Vixen S2 'refurb'
Discussion
Hi, as communicated on a separate thread. Picked up my new project, a one owner 1969 Vixen S2. Has never been restored, but used regularly until it was laid up in 2018. Once I had cleaned off the dust, the paint is very tarnished and lots of blemishes, but looks remarkably presentable for original 1969 paint. Intention is to leave the paint, with only minor blow-in where there are major issues. Interior is pretty good, dash looks amazing, seats are worn, some tears but usable. Ditto interior to be retained. I will do the underneath primarily.
One question. The Perspex rear screen seems to have drooped where it meets the rear body, in the centre. Seems to seal still. Is this normal? Some small pressure and light heat could be applied, so it might creep back into shape?
Thanks
Nic
One question. The Perspex rear screen seems to have drooped where it meets the rear body, in the centre. Seems to seal still. Is this normal? Some small pressure and light heat could be applied, so it might creep back into shape?
Thanks
Nic
Edited by NicBowman on Thursday 13th October 12:22
Sorry can't help with the rear screen sagging as I have no experience of plastic ones. Hopefully others will offer some more help. What I can say is that there is very little rigidity in the rear roof edge. Without the glass in it will flex almost under it's own weight, with the screen providing the strength for the roof.
I would be tempted to look for a glass replacement item. They do occasionally pop up in the usual places but a 'wanted' ad on the TVRCC site may be a good starting point. I am fairly sure 'M' rear screens are the same, other than they had heating elements where as Vixen screens did not. There must be some glass items sitting on shelves having been removed for light weight competition use.
Good luck with the "underneath" (chassis ?). Let us know how you progress or if you need help with anything else.
Moto
I would be tempted to look for a glass replacement item. They do occasionally pop up in the usual places but a 'wanted' ad on the TVRCC site may be a good starting point. I am fairly sure 'M' rear screens are the same, other than they had heating elements where as Vixen screens did not. There must be some glass items sitting on shelves having been removed for light weight competition use.
Good luck with the "underneath" (chassis ?). Let us know how you progress or if you need help with anything else.
Moto
Very nice buy Nic. Hope you got a cracking deal on it as you've been looking for a while.
I've been speaking with Andrew at TVR Pre 80s parts (https://www.tvrpre80sparts.com) about bits for my Grantura. I've not actually bought anything (yet) from him but he's been really helpful and knowledgeable. They sell front and rear screens, as well as the seals...it may be that you just need the latter.
I've been speaking with Andrew at TVR Pre 80s parts (https://www.tvrpre80sparts.com) about bits for my Grantura. I've not actually bought anything (yet) from him but he's been really helpful and knowledgeable. They sell front and rear screens, as well as the seals...it may be that you just need the latter.
I found exactly the same last year when I started my Vixen chassis rebuild. It looked excellent with just light surface rust. However once shot blasted back to clean metal I found much more that needed addressing. So for me it was a good thing that I did the chassis rebuild.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Moto
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Moto
Great to see the car again and now in good hands for the future.
When Stephen contacted me a few weeks ago saying he felt it was time for the TVR to have a new home it was sad but had to happen one day.
I first met Stephen at the euro tunnel where he saw me in my Vixen and came running over to introduce himself as he was excited to see another Vixen.
He was in his daily at the time.
When we talked I encouraged him to come to Gaydon for the Pre 80s even there which he did.
There it was the second time the Broken Piston award was being presented that was created by Steve Reid shortly before he passed away.
At the event the judges Martin Lilley Dougie Elwood and John Chatley and Mike Bigland after looking at all the cars there for the different classes decided that Stephen’s Vixen stood out as being the clear winner for that award.
It being so unchanged apart from the bonnet change early in its life after a prang everything else was as it left the factory and a great car for others to reference.
As much as I would have loved it myself my space is full with 5 cars in my place at the moment so it was a joy to be able to connect the two of you and give some guidance on price that would allow you to spend where needed to take the car on its next chapter.
Stephen had a number of classics and a tribute to the TVR that it was the last one he let go the others being sent to auction over the last couple of years.
He was going to send this to auction however I suggested that if we could find a suitable new owner at a price that would be equivalent to what he would have returned after auction fees.
That would mean the new owner was in a position to spend going forward.
Yes new screens Glass or Perspex are available and where an option on the cars when new.
So glad she has a sympathetic new owner who is going to preserve her
Andrew
When Stephen contacted me a few weeks ago saying he felt it was time for the TVR to have a new home it was sad but had to happen one day.
