Perfection or not
Discussion
Having a look at the S Club pics there were some mighty fine examples on show, and it makes one feel depressed about the state of the trusty steed. Besides the interesting experiment in early 2006 when I attempted to increase engine capacity by overwatering it with muddy water, the car has been as reliable as you like since the day I bought it.
However, it always has had little marrs; things that I'm inclined to fix but never get to or don't quite know where to start and so put-off. People have said the Tiv looks to be in excellent condition but I know that looks are deceiving.
I'm wondering if other people have problems they put-off like this; possibly simple things to others, but thigs that seem insurmountable to yourself. For me this is due to not wanting to make things worse by cack-handedness.
This is a confessional; hopefully the high prieSts of the forum can offer sage counsel.
1. Both doors rub at the top near the roof velcro. I can adjust the door but how on earth would I go about fixing the paint damage?
2. Ditto with the area above the wheel on the bonnet and wing where the two close - they have rubbed due to an ill-adjusted bonnet.
3. The lacquer (I guess) around the centre of some of the wheels is peeling.
4. I can't unblock out the right-side boot drain hole. No amount of wire wangling clears out my pipe (oo-er).
5. The electric mirrors won't adjust properly because of a faulty (and unavailable) dashboard switch. They'll go up and left but not down and right.
6. I want to re-leather the interior as I have just never liked the colours. I'm sure that's hideously expensive but still. Where the hell do you start with something like that?
7. The dash switch 'veneer' panel needs replacing with some real veneer.
8. The switches look so... well... shit.
9. The doors still aren't adjusted properly because for some reason the doors need taking off and re-shaping to fit the gap.
10. The rubber running along the bottom of the window I've realised is supposed to go all the way along, not stop shy of the end.
11. Some rubber strips on the roof needs replacing.
12. There's a small rip hole about 5mm across in the back of the driver's seat.
Happy
However, it always has had little marrs; things that I'm inclined to fix but never get to or don't quite know where to start and so put-off. People have said the Tiv looks to be in excellent condition but I know that looks are deceiving.
I'm wondering if other people have problems they put-off like this; possibly simple things to others, but thigs that seem insurmountable to yourself. For me this is due to not wanting to make things worse by cack-handedness.
This is a confessional; hopefully the high prieSts of the forum can offer sage counsel.
1. Both doors rub at the top near the roof velcro. I can adjust the door but how on earth would I go about fixing the paint damage?
2. Ditto with the area above the wheel on the bonnet and wing where the two close - they have rubbed due to an ill-adjusted bonnet.
3. The lacquer (I guess) around the centre of some of the wheels is peeling.
4. I can't unblock out the right-side boot drain hole. No amount of wire wangling clears out my pipe (oo-er).
5. The electric mirrors won't adjust properly because of a faulty (and unavailable) dashboard switch. They'll go up and left but not down and right.
6. I want to re-leather the interior as I have just never liked the colours. I'm sure that's hideously expensive but still. Where the hell do you start with something like that?
7. The dash switch 'veneer' panel needs replacing with some real veneer.
8. The switches look so... well... shit.
9. The doors still aren't adjusted properly because for some reason the doors need taking off and re-shaping to fit the gap.
10. The rubber running along the bottom of the window I've realised is supposed to go all the way along, not stop shy of the end.
11. Some rubber strips on the roof needs replacing.
12. There's a small rip hole about 5mm across in the back of the driver's seat.
Happy
& 3.You've got electric mirrors 
4.I have to wind window down & stick arm out into traffic to adjust mine.
V8S said:
5. The electric mirrors won't adjust properly because of a faulty (and unavailable) dashboard switch. They'll go up and left but not down and right.
Had a similar problem with mine, turned out to be dirt inside the joystick switch, which I managed to fix after a long and fruitless search for a replacement. The switch isn't sealed or at least not very well, I think there was a spillage at some point which dried inside and the residue flaked off and fouled the contacts.I took the switch apart to clean. It is held together by a couple of spiral rivets which are just pressed in, gently prise these out and the whole thing will come apart. Do it carefully so that you don't strip the plastic from the rivet holes and note which way all the parts fit as you pull them out. I used a cocktail stick and a magnifying glass to find all the tiny bits of debris and clear them out. Reassembled and refitted and it all worked fine, once I'd replaced the terminals on the wiring which snapped when I pulled them off that is. Oh and don't forget to make a note of where all the wires go before you take them off.
