Opinions and advice please - S1 content
Discussion
Gentle folk of the S Series forum, please may I probe your collective wisdom?
We have a 1988 S1....
It has history with us. My father bought it for my (late) mother in the mid-1990s when it was a relatively new car as a low mileage, smart looking example. He was running a 911 at the time and they made a good looking, fun pair.
My mother drove the TVR a bit in the summers and generally found it hot, gruff and unreliable!! We'd take it for the odd blast every now and again and always found it exhilarating, fun and dependable!
Eventually it threw another electrical gremlin on my mother (melted fuse in the fuse box - a problem well understood now, but less so then) and that was the last straw for her..... she declared she would "never drive it again"
....
My mother had always fancied a Maserati BiTurbo, so that's what she bought instead and automotive harmony returned. We all had a lot of fun in the BiTurbo!
We hung onto the TVR as it was still a fun thing and we had the space for it.... but it really didn't get used a lot... A few high days and jaunts, but many an MoT would come with only a handful of miles covered since the last.
The arrival of the Maserati fostered a smouldering arms race - suddenly my father's 911 wasn't the quickest car in the family.....
A while later my father met some tuning company at a car show somewhere and they were demonstrating their prowess with supercharging.... something my father had prior experience of with Shorrock Supercharged Minis in the 1960s.
A plan was hatched and the TVR duly despatched to their workshop somewhere in Somerset for them to work their magic.
Lots of life stuff got in the way, but the TVR eventually returned.... and it was something of a revelation!! What came back was a shatteringly quick banshee of a TVR that howled it's way towards the horizon whilst overloading your senses .... it was a lot of fun! So quick they'd had to upgrade the rear springs and shocks to prevent it from squatting the back into the ground under acceleration.
It snarled back into it's home and enjoyed high days trips when the mood dictated. This went on a for a while until again life events found it rarely used.....
Fast forward to 2018 and we resolved to refresh the old girl and give her a new lease of life, ready for more adventures. The car underwent a comprehensive 'soft' rebuild - all new coolant system with aluminium radiator, new water pump etc.;brakes overhauled; all new clutch hydraulics; big upgrade to fuse box and wiring; full check over and go through to get everything working again as it should.
The TVR was magnificent once again and jut as brutal....
And that is the stasis. Since recommissioning it's done less than 200 miles. Sure, we've had Covid in that time which curtailed opportunities for use, but the reality is my father is no longer physically fit enough to drive it, sadly. It's such a struggle for him to get in and out he tends to default to his SL for open top fun.
We've been gently discussing it's future for a couple of years now and my father has finally concluded the time has probably come for it to find a new home. Very much the end of an era for us as it's been in the family 25+ years and holds many memories of my late mother and all the events that have come to pass. My brother or I could potentially take it on, but we both have sufficient toys that aren't getting enough use as it is... and we can't deny the TVR is veering towards the obnoxious side of raucous - I'm not sure how long my or my brother's neighbours would be friendly when awoken by a wailing supercharged V6 repeatedly!
Thus I seek the collective wisdom.... I am completely out of touch with the market for TVRs and there's a bewildering array of choices on offering the car for a new owner. I'm also emotionally involved with this car and need a seasoned, impartial voice of collective reason. I'm duty bound to do my best for my father, so what it the collective opinion? How do I go about valuing such a thing? What sort of price range do S1 TVRs occupy? How should I go about offering it to market?
It's also 'modified' with the supercharger - what bearing is that likely to have?
Am I going to look back on this in a few years and kick myself for letting this bit of our family go?
Just writing the above I can already feel this is going to be a wrench.....
We have a 1988 S1....
It has history with us. My father bought it for my (late) mother in the mid-1990s when it was a relatively new car as a low mileage, smart looking example. He was running a 911 at the time and they made a good looking, fun pair.
My mother drove the TVR a bit in the summers and generally found it hot, gruff and unreliable!! We'd take it for the odd blast every now and again and always found it exhilarating, fun and dependable!
Eventually it threw another electrical gremlin on my mother (melted fuse in the fuse box - a problem well understood now, but less so then) and that was the last straw for her..... she declared she would "never drive it again"
.... My mother had always fancied a Maserati BiTurbo, so that's what she bought instead and automotive harmony returned. We all had a lot of fun in the BiTurbo!
