Looking to buy a 3000M... your help please?!
Discussion
Hi all,
I've found myself in the position where I've got two offers of 3000Ms.
The first used to be a lovely car - 1977, rear chassis rebuilt, interior restored and engine rebuilt in 1999 and with overdrive. The owner is a car collector and had left it in storage... however, he didn't know it was being kept outside. It's now in a bit of a state. He said I could still make him an offer, but I don't have enough experience to rebuild it myself. It would probably need about £1000 spending to get it back on the road. Much more to get it looking reasonable. I would be happy to pay someone to do some of the work for me, as I think I can get the car for a reasonable amount of money, and all the parts seem to be there. Hopefully, I could then learn to tidy up the body and interior myself at a later date.
The second belongs to a friend and is in good condition. I have seen photos, but not had time to view it yet. It's an S reg. He has rebuilt the engine and bored it out to plus 40 thou. Also rebuilt the gearbox, but there is no overdrive. He has renewed the suspension bushes, rebuilt the cv joints and rewired it. The bodywork is very good, the upholstery he says is a bit tatty, but it has four new(ish) tyres. He used to use it every day, but for the last few years has just run it up and down his farm track every few weeks.
Can anyone give me any advice on the two? I've done some reading around on the 'net and the 3000M seems to be a really good option for a first-time classic owner. Besides which, it's a TVR.
Also, can anyone give me a clue as to what these two cars would be worth?
Many thanks in advance!
I've found myself in the position where I've got two offers of 3000Ms.
The first used to be a lovely car - 1977, rear chassis rebuilt, interior restored and engine rebuilt in 1999 and with overdrive. The owner is a car collector and had left it in storage... however, he didn't know it was being kept outside. It's now in a bit of a state. He said I could still make him an offer, but I don't have enough experience to rebuild it myself. It would probably need about £1000 spending to get it back on the road. Much more to get it looking reasonable. I would be happy to pay someone to do some of the work for me, as I think I can get the car for a reasonable amount of money, and all the parts seem to be there. Hopefully, I could then learn to tidy up the body and interior myself at a later date.
The second belongs to a friend and is in good condition. I have seen photos, but not had time to view it yet. It's an S reg. He has rebuilt the engine and bored it out to plus 40 thou. Also rebuilt the gearbox, but there is no overdrive. He has renewed the suspension bushes, rebuilt the cv joints and rewired it. The bodywork is very good, the upholstery he says is a bit tatty, but it has four new(ish) tyres. He used to use it every day, but for the last few years has just run it up and down his farm track every few weeks.
Can anyone give me any advice on the two? I've done some reading around on the 'net and the 3000M seems to be a really good option for a first-time classic owner. Besides which, it's a TVR.
Also, can anyone give me a clue as to what these two cars would be worth? Many thanks in advance!
Well that's a bit more positive! I've just had a mate on the phone saying all he could find about 3000Ms was that if they hadn't had a replacement chassis "Don't touch them with a bargepole".
Just out of interest, how much would a replacement cost to buy/fit? I'm guessing a grand or so?!
Just out of interest, how much would a replacement cost to buy/fit? I'm guessing a grand or so?!
Actually, the chap with the second car ... the one that's not falling apart... has offered to let me borrow it for a week (MOT at his expense). That will give me a chance to get it up on ramps & have a peer around. Hopefully, I can find someone in the Harlow/Chelmsford area who might be willing to have a peer around with me???
'The Harlow Triangle'? Dare I ask?
Thank you for your offers of help. It's going to be a few weeks until I can arrange to bring the second car back to 'Arlow to have a look over it. I'll let you know...
tvrjohn - I would prefer overdrive, but I don't enough experience to be able to rebuild the first car. I've got things keeping me busy for the next 10 days, but after that I'm going to have a look round and see if I can find any other 3000Ms in my price range. Who knows what's lurking out there...
Yellow Fever - have you seen a doctor?
Thank you for your offers of help. It's going to be a few weeks until I can arrange to bring the second car back to 'Arlow to have a look over it. I'll let you know...
tvrjohn - I would prefer overdrive, but I don't enough experience to be able to rebuild the first car. I've got things keeping me busy for the next 10 days, but after that I'm going to have a look round and see if I can find any other 3000Ms in my price range. Who knows what's lurking out there...
Yellow Fever - have you seen a doctor?
Apologies. I chose the previous user-name under pressure and was already regretting it (I can't pass my flying lawnmower off as a P51 anywhere... and I think it's several years since I was a babe!). What a great feature of these forums that you can easily change it without having to re-register!
Anyway... I'm definitely within the 'Harlow Triangle'. Is it a nice one, like Toblerone, or a mysterious one, like Bermuda?
>> Edited by Widget on Friday 4th March 17:26
Anyway... I'm definitely within the 'Harlow Triangle'. Is it a nice one, like Toblerone, or a mysterious one, like Bermuda?
>> Edited by Widget on Friday 4th March 17:26
I'm afraid to report that I won't be buying a TVR this year, unless I suddenly come into money. I did the calc's and realised that I couldn't afford to buy something drivable, or even build something drivable.
However, I have managed to find a Midget in great condition well within budget... so will be using that for the next year and saving up so I can use it in part-exchange for the TVR next year.
Thanks for all your help. And let me know if you've a 3000M going spare......
However, I have managed to find a Midget in great condition well within budget... so will be using that for the next year and saving up so I can use it in part-exchange for the TVR next year.
Thanks for all your help. And let me know if you've a 3000M going spare......
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