The masterplan - thoughts anyone?

[440Interceptor]

Morning all, story goes something like this: I owned a 1984 280i, in great original cond, car repainted and chassis refurbed, painted etc. Re-uphostered seats, french polished wood etc.

Then I smashed it. I hit the car in front and a WRX kindly shunted me from behind. Result; insurance write off, nose wrecked, and cracked bodyshell. Everthing else was okay but not checked the chassis for straightness. Under my policy I got to keep the car and it has sat under a tarp in a shed (but very dry here in W. Australia).

All that was five years ago and the car is still waiting patiently for me. The plan was to repair it over time but I would need new panels from TET. Repair likely to be very costly as I would be paying and not many fibreglassers over here. Also no idea what condition engine and gearbox are in as I didn't drain prior to laying up. Too hard - hence no action to date.

My thoughts are now that I could import another 280 or preferably a 350 or even a 390 from the same year (1984) and use my car as a parts donor.

Now for the questions:

Apart from the drivetrain, were there many other differences between 280, 350, 390 from the same year? I know the rear suspension was changed later on, but if I stuck to 1984 cars would I be able to use many parts? (Brakes,wheels, interior, gauges, electrics etc.)

Apart fron finding the right car, anybody see holes in my theory? Please be as 'honest' as you like.

Cheers, Toby

[vampire222]

I think the 280 has a different engine bay size. the V8 wedges should be pretty much similar except for the aerodynamic stuff and wider wheel arches found on the big blocks. ofcourse not including the SEAC versions

[RCK974X]

The first question is which chassis you have.... the series 1 280's had JUST enough room for the V6, and when TVR changed to the Rover, they widened the engine bay chassis rails by about 2 inches to get the V8 in. later, all cars got the V8 chassis. Then they changed the rear suspension, but again, I don't think car was widened overall.

I think an easy visual check is that the early V6 chassis rails were straight from the front uprights to the gearbox tunnel, and the V8 chassis rails have a bend in them.

other than that theu all used pretty much same suspension and rear drivetrain....

Until the 400's I also think the nose moulding was the same, just the bolt on spoilers etc changed. There were some changes for rear lights etc. not sure about those.
As far as I know, the exterior body didn't change overall dimensions.

(someone correct me please if they know this is wrong...thanks)

Depending upon how badly smashed the body is.... did you keep the big bits ? I have repaired a whole corner by reusing those big bits and gradually reglassing them together (at the back to start with) so they define the right shape. Slow, but do-able for an amateur. You don't need many tools to fibreglass things. My corner looks perfect now, and all it cost me was time and some GRP materials...

If you need a new chassis though, it probably isn't worth it, out in Oz, unless you can find a local drag race company or similar who are used to tube chassis designs.... The chassis is just standard steel tube ...

2.8 engines are pretty tough and all iron, so should be OK, may just need a good flush, but water pump may be knackered (as it's aluminium). Should be OK I reckon...

[Solitude]

I think differences between models would mean you need to stick to a 280....its gonna be a costly error otherwise.
They come up on ebay regularly, i fancy your chances of picking up a basket case are good....plus visually you will see, and can request additional pics.

Good luck

[440Interceptor]

Chassis was not flared if memory serves and if it is out of whack I know someone who has a full jig setup who can realign for me.Good news re 2.8 engine too, thanks.

Looks like the choices are to import another car: $5,000 plus $4,000 shipping plus incidentals. Say $12,000 all up. Add to that anything that needs doing to the new car. V8 wedges sell for around $20k here, but slowly.

Vs Repair the existing car: paint $?, parts from TET $2000 and mechanical reconditioning $2000 (stab in the dark).

Should be cheaper to repair my car but will take much much longer and rely on me to learn some new skills - not to mention find some more room in my garage.... The key difference would be that one way I end up with a V8.

Cr@p..this is why I haven't done anything for so long...

[adam quantrill]

Tony - regarding fiberglassers, Oz is pretty boat mad, so I would try ringing round the local boatyards to see if there's anyone who can do it at a reasonable rate.

I wouldn't worry about the engine - remove all plugs, teaspoon of oil in each bore, leave to soak in, then turn over by hand. Once you get it running get some fresh oil in it. You said the nose was smashed - what about the radiator?

[RCK974X]

Been thinking a bit more.... the boat builder suggestion is a good one, LOTS of GRP experts around boats !!

If it's an earlier style 280, the radiator is a long way back and fairly close to the engine, whereas I think the later ones had radiator placed further forward in the nose (- V8 clearance).

Also, the nose and body had quite a lot of marine plywood which was bonded in to fibreglass for strength. This is also a common technique for boats, as far as I know. I think there are panels in the rear too.

Not an easy decision really. UK prices are cheap according to this forum, but if the chassis is straight then it's a shame to scrap it. On the other hand you could indeed get a V8 replacement, which is very tempting (I'm always tempted by the V8 refit idea, and my wedge isn't even crashed !...)