Why do you have an 'M' or classic TVR?
Discussion
First fell in love with Leon Hickmans 3000M about 15 years ago, and wanted a TVR ever since! I think a classic has two advantages
- Helps you get into the marque with minimum 'initial'(
) outlay
- Great for learning about how the things work (or are at least supposed to work...!)
Yes, i'd love a newer TVR one of these days, but for now, I just can't wait to get the M back on the road!!!
Tony
- Helps you get into the marque with minimum 'initial'(
) outlay - Great for learning about how the things work (or are at least supposed to work...!)
Yes, i'd love a newer TVR one of these days, but for now, I just can't wait to get the M back on the road!!!
Tony
I wanted:
* Something I could tinker with and tweak with lots of upgrade possibilities.
* Something that was a bit different to the run-of-the-mill classics like MGBs.
* Having owned a Mini, I was looking for something that didn't rust.
* Something with a nice fastback shape and classic styling, but somewhat cheaper than a lightweight E-type or 250GTO.
* Something that had the potential to embarass hot hatches.
* Something totally home-grown.
* Something I could use every day.....don't laugh.
Since I was looking whilst studying for my PhD, I didn't have mega bucks to spend (and still don't) and so classic insurance was a bonus.
I'd love a 90's Griffith but I'm afraid she'd have to go in the garage alongside the Yellow Peril rather than as a replacement..... too much time and money has been invested to give up on her now.....
* Something I could tinker with and tweak with lots of upgrade possibilities.
* Something that was a bit different to the run-of-the-mill classics like MGBs.
* Having owned a Mini, I was looking for something that didn't rust.
* Something with a nice fastback shape and classic styling, but somewhat cheaper than a lightweight E-type or 250GTO.
* Something that had the potential to embarass hot hatches.
* Something totally home-grown.
* Something I could use every day.....don't laugh.
Since I was looking whilst studying for my PhD, I didn't have mega bucks to spend (and still don't) and so classic insurance was a bonus.
I'd love a 90's Griffith but I'm afraid she'd have to go in the garage alongside the Yellow Peril rather than as a replacement..... too much time and money has been invested to give up on her now.....
My parent's had friend's who lived in Inkberrow - so I spent a lot of my 'youth' peering through David Gerald's showroom window.
When it came to getting something to restore a couple or years ago I was reminded of M's when my Dad was talking about his friend one day.
I now have both TVR's that I've hankered after for a good long time (Griff as well) however I aslo now want a Cerbie and a T350........
......time to get a bigger garage methinks.
Andy.
Currently pining for the M can't wait to drive it again - almost love it more than the Griff sometimes
>> Edited by andyvg on Friday 7th February 10:39
When it came to getting something to restore a couple or years ago I was reminded of M's when my Dad was talking about his friend one day.
I now have both TVR's that I've hankered after for a good long time (Griff as well) however I aslo now want a Cerbie and a T350........
......time to get a bigger garage methinks.
Andy.
Currently pining for the M can't wait to drive it again - almost love it more than the Griff sometimes
>> Edited by andyvg on Friday 7th February 10:39
I saw a Vixen in a book I was given when I was 14 and fell in love with the shape so that's what started me off.
Other Reasons.
1. Prefer the shape of the older TVR's but I wouldn't say no to a Griffith to share the garage with the Vixen & 3000S (my 3 favourite TVRs)
2. Easier and cheaper to maintain than the newer ones.
3. Cheaper Insurance
4. Prefer driving older cars (must be my age)
Can't wait to get the 3000S back on the road and then sort out the Vixen.
Other Reasons.
1. Prefer the shape of the older TVR's but I wouldn't say no to a Griffith to share the garage with the Vixen & 3000S (my 3 favourite TVRs)
2. Easier and cheaper to maintain than the newer ones.
3. Cheaper Insurance
4. Prefer driving older cars (must be my age)
Can't wait to get the 3000S back on the road and then sort out the Vixen.
First saw a TVR at the 1971 Earls Court Motor Show as a wee nipper, and found them a bit 'exotic' and rare even then.
Had a liking for old cars (MGB,MGBGT V8, Rover P5B Coupe, Volvo P1800 etc,etc)but always wanted a TVR
Got a Vixen S3 5 years ago, and every now and then have wanted to change it for an old Alfa, (especially when the Vixen's mis-behaving)but every time I climb back inside, I fall back in love with the old TVR.
Couldn't be without the Vixen now.
Had a liking for old cars (MGB,MGBGT V8, Rover P5B Coupe, Volvo P1800 etc,etc)but always wanted a TVR
Got a Vixen S3 5 years ago, and every now and then have wanted to change it for an old Alfa, (especially when the Vixen's mis-behaving)but every time I climb back inside, I fall back in love with the old TVR.
Couldn't be without the Vixen now.
