Help and advice please guys.
Discussion
Hi guys.
After viewing a Vixen s3, I may have the opportunity to buy if the budget and figures add up. However I need information on approximate costs, availability of parts etc.
The car is complete with the exception of the rear screen. It is in need of a body off as it's been stored for 30 years in a garage. So here goes.
What is the going price for such a project?
What availability on interior parts (dashboard mainly as it has been extensively changed) door cards etc?
Price and availability of the rear screen? Glass or other.
Chassis availability and price if beyond repair? (Has surface rust but needs further inspection to reveal extent.)
I've kind of investigated the availability of the other parts, engine, brakes suspension etc and it seems all are easily sourced.
Any information will be much appreciated.
Jaybee
After viewing a Vixen s3, I may have the opportunity to buy if the budget and figures add up. However I need information on approximate costs, availability of parts etc.
The car is complete with the exception of the rear screen. It is in need of a body off as it's been stored for 30 years in a garage. So here goes.
What is the going price for such a project?
What availability on interior parts (dashboard mainly as it has been extensively changed) door cards etc?
Price and availability of the rear screen? Glass or other.
Chassis availability and price if beyond repair? (Has surface rust but needs further inspection to reveal extent.)
I've kind of investigated the availability of the other parts, engine, brakes suspension etc and it seems all are easily sourced.
Any information will be much appreciated.
Jaybee
Price of the overall project will depend on how much work you will be tackling yourself. I guess any Vixen with an identity is going to be at least £5k these days - if your car is less then I would snap it up. If you are handy you could restore the car for £10kish and double that if you are paying for somebody else to do work for you. I believe you can still get a chassis made but if its only surface rust then it may well be repairable. Rear acrylic/persex screens are still available for £300 to £400.
The bits that are getting tricky to find are the bespoke TVR bits. front and rear wishbones and rear cast uprights might prove to be very difficult but Adrian Venn might be able to help you. Bits like the bonnet frame and hinge might also be tricky but others may pop on to tell you where you can buy one. As for the dash, if it's an S3 it will be padded and covered so potentially any superfluous holes can be filled and covered unless it's the switch panels that have been butchered. I don't suppose it wouldn't be too difficult to have a new one made up and others on here and elsewhere may be able to help. Unfortunately not all with classic TVR experience are prepared to post here anymore - which is a shame but hey-ho.
When I restored my S2 the biggest investment by far was the respray. I have heard of folks getting resprays for less than £2k but don't be surprised if you cant find anyone to prep and paint your car for less than £5k. Finding a paintshop with proven GRP experience is essential. Other than that it's a doddle - go for it.
The bits that are getting tricky to find are the bespoke TVR bits. front and rear wishbones and rear cast uprights might prove to be very difficult but Adrian Venn might be able to help you. Bits like the bonnet frame and hinge might also be tricky but others may pop on to tell you where you can buy one. As for the dash, if it's an S3 it will be padded and covered so potentially any superfluous holes can be filled and covered unless it's the switch panels that have been butchered. I don't suppose it wouldn't be too difficult to have a new one made up and others on here and elsewhere may be able to help. Unfortunately not all with classic TVR experience are prepared to post here anymore - which is a shame but hey-ho.
When I restored my S2 the biggest investment by far was the respray. I have heard of folks getting resprays for less than £2k but don't be surprised if you cant find anyone to prep and paint your car for less than £5k. Finding a paintshop with proven GRP experience is essential. Other than that it's a doddle - go for it.
Forgot to mention the fact that due to the bonkers prices that old Fords are going for it may very soon be difficult to pick up cheap used bits like cortina doors handles and rear light clusters. Even crossflow bits are getting a bit more difficult to track down and even more so bits for the 2000e gearboxes. Much will depend on what kind of rebuild you are looking for. If you're comfortable with non OE parts then it should be a breeze.
jaybee747 said:
Hi guys.
After viewing a Vixen s3, I may have the opportunity to buy if the budget and figures add up. However I need information on approximate costs, availability of parts etc.
The car is complete with the exception of the rear screen. It is in need of a body off as it's been stored for 30 years in a garage. So here goes.
What is the going price for such a project?
What availability on interior parts (dashboard mainly as it has been extensively changed) door cards etc?
Price and availability of the rear screen? Glass or other.
Chassis availability and price if beyond repair? (Has surface rust but needs further inspection to reveal extent.)
I've kind of investigated the availability of the other parts, engine, brakes suspension etc and it seems all are easily sourced.
Any information will be much appreciated.
Jaybee
HiAfter viewing a Vixen s3, I may have the opportunity to buy if the budget and figures add up. However I need information on approximate costs, availability of parts etc.
The car is complete with the exception of the rear screen. It is in need of a body off as it's been stored for 30 years in a garage. So here goes.
What is the going price for such a project?
What availability on interior parts (dashboard mainly as it has been extensively changed) door cards etc?