I first met Stephen at the euro tunnel where he saw me in my Vixen and came running over to introduce himself as he was excited to see another Vixen.
He was in his daily at the time.
When we talked I encouraged him to come to Gaydon for the Pre 80s even there which he did.
There it was the second time the Broken Piston award was being presented that was created by Steve Reid shortly before he passed away.
At the event the judges Martin Lilley Dougie Elwood and John Chatley and Mike Bigland after looking at all the cars there for the different classes decided that Stephen’s Vixen stood out as being the clear winner for that award.
It being so unchanged apart from the bonnet change early in its life after a prang everything else was as it left the factory and a great car for others to reference.
As much as I would have loved it myself my space is full with 5 cars in my place at the moment so it was a joy to be able to connect the two of you and give some guidance on price that would allow you to spend where needed to take the car on its next chapter.
Stephen had a number of classics and a tribute to the TVR that it was the last one he let go the others being sent to auction over the last couple of years.
He was going to send this to auction however I suggested that if we could find a suitable new owner at a price that would be equivalent to what he would have returned after auction fees.
That would mean the new owner was in a position to spend going forward.
Yes new screens Glass or Perspex are available and where an option on the cars when new.
So glad she has a sympathetic new owner who is going to preserve her
Andrew
Edited by Andrew Gray on Thursday 20th October 09:47
Little update. Chassis out and repaired. Welding on one outrigger done by Automotive sporting heritage in Horseheath. Superb job. Makes the previous (historical) outrigger repair look like it was welded by a 6 year old!
Then hot zinc and powder coat at Conqueror in Royston. Again, great job and very competitive pricing.
I really wanted to use standard suspension bushes, but assembly beat me.. they don’t go in.. so went for Poly from Doug Elwood at Autobush. I found these a fiddle to assemble, the split bush is very hard to push the stainless pivot into, not in terms of force, but as there is compression and no lead in chamfer. So they get stuck in the middle as you push them in. Very irksome. I ended up adding a chamfer with a countersink tool.
Recovered the upper wishbone where the old ball joint sheared, but new ball joints threw£ oversized, needing a die to slim it down a few thou before they fitted.
Photos.
Nic
Then hot zinc and powder coat at Conqueror in Royston. Again, great job and very competitive pricing.
I really wanted to use standard suspension bushes, but assembly beat me.. they don’t go in.. so went for Poly from Doug Elwood at Autobush. I found these a fiddle to assemble, the split bush is very hard to push the stainless pivot into, not in terms of force, but as there is compression and no lead in chamfer. So they get stuck in the middle as you push them in. Very irksome. I ended up adding a chamfer with a countersink tool.
Recovered the upper wishbone where the old ball joint sheared, but new ball joints threw£ oversized, needing a die to slim it down a few thou before they fitted.
Photos.
Nic
NicBowman said:
.......
Then hot zinc and powder coat at Conqueror in Royston. Again, great job and very competitive pricing. ....
wow...exactly how it should be done...since years i´m trying to say that this is THE way to go...but usually those recommendations had been discussed to death.Then hot zinc and powder coat at Conqueror in Royston. Again, great job and very competitive pricing. ....
now, i´m pleased that somebody has choosen this way. Congratulations!!!
Hot Zinc is THE way to go to get the chassis protected for ever.
i pressume hot zinc flame spray.
better than the usual procedere. because i was thinking in Hot-dip galvanization....which would also protect the chassis-tubes from inside (as you need to drill holes anyway for this procedure)....i´ve done it on a far more fragile and thinner tubing of a lotus sevenish-car and it worked perfect...i also know from a TVR restorer (east europe country) who is using this procedure successfully.
better than the usual procedere. because i was thinking in Hot-dip galvanization....which would also protect the chassis-tubes from inside (as you need to drill holes anyway for this procedure)....i´ve done it on a far more fragile and thinner tubing of a lotus sevenish-car and it worked perfect...i also know from a TVR restorer (east europe country) who is using this procedure successfully.
Like you say I think thermal / flame zinc spraying is good enough. After lots of research that's what I went with and hopefully it will outlive me twice over. HDG is the ultimate but as you say needs drilling and allegedly a risk of twisting the frame.
I also fitted all my axle stands and jacks with rubber pads so as not to damage the coating during maintenance.
Moto
I also fitted all my axle stands and jacks with rubber pads so as not to damage the coating during maintenance.
Moto
Gassing Station | TVR Classics | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff