Finishing an S3
Discussion
Guys (and ladies) I've been working on an S3 for 3 years now, it needs carpets, dash re-installing, respray and general finishing off. Alas I can't do as my back won't work properly any more, but I still want to keep and enjoy it.
Does anyone know of someone that could complete the work?
TIA.
Does anyone know of someone that could complete the work?
TIA.
Glad you want to keep your S3 Dave, but finishing it all depends on what sort of arrangement you are looking for : -
Professional rates or "mates rates".
Garage or your own facilities?
And whereabouts in the South are you ?
Once it's completed, will you be able to drive it & enjoy it in the way it should be used?
More info is required.
All the best,
Glen.
Professional rates or "mates rates".
Garage or your own facilities?
And whereabouts in the South are you ?
Once it's completed, will you be able to drive it & enjoy it in the way it should be used?
More info is required.
All the best,
Glen.
I do sympathise with your back pain as I too suffer with lower back pain which most days is constant but easily made worse from lifting and maintaining awkward posture especially whilst working on my S2.
Last year I carried out some chassis repair so fabricated and welded a new out rigger, fitted a new gearbox mount and removed the propshaft to have ballanced, all this work took me three to four times longer than usual due to my back.
Hope you come up with a solution so you can enjoy all the hard work you have put into the S.
Last year I carried out some chassis repair so fabricated and welded a new out rigger, fitted a new gearbox mount and removed the propshaft to have ballanced, all this work took me three to four times longer than usual due to my back.
Hope you come up with a solution so you can enjoy all the hard work you have put into the S.
Hi Glen, see below...
glenrobbo said:
Glad you want to keep your S3 Dave, but finishing it all depends on what sort of arrangement you are looking for : -
Professional rates or "mates rates".
< Happy to pay a fair price for a good finish. >
Garage or your own facilities?
< I'd envisaged it low-loaded away and then returned completed, MOT'd etc. >
And whereabouts in the South are you ?
< Newbury Berkshire, so quite central >
Once it's completed, will you be able to drive it & enjoy it in the way it should be used?
< Absolutely, I'm aware how difficult they can be to steer at low speed but the problem I have shouldn't be an issue >
More info is required.
All the best,
Glen.
Happy to post a few pictures of its current state if required.Professional rates or "mates rates".
< Happy to pay a fair price for a good finish. >
Garage or your own facilities?
< I'd envisaged it low-loaded away and then returned completed, MOT'd etc. >
And whereabouts in the South are you ?
< Newbury Berkshire, so quite central >
Once it's completed, will you be able to drive it & enjoy it in the way it should be used?
< Absolutely, I'm aware how difficult they can be to steer at low speed but the problem I have shouldn't be an issue >
More info is required.
All the best,
Glen.
If there is no major mechanical work required, it sounds like it's best approached as two stages:
1. Respray - do you want a full or partial respray? Are there any bits that are crazed or star cracked? Ask around for recommended local body shops that are familiar with fiberglass finishing. A quick "blow over" job will not last, proper preparation is essential for a decent finish. How quickly do you want the car finished? You may get a discounted price if the bodyshop can do the work at less busy times as a "fill-in" job.
2. Final assembly & trim work - most body shops can do this, but a professional trimmer is probably the best bet. Again get some recommendations for local trimshops.
As mentioned earlier, Str8six come highly recommended, have a word with Jason, he's a nice guy, & will happily give you a quote for the full job.
But it won't be for peanuts.
Good luck,
Glen
ETA: If you pop along to your next local TVRCC meeting, the members can probably point you in the right direction. You don't have to be a member.
1. Respray - do you want a full or partial respray? Are there any bits that are crazed or star cracked? Ask around for recommended local body shops that are familiar with fiberglass finishing. A quick "blow over" job will not last, proper preparation is essential for a decent finish. How quickly do you want the car finished? You may get a discounted price if the bodyshop can do the work at less busy times as a "fill-in" job.
2. Final assembly & trim work - most body shops can do this, but a professional trimmer is probably the best bet. Again get some recommendations for local trimshops.