K
V8S said:
5. The electric mirrors won't adjust properly because of a faulty (and unavailable) dashboard switch. They'll go up and left but not down and right.
Had a similar problem with mine, turned out to be dirt inside the joystick switch, which I managed to fix after a long and fruitless search for a replacement. The switch isn't sealed or at least not very well, I think there was a spillage at some point which dried inside and the residue flaked off and fouled the contacts.I took the switch apart to clean. It is held together by a couple of spiral rivets which are just pressed in, gently prise these out and the whole thing will come apart. Do it carefully so that you don't strip the plastic from the rivet holes and note which way all the parts fit as you pull them out. I used a cocktail stick and a magnifying glass to find all the tiny bits of debris and clear them out. Reassembled and refitted and it all worked fine, once I'd replaced the terminals on the wiring which snapped when I pulled them off that is. Oh and don't forget to make a note of where all the wires go before you take them off.
K
I've been looking at the absolutly splendid examples of car care and craft seen at S Club 7. Unfortunately several things dictated I could not go including a severe case of 'semi-drowning' on the Friday before S club in Worcestershire. A further mercy mission to rescue a mate and his Scimitar GTE from flooding finsihed the weekend off. Could not believe the luck of the weather looking at the pics.
However I now feel the same ..... my list seems endless of little bits to be done. I have tried to kid myself that it is 'the patina' of the car, and of course it is, based on 16 years of use and 50K miles. But it comes back to 'where do you start'. Time is precious enough and we don't use the car enough on the road as it is. Spending more time stripping, repairing, fettling etc. is jolly good but they have to be taken off the hours of driving, they don't come out of another 'pocket'. Therefore with all our other activities the patina stays, annoying as it is, with only essentials being done. My one luxury if it can be called that is a good clean and polish occasionally.
Sad ........ one day time will come round just hope its not too late.
ps. we have a '71 Scimitar GTE in the garage also awaiting a proper fettle - it has been waiting for 10 years !!!
G and H (still rather damp in Worcs)
However I now feel the same ..... my list seems endless of little bits to be done. I have tried to kid myself that it is 'the patina' of the car, and of course it is, based on 16 years of use and 50K miles. But it comes back to 'where do you start'. Time is precious enough and we don't use the car enough on the road as it is. Spending more time stripping, repairing, fettling etc. is jolly good but they have to be taken off the hours of driving, they don't come out of another 'pocket'. Therefore with all our other activities the patina stays, annoying as it is, with only essentials being done. My one luxury if it can be called that is a good clean and polish occasionally.
Sad ........ one day time will come round just hope its not too late.
ps. we have a '71 Scimitar GTE in the garage also awaiting a proper fettle - it has been waiting for 10 years !!!
G and H (still rather damp in Worcs)
I also have an enormous list of things wrong with my car that I should fix, and looking at the cars at S Club only brought that home. I left inspired to get on with various wee jobs I've been putting off.
At the same time, though, I was speaking to a couple of owners who were pointing out faults with their cars, that I hadn't even noticed. I guess we all get to know our own cars so well that we inevitably see things that others don't. At least I hope so!
I didn't buy my car with the intention of "restoring" it to concours condition, or anything like it. I bought it to drive and to enjoy - and part of that enjoyment, for me, is tinkering about maintaining it or gradually making improvements.
For example, it's a lot shinier than it was, but it still has stress cracks. It doesn't look perfect but everything works - every switch and every control now does what it's supposed to do. It's serviced regularly and runs and stops properly. Those things were more of a priority, for me, than changing perfectly serviceable mounting bolts for new shiny ones, for example.
As V8 Whiskey says, I think that the "patina" of age is important - it's what gives each car its own individual character, and shows it has a life history. I think you can all too easily "restore" that out of a car, and that's not for me. I'm not knocking those who do (unless they restore it and then don't use it, like the woman on tv the other week who has a fully-restored original Mini Cooper S which she trailers to shows and then puts tyres on that still have the maker's sticky labels attached - that's just silly) - its just not for me.
Don't let all those minor things get on your nerves. Work your way through them at your pace, if you want to, but don't let them spoil your enjoyment of a fantastic sports car. It's your car, you don't have to make it the same as everybody else's - TVR never did!
I look at it like this - does anybody look worse than a woman with that one-too-many facelift? Let her grow old, but gracefully...
At the same time, though, I was speaking to a couple of owners who were pointing out faults with their cars, that I hadn't even noticed. I guess we all get to know our own cars so well that we inevitably see things that others don't. At least I hope so!
