The 4.3BV advertised on Pistonheads
Discussion
Just bought this, picking it up on Saturday.
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/t...
It is a genuine BV from the factory with the build sheet etc. New cam, screen, clutch, front respray etc but has some rot in the chassis, hence the price. My third pre-cat, second 4.3BV.... what am I thinking. Just what I need, another money pit
I know I must be mad, but this one will definitely be a keeper 
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/t...
It is a genuine BV from the factory with the build sheet etc. New cam, screen, clutch, front respray etc but has some rot in the chassis, hence the price. My third pre-cat, second 4.3BV.... what am I thinking. Just what I need, another money pit
I know I must be mad, but this one will definitely be a keeper fb2 said:
I'd just said to my wife 'that'll go in a matter of hours'!
I suppose it depends on quite how bad the chassis is but if it's 'just' the outriggers it seems like you got a seriously good bargain - well done!
Thanks. I am hoping that the colour combination will grow on me. The blue and cream pre-cat that I have now is my ideal colour, but it's so difficult with a TVR to get the type, spec and colour you are after. I think that by the time, the outriggers are rotten, it is time to take the body off and do it properly. The trouble is, by the time you do that, the BV at Fernhurst, with one owner and 19k on the clock, at £25k might sound like a bargain I suppose it depends on quite how bad the chassis is but if it's 'just' the outriggers it seems like you got a seriously good bargain - well done!
Russell Mc said:
Last time I spoke to you you were selling yours. Now you have two?
I know, I know I am sick and my current car is going so well, just bought new ACT cherry bombs, sounds great. The last month of driving the Griffith has been really enjoyable, I think that is why my man maths calculations made buying this as well sound so sensible 
Just spent some more time with the seller on the phone and it is the same guy and car on page 196 of the Griffith Story. Also found out that the rot is just confined to the usual forward corner of one of the out riggers, but with a year's MOT still on it, I will enjoy it this summer and see how I go.
vjj said:
Austec charge 1800 pounds plus VAT to lift the body, remove and replace the outriggers, tidy up the rest of the chassis and put her back down - and the job they have just done on a yellow one looks fantastic - the chassis is as good as new!
Thanks for the info; yes a difficult decision. As more and more cars of this age (and some a lot younger) need chassis work, the garages are getting better and better at it with many starting to offer a fixed price for a full chassis strip, paint etc. Of course there are are many extras that can double the cost; shocks, wheel bearings, calipers, ball joints etc etc, where do you stop. My initial thoughts are to leave it for this season and look at a full body off and try not get completely carried away. I will post some better images of it when I get it tomorrow.dod said:
With a some time and effort you could re-colour the leather to dark-green or black.
That will be another dilemma. I do like messing with my cars, but even although the colours may not be exactly as I would like, I might just keep it completely as it came from the factory. I might even resist putting the usual ACT smooth induction kit on it and keep the original corrugated duct! Well, all sorted, the car is outside. The seller was a very genuine guy and obviously knew a lot about the car after 10 years. The all important original sales invoice is there with the BV option being an extra £1000 plus VAT. The other options were, alarm, metallic paint, full hide, wilton carpets, tinted glass and an adjustable pedal box (I thought that they all had those). The options came to £3027, with the total being £30,210 on the road. So far; the carpet is a bit worn on the drivers side but the rest are good, leather's good, hoods fine. The engine bay looks great, better than I thought, paint has the usual stone chips but not that bad. The engine goes very well indeed, temps stay constant, 25psi oil pressure at tick over when hot (good for a pre-cat), good Toyos all round. Loads of history; 500 clutch, ACT pre-cat manifolds, ACT exhaust etc, lots of MOTs all in a special binder the same colour as the car, with the car's registration on the front in a metal plaque. I am sure that I will find a few problems as with any car of this age, but very pleased so far. I basically bought it without seeing it, so a bit of a leap of faith there. Anyway, when I have given it clean, I will post some photos.
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