Discussion
Hi,
Honestly, I wish I knew my own mind…. Sold my Griffith, immaculate yr 2000 car.
Looked at Tuscan and T350. Don’t like the straight 6. Sounds tappety and needs revving. Plus unreliable, at any level of rebuild.
Thought about another Griff (would be my third), seems weird to sell an immaculate Griff then buy another one…
So, a possible old timer came my way, 3000 S older resto, still in cellulose paint, but tidy with a few stress cracks. Chassis good, full resto 35 years ago! Over 100k total miles but few in last 35 years.
I have had two M series, a 1976 3000M and a 1972 3500ML, so like the cars. Always fancied an S.
Here’s the question, how much is it worth?
Proviso here, TVR owners over value their own cars (contentious!). I have been offered cars for more than folks gave 3 months earlier at a dealer.
The last S I recall was a blue one at a dealer a year ago at £23.5k. Was for sale for ages, not sure what happened. One for sale now, doesn’t look perfect, but presentable, for £18.5k.
Any real transactions to inform? Any opinions? Deducting the overly optimistic owners views!
Thx
Nic
Honestly, I wish I knew my own mind…. Sold my Griffith, immaculate yr 2000 car.
Looked at Tuscan and T350. Don’t like the straight 6. Sounds tappety and needs revving. Plus unreliable, at any level of rebuild.
Thought about another Griff (would be my third), seems weird to sell an immaculate Griff then buy another one…
So, a possible old timer came my way, 3000 S older resto, still in cellulose paint, but tidy with a few stress cracks. Chassis good, full resto 35 years ago! Over 100k total miles but few in last 35 years.
I have had two M series, a 1976 3000M and a 1972 3500ML, so like the cars. Always fancied an S.
Here’s the question, how much is it worth?
Proviso here, TVR owners over value their own cars (contentious!). I have been offered cars for more than folks gave 3 months earlier at a dealer.
The last S I recall was a blue one at a dealer a year ago at £23.5k. Was for sale for ages, not sure what happened. One for sale now, doesn’t look perfect, but presentable, for £18.5k.
Any real transactions to inform? Any opinions? Deducting the overly optimistic owners views!
Thx
Nic
Worth waiting for this auction to start:
https://www.carandclassic.com/auctions/1972-tvr-30...
See what the open market determines the price to be.
https://www.carandclassic.com/auctions/1972-tvr-30...
See what the open market determines the price to be.
a 3000s hm, no normal side windows... stick in items, not a fan of such, or maybe in a Morgan Plus version, there I forgive it :-)
I saw V8S YVR's in the UK are cheap, from 15k or so, I had one in the past a LHD even more rare, but a good car, lovely sound.
also had a 4.3 Griffith BV in the past, also nice of course.
maybe look for a 3000M Turbo, very rare, sometimes also not much.
or nicer a M-series with a V8 swap, just for the sound and at low rpm much NM power on tap.
or if you can find them, a well set up Vixen with V8 swap, bonkers :-)
3000S RHD are around 20k and LHD around 25k
I saw V8S YVR's in the UK are cheap, from 15k or so, I had one in the past a LHD even more rare, but a good car, lovely sound.
also had a 4.3 Griffith BV in the past, also nice of course.
maybe look for a 3000M Turbo, very rare, sometimes also not much.
or nicer a M-series with a V8 swap, just for the sound and at low rpm much NM power on tap.
or if you can find them, a well set up Vixen with V8 swap, bonkers :-)
3000S RHD are around 20k and LHD around 25k
Nic,
In the 90's I purchased a 3000S. They are one of the prettiest convertible TVR's in my opinion - I certainly bought mine on looks. There is a beautiful curve through the top of the door line (probably why they couldn't fit winding windows) and curved rear haunches that the later 'S' cars did not have. The rear lights (TR6 units I think) also suited the car unlike the later 'S' cars. Clearly the basis of the car is 3000M which is all good but doesn't shine in terms of performance. Adrian@ rebuilt my car for me to Turbo spec. That made it very enjoyable to drive as well as pretty and kept original factory spec.