I didn't buy my car with the intention of "restoring" it to concours condition, or anything like it. I bought it to drive and to enjoy - and part of that enjoyment, for me, is tinkering about maintaining it or gradually making improvements.
For example, it's a lot shinier than it was, but it still has stress cracks. It doesn't look perfect but everything works - every switch and every control now does what it's supposed to do. It's serviced regularly and runs and stops properly. Those things were more of a priority, for me, than changing perfectly serviceable mounting bolts for new shiny ones, for example.
As V8 Whiskey says, I think that the "patina" of age is important - it's what gives each car its own individual character, and shows it has a life history. I think you can all too easily "restore" that out of a car, and that's not for me. I'm not knocking those who do (unless they restore it and then don't use it, like the woman on tv the other week who has a fully-restored original Mini Cooper S which she trailers to shows and then puts tyres on that still have the maker's sticky labels attached - that's just silly) - its just not for me.
Don't let all those minor things get on your nerves. Work your way through them at your pace, if you want to, but don't let them spoil your enjoyment of a fantastic sports car. It's your car, you don't have to make it the same as everybody else's - TVR never did!
I look at it like this - does anybody look worse than a woman with that one-too-many facelift? Let her grow old, but gracefully...
tvrgit said:
I also have an enormous list of things wrong with my car that I should fix...
Your S didn't look that way to me - a lovely example. I suppose that's the gist of your post!tvrgit said:
Don't let all those minor things get on your nerves. Work your way through them at your pace, if you want to, but don't let them spoil your enjoyment of a fantastic sports car. It's your car, you don't have to make it the same as everybody else's - TVR never did!
Exactly!My list includes (in no particular order):
1. recondition seats
2. re-hang doors
3. paintwork on boot
4. recondition wheels
5. new back window
6. new manifold
6. I'm going to do. The others can wait...
Spot on tvrgit. That is what makes the marque so loved and admired.
"I look at it like this - does anybody look worse than a woman with that one-too-many facelift? Let her grow old, but gracefully..."
Thanks for cheering me up. Just off to inform Mrs v8whiskey the makeover is off !!!! I may be off line some time !!!!
G
"I look at it like this - does anybody look worse than a woman with that one-too-many facelift? Let her grow old, but gracefully..."
Thanks for cheering me up. Just off to inform Mrs v8whiskey the makeover is off !!!! I may be off line some time !!!!
G
page3 said:
My list includes (in no particular order):
1. recondition seats
2. re-hang doors
3. paintwork on boot
4. recondition wheels
5. new back window
6. new manifold
6. I'm going to do. The others can wait...
That would be my priority as well. 6 affects the driving. The rest are "when I get round to it" jobs. 1. recondition seats
2. re-hang doors
3. paintwork on boot
4. recondition wheels
5. new back window
6. new manifold
6. I'm going to do. The others can wait...
V8whiskey said:
Just off to inform Mrs v8whiskey the makeover is off !!!! I may be off line some time !!!!
You're a recklessly (but admirably) brave man!AquaRegia said:
On the point of things going wrong my motor blower switch on my V8s now will only work on the low setting, can I source a switch to replace? Can the switch be repaired?
Any help appreciated.
Take the switch out and see what's wrong with it. They come apart quite easily and are simple inside. It may be repairable. If all else fails then you could simply swap the connections over so the fans come on full in the 'slow' position, to keep you going until you can replace the switch. I don't know what the switch comes from, but presumably somebody does.Any help appreciated.
Hello Aqua
I think the fan switch is off the Triumph TR7,though Ill stand corrected, I used to own one and still have many bits for the TR7 in the garage. Ill take a look for you, if there is one you can have it, though it is quite common for the switch contact to go green with oxide, if I remember rightly they strip down fairly easily and you can emery the contacts clean.
See ya
I think the fan switch is off the Triumph TR7,though Ill stand corrected, I used to own one and still have many bits for the TR7 in the garage. Ill take a look for you, if there is one you can have it, though it is quite common for the switch contact to go green with oxide, if I remember rightly they strip down fairly easily and you can emery the contacts clean.
See ya
1. Door alignment
2. Bonnet alignment, again!
3. A few electrical bits
4. Finish off carpets, just behind the seats to do.
5. Paint, touch up or re-spray
6. Drivers seat wants some leather dye on it
A few more odds and sods, but it`s enjoyable and keeps me smiling:
I guess we all have a few bits to sort out, the joys of owning an S.