Price and availability of the rear screen? Glass or other.
Chassis availability and price if beyond repair? (Has surface rust but needs further inspection to reveal extent.)
I've kind of investigated the availability of the other parts, engine, brakes suspension etc and it seems all are easily sourced.
Any information will be much appreciated.
Jaybee
Ill jump in here. Of course it all depends on what you want to do as your restoration. Whether you want every thing as new or whether you are sprucing up and tidying.
Pretty much all parts are available from one source or another so you should have no problems there.
The dash itself is a fibreglass moulding covered with Vinyl. The moulding is easily available or just repair the one you have. The vinyl is a simple repair. Vinyl available from woolies trim for example.
Some interior parts are hard to find e.g. Dashboard switches I believe are difficult, for example on some cars. Switch panels are just anodised aluminium sheets with engraved lettering and can be remade. Gauges are available from E bay on and off.
Other stuff I have found hard to get hold of:
Interior lights are hens teeth,
source of the window winding mechanism is apparently a huge secret, but can be fixed by combining sub assemblies from sources various. Closest I have found is Riley 1500, but you'll have to mod it a bit.
Bonnet catches are also hard to come across, although the Anglia 105E ones are similar
Original horn buttons are insanely expensive
Just following on from what TT said above, the alloy uprights are available and I think they are about £350 a side. All the parts for rebuilding the suspension can be had from various sources.
Rear screen: Vixens post very early series twos were all glass. They are hard to find. There may have been a run of new ones made recently but I don't really have experience as my Series one has a Perspex screen from new. Prices are steep, if you can find a second hand one. Perspex are about £300. Glass are maybe twice that plus.
Chassis easily available from a couple of sources. I would recommend you use Duncan Rubin as he has the original Jigs and theres not much he doesn't know about TVR chassis. Price - sorry don't know I am guessing about 2000 plus maybe?
Body parts such as wheel arches and bonnets as well as complete shells are also available
As far as prices for projects go this is a really difficult area. Complete cars in good shape go for anywhere from 10/12000 upwards. Mine was £5000 in 2010 as a basket case in bits. As TT says, if you can find a project for anywhere between 5 and say 8k I would grab it. For 10k you might expect it to be scruffy but running. The last project I saw went for 7k and it was a partially rebuilt car.
Rebuild costs in total? The price often quoted on here for a complete restoration including engine rebuild and interior is around £25K but I am sure you can do it for much less depending on how much you can do yourself.
Edited by Astacus on Friday 13th May because he couldn't type fast enough and TT got there first!19:40
Edited by Astacus on Friday 13th May 19:51
Thanks guys for all your information. The car in question is complete and I have only looked at the general condition. It looks complete but there will be parts that need replacing or refurbing. The majority of the work will be done by myself, chassis I have a hot rod specialist friend, engine is no problem, paintwork is the money pit as it is not that good. (not a desirable colour or in good condition). Cannot believe it's the original colour, (a dull lime green) but I'm told it is. No accounting for taste in the 70's. All other work is not above me but no doubt, if I go ahead, I will be seeking more advice.
Anyhow, I will post to tell of my next move. If I don't go ahead maybe someone else will keep it going instead of someone buying it for breaking.
BTW I'm looking to get it as original as possible as it has not been modified or altered, (apart from dash and colour scheme) if I go ahead.
Jaybee
Anyhow, I will post to tell of my next move. If I don't go ahead maybe someone else will keep it going instead of someone buying it for breaking.
BTW I'm looking to get it as original as possible as it has not been modified or altered, (apart from dash and colour scheme) if I go ahead.
Jaybee
Edited by jaybee747 on Saturday 14th May 06:21
If the Car is complete then your 90% there most parts can be refurbished and as Andy said there are good companies usually small one man operations that can be of help with many items.
If the price is under 8k then I would be getting your check book out if its under 5k just pray the seller is not reading this thread as its not anymore
Keep us posted
Andrew
If the price is under 8k then I would be getting your check book out if its under 5k just pray the seller is not reading this thread as its not anymore
Keep us posted
Andrew
Hi Jaybee. If it's of any interest, I have an S3 I purchased 6 years ago. My 6th TVR thru 30 years of ownership from a 1600M to a Griff 500 SE.
Although it's unfair to compare as very different cars, I have more enjoyment from my Vixen than any of the others. It's just a fantasticly enjoyable car to drive, own and look at. I paid £8k for a sound but unloved car with an MOT and very shabby paint. The chassis & mechanics were pretty good but the interior was s
te but original, less seats.
I've spent £8k getting mine as I want it, doing most of the work myself. And there's been no respray, engine rebuild or chassis work. Just complete interior / re-trim & original seats, full suspension rebuild, wheels, tyres etc. It does mount up amazingly quickly. As already said just about everything is available if you look hard enough or talk to people in the know.
The final upside is the current value is probably £14k ish, so by my reckoning I should get most of my money spent back if I were to sell, which I'm not!