We hung onto the TVR as it was still a fun thing and we had the space for it.... but it really didn't get used a lot... A few high days and jaunts, but many an MoT would come with only a handful of miles covered since the last.
The arrival of the Maserati fostered a smouldering arms race - suddenly my father's 911 wasn't the quickest car in the family.....
A while later my father met some tuning company at a car show somewhere and they were demonstrating their prowess with supercharging.... something my father had prior experience of with Shorrock Supercharged Minis in the 1960s.
A plan was hatched and the TVR duly despatched to their workshop somewhere in Somerset for them to work their magic.
Lots of life stuff got in the way, but the TVR eventually returned.... and it was something of a revelation!! What came back was a shatteringly quick banshee of a TVR that howled it's way towards the horizon whilst overloading your senses .... it was a lot of fun! So quick they'd had to upgrade the rear springs and shocks to prevent it from squatting the back into the ground under acceleration.
It snarled back into it's home and enjoyed high days trips when the mood dictated. This went on a for a while until again life events found it rarely used.....
Fast forward to 2018 and we resolved to refresh the old girl and give her a new lease of life, ready for more adventures. The car underwent a comprehensive 'soft' rebuild - all new coolant system with aluminium radiator, new water pump etc.;brakes overhauled; all new clutch hydraulics; big upgrade to fuse box and wiring; full check over and go through to get everything working again as it should.
The TVR was magnificent once again and jut as brutal....
And that is the stasis. Since recommissioning it's done less than 200 miles. Sure, we've had Covid in that time which curtailed opportunities for use, but the reality is my father is no longer physically fit enough to drive it, sadly. It's such a struggle for him to get in and out he tends to default to his SL for open top fun.
We've been gently discussing it's future for a couple of years now and my father has finally concluded the time has probably come for it to find a new home. Very much the end of an era for us as it's been in the family 25+ years and holds many memories of my late mother and all the events that have come to pass. My brother or I could potentially take it on, but we both have sufficient toys that aren't getting enough use as it is... and we can't deny the TVR is veering towards the obnoxious side of raucous - I'm not sure how long my or my brother's neighbours would be friendly when awoken by a wailing supercharged V6 repeatedly!
Thus I seek the collective wisdom.... I am completely out of touch with the market for TVRs and there's a bewildering array of choices on offering the car for a new owner. I'm also emotionally involved with this car and need a seasoned, impartial voice of collective reason. I'm duty bound to do my best for my father, so what it the collective opinion? How do I go about valuing such a thing? What sort of price range do S1 TVRs occupy? How should I go about offering it to market?
It's also 'modified' with the supercharger - what bearing is that likely to have?
Am I going to look back on this in a few years and kick myself for letting this bit of our family go?
Just writing the above I can already feel this is going to be a wrench.....
Sounds like a really interesting car. Got any photos?
Pricing a standard S is tricky and yours is up a level so it's a difficult question to answer. Why not drive it to Burghley and talk to a few owners to get their opinion?
In the meantime, why not put a short post on the S group on Facebook? You'll need to précis your post to fit in a single box on a mobile screen though
You'll get a lot more opinions on FB than you will here and few of them may even be sensible.
I can't believe I just referred someone to FB!!
Pricing a standard S is tricky and yours is up a level so it's a difficult question to answer. Why not drive it to Burghley and talk to a few owners to get their opinion?
In the meantime, why not put a short post on the S group on Facebook? You'll need to précis your post to fit in a single box on a mobile screen though
You'll get a lot more opinions on FB than you will here and few of them may even be sensible.
I can't believe I just referred someone to FB!!
Thanks for sharing the story of your family TVR.
As v8s4me has said you really need to post some pictures of the car, preferably here on Pistonheads, and begrudgingly probably on the S series facebook group too. But be warned you are likely to get a load of questions about the car thrown at you on Facebook, if not here.
