Those alloy handbrake surrounds?

[chris watton]

I see these on some of the cars, but not all, and not on mine. Can these still be bought (haven't seen them anywhere for sale), and are they an easy fit?

[BuzzBillsberry]

Afternoon Chris I'm assuming you mean the hand brake handle cover? If you are They are pretty easy to fit all you need is an Allen key about 3mm I think . They just slip over the hand beak button on to the h/b itself and locked in place with Allen headed grub screw. I can't remember the name of the co who sells them but they do the alloy indicator stalks and loads of other stuff for the old cats as well like the Chim etc



Buzz

[chris watton]

Hi Buzz

Not the actual handbrake handle, but the handbrake base on the centre tunnel.

In both my Tams, it wasn't there, this is my first (second is the same)



And here, there appears to be an aluminium surround at the base of gaitor



ETA - This pic shows it more clearly:

Edited by chris watton on Sunday 22 December 13:05

[BuzzBillsberry]

Ah right not sure who sells them but they are available....they are easy to install the centre console will need to come off along with the

gear knob
Hand bracket alloy cover

The alloy item locates to the under neath of the centre console via 3 bolts. Hopefully the three locating screw threads will be bonded to the console as per the norm. If not and knowing your luck. you'll have bond them in with a bit of glass fibre ( pretty easily done)

Buzz

[chris watton]

BuzzBillsberry said:

Ah right not sure who sells them but they are available....they are easy to install the centre console will need to come off along with the

gear knob
Hand bracket alloy cover

The alloy item locates to the under neath of the centre console via 3 bolts. Hopefully the three locating screw threads will be bonded to the console as per the norm. If not and knowing your luck. you'll have bond them in with a bit of glass fibre ( pretty easily done)

Buzz

Cheers Buzz.

It just so happens that the centre tunnel is off the car at the moment (still waiting for my new reverse switch to turn up from Racing Green..), so I have already removed the gear knob and handbrake sleeve. I also make models as well as design them, so using glass fibre isn't a problem (for once!)

I just haven't seen any of these surrounds/bases for sale anywhere, and just thought it would be cool to try and fix one in now, while everything's in pieces.

As an aside, it is disheartening when you remove some of the trim and you see just how shoddy some of the work done at the factory was - a good example is the holes for the rear speakers, they were not round and looked as though a child tried their hand at their first cut using a blunt saw!

Edited by chris watton on Sunday 22 December 17:24

[BuzzBillsberry]

Yeah ditto your last paragraph + former owners are just as bad ! I did a full 'c' check on mine so to speak and had the same issue as u with rear speakers + the wiring looms were just left hanging as various ties failed and 2 of the earth point bolts were loose a big no,no on plastic cars!

I have seen the h/b surrounds for sale but I just can't remember where. I'll have a think....it might be worth ringing a few of the TVR scrapers and see what they have. I'll keep my eye open for you.

Buzz

[EvoOlli]

I think it was TorqueRVT which offered the part on ebay...ask them !

[Ant.]

I have a spare centre console which has one fitted.....

[chris watton]

Ant. said:

I have a spare centre console which has one fitted.....

YHM

[BuzzBillsberry]

Result!

[anonymous-user]

The company providing most of the alloy trim items was/is Leven Technology. They are now part of Prestige Performance Cars - Refer here - http://ppctvr.co.uk/

[chris watton]

dod said:

The company providing most of the alloy trim items was/is Leven Technology. They are now part of Prestige Performance Cars - Refer here - http://ppctvr.co.uk/

Cheers. I looked on there but no handbrake base. I have already sent a cheque off to Ant now, anyway, so all sorted.

[SteveSPG]

If anyone else has a spare or knows of one. Can you let me know too!!

[V8 GRF]

They were a TVR part iirc. X-Works have one that they may be willing to sell.

[allanb]

SteveSPG said:

If anyone else has a spare or knows of one. Can you let me know too!!

Steve, YHM

[chris watton]

I have this part now, which Ant sent. After thinking long and hard, I think it may be better to wait until I have the car re-trimmed, and let the trimmers fit it.

I have no bolts located to the underside of my centre tunnel, plus the opening on my original is a lot smaller than the aluminium part to fit through, so this too needs serious surgery. In order to do that, I really need a template for the correct size, and I would also have to take off the trim, which (knowing my luck) would tear and look crap until I have the re-trim.

So, is waiting for the trimmers to do it properly the best idea, do you think? I know that if I mess up the opening size, it's not like spare centre tunnels are readily available, or cheap.

[chris watton]

You know those jobs you start with so much enthusiasm, but end up wishing you hadn't started....

I just had to try. I got the template for the correct hole opening for the alloy handbrake surround, and have been sanding out the aperture to the correct size (didn't realise the centre tunnel was blue ABS/polyprop type plastic, rather than fibreglass!)

I think I've done it right, but have made a right pigs ear (quite literally) of the surrounding Bison faux leather, even after unsticking the area surrounding the larger aperture. I think I've opened it up a little too much in a couple of areas though, so am hoping the trimmers will be able to 'hide' my mistakes when it's re-trimmed.

I think I'm going to be too ashamed to drive it anywhere until it's re-trimmed. Why couldn't I wait for the trimmers to do it!

Edited by chris watton on Monday 13th January 16:12

[SteveSPG]

Chris

i sort of know where you're coming from.

i got the ali bit, and the tunnel with the right size hole at the trimmers now, (bought both separately assuming they bolted together directly).....but can't find the "egg shaped bit of fibreglass " needed to bolt the two together....

don't suppose anyone has/knows where one is?

tried the usual suspects with no luck.

[chris watton]

Just savour the workmanship of a complete idiot!



I have just tucked in the loose material edges, which probably makes it look worse. I don't think I'll add the three bolts until it's trimmed, as I have no choice but drill through the tunnel and have the bolt heads exposed, but if this is done when the old trim is removed, the bolt heads can then be ground down to about a mm, and the padding under the leather will hide the remaining heads - or at least, that's the plan..

SteveSPG said:

Chris

i sort of know where you're coming from.

i got the ali bit, and the tunnel with the right size hole at the trimmers now, (bought both separately assuming they bolted together directly).....but can't find the "egg shaped bit of fibreglass " needed to bolt the two together....

don't suppose anyone has/knows where one is?

tried the usual suspects with no luck.

Hi Steve. It seems that even the simplest of jobs can end up being a nightmare, and taking a lot more time (and money) than first thought..

You need the base, as it clamps the alloy part between itself and the underside of the tunnel, keeping it in place. I guess you could try scrapyards?

[SteveSPG]

chris watton said:

You need the base, as it clamps the alloy part between itself and the underside of the tunnel, keeping it in place. I guess you could try scrapyards?

yes, scrappies tried but to no avail so far....might have to make one