Grantura Mk2a in classifieds.
Grantura Mk2a in classifieds.
Author
Discussion

DarkMatter

Original Poster:

1,487 posts

248 months

Tuesday 2nd November 2010
quotequote all
I think it's worth looking in the classifieds at the advert for this Grantura Mk2a just to see the period photographs....... http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/largepic.asp?i=...

pistolar

1,474 posts

285 months

Tuesday 2nd November 2010
quotequote all
Isnt anyone going to finish the old girl!! It was owned by Dave Adams (Barrington) and the old picture is of his parents and some of the other pictures are when it was round his house. Since he sold it it has been through approx 4 hands.

stevoj

798 posts

178 months

Wednesday 3rd November 2010
quotequote all
Hi there new to the forum and i am hoping to view this on Thurs. Is there anybody knows any more about the car and why one of the other 4 hands has never managed to do anything with her.
I have had a 350i and a griffith in the past but been without a TVR for some 6 years now so thought it was time again and after considering wedges among others i have now fallen for the classic route, but have missed a couple of vixens through being too slow.
Any info on these early Granturas for waht to double check would be appreciated.
Thanks.

heightswitch

6,322 posts

267 months

Wednesday 3rd November 2010
quotequote all
stevoj said:
Hi there new to the forum and i am hoping to view this on Thurs. Is there anybody knows any more about the car and why one of the other 4 hands has never managed to do anything with her.
I have had a 350i and a griffith in the past but been without a TVR for some 6 years now so thought it was time again and after considering wedges among others i have now fallen for the classic route, but have missed a couple of vixens through being too slow.
Any info on these early Granturas for waht to double check would be appreciated.
Thanks.
The rarest and hardest to repair item on the torsion bar cars is probably the steering box. Make sure you check it for play. They are very rare and difficult to source. rear uprights need to be checked for cracks etc but can always be cast if you are desperate.

That said all early cars can be converted over to rack and pinion steering with a bit of welding and thought.

The early cars are at the moment not as desirable as the Grantura 3 on cars and they do have a very hard ride. they are however a proper TVR from the very early days and perhaps the rarest of them all. values will sky rocket as per all of the other pre-1980 models

If the price is sensible I would just buy it if you seriously want an early TVR.

as to why 4 previous owners have failed...this is very common. many buy early TVR's thinking that a few coats of hammerite is all that will be required. they aren't particularly hard to restore but do take care and precision. the body resto will also take a year out of your life to do properly.

N.


Edited by heightswitch on Wednesday 3rd November 16:24

stevoj

798 posts

178 months

Wednesday 3rd November 2010
quotequote all
OK thanks Heightswitch, i will let you know how i go, iam also told to make sure i can get in the doors on these earlier cars as anybody above 5' 10" will struggle.
On the values though i have seen even these mark 2a's advertised for silly money when done so must be some desirability?
I was after a vixen but i think waiting around for the perfect one will mean never making the jump!
Cheers.

heightswitch

6,322 posts

267 months

Wednesday 3rd November 2010
quotequote all
stevoj said:
OK thanks Heightswitch, i will let you know how i go, iam also told to make sure i can get in the doors on these earlier cars as anybody above 5' 10" will struggle.
On the values though i have seen even these mark 2a's advertised for silly money when done so must be some desirability?
I was after a vixen but i think waiting around for the perfect one will mean never making the jump!
Cheers.
You have answered your own question....i was really after a vixen!!

Thurner chassid cars go racing and command big money. Torsion bar cars don't. or rather they aint as competitive So the money isn't anywhere as big as you may be thinking. as an enthusiasts car though They are very rewarding. you should buy it to prevent it from going to Germany Holland or Belgium as it surely will if not snapped up.

With these cars their is no middle ground. You either buy the biggest cheapest snotter you can find or the very best restored on a new chassis car and pay top money.

There is always some tired car out their that the vendor thinks is worth what a top notch properly restored car is worth

barrington

1,319 posts

248 months

Wednesday 3rd November 2010
quotequote all
just to help at the time i owned the car i had spent many years gavering spares .i sold the as i did not have the time or money to complete it properly .i sold the car to a chap in the RAF he ran the workshops the body was bonded back on the chassis the suspention was rebuilt along with the engine when he left the RAF his wife had a couple kids and with work he did not have time to finnish it as for the other owners i cant help

stevoj

798 posts

178 months

Wednesday 3rd November 2010
quotequote all
Cheers Barrington, i will keep you informed after tomorrow.

Fiscracer

585 posts

227 months

Thursday 4th November 2010
quotequote all
Happened to meet the guy selling it on Tuesday night. He's raced a 924 and I think had intended to make the MkIIa into a race car but realised the cost and resultant pace and has bought Esper's MkIII instead.

No idea on condition or value.

stevoj

798 posts

178 months

Thursday 4th November 2010
quotequote all
Decided not to make the jump after all, not at the asking money anyway and the vendor is in no hurry to haggle. I wasn't necessarily afraid of the work but i think some of the photo's show the car in a better light than reality, although wouldn't suprise me if it does go.
It was worth the visit though as i had never really considered one of these as a project but i am now open minded, although i now take the point on the different suspension system on these early models as they certainly look rigid.
I'll keep on the forum now i am in and hopfully have something before too long that i can beg for help with.

Granturadriver

666 posts

278 months

Wednesday 10th November 2010
quotequote all
Nice car and nice pics. Interesting to see the position of the indicators on the bonnet. Car has the indicators with the higher glass but they are mounted very close to the air intake. Never seen before!

barrington

1,319 posts

248 months

Wednesday 10th November 2010
quotequote all
when my father built this car from a kit he fitted the indicators in that position he said it looked better also he did not fit the chrome strip down the centre of the bonnet