280i FHC project!
Discussion
Hi
Late last year I decided that I needed to get a car which I could have hand controls fitted, so I could at last get back on the road in a TVR.
Well a FHC is the most obvious to have as I could have a wheclchair or scooter in the back! So I needed to find a FHC with auto and PAS. I would love to have found a 350i with that but I don't think the factory did one so it was a 280i on the Christmas shopping list.
Well one came up on f-bay, down in Dorset.
It had a little front impact restyling but appeared to be in fair condition and it even had the rare factory fitted rear screen wash/wiper.
Two good friends went down just before Christmas and collected it.
Over Christmas we surveyed the car, the engine ran ok and the car drove ok but the brakes were sticking, then it was time to take off the sills and we found the off side out rigger needed replacing.
The electrics are the dreaded black wiring, one headlight pod would not rise, but the lights worked OK!
But the basic wiring was in a mess!
So I decide that rather than do what I would normally do with a car needing a fair bit of work, a body off rebuild. I would do a refurb as I wanted to use the car in the spring if I could!
The engine was first, heads off for harden valve seats, rebuilt rad, new water pump etc.
Heads back on!
Rad in place!
Then the suspension and brakes.
It needed new shocks all round and front springs, the front discs were ok the rear discs and calipers needed replacing. So they were replaced as were all the suspension bushes, track rod ends and ball joints.
Off side awaiting the new spring and hub etc!
Nearside completed with new caliper with just the brake hose to fit!
Rear end complete with new shock rebuilt drive shaft and brakes!
Hopefully it will be back on it's wheel's at the end of the week, then I can finish the wiring. (I hope.)
Then it off to the body shop for the body repairs and painting, when my 350iS2 comes out!
After that it's fit the new carpets, hand controls, MOT and Tax and I will be on the road driving a TVR again some 18 mths since I last did!
Andy
Late last year I decided that I needed to get a car which I could have hand controls fitted, so I could at last get back on the road in a TVR.
Well a FHC is the most obvious to have as I could have a wheclchair or scooter in the back! So I needed to find a FHC with auto and PAS. I would love to have found a 350i with that but I don't think the factory did one so it was a 280i on the Christmas shopping list.
Well one came up on f-bay, down in Dorset.
It had a little front impact restyling but appeared to be in fair condition and it even had the rare factory fitted rear screen wash/wiper.
Two good friends went down just before Christmas and collected it.
Over Christmas we surveyed the car, the engine ran ok and the car drove ok but the brakes were sticking, then it was time to take off the sills and we found the off side out rigger needed replacing.
The electrics are the dreaded black wiring, one headlight pod would not rise, but the lights worked OK!
But the basic wiring was in a mess!
So I decide that rather than do what I would normally do with a car needing a fair bit of work, a body off rebuild. I would do a refurb as I wanted to use the car in the spring if I could!
The engine was first, heads off for harden valve seats, rebuilt rad, new water pump etc.
Heads back on!
Rad in place!
Then the suspension and brakes.
It needed new shocks all round and front springs, the front discs were ok the rear discs and calipers needed replacing. So they were replaced as were all the suspension bushes, track rod ends and ball joints.
Off side awaiting the new spring and hub etc!
Nearside completed with new caliper with just the brake hose to fit!
Rear end complete with new shock rebuilt drive shaft and brakes!
Hopefully it will be back on it's wheel's at the end of the week, then I can finish the wiring. (I hope.)
Then it off to the body shop for the body repairs and painting, when my 350iS2 comes out!
After that it's fit the new carpets, hand controls, MOT and Tax and I will be on the road driving a TVR again some 18 mths since I last did!
Andy
Edited by Mr Tank on Monday 4th March 19:10
That's absolutely great Andy!
You must have outbid me on the car, as I remember it on fleabay at the time and put in a cheeky bid or two on it, I do remember thinking that it would be a hell of a long drive to go collect it, Weymouth is miles away from me, mind you, it's a fair distance from you too.
Fortunately I've been able to find another FHC, so I'm not too gutted
I think having the auto is a real bonus too, as a conversion appears to be a bit tricky without extensive mods being carried out.
Rear windscreen wiper and the interior doesn't look too bad at all!
I think it's a great quick turn around project and I'll definitely be looking forward to seeing it at the fest and I'm sure you'll really enjoy being able to drive a TVR once again!
All the best
Mark
You must have outbid me on the car, as I remember it on fleabay at the time and put in a cheeky bid or two on it, I do remember thinking that it would be a hell of a long drive to go collect it, Weymouth is miles away from me, mind you, it's a fair distance from you too.
Fortunately I've been able to find another FHC, so I'm not too gutted
I think having the auto is a real bonus too, as a conversion appears to be a bit tricky without extensive mods being carried out.
Rear windscreen wiper and the interior doesn't look too bad at all!
I think it's a great quick turn around project and I'll definitely be looking forward to seeing it at the fest and I'm sure you'll really enjoy being able to drive a TVR once again!
All the best
Mark
Roy
I would normally take them off rub them down or given them a sand blast in the cabinet, then prime and paint. The bits on the 280i were done by a friend and were not preped as far as I go but are OK!
The paint I use is from my local farm machinery suppliers and is used on farm equipment as is harder wearing than most you can get!
Andy
I would normally take them off rub them down or given them a sand blast in the cabinet, then prime and paint. The bits on the 280i were done by a friend and were not preped as far as I go but are OK!
The paint I use is from my local farm machinery suppliers and is used on farm equipment as is harder wearing than most you can get!
Andy
Edited by Mr Tank on Tuesday 5th March 20:45
Hi
The off side is now finished apart from the drivers seat belt mounting/nut. The old outrigger had rusted away so badly we could not reuse the old fixing.
Just waiting for the new drive shaft nuts and we can get it back on the floor for me to finish off the wiring! O! what joy I will be having next week.
At least I can put some of my 350SE back together over the weekend!
Andy
The off side is now finished apart from the drivers seat belt mounting/nut. The old outrigger had rusted away so badly we could not reuse the old fixing.
Just waiting for the new drive shaft nuts and we can get it back on the floor for me to finish off the wiring! O! what joy I will be having next week.
At least I can put some of my 350SE back together over the weekend!
Andy
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