One to watch on ebay
Discussion
That one is very close to me and I have made arrangements to view it. I was considering taking it on myself. I have a good deal of experience with g.r.p from both cars and boats, and I have restored one S1. Now I am getting a little older I would quite like the longer doors....a point SWMBO strongly endorses!
greymrj said:
That one is very close to me and I have made arrangements to view it. I was considering taking it on myself. I have a good deal of experience with g.r.p from both cars and boats, and I have restored one S1. Now I am getting a little older I would quite like the longer doors....a point SWMBO strongly endorses!
I quite fancied the project but am missing the SWMBO endorsement, I already have the longer doors so that argument won't work. The car went for £3755. I bid £3250 after viewing the car. This is an H reg S3 which appeared in very good nick and well looked after before the accident. The accident was a glancing blow to the extreme rear corner. I could find no damage at all forward of the obvious damage on their pictures, not even any disturbance of dirt under the OSR wheel arch! Even the boot catch still lined up (they had had to cut the cable to get the boot open as the cable had still been in the clips and had been nipped by the accident. Hood suggested the car had been kept garaged as did the interior. Engine started and the electrics worked. Chassis inspected, well treated and had had some work and appeared good enough to risk. Almost new tyres, perfect 8 spoke OZ wheels and recent Gaz shocks amongst other evidence of a good owner. I have left details with Hills (who I have known for some years) with a view to trying to get the new owner into the club and to introduce them to this forum and PH if they are not already aware. Although I have an S already I am getting on a bit and we fancied the longer doors. I had planned to take a limited area mould from the rear of mine and use it to repair this car. I have done plenty of grp work before and it really wasnt that serious....even the bumper and chrome strip was readily reusable! I agreed entirely with Richard Kitchen (posts on facebook) that it was worth at least 3k as it stood and with Barry S1 that it would be worth 7k restored. Lets hope it joins us with its new owner.
I watched the final flurry of bids with interest, it's good to see that people are starting to appreciate the amazing value for money that an S offers. 
I'm so glad the bidding war didn't escalate to handbags at dawn:
Yes, I hope the new owner makes himself known to us on here.
Plus I would like to know who was the owner previously.
I'm so glad the bidding war didn't escalate to handbags at dawn:
Yes, I hope the new owner makes himself known to us on here.
Plus I would like to know who was the owner previously.
Edited by glenrobbo on Saturday 4th February 10:20
Hi folks I was lucky enough to win this today. It's a joint ownership between myself and my dad - we were looking for a lightweight rwd car to bumble around Devonshire's rolling hills and potentially enter the odd Hillclimb / trial.
Reading the above post (after winning the auction) was very reassuring so thanks for the info - I couldn't view the car due to logistics but did quite a bit of research - the prior owner is actually on Pistonheads now and again so managed to track down his maintenance. Also found some pre accident pictures which showed the car to be in very good condition. Also contacted the seller to get further details and then decided to go for it.
Looks like there's a mountain of information on PH and I'm sure we will be along with the odd query here and there so watch this space.
ATB Alan
Reading the above post (after winning the auction) was very reassuring so thanks for the info - I couldn't view the car due to logistics but did quite a bit of research - the prior owner is actually on Pistonheads now and again so managed to track down his maintenance. Also found some pre accident pictures which showed the car to be in very good condition. Also contacted the seller to get further details and then decided to go for it.
Looks like there's a mountain of information on PH and I'm sure we will be along with the odd query here and there so watch this space.
ATB Alan
Well done Alan, welcome to a really good group of enthusiasts, there are lost of people with experience who will be only too willing to help you.
I wont hold it against you for outbidding me, I already have one S (and quite enough other projects!) so better to share them around. Just glad it has gone to someone who is now in contact with us and it wont 'disappear'.
I did give Hills a contact for us, they may pass it on to you.
I also mentioned that one of our members has a part rear end section that might well help you. I had been looking at making a limited part rear mould from my other car (or that section) to use as a mould to ensure the rear is reconstructed correctly.
I did look at the car in some detail, if you have the skills to do the bodywork, and a number of other issues, yourselves then it has the potential to be a £7k car.
