Worth a gamble or not?
Discussion
Thanks! The status is 'nothing to report' I'll know more next week. In the meantime I'm probably getting ahead of myself but have been putting a virtual build list together.
Is it worth joining the TVR club, do they offer discounts with various insurance/parts suppliers/etc?
I have some engine bay shots, it needs a really good steam clean but looks 'ok'. Same goes for the interior, it's just dirty. I had the mileage confirmed at 29K, There's 16 years worth of MOT's and various bills, I'd like to study that folder and find the 'big bill', I do remember it being hugely expensive at the time. The bonnet stay is missing, apparently that's a good thing
Anyway, it was good to see it again today
Is it worth joining the TVR club, do they offer discounts with various insurance/parts suppliers/etc?
I have some engine bay shots, it needs a really good steam clean but looks 'ok'. Same goes for the interior, it's just dirty. I had the mileage confirmed at 29K, There's 16 years worth of MOT's and various bills, I'd like to study that folder and find the 'big bill', I do remember it being hugely expensive at the time. The bonnet stay is missing, apparently that's a good thing
Anyway, it was good to see it again today
Edited by anonymous-user on Saturday 13th May 18:49
Speed 3 said:
If you've expensive bits to buy the discount at TVR Parts covers the subscription, think they've recently reduced it (10% to 5% ????). The insurance probably doesn't merit it if you shop around. I used to be a member but dropped it when I got bored with the mag and wasn't using the parts discount. They do organise some meets that are theoretically exclusive.
I like the Griff in that colour but would tempted to revert it to applicable wheels rather than Spiders. Seats I have less of an issue with but you could turn a profit by reverting to Griff rather than Tuscan seats (albeit there are good reasons why the change has been made).
Welcome to TVR world, should suit you looking at your collection. I've only driven a standard Atom at Bruntingthorpe once and like everyone else that day we lost it in the corners, very tricky car to master and with your power output must be quite a handful.....
I'm waiting on a set of wheels, if I buy the car it'll be something which will be changed. I like the seats, they're supportive and i'm not overly bothered either way about originality, it's an easy swap. I like the Griff in that colour but would tempted to revert it to applicable wheels rather than Spiders. Seats I have less of an issue with but you could turn a profit by reverting to Griff rather than Tuscan seats (albeit there are good reasons why the change has been made).
Welcome to TVR world, should suit you looking at your collection. I've only driven a standard Atom at Bruntingthorpe once and like everyone else that day we lost it in the corners, very tricky car to master and with your power output must be quite a handful.....
The Atom is a unique thing, it's hugely sensitive to setup (like most lightweights) but honestly how mine is now It's as good as anything I have driven, it really doesn't bite unless you are being dumb. There is a misconception that they are un-driveable, it's just not the case and i'd argue that the supercharged one is more of a pussycat tbh as there is so much torque everywhere. Over all the 3.5 is a very well balanced motor car. I am used to not taking liberties with cars without safety nets and miss a V8 in my life
So I need a crank. Are TVR Power the only place to get a new one from? Had a long chat with a few folk today and apparently it's common, never thought it would happen myself on something as under-stressed as a 5L V8 but there you go. So, decision time. It's looking like we're going to purchase and rebuild. Worse case a short engine and a bucket load of time and some wallet denting.
'Welcome' to TVR ownership
'Welcome' to TVR ownership
I'm not sure it's a project worth pursuing, it's close but some of the figures I have been quoted are insane. Over £2K for a crank alone, valuations for the finished car ranging from £25K - £19K, I really don't know. I like the idea of the V8D 4.6 short engine, it's cost effective, but will this kill the residuals? If we go for a 500 rebuild and fit a new crank and it needs pistons, liners, cam it's gong to be £5K anyway, with the lower base price it's not worth taking on.
I'd hate to let this one go and am still trying to figure out a way to make it work. It's been a bit of a surprise so far though I must say!
Unless anyone has a cheap crank or 500 engine?
I'd hate to let this one go and am still trying to figure out a way to make it work. It's been a bit of a surprise so far though I must say!
Unless anyone has a cheap crank or 500 engine?
andy43 said:
Might be worth speaking to the breakers - Douglas Valley and that NE one.
People like Sportmotive might be worth asking too as they do the LS conversions so might know of a decent engine coming up.
Thanks Andy People like Sportmotive might be worth asking too as they do the LS conversions so might know of a decent engine coming up.
I have spoken to John Eales about building a 5.0 short engine today. It's another option. After calling around I think the ballpark 'finished' car could fetch £22-23K? Trouble is could, might, maybe is no foundation for anything!
Well, you live and learn as they say. Next week we are pulling the car out and removing the engine. I'm now absolutely determined to make as much money on this as I can for the family. It'll be a lot of favours and doing as much as I can from this point. I've learnt a lot over the past few weeks and many many thanks to those that have contacted me and offfered a total stranger tons of advice. It's very cool. This car will be back on the road again in rude health.
The engine is coming out today/tomorrow. Chassis seems really decent, it's a silver colour under the grime...I though they were white? I've chosen the engine builder and I'm not going with the standard TVR crank but will have top hat liners along with any other sensible mods. Thinking out loud the spiders are staying, maybe a repaint with a slightly darker colour. A good shampoo etc and degrease of everything will show more. Exciting times!
Brief update. The engine is out and off to be assessed. I think it's all fixable and it doesn't look too bad overall. The chassis is good, some minor surface corrosion but nothing to be concerned about. It's got under my skin a bit now I have to say. I have always liked the look of them but now I'm getting excited about the rebuild.
Question for you all. This one has power steering, is this normally reliable enough? I say that as it's been leaking for a while.
Classics from yesterday were trying to locate the ecu and the boot release? Is it normal to relocate it from the footwell. Seems and ass of a place to get to it?
Question for you all. This one has power steering, is this normally reliable enough? I say that as it's been leaking for a while.
Classics from yesterday were trying to locate the ecu and the boot release? Is it normal to relocate it from the footwell. Seems and ass of a place to get to it?
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