Good luck and if you do go ahead it's likely to be something you'll be very glad you did.
Moto
PS - you asked about rear screen. An S3 should have glass but you'll struggle to find one. Plastic are available as already said but you can also fit a glass M series rear screen which are available. The only difference is they have heated elements (which the Vixen did not) and I think the tint is slightly different.
Although it's unfair to compare as very different cars, I have more enjoyment from my Vixen than any of the others. It's just a fantasticly enjoyable car to drive, own and look at. I paid £8k for a sound but unloved car with an MOT and very shabby paint. The chassis & mechanics were pretty good but the interior was s
te but original, less seats.I've spent £8k getting mine as I want it, doing most of the work myself. And there's been no respray, engine rebuild or chassis work. Just complete interior / re-trim & original seats, full suspension rebuild, wheels, tyres etc. It does mount up amazingly quickly. As already said just about everything is available if you look hard enough or talk to people in the know.
The final upside is the current value is probably £14k ish, so by my reckoning I should get most of my money spent back if I were to sell, which I'm not!
Good luck and if you do go ahead it's likely to be something you'll be very glad you did.
Moto
PS - you asked about rear screen. An S3 should have glass but you'll struggle to find one. Plastic are available as already said but you can also fit a glass M series rear screen which are available. The only difference is they have heated elements (which the Vixen did not) and I think the tint is slightly different.
Edited by Moto on Saturday 14th May 10:05
Good luck and go for it. 
It will take you longer than you anticipate though, I can tell you.
Things like the Zepher S3 side vents and as somebody said Mk2 Cortina door handles & rear light clusters are proving harder to find, although if you trawl the internet hard enough they do come up.
Ended up at a gypsy site off the A127 for a Cortina door-handle a couple of years back for a fiver.
It will take you longer than you anticipate though, I can tell you.
Things like the Zepher S3 side vents and as somebody said Mk2 Cortina door handles & rear light clusters are proving harder to find, although if you trawl the internet hard enough they do come up.
Ended up at a gypsy site off the A127 for a Cortina door-handle a couple of years back for a fiver.
A slightly different viewpoint, which is not for the purists, but still.....
If you aren't fixed on keeping it entirely original, things like trim, door handles etc, can be subtituted without much visual impact - for example the 'M' series used Capri door handles (as does the wedge) and they are much easier to find (but do need a 'dent' in the door like the 'M'). With a bit of ingenuity you can use alternate bonnet catches, hinges etc.
The dash in my S3 was a piece of plywood covered in vinyl - it looked old enough to be original, but I don't know. So buy some ply and make your own !!
You can use a set of Smiths Gauges out of say a Spitfire or similar - not technically right, but they do look the part....
You can still find the switches, and you can take them to bits and swop/re-purpose the innards around for what you want.
Rear window I think is VERY expensive in glass (unobtainable ?), but perspex/plastic ones can be found.
Does anyone make chassis anymore ? David Gerald used to do them - I guess TVR parts now own the jigs ?? But it's a multitube, so can be repaired by race car specialists (etc).
I would agree, probably rear suspension is the hardest to find, as it's special to the car (?) I think everything else is common-ish (like TR6 brakes, Spitfire uprights, Spitfire diff, Ford kent engine....and of course the later 2000 OHC or Zetecs fit on the mountings and to the gearbox if you want more power ....
Adrian is a mine of good info and parts for pre Wedges.....
and if you want it entirely original, it's going to cost more dosh, but cost a lot more time finding the parts, but still do-able.
If you aren't fixed on keeping it entirely original, things like trim, door handles etc, can be subtituted without much visual impact - for example the 'M' series used Capri door handles (as does the wedge) and they are much easier to find (but do need a 'dent' in the door like the 'M'). With a bit of ingenuity you can use alternate bonnet catches, hinges etc.
The dash in my S3 was a piece of plywood covered in vinyl - it looked old enough to be original, but I don't know. So buy some ply and make your own !!
You can use a set of Smiths Gauges out of say a Spitfire or similar - not technically right, but they do look the part....
You can still find the switches, and you can take them to bits and swop/re-purpose the innards around for what you want.
Rear window I think is VERY expensive in glass (unobtainable ?), but perspex/plastic ones can be found.
Does anyone make chassis anymore ? David Gerald used to do them - I guess TVR parts now own the jigs ?? But it's a multitube, so can be repaired by race car specialists (etc).
I would agree, probably rear suspension is the hardest to find, as it's special to the car (?) I think everything else is common-ish (like TR6 brakes, Spitfire uprights, Spitfire diff, Ford kent engine....and of course the later 2000 OHC or Zetecs fit on the mountings and to the gearbox if you want more power ....
Adrian is a mine of good info and parts for pre Wedges.....
and if you want it entirely original, it's going to cost more dosh, but cost a lot more time finding the parts, but still do-able.
Edited by RCK974X on Saturday 14th May 11:00
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