If youa re going to use it in Derbyshire then you need to contact Glenrobbo on this forum he is a very keen S owner and his section of the Club is responsible for that area and they do some excellent events. He also has an S3 very similar indeed to the one you have bought. Where are you based?
I wont hold it against you for outbidding me, I already have one S (and quite enough other projects!) so better to share them around. Just glad it has gone to someone who is now in contact with us and it wont 'disappear'.
I did give Hills a contact for us, they may pass it on to you.
I also mentioned that one of our members has a part rear end section that might well help you. I had been looking at making a limited part rear mould from my other car (or that section) to use as a mould to ensure the rear is reconstructed correctly.
I did look at the car in some detail, if you have the skills to do the bodywork, and a number of other issues, yourselves then it has the potential to be a £7k car.
If youa re going to use it in Derbyshire then you need to contact Glenrobbo on this forum he is a very keen S owner and his section of the Club is responsible for that area and they do some excellent events. He also has an S3 very similar indeed to the one you have bought. Where are you based?
greymrj said:
Well done Alan, welcome to a really good group of enthusiasts, there are lost of people with experience who will be only too willing to help you.
I wont hold it against you for outbidding me, I already have one S (and quite enough other projects!) so better to share them around. Just glad it has gone to someone who is now in contact with us and it wont 'disappear'.
I did give Hills a contact for us, they may pass it on to you.
I also mentioned that one of our members has a part rear end section that might well help you. I had been looking at making a limited part rear mould from my other car (or that section) to use as a mould to ensure the rear is reconstructed correctly.
I did look at the car in some detail, if you have the skills to do the bodywork, and a number of other issues, yourselves then it has the potential to be a £7k car.
If youa re going to use it in Derbyshire then you need to contact Glenrobbo on this forum he is a very keen S owner and his section of the Club is responsible for that area and they do some excellent events. He also has an S3 very similar indeed to the one you have bought. Where are you based?
Ahhh Alan said DEVONSHIRE ................................ not Derbyshire. Sounds like you might need a bit more caffine!!I wont hold it against you for outbidding me, I already have one S (and quite enough other projects!) so better to share them around. Just glad it has gone to someone who is now in contact with us and it wont 'disappear'.
I did give Hills a contact for us, they may pass it on to you.
I also mentioned that one of our members has a part rear end section that might well help you. I had been looking at making a limited part rear mould from my other car (or that section) to use as a mould to ensure the rear is reconstructed correctly.
I did look at the car in some detail, if you have the skills to do the bodywork, and a number of other issues, yourselves then it has the potential to be a £7k car.
If youa re going to use it in Derbyshire then you need to contact Glenrobbo on this forum he is a very keen S owner and his section of the Club is responsible for that area and they do some excellent events. He also has an S3 very similar indeed to the one you have bought. Where are you based?
Brithunter said:
Ahhh Alan said DEVONSHIRE ................................ not Derbyshire. Sounds like you might need a bit more caffine!!
Point taken, should have gone to Specsavers (or had an earlier night!) 
;)Devonshire! Never see it again once it has got into those tight, hedges, no view, lanes!!!* Now Derbyshire, that really is drivers country!!
(* my daughter lives there, need a vehicle on stilts to see anything!)
Thanks all for the words of wisdom - and I like the idea of making a molding of the o/s rear quarter panel, that would give a much better finish than trying to repair the current damage.
Once I have the number plate confirmed with the dvla I'll let you know - hoping this will be the same one it's always had!?
And as for the Devon lanes yes admittedly they are narrow but there are also some very interesting roads heading up from Exeter (where I'm based) to the north coast, or there's always the cream tea challenge up on Dartmoor :-)
Once I have the number plate confirmed with the dvla I'll let you know - hoping this will be the same one it's always had!?
And as for the Devon lanes yes admittedly they are narrow but there are also some very interesting roads heading up from Exeter (where I'm based) to the north coast, or there's always the cream tea challenge up on Dartmoor :-)
Hi motorbreath/ Alan,
Welcome to the wonderful world of S.
Please would you enter your details on our S3 owners list wiki at the top of this S Series forum? If unsure of the formatting, just ask on here for help. Substituting your details for the previous owner if he was on here is the easiest way.
Secondly, consider joining the TVRCC, there are many benefits, not least being considerable savings on your classic insurance with many brokers and discounts from many parts and service suppliers.