It sounds like a fascinating car and I'm sure someone would love to own it, even with the non standard supercharger. In reality this might be a major positive for someone. It does however make it very difficult to put any sort of value on it, and I think you would be wise to take your time and try to work out what you feel it is worth to you to actually make it worth the wrench of selling it.
If it was mine, with that family connection I would squirrel it away somewhere and never let it go. My wife would tell you I never can bring myself to part with anything however so that's just my opinion. Also in the grand scheme of things it's not worth a fortune at the moment and it will only appreciate if you hang on to it. I'm not helping am I, sorry!
Good luck however you decide to proceed.
As v8s4me has said you really need to post some pictures of the car, preferably here on Pistonheads, and begrudgingly probably on the S series facebook group too. But be warned you are likely to get a load of questions about the car thrown at you on Facebook, if not here.
It sounds like a fascinating car and I'm sure someone would love to own it, even with the non standard supercharger. In reality this might be a major positive for someone. It does however make it very difficult to put any sort of value on it, and I think you would be wise to take your time and try to work out what you feel it is worth to you to actually make it worth the wrench of selling it.
If it was mine, with that family connection I would squirrel it away somewhere and never let it go. My wife would tell you I never can bring myself to part with anything however so that's just my opinion. Also in the grand scheme of things it's not worth a fortune at the moment and it will only appreciate if you hang on to it. I'm not helping am I, sorry!
Good luck however you decide to proceed.
Burghley? what is that and when is it?
Unfortunately I'm not on the socials, so Facebook is a not an option for me. Maybe someone who is could direct to here or enquire on my behalf?
I've had a quick look through the file and we've got all the paperwork going right back to new, confirming the original owner and everything since - we've had it since 1995 and my father paid £7200 for it according to the invoice! It had covered about 20k miles when we bought it and it's done just under 30k miles now. The dyno print out after the Supercharger was installed (an Eaton M62) showed power at 255BHP with 258lb/ft of torque - plenty in less than 1000kg of car!
Here's some shots from after it was recommissioned in 2019.
Unfortunately I'm not on the socials, so Facebook is a not an option for me. Maybe someone who is could direct to here or enquire on my behalf?
I've had a quick look through the file and we've got all the paperwork going right back to new, confirming the original owner and everything since - we've had it since 1995 and my father paid £7200 for it according to the invoice! It had covered about 20k miles when we bought it and it's done just under 30k miles now. The dyno print out after the Supercharger was installed (an Eaton M62) showed power at 255BHP with 258lb/ft of torque - plenty in less than 1000kg of car!
Here's some shots from after it was recommissioned in 2019.
That's a very interesting car. Burghley Horse Power is the first big TVR event of the year. See HERE for details. There will be a lot of 'S' owners there so well worth a day out for you. In the meantime I'll post a link on Facebook for you. You might want to take a few current photos and make your location more precise.
Edited by v8s4me on Tuesday 14th March 22:31
Interesting car.
Pricing is tricky. TVR buyers are a weird lot. Anything not factory, although the factory didn't follow their own spec, wipes huge value off the car. Anything not concours standard is a wreck. Then they need to not lose money on the car.
I say stick it up for £14k and be patient. Routinely use it to keep it ticking over. You've had it long enough that a bit longer isn't a hardship. Well, it wouldn't be for me.
Pricing is tricky. TVR buyers are a weird lot. Anything not factory, although the factory didn't follow their own spec, wipes huge value off the car. Anything not concours standard is a wreck. Then they need to not lose money on the car.
I say stick it up for £14k and be patient. Routinely use it to keep it ticking over. You've had it long enough that a bit longer isn't a hardship. Well, it wouldn't be for me.
One factor not mentioned yet is the condition of the chassis - whether it has been renovated, by whom, how and when. That's one of the first questions most buyers will ask, and makes a big difference to the value and saleability.
As a comparison, I sold my modified S2 last summer - 50,000 miles, full stage 2 engine rebuild (194 BHP. 199 torque), recent chassis scrub/recoat, lots of extras. A few people enquired after I advertised it here in the Pistonheads classified ads, and I eventually sold it for £7500 plus extra for the reg number.
A full body-off chassis renovation was quoted at around £5000 by XWorks. If yours needs that job doing, buyers who can't do the work themselves will factor that into any offers.