2. Bonnet alignment, again!
3. A few electrical bits
4. Finish off carpets, just behind the seats to do.
5. Paint, touch up or re-spray
6. Drivers seat wants some leather dye on it
A few more odds and sods, but it`s enjoyable and keeps me smiling
:I guess we all have a few bits to sort out, the joys of owning an S.
If I statrted listing all the little things wrong on mine I'd be here all night, but they're cosmetic faults only and will get done as and when.
the main thing is that it sounds great, looks great and drives great and is structurely sound, even if it does give me a headache and makes me feel sick.........STILL!!!!
And whats so wrong with a girl owning and driving a TVR? Didnt realise I had bought a male only make of car, or is it that there are some very jealous men around just because I have bought one.
the main thing is that it sounds great, looks great and drives great and is structurely sound, even if it does give me a headache and makes me feel sick.........STILL!!!!
And whats so wrong with a girl owning and driving a TVR? Didnt realise I had bought a male only make of car, or is it that there are some very jealous men around just because I have bought one.
coolcatmaz said:
If I statrted listing all the little things wrong on mine I'd be here all night, but they're cosmetic faults only and will get done as and when.
the main thing is that it sounds great, looks great and drives great and is structurely sound, even if it does give me a headache and makes me feel sick.........STILL!!!!
And whats so wrong with a girl owning and driving a TVR? Didnt realise I had bought a male only make of car, or is it that there are some very jealous men around just because I have bought one.
the main thing is that it sounds great, looks great and drives great and is structurely sound, even if it does give me a headache and makes me feel sick.........STILL!!!!
And whats so wrong with a girl owning and driving a TVR? Didnt realise I had bought a male only make of car, or is it that there are some very jealous men around just because I have bought one.
join the rest of us, just because you`re a gal does`nt mean you can`t enjoy tiv ownership, enjoy the ups and downs and keep on smiling.The best maintenance for a TVR is to drive it.
Mine isn't mint and may well never be.
However as far as I'm concerned there's much more fun to be had driving it than polishing it !
I have a million little things to do. So what ?
It still goes (rather well too) and will always be more fun than any eurobox.
I'd say don't beat yourself up if your car isn't perfect.
These cars were meant to be driven, so drive !
Chris
Mine isn't mint and may well never be.
However as far as I'm concerned there's much more fun to be had driving it than polishing it !
I have a million little things to do. So what ?
It still goes (rather well too) and will always be more fun than any eurobox.
I'd say don't beat yourself up if your car isn't perfect.
These cars were meant to be driven, so drive !
Chris
Edited by Barkychoc on Sunday 29th July 17:32
I still think that as long as you use the car for the purpose for which TVR built it for there is no reason not to keep your pride and joy in the best condition you can. The return trip from the S Club Heaven meeting logged up 30,000 miles since I rebuilt my car (back on the road August 2001)so this proves that it can be used and kept clean.
db800
db800
AquaRegia: If the blower only works in high it might also be the resistors bolted to the bulkhead (right hand side of engine) the big stone ones. I bet one of them has "infinite" resistance. Hope this helps.
As for the subject. Cars should indeed be uses and deserve their patina.
I use my XJ6, spitfire and (lately) the S as daily transport. And they look "the part" technically they are very very well maintained but cracked window, dull paint.. etc..
A collegue has a beautyfull classic lancia. He get's his kicks out of looking at it and polishing. I think you could also view some cars as "works of art" that are a treat to look at. which improves through keeping gleaming...that's fine too. As long as one gets out of it what he/she wants or enjoys most.
I wish I could have it all...great looking polished cars...AND...driving them daily....
IT JUST CAN'T BE DONE..unless you'r loaded AND unemployed and I'm not
Cheers Olav
As for the subject. Cars should indeed be uses and deserve their patina.
I use my XJ6, spitfire and (lately) the S as daily transport. And they look "the part" technically they are very very well maintained but cracked window, dull paint.. etc..
A collegue has a beautyfull classic lancia. He get's his kicks out of looking at it and polishing. I think you could also view some cars as "works of art" that are a treat to look at. which improves through keeping gleaming...that's fine too. As long as one gets out of it what he/she wants or enjoys most.
I wish I could have it all...great looking polished cars...AND...driving them daily....
IT JUST CAN'T BE DONE..unless you'r loaded AND unemployed and I'm not
Cheers Olav
Edited by Olav Bergman on Wednesday 8th August 10:15
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