But they aren't the easiest cars to live with. The side screens are a drag to use. The old school fold down hood is pretty when up but ugly when folded down. Really the car is best suited to keep as a sunny day only car with the side screens off and the hood completely removed.
Other than the usual TVR things to check, take a very good look at the front screen surround before buying. Beneath the chrome outer is a steel frame (not visible) that is prone to rust and rot. These are a major pain to remove or repair - probably not even do'able unless part of a full rebuild. I would bet that the parts are not available also.
Value wise, they're worth what anyone will pay. But I think their good looks can inflate their values over comparative other models, particularly if that screen is on the need to do list.
Moto
In the 90's I purchased a 3000S. They are one of the prettiest convertible TVR's in my opinion - I certainly bought mine on looks. There is a beautiful curve through the top of the door line (probably why they couldn't fit winding windows) and curved rear haunches that the later 'S' cars did not have. The rear lights (TR6 units I think) also suited the car unlike the later 'S' cars. Clearly the basis of the car is 3000M which is all good but doesn't shine in terms of performance. Adrian@ rebuilt my car for me to Turbo spec. That made it very enjoyable to drive as well as pretty and kept original factory spec.
But they aren't the easiest cars to live with. The side screens are a drag to use. The old school fold down hood is pretty when up but ugly when folded down. Really the car is best suited to keep as a sunny day only car with the side screens off and the hood completely removed.
Other than the usual TVR things to check, take a very good look at the front screen surround before buying. Beneath the chrome outer is a steel frame (not visible) that is prone to rust and rot. These are a major pain to remove or repair - probably not even do'able unless part of a full rebuild. I would bet that the parts are not available also.
Value wise, they're worth what anyone will pay. But I think their good looks can inflate their values over comparative other models, particularly if that screen is on the need to do list.
Moto
Moto said:
Nic,
The old school fold down hood is pretty when up but ugly when folded down. Really the car is best suited to keep as a sunny day only car with the side screens off and the hood completely removed.
Moto
If you've got the shorter rear rail you can unclip the rear of the screen and put it on the rear shelf. The hood then folds down further into the recess so looks a lot better. If you've got the longer rear rail take it out and shorten it The old school fold down hood is pretty when up but ugly when folded down. Really the car is best suited to keep as a sunny day only car with the side screens off and the hood completely removed.
Moto
Also you can take the whole roof off fairly easily and fit the tonneau 
Hi Nige,
please tell me more about the "short rear rail", i didn't know that.
I think i have a "long rear rail" and i can't fold the hood down out of sight on the shelf.
How much do i need to shorten it and do i then need to add some more "poppers" to the body.
I have a tonneau cover but can only fit it if i remove the hood completly and leave it in the garage.
Thanks in advance for info
cheers
Alan
please tell me more about the "short rear rail", i didn't know that.
I think i have a "long rear rail" and i can't fold the hood down out of sight on the shelf.
How much do i need to shorten it and do i then need to add some more "poppers" to the body.
I have a tonneau cover but can only fit it if i remove the hood completly and leave it in the garage.
Thanks in advance for info
cheers
Alan
Adrian@ said:
To help the topic along (so that people that do not know what a TVR 3000S looks like, there seems to be some confusion here!) a picture of Joolz's 3000S on 15 inch Wolfrace, after having a full rebuild/retrim/repaint, taken whilst going out for the headlamps to be adjusted! A@
Absolutely stunning. I remember Jim Gamsby (RIP) saying he had the last production 3000S turbo in unassembled state. Does anyone know what happened to the car,did it go out to NZ with him ?
3000S is certainly to many the most desirable of the M series variants and obviously lighter than the hard top versions.
Handles very well when set up right and performance with the standard V6 with some modifications to take close to 190BHP is certainly enough for this old man.
4 speed box can be a little short on legs on motorways and some prefer to convert to 5 speed.
However the gear ration on the 4 speed box is much nicer on the twisty back roads where this model certainly shines.
