Buying a 70's TVR
Discussion
Hi,
I am thinking about buying a 70's TVR either a 1600M or a 3000M or maybe a Tamiar. I have heard a lot of stories about TVR's being unreliable. It will be my only car so it needs to be reliable. Insurance is not to bad as I will be 21 in June and the price is the same for each model.
What is the best one to go for?
Are they expensive to run?
I have noticed some nice ones in the classifieds section for £3500 - £4000, can one expect to get a good car for that.
Any advice much appreciated.
Thanks,
William
I am thinking about buying a 70's TVR either a 1600M or a 3000M or maybe a Tamiar. I have heard a lot of stories about TVR's being unreliable. It will be my only car so it needs to be reliable. Insurance is not to bad as I will be 21 in June and the price is the same for each model.
What is the best one to go for?
Are they expensive to run?
I have noticed some nice ones in the classifieds section for £3500 - £4000, can one expect to get a good car for that.
Any advice much appreciated.
Thanks,
William
I paid £3100 2 yrs ago for a Taimar. It has proved reliable. The only problems I have had were a misfire caused by a corroded ballast resistor & poor starting, which was caused by crack in the rubber fuel pipe that joins on to the tank. This was causing the pump to suck in air as well as fuel. Both only cost a couple of pounds.
The most likely problems are electrical. The switches, fuse box and earths all need to be in good order.
Mine came with built in running water, but this was easily fixed with new door seals, realingning the doors and adjusting the frames, and using Comma seak N seal around the screens. The car is left outside and is now bone dry.
Fitting electronic ignition is a good idea.
They are basic, easy to maintain cars, which are great fun to drive. I also have a 350 wedge, but unless the sun is shining, I always jump in the Taimar.
The most likely problems are electrical. The switches, fuse box and earths all need to be in good order.
Mine came with built in running water, but this was easily fixed with new door seals, realingning the doors and adjusting the frames, and using Comma seak N seal around the screens. The car is left outside and is now bone dry.
Fitting electronic ignition is a good idea.
They are basic, easy to maintain cars, which are great fun to drive. I also have a 350 wedge, but unless the sun is shining, I always jump in the Taimar.
Hi William,
From a practicality side go for a Taimar - the liftback makes life much easier (make sure the rear door seal is in good condition). they all have fairly bulletproof mechanicals and are either Ford (engines and odd bits) or Triumph (2500M engine and all the other mechanicals) and mechanical parts are still easy to get hold of. also try to find a car with a Salisbury diff. as they are stronger (post '76 I think but don't hold me to that)
The main problem that affects them is the chassis rotting out at the front outriggers and the top tubes around the differential, repair is pretty much a body off job so make sure you take care to get a solid one. also electronic ignition is a bonus and bear in mind that the electrics have the same issues as all fibreglass cars so make sure everything works.
M series cars are rewarding to drive and in the past I've been able to keep up with Chimaeras and Griffiths thorough the 'twisty bits' but they do leave you behind on a straight run.
£3000 - £4500 seems to be the price for a good one these days, convertibles and turbos will be quite a bit more due being rarer and I know a few people that run them successfully everyday.
Good luck with your search
Andy.
From a practicality side go for a Taimar - the liftback makes life much easier (make sure the rear door seal is in good condition). they all have fairly bulletproof mechanicals and are either Ford (engines and odd bits) or Triumph (2500M engine and all the other mechanicals) and mechanical parts are still easy to get hold of. also try to find a car with a Salisbury diff. as they are stronger (post '76 I think but don't hold me to that)
The main problem that affects them is the chassis rotting out at the front outriggers and the top tubes around the differential, repair is pretty much a body off job so make sure you take care to get a solid one. also electronic ignition is a bonus and bear in mind that the electrics have the same issues as all fibreglass cars so make sure everything works.
M series cars are rewarding to drive and in the past I've been able to keep up with Chimaeras and Griffiths thorough the 'twisty bits' but they do leave you behind on a straight run.
£3000 - £4500 seems to be the price for a good one these days, convertibles and turbos will be quite a bit more due being rarer and I know a few people that run them successfully everyday.
Good luck with your search
Andy.
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