Hope to see you at an event or meeting this year. Have fun!
Welcome to the wonderful world of S.
Please would you enter your details on our S3 owners list wiki at the top of this S Series forum? If unsure of the formatting, just ask on here for help. Substituting your details for the previous owner if he was on here is the easiest way.
Secondly, consider joining the TVRCC, there are many benefits, not least being considerable savings on your classic insurance with many brokers and discounts from many parts and service suppliers.
Hope to see you at an event or meeting this year. Have fun!
So the car arrived yesterday which meant we had to spend the day having a good inspection.
The rear panel damage is as expected but with slightly more cracking and there's a hole punctured in the under valance.
We had two main issues... firstly how to unstick the temperamental bonnet catch as the hood wouldn't open for quite some time and after rolling around in the footwell checking the cable a helping hand to pop the bonnet forward was a welcome sight. Engine looks clean and tidy with a nice exhaust system.
Secondly and more importantly the fuel tank had ruptured due to rot and the impact which meant at certain angles fuel pours out. Luckily not on the flat garage floor. From a quick Google tanks seem a rare with only stainless steel available.
Also I'm assuming due to being sat for a while we couldn't engage any gears with the car running, turn it off and gear selection was fine, probably a gummed up clutch... hoping once we have a new battery (current one is dead) we can start it in gear which will clear the innards up.
The boot lid cable is snapped but there's an electronic boot release button on the steering column - is that normal for an S3?
Other jobs on the cards, new discs and pads current ones are scored up. Replace some bushes (advisories from last mot) give it a really good clean as it's quite grubby, no idea how long it's sat for...
Inside is really nice and it sounds awesome! Looking forward to getting stuck in to some fettling :-)
The rear panel damage is as expected but with slightly more cracking and there's a hole punctured in the under valance.
We had two main issues... firstly how to unstick the temperamental bonnet catch as the hood wouldn't open for quite some time and after rolling around in the footwell checking the cable a helping hand to pop the bonnet forward was a welcome sight. Engine looks clean and tidy with a nice exhaust system.
Secondly and more importantly the fuel tank had ruptured due to rot and the impact which meant at certain angles fuel pours out. Luckily not on the flat garage floor. From a quick Google tanks seem a rare with only stainless steel available.
Also I'm assuming due to being sat for a while we couldn't engage any gears with the car running, turn it off and gear selection was fine, probably a gummed up clutch... hoping once we have a new battery (current one is dead) we can start it in gear which will clear the innards up.
The boot lid cable is snapped but there's an electronic boot release button on the steering column - is that normal for an S3?
Other jobs on the cards, new discs and pads current ones are scored up. Replace some bushes (advisories from last mot) give it a really good clean as it's quite grubby, no idea how long it's sat for...
Inside is really nice and it sounds awesome! Looking forward to getting stuck in to some fettling :-)
motorbreath said:
S
The boot lid cable is snapped but there's an electronic boot release button on the steering column - is that normal for an S3?
Yes, button on column shroud and a solenoid in the boot is standard, the cable is just an "emergency release".The boot lid cable is snapped but there's an electronic boot release button on the steering column - is that normal for an S3?
it's not done to go into detail on an open forum but if you want to know any more pm me.
looks like you've bagged a nice little project
Nice one Alan. 
Re stuck clutch: try running the engine up to temp for about 20 mins, and then try to engage a gear. Sometimes the heat sink is enough to free it all off. It's usually the driven friction plate sticking on the input shaft splines due to rusting*.
Fuel tank:
Hartlepool Radiators ( as recommended by greymrj ) offer a fuel tank refurbishment service including a special coating inside to help prevent future corrosion.
Best way to check is to see if the clutch arm into the bellhousing moves when the clutch pedal is depressed.
Have fun!
Glen
Re stuck clutch: try running the engine up to temp for about 20 mins, and then try to engage a gear. Sometimes the heat sink is enough to free it all off. It's usually the driven friction plate sticking on the input shaft splines due to rusting*.
Fuel tank:
Hartlepool Radiators ( as recommended by greymrj ) offer a fuel tank refurbishment service including a special coating inside to help prevent future corrosion.
- There is also an occasional issue with the clutch fulcrum lever wearing where the clutch actuator pushrod end locates, allowing it to punch through the fulcrum arm. This can be repaired by welding a locator nut onto it.
Best way to check is to see if the clutch arm into the bellhousing moves when the clutch pedal is depressed.
Have fun!
Glen
Edited by glenrobbo on Thursday 16th February 23:57
Not sure how long it had been in the yard but I know they have driven it for fun and the yard was dirty, plus it has been stored outdoors right next to a wagon driveway so it has become dirty in the yard.
When I examined it the interior was dry which says a lot for an S that has been stored outside so it looks as if the hood and seals are all good. It also has the Chimaera alloy roof struts which is nice.
It does have the correct full stainless manifolds and exhaust
I was not convinced the fuel tank was damaged by the crash as the tank mount didnt seem to have deflected. You may have found something else though. A real possibility would be the fuel filler pipe become detached as the grp flexed. Whatever the issue you will have to take the tank out and investigate, it looked like an original tank. Replacement tanks are not readily available, they have to be made to order, and made properly with the two internal baffles or you will have fuel starvation problems on cornering.
I would doubt, from what I could see of the condition of the car, that the tank is beyond restoration even if found to be leaking. But it does need a specialist, and there are very few around. I would however recommend Hartlepool Radiator who also have a franchise for an American system for fuel tank restoration. They will deal with it by mail order, do a very thorough job, and provide a 20 or 25 year guarantee (I forget which). They did a great job of mine. They will also remove the in tank filter which will have started to break up by now, and I had a drain screw added at the same time. If you do contact them PLEASE mention you got the lead from the TVR club.
Dont lose that rear bumper rubber trim! As yet TVR Parts have not got a supplier for these so you will have to restore it. I presume the inner metal strip in the rubber has failed, there is a thread on this somewhere!
My guess is that the bonnet has moved slightly out of line, possibly the front mountings have moved or the rear catches have moved slightly. The bonnet release seemed to be working. With the bonnet up can you check to see if the catch pins on the bonnet itself have come loose. Then check two releases in the wings are moving OK then blank them off with a few layers of masking tape then see if the bonnet is slightly off square and then adjust the front mountings to compensate. Care, it is heavy. Get the two pins dead in line with the catches before removing the tape.
Yes, I think you have the potential for a very nice car there. Glad to have you with us. Good luck and keep us posted.
When I examined it the interior was dry which says a lot for an S that has been stored outside so it looks as if the hood and seals are all good. It also has the Chimaera alloy roof struts which is nice.
It does have the correct full stainless manifolds and exhaust
I was not convinced the fuel tank was damaged by the crash as the tank mount didnt seem to have deflected. You may have found something else though. A real possibility would be the fuel filler pipe become detached as the grp flexed. Whatever the issue you will have to take the tank out and investigate, it looked like an original tank. Replacement tanks are not readily available, they have to be made to order, and made properly with the two internal baffles or you will have fuel starvation problems on cornering.
I would doubt, from what I could see of the condition of the car, that the tank is beyond restoration even if found to be leaking. But it does need a specialist, and there are very few around. I would however recommend Hartlepool Radiator who also have a franchise for an American system for fuel tank restoration. They will deal with it by mail order, do a very thorough job, and provide a 20 or 25 year guarantee (I forget which). They did a great job of mine. They will also remove the in tank filter which will have started to break up by now, and I had a drain screw added at the same time. If you do contact them PLEASE mention you got the lead from the TVR club.
Dont lose that rear bumper rubber trim! As yet TVR Parts have not got a supplier for these so you will have to restore it. I presume the inner metal strip in the rubber has failed, there is a thread on this somewhere!
My guess is that the bonnet has moved slightly out of line, possibly the front mountings have moved or the rear catches have moved slightly. The bonnet release seemed to be working. With the bonnet up can you check to see if the catch pins on the bonnet itself have come loose. Then check two releases in the wings are moving OK then blank them off with a few layers of masking tape then see if the bonnet is slightly off square and then adjust the front mountings to compensate. Care, it is heavy. Get the two pins dead in line with the catches before removing the tape.
Yes, I think you have the potential for a very nice car there. Glad to have you with us. Good luck and keep us posted.
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