The only body panel shared with the other Ms is the Bonnet the rest is unique to the 3000s.
The best look for the model is no roof and no side screens and just a tonneau cover and leave the rest at hone less weight.
Prices well like all TVRs i have seen some 3000s sell for £20K and then the owners went on to spend the same again to get the car where they wanted the car to be.
I see cars as basic basket cases that need full restorations and others that are running driving restorations.
The cost to restore a car fully is very little difference between either.
A very Very Good example which there are a number but not for sale in the late 20s or even early 30s.
Values of all TVRs depends on the car the seller and the buyer.
I know of one Owner having there M Turbo restored professionally that he has owned for many years and the build is going over £70k and will never be worth that however its obviously worth it to him.
Handles very well when set up right and performance with the standard V6 with some modifications to take close to 190BHP is certainly enough for this old man.
4 speed box can be a little short on legs on motorways and some prefer to convert to 5 speed.
However the gear ration on the 4 speed box is much nicer on the twisty back roads where this model certainly shines.
The only body panel shared with the other Ms is the Bonnet the rest is unique to the 3000s.
The best look for the model is no roof and no side screens and just a tonneau cover and leave the rest at hone less weight.
Prices well like all TVRs i have seen some 3000s sell for £20K and then the owners went on to spend the same again to get the car where they wanted the car to be.
I see cars as basic basket cases that need full restorations and others that are running driving restorations.
The cost to restore a car fully is very little difference between either.
A very Very Good example which there are a number but not for sale in the late 20s or even early 30s.
Values of all TVRs depends on the car the seller and the buyer.
I know of one Owner having there M Turbo restored professionally that he has owned for many years and the build is going over £70k and will never be worth that however its obviously worth it to him.
NicBowman said:
Hi,
Honestly, I wish I knew my own mind…. Sold my Griffith, immaculate yr 2000 car.
Looked at Tuscan and T350. Don’t like the straight 6. Sounds tappety and needs revving. Plus unreliable, at any level of rebuild.
Thought about another Griff (would be my third), seems weird to sell an immaculate Griff then buy another one…
So, a possible old timer came my way, 3000 S older resto, still in cellulose paint, but tidy with a few stress cracks. Chassis good, full resto 35 years ago! Over 100k total miles but few in last 35 years.
I have had two M series, a 1976 3000M and a 1972 3500ML, so like the cars. Always fancied an S.
Here’s the question, how much is it worth?
Proviso here, TVR owners over value their own cars (contentious!). I have been offered cars for more than folks gave 3 months earlier at a dealer.
The last S I recall was a blue one at a dealer a year ago at £23.5k. Was for sale for ages, not sure what happened. One for sale now, doesn’t look perfect, but presentable, for £18.5k.
Any real transactions to inform? Any opinions? Deducting the overly optimistic owners views!
Thx
Nic
Nic, If you bought an "S", it would only be a stop gap until the urge for another Griff took over!Honestly, I wish I knew my own mind…. Sold my Griffith, immaculate yr 2000 car.
Looked at Tuscan and T350. Don’t like the straight 6. Sounds tappety and needs revving. Plus unreliable, at any level of rebuild.
Thought about another Griff (would be my third), seems weird to sell an immaculate Griff then buy another one…
So, a possible old timer came my way, 3000 S older resto, still in cellulose paint, but tidy with a few stress cracks. Chassis good, full resto 35 years ago! Over 100k total miles but few in last 35 years.
I have had two M series, a 1976 3000M and a 1972 3500ML, so like the cars. Always fancied an S.
Here’s the question, how much is it worth?
Proviso here, TVR owners over value their own cars (contentious!). I have been offered cars for more than folks gave 3 months earlier at a dealer.
The last S I recall was a blue one at a dealer a year ago at £23.5k. Was for sale for ages, not sure what happened. One for sale now, doesn’t look perfect, but presentable, for £18.5k.
Any real transactions to inform? Any opinions? Deducting the overly optimistic owners views!
Thx
Nic
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