I do about 20000 miles a year in my company BMW and although it's never gone wrong, I'd not know where to begin if it did. Well, I do, I'd have to call BMW Assistance 
I've had Wedges, S's and a 1993 Griff but unless it has at least one carburettor, it's not a real British sports car. I'd get a Cerbera as a spare fun car if the horror stories of £5000 bills for 'routine' work weren't true but I've had my 3000S for over 18 years now and everything that falls off or stops working can be fixed by me at little cost with either a screwdriver or a couple of AF spanners
I've had Wedges, S's and a 1993 Griff but unless it has at least one carburettor, it's not a real British sports car. I'd get a Cerbera as a spare fun car if the horror stories of £5000 bills for 'routine' work weren't true but I've had my 3000S for over 18 years now and everything that falls off or stops working can be fixed by me at little cost with either a screwdriver or a couple of AF spanners
... the chicks have their own 
I fell in love with the shape and the noise of my 1700M! When I introduced it to my (now) better half itseduced her as well (as did the performance). Then it caught fire with a fuel leak. A real shame after 4 years of happy motoring.
I'm not really a drophead fan and I expect that T350 bills will match Cerbie bills potential. So, although I'm after a Wedge at the moment (due to my age I think), I fully expect to run an M or Vixen )my favourite shape) again. Plus I like tinkering - I am planning on which V6 to drop in.
Truly great cars, all.
Mike.
I'm not really a drophead fan and I expect that T350 bills will match Cerbie bills potential. So, although I'm after a Wedge at the moment (due to my age I think), I fully expect to run an M or Vixen )my favourite shape) again. Plus I like tinkering - I am planning on which V6 to drop in.
Truly great cars, all.
Mike.
mikes said: I fell in love with the shape and the noise of my 1700M! When I introduced it to my (now) better half itseduced her as well (as did the performance). Then it caught fire with a fuel leak. A real shame after 4 years of happy motoring.
Mike.
Hmm ....... I've already had one case of flaming Webers and know of one other 1600M that met a fiery end (there are some nice pix somewhere out there in cyberspace)....... It must go with the territory...
I totally agree with you about the gorgeous noise that a tuned 1700 makes.... nice and raspy
Seeing the asking prices for 3000S I do wonder why, especially compared to a - in M speak! - 2800S/2900S (S1-3). I was able to drive a (ie my brother's) 3000S back to back with my 280S. I did feel it missed 5th or O/D. I know some of you have put 5 speeds in 3000S, but why are they so much more than an S.
I supposed it depends if you want to put the roof panels or side screens in the roof. Our parents said we each had the cars to suite our personality!
Perhaps it's just the S series that need a shake out and restored chassis etc to get the prices back up. It can't just be rarity, can it?
However it was the Autocar roadtest on the 3000S Turbo that got me into TVR's, before the tasmin {abberation er sorry} - interlude! However if you want a FHC then the 3000M or taimar is the deal, although I do think the T350C has the genes of the Taimar in it.
Anyway enough rampling.
I supposed it depends if you want to put the roof panels or side screens in the roof. Our parents said we each had the cars to suite our personality!
Perhaps it's just the S series that need a shake out and restored chassis etc to get the prices back up. It can't just be rarity, can it?
However it was the Autocar roadtest on the 3000S Turbo that got me into TVR's, before the tasmin {abberation er sorry} - interlude! However if you want a FHC then the 3000M or taimar is the deal, although I do think the T350C has the genes of the Taimar in it.
Anyway enough rampling.
Krispy said: I've already had one case of flaming Webers and know of one other 1600M that met a fiery end (there are some nice pix somewhere out there in cyberspace)....... It must go with the territory...
I totally agree with you about the gorgeous noise that a tuned 1700 makes.... nice and raspy
Yes, it seems that Weber DCOEs can tend to leak into the K&Ns, and if the engine pops back - up she goes. I think mine was made worse by a filterking regulator, which maintained fuel pressure and supply after I turned the engine off. Car was written off as there was nothing left but twisted metal in front of the screen.
On a positive note the engine had fabulous throttle response and the car was pretty quick. It would rev out in top given the opportunity.
On the next topic/ramble, when first saw the T350 I thought it was a modern M. Definitely an attractive beast, but probably a bit more expensive to keep than an M!
Mike.
I've always liked older cars, and particularly Vixens and MK1 Cortinas . . . . . .toward the end of last year I thought, why havent I ever bought a vixen . . . . I can afford it now, so I did, and kept the three Cortinas too ;-) . . . . although I think a few have to go being realistic.
despite constant fettling it is a cheap, fun, fast (enough) practical(ish) and very stylish sports car.
personally I wouldnt put 'MGB' and 'sport' in the same sentence.
despite constant fettling it is a cheap, fun, fast (enough) practical(ish) and very stylish sports car.
personally I wouldnt put 'MGB' and 'sport' in the same sentence.
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