As mentioned earlier, Str8six come highly recommended, have a word with Jason, he's a nice guy, & will happily give you a quote for the full job.
But it won't be for peanuts.
Good luck,
Glen
ETA: If you pop along to your next local TVRCC meeting, the members can probably point you in the right direction. You don't have to be a member.
Edited by glenrobbo on Friday 21st March 15:30
glenrobbo said:
If there is no major mechanical work required, it sounds like it's best approached as two stages:
1. Respray - do you want a full or partial respray? Are there any bits that are crazed or star cracked? Ask around for recommended local body shops that are familiar with fiberglass finishing. A quick "blow over" job will not last, proper preparation is essential for a decent finish. How quickly do you want the car finished? You may get a discounted price if the bodyshop can do the work at less busy times as a "fill-in" job.
2. Final assembly & trim work - most body shops can do this, but a professional trimmer is probably the best bet. Again get some recommendations for local trimshops.
As mentioned earlier, Str8six come highly recommended, have a word with Jason, he's a nice guy, & will happily give you a quote for the full job.
But it won't be for peanuts.
Good luck,
Glen
ETA: If you pop along to your next local TVRCC meeting, the members can probably point you in the right direction. You don't have to be a member.
+1 for Str8six, they will happily finish it off for you but it will cost quite a few ££££ and I would guess would outsource a lot of the works required to other specialists, ie paint and trim. You would be paying for it to be managed on your behalf. 1. Respray - do you want a full or partial respray? Are there any bits that are crazed or star cracked? Ask around for recommended local body shops that are familiar with fiberglass finishing. A quick "blow over" job will not last, proper preparation is essential for a decent finish. How quickly do you want the car finished? You may get a discounted price if the bodyshop can do the work at less busy times as a "fill-in" job.
2. Final assembly & trim work - most body shops can do this, but a professional trimmer is probably the best bet. Again get some recommendations for local trimshops.
As mentioned earlier, Str8six come highly recommended, have a word with Jason, he's a nice guy, & will happily give you a quote for the full job.
But it won't be for peanuts.
Good luck,
Glen
ETA: If you pop along to your next local TVRCC meeting, the members can probably point you in the right direction. You don't have to be a member.
Edited by glenrobbo on Friday 21st March 15:30
If your looking to do it more on a budget and take the middle man out then here are a few businesses local to me, and as such probably not too far from you too. I have had work done by all of them and would be willing to entrust my V8S to again. They also dont charge a TVR tax either,
For bodywork I have used Classic and Custom Works for my 8 Series and VR4 and am planning on entrusting them with my V8S to sort out some of its bodywork issues. Competetively priced and do work to a very high standard. They are only a small business dealing in personal work, not insurance and have some very nice metal passing through. Will also quite regularly have a lotus hanging around being worked on as well as other custom/kit car jobs, so used to fibreglass, just not many TVR's!
To sort out the interior I have recently had some repairs carried out to my S by A J Trimming. Nice bloke who works by himself who I'm sure would happily create and fit a carpet set. He told me that he gets help with dash removal and refitting, trimming is what he is good at, but he would be able to get the interior back in place for you.
As for other mechanical work, I normally send mine to Str8six for servicing but used Toulmin Motors for a partial sleeve for my exhaust and am thinking of using if I get a case of upgrade itis with my engine. Would love to bolt a roots supercharger on a la the Italian 2000cc V8S', but thats another story! They are next to my local BMW specialist and regularly see some lovely cars passing through and sitting outside. Its a proper old fashioned hot rod shop. Seen everything from a De Tomaso Longchamps to Ford Rancheros to a Twin Turbocharged Rover P5 which is the owners.
Its not quite a one stop shop for you but it wouldnt be too difficult to arrange trailerage between them, or get it road legal first then drive it dependant on its current state.
If you would like any feedback about them then please drop me a PM and I'll answer as honestly as I can. I'm also not connected to any of these businesses except a satisfied customer.
Good luck with getting her back on the road.
G
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