Also, when pricing it, take a look at other comparable cars on offer. There's a J-reg low mileage V8s on sale here now, with service record, asking for offers "around £14000". That would probably be a more attractive option for someone seeking this kind of power, and would be easier and cheaper to insure than a heavily modified car.
As a comparison, I sold my modified S2 last summer - 50,000 miles, full stage 2 engine rebuild (194 BHP. 199 torque), recent chassis scrub/recoat, lots of extras. A few people enquired after I advertised it here in the Pistonheads classified ads, and I eventually sold it for £7500 plus extra for the reg number.
A full body-off chassis renovation was quoted at around £5000 by XWorks. If yours needs that job doing, buyers who can't do the work themselves will factor that into any offers.
Also, when pricing it, take a look at other comparable cars on offer. There's a J-reg low mileage V8s on sale here now, with service record, asking for offers "around £14000". That would probably be a more attractive option for someone seeking this kind of power, and would be easier and cheaper to insure than a heavily modified car.
mk1fan said:
..........I say stick it up for £14k and be patient. .............
Maybe a bit optimistic? There's a modified S3 at AMORE at the moment which is a useful comparison, but bear in mind that that one has had a full body-off chassis restoration. Even if this one sold for the sticker price the owner would get about £11k. That still wouldn't equate to a private sale though because Amore would have sorted out any minor issues on the car and given it a full MOT and a warranty. So you can work out for your self what that one might go for in a private sale and then compare it to yours.However, I you really want to sell it then at the end of the day the car is worth what someone is prepared to pay for it. It's a really interesting car and if you have all the documentation backing up what has been done my guess is there will be buyer out there. One of the first questions you'll get asked is about the condition of the chassis. You need to cover that.
On the other hand, if you're in no hurry then pick a number that feels right to you and be patient. If you have the storage space and you don't need the cash you can spend some time freshening it up eg clean it inside and out, pressure wash the chassis so buyers can see its condition, get it running well enough for a good test drive, get an MOT and tart up the engine bay.
Good luck
Edited by v8s4me on Wednesday 15th March 12:12
Useful comments all, thank you 
The photos are essentially current - it looks exactly like that now and is still MoT'd. It's on the button, with nothing needing doing and is ready to go, but tucked up under it's cover for the winter. It's really a sunny weather machine. It hasn't seen any rain in the last 20 years for sure. The roads really need to be dry and warm to dare prodding the throttle wide open, which is when it's most fun, so consequently it only ever tends to go out when conditions are perfect.
I know the body has definitely never been off the chassis. The chassis has never needed any repairs or been flagged at any MoT's for any concerns. From memory my father repainted it in the same factory white colour in the late '90s as the original coating started flaking off and the bonnet hinge mountings on the chassis were reinforced when it was refurbished it 2018/19. The front half was also repainted at the same time and the chassis inspected and found to be sound and in good condition overall. Undoubtedly all of that could be improved though - whilst it's covered very few miles, it is all 35 years old! It's a good point you've made and I'll make a job of getting it in the air so I can make a detailed inspection and assessment myself.
As tempting as it is to tuck it away, I'm not sure that achieves anything - that's essentially the status it occupies now. The more I think about it, the more I think if my father has reached the point he's comfortable letting the car go, he's made peace with the gamut of emotions provoked by saying goodbye to it. That's inevitably been a tough call. On reflection I have no desire to prolong those emotions by hanging onto it for more selfish motivations.
I might try to use it a bit while we work out the best thing to do with it. Are there any meets in the Thames Valley coming up? Burghley is a bit of a stretch for me - I suspect I'd be deaf, shattered and broke by the time I arrived!
In the meantime I'll do as you suggest and expend some energy in cleaning
The photos are essentially current - it looks exactly like that now and is still MoT'd. It's on the button, with nothing needing doing and is ready to go, but tucked up under it's cover for the winter. It's really a sunny weather machine. It hasn't seen any rain in the last 20 years for sure. The roads really need to be dry and warm to dare prodding the throttle wide open, which is when it's most fun, so consequently it only ever tends to go out when conditions are perfect.
