Was there a chassis change in '98?

[Ffirg 005]

I understood that the AJP chassis didn't change from the start of production until 2002, but I'm looking at two photos both from '98 AJP Cerberas and there are some differences. In these two pics look at the angle and height of the wishbone mounts and the strut arrangement above the front axle.

So what differences are there in AJP chassis and when did they happen?

First pic was snapped in a dealer garage of an 'r' plate car (not sure which AJP engine), the second one is my LSx project donor which was a '98 4.2 before the fire and pillage.





edited to add - the wishbone mount angle *could* be an illusion due to the different photo angles, but the other difference is definitely there.

>>> Edited by Ffirg 005 on Monday 4th April 15:49

[Ffirg 005]

*bump* Anyone....?

[crazycats]

Don't know anything about different chassis', but they do look different in the pictures,

I've got a few pics at home, when I was repainting mine last year, I'll dig em out tonight and stick a couple on here, may help you to highlight any differences.

CD in the post BTW, apologies for the delay

[Ffirg 005]

Thanks Paul - much appreciated!

One extra bit of info - I have just found out the bottom photo was originally a P reg so it's up to a year older than the top one. They are definitely both AJPs, not Speed 6.

Don

[martyn-s1]

My sept '98 registered 4.5 has the chassis like the top picture, as I can attest to how difficult it is to remove the power steering rack for refurb when a seal went out of the front of that chassis. I have however photos of parts of the car being built at the factory that have a Nov '97 date on them so I assume the chassis was built in '97.

Perhaps the difference is to do with the different engines being fitted ?

[Ffirg 005]

OK, that could be it though can't imagine why - quick call to the garage where I snapped the top one has established it is a '98 4.5, the bottom '97 one is a 4.2.

Don

[olly]

Our car (4.2 registered late '97) has the same chassis as the top car....

(just to add to the confusion !)

[andy4200]

I can't be sure for another week but I think my car has the top style ('96 4.2). I'll check when I get the chance.

[crazycats]

I know this doesn't answer your question, but as a comparison mine is a 97 4.2.

[Ffirg 005]

Feck.... yours has the struts over the rack like the top photo, but I'd swear the wishbone mounts are shaped like the ones in the bottom photo... but again that could be just the camera angle playing tricks.

[simonsparrow]

olly said:

Our car (4.2 registered late '97) has the same chassis as the top car.... (just to add to the confusion !)

Mine is the same as olly and crazycats, a late '97 R reg. 4.2, same chassis as first picture.

Very mysterious.....(or not, knowing TVR....)

Definite difference in the height of the shock towers, you can see the gaps to the body.

How is the paint holding up Crazycats? Looks good, what did you use? I've used POR-15, will see how well it held up when I have a look this spring

>> Edited by simonsparrow on Tuesday 5th April 19:35

[crazycats]

simonsparrow said:

How is the paint holding up Crazycats? Looks good, what did you use? I've used POR-15, will see how well it held up when I have a look this spring

So far, so good...used POR-15, then white smoothrite over the top, then waxoil...must of added about 100kgs to the weight

I had all the front suspension shot-blasted, and re-painted all that too.

The rear was meant to be this winters project, but just never seemed to get the time

[luckyone]

Our 4.5 98 looks like the top one for sure. I just finished cleaning up all the rust & waxoiling it, very worryingly rusty (looked good till I started scraping at the power coating). It had been waxoiled before, but only from beneath so the tops of all the suspension mounts had a lot of rust on them. But what worried me more was when I got soaked by the water that poured out of the lower main chassis rail upon removing the anti roll bar mounting bolts. I dried it out & filled it with waxoil & am keeping my fingers crossed.

crazycats said:

I had all the front suspension shot-blasted, and re-painted all that too.

Yours looks great did you get it shot-blasted, with the engine in? How did you get it to & from the shot-blasting with out any suspension

[crazycats]

luckyone said:

Yours looks great did you get it shot-blasted, with the engine in? How did you get it to & from the shot-blasting with out any suspension

Didn't get the chassis shot-blasted, many hours with a scraper and wire brush.

It was only the suspension bits I got blasted.

[Luckyone]

Oh, I see, good idea

Wire bush is grate fun isn't it, I had just finished the back, so was in two minds to start the front, but though what the hell, they're only fingers, I don't need them that much!