chat about this, come along to the West Yorks meeting on Monday at the Dyneley Arms, Otley Rd, Otley, LS21 1ET (8.00 p.m. approx) if you can. You may well see some cars that very closely resemble yours...
BTW...
Your steering wheel...Astrali, completely correct for your car (as is the column mounted ignition barrel)...my brother's first Vixen (S3) was similarly unmolested and had identical kit.
BTW...
Your steering wheel...Astrali, completely correct for your car (as is the column mounted ignition barrel)...my brother's first Vixen (S3) was similarly unmolested and had identical kit.
The steering wheel is correct with the motolita also available as an option. Your dash is an approximate copy of an earlier S2 layout but obviously without a glove box. Also the corner cutouts are very sharp and should ideally a have a small radius to take an edge trim. Also the later S2 and S3 dash would normally have a small switch (wiper, headlamp) insert similar on the right to take the two arrow switches. Your speedo and rev counter are correct even though you can get a speedo from the GT cortina to match the font on the rev counter, albeit not 120mph rated. They do look a little odd together but if originality is your thing then yours are the right ones.
You could use your existing dash as a template, fill the holes and cover, or probably best just to use the external shape as a template for a new piece of ply. Mine had several superfluous holes which I simply filled and then re-veneered.
You could use your existing dash as a template, fill the holes and cover, or probably best just to use the external shape as a template for a new piece of ply. Mine had several superfluous holes which I simply filled and then re-veneered.
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