I know the body has definitely never been off the chassis. The chassis has never needed any repairs or been flagged at any MoT's for any concerns. From memory my father repainted it in the same factory white colour in the late '90s as the original coating started flaking off and the bonnet hinge mountings on the chassis were reinforced when it was refurbished it 2018/19. The front half was also repainted at the same time and the chassis inspected and found to be sound and in good condition overall. Undoubtedly all of that could be improved though - whilst it's covered very few miles, it is all 35 years old! It's a good point you've made and I'll make a job of getting it in the air so I can make a detailed inspection and assessment myself.
As tempting as it is to tuck it away, I'm not sure that achieves anything - that's essentially the status it occupies now. The more I think about it, the more I think if my father has reached the point he's comfortable letting the car go, he's made peace with the gamut of emotions provoked by saying goodbye to it. That's inevitably been a tough call. On reflection I have no desire to prolong those emotions by hanging onto it for more selfish motivations.
I might try to use it a bit while we work out the best thing to do with it. Are there any meets in the Thames Valley coming up? Burghley is a bit of a stretch for me - I suspect I'd be deaf, shattered and broke by the time I arrived!
In the meantime I'll do as you suggest and expend some energy in cleaning
The nearest branch for you might be the Oxford group. contact details here..
https://www.tvrcc-oxford.co.uk/
With any TVR, regardless of model or appearance or spec, the state of the chassis is critical to its value. In many places they rot from the inside out.
If you have access to a ramp it would be a good idea to make use of it and take a few photos of all the critical/known failure points. There's lots of threads on here going back years so you're in the right place to research the issue.
https://www.tvrcc-oxford.co.uk/
With any TVR, regardless of model or appearance or spec, the state of the chassis is critical to its value. In many places they rot from the inside out.
If you have access to a ramp it would be a good idea to make use of it and take a few photos of all the critical/known failure points. There's lots of threads on here going back years so you're in the right place to research the issue.
Hi. I had an S1 once, gunmetal grey with maroon. Loved it.
But, S1s don’t fetch much money. A supercharged S1 will be pinned to that, in my view. Like a big house in an estate, limited by association.
If you really want to sell, maybe an auction? I would think closer to £10k, best.
Nic
But, S1s don’t fetch much money. A supercharged S1 will be pinned to that, in my view. Like a big house in an estate, limited by association.
If you really want to sell, maybe an auction? I would think closer to £10k, best.
Nic
Depends on your definition of "much". Amore are quite picky about what cars they take on and tend to get top money for top cars. The one on the link above if a good example and should sell for that sort of money. It might just be a wicked rumour but apparently there is something called "a summer" coming soon. This bl
dy winter must end eventually
dy winter must end eventually v8s4me said:
Depends on your definition of "much". Amore are quite picky about what cars they take on and tend to get top money for top cars. The one on the link above if a good example and should sell for that sort of money. It might just be a wicked rumour but apparently there is something called "a summer" coming soon. This bldy winter must end eventually
Knowing the car you linked too, it was sold last year via auction by the person who did the refurb, appears to be being moved on. Shame. Really nice car.dy winter must end eventually Well chaps, the time has come
The decision has been made and our supercharged S1 is being offered to the market. As it's quite difficult to value we've elected to put it on eBay and let the market decide....
We did as suggested and gave it a thorough inspection underneath - pleased to report the chassis remains in excellent condition. Some surface rust, but a lifetime of being garaged and covering very few miles has prevented the tin worm from taking hold.
It's been freshly MoT'd and happily, it's still fighting fit
Hopefully it will find an enthusiastic new owner that can enjoy it and appreciate it, as we have 
The decision has been made and our supercharged S1 is being offered to the market. As it's quite difficult to value we've elected to put it on eBay and let the market decide....
We did as suggested and gave it a thorough inspection underneath - pleased to report the chassis remains in excellent condition. Some surface rust, but a lifetime of being garaged and covering very few miles has prevented the tin worm from taking hold.
It's been freshly MoT'd and happily, it's still fighting fit
Hopefully it will find an enthusiastic new owner that can enjoy it and appreciate it, as we have Gassing Station | S Series | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff