PN05 OUX, Mr Blue re-discovery/ rebuild
Discussion
A few months ago I bought PN05 OUX, also known as Mr Blue, which is the press car that appeared on Top Gear alongside "Mr Orange", the car Clarkson drove.
The car disappeared from view about 10 years ago as it's owner had completely dismantled it, and it then became a stalled project.
I bought it with the aim of getting it back as close as possible to it's original state when The Stig set the Top Gear lap in it.
I'd love to hear from any previous owners or people who have any history of the car.
More photos to follow!
The car disappeared from view about 10 years ago as it's owner had completely dismantled it, and it then became a stalled project.
I bought it with the aim of getting it back as close as possible to it's original state when The Stig set the Top Gear lap in it.
I'd love to hear from any previous owners or people who have any history of the car.
More photos to follow!
The second picture down, reminds me of that F1 car that lost both its front wheels when the driver hit his brakes at the end of a straight haha.
Is that chassis how the car came to you and is it in its original covering as came from TVR.
Generally looks in very good condition.
I wonder why it was stripped so far back and then left.
A lot of work recommissioning it and working out what goes where in the interior.
Your garage looks spotless, more like a show room, very impressive and the cars you work on suggest a huge amount of talent and dedication.
I’m sure that TVR has found its way to a very good place at last.
As these are so rare this build has to be one of the best projects ever undertaken. Fascinating.
I know these are very different from earlier cars like Griffs/ Chims and the like with many changes and improvements but it’s still very much like any other TVR which is like stating the obvious but even so.
Even the rear hub carriers look similar to my Chim for instance.
I’m very much looking forward to watching this progress.
The gov should give you a grant for saving it and adding to Britain’s history
Is that chassis how the car came to you and is it in its original covering as came from TVR.
Generally looks in very good condition.
I wonder why it was stripped so far back and then left.
A lot of work recommissioning it and working out what goes where in the interior.
Your garage looks spotless, more like a show room, very impressive and the cars you work on suggest a huge amount of talent and dedication.
I’m sure that TVR has found its way to a very good place at last.
As these are so rare this build has to be one of the best projects ever undertaken. Fascinating.
I know these are very different from earlier cars like Griffs/ Chims and the like with many changes and improvements but it’s still very much like any other TVR which is like stating the obvious but even so.
Even the rear hub carriers look similar to my Chim for instance.
I’m very much looking forward to watching this progress.
The gov should give you a grant for saving it and adding to Britain’s history
Thanks for everyone's kind comments. I have to say straight up, that is not my garage. I wish! HPC classics here in Eastbourne are helping me with the rebuild. I suppose technically I am helping them, I'll be focussing on the electronics, and tracking down those elusive parts.
I'm picking the engine up from Dom on Tuesday so will post more photos shortly.
I'm picking the engine up from Dom on Tuesday so will post more photos shortly.
Thanks Stuart,
Miles from HPC here.
Super pleased to be chosen to be involved with ressurrecting this iconic machine!
We also have the aforementioned PN05 OUK in with us to sell for the second time, a great car too.
With the body freshly painted, it's coming along nicely.
Have a nice weekend one & all.
Miles from HPC here.
Super pleased to be chosen to be involved with ressurrecting this iconic machine!
We also have the aforementioned PN05 OUK in with us to sell for the second time, a great car too.
With the body freshly painted, it's coming along nicely.
Have a nice weekend one & all.
Actually I agree 100%, I would not have touched the car at all. I did look at filling in the wing vents but it's a lot of work. The roof vent was a step too far for me though, so that has been filled in. If you look at the first two photos you can see the nose has been altered to give it a more rounded look, like a T350, and the badge removed. That has been corrected as well and finally, the dab aerial has been put back! A small OCD detail.
As a press car it had all the bells and whistles so came with dab radio and electric lumbar supports on the seats. I haven't tried them yet!
As a press car it had all the bells and whistles so came with dab radio and electric lumbar supports on the seats. I haven't tried them yet!
Edited by non_linear on Sunday 28th July 07:49
non_linear said:
Actually I agree 100%, I would not have touched the car at all. I did look at filling in the wing vents but it's a lot of work. The roof vent was a step too far for me though, so that has been filled in. If you look at the first two photos you can see the nose has been altered to give it a more rounded look, like a T350, and the badge removed. That has been corrected as well and finally, the dab aerial has been put back! A small OCD detail.
As a press car it had all the bells and whistles so came with dab radio and electric lumbar supports on the seats. I haven't tried them yet!
Great project look forward to seeing future updates.As a press car it had all the bells and whistles so came with dab radio and electric lumbar supports on the seats. I haven't tried them yet!
Edited by non_linear on Sunday 28th July 07:49
I guess a lot depends upon your plans for the car - do you intend to keep it or sell it when complete?
If the former I would attend to the features that are important to you and not worry about what it might be worth in 10 or 20 years time. The Sag is an epic drive but there are def improvements that could be built in UNDER the skin. Cooling is a problem when you're in higher temps and working the car hard as I found out recently at the top of the Great St Bernard Pass in 30 degrees on a busy Sunday morning. High Oil temp made the car stall and stall and The open wing vents might help dissipate some heat and I've seen some with electric bonnet vents? I would also see if you can improve the aircon, a better (more powerful) fan for example would be an immediate improvement. I'm sure others could suggest improvements while you are in bits
Stever said:
High Oil temp made the car stall and stall and The open wing vents might help dissipate some heat and I've seen some with electric bonnet vents? I would also see if you can improve the aircon, a better (more powerful) fan for example would be an immediate improvement.
All interesting points. I think the inner wing would limit air circulation from the wing vents, so I think any improvement would be marginal. I've had a T350 for the last 7 years and I've not seen this problem myself. Maybe I'm not pushing it hard enough! Aircon is an interesting area. The car originally had aircon but somewhere in it's history it was removed. Maybe the factory did this to remove weight for The Stig's lap? I'm aiming at putting it back, so am open to ideas on improvement. One immediate observation is that the cooling box containing the evaporator has no thermal insulation around it. It's located next to the heater box, in a very hot engine bay. Insulating it should give it at least a fighting chance.
I'm trying to keep the car as standard as possible, but also ironing out any known problems where possible.
Keep the comments coming please.
Edited by non_linear on Monday 29th July 20:55
That is a very worthwhile project. I visit HPC from time to time and may see more of them in the near future as my son has recently bought ann F-Type. A good friend takes his there and is very happy with Miles and the team. Another friend bought his Tamora there too, so I feel a calling.
Aircon... I'm all ears. I had my T350 aircon reconditioned and recomissioned a couple of years ago but to be honest, it's still like a chocolate teapot in hot weather. It seems that once the ambient temperature climbs beyond a certain level, it just gives up. I know it's in a very hot environment, and pretty close to the red hot exhaust manifolds but there must be room for improvement. I'd love to know what you and HPC do in the Sag and how effective it is.
Some say that removing the cats reduces the cabin temperature but (and call me old fashioned, maybe it's my age) I don't really want it any louder - other than a sports back-box.
We plan on touring with it (the Dolomites next year) and I'd like to get cabin temperatures down a little with a semi-decent aircon system. Or am I being unreasoonable?
Apologies for the thread hijack, that's a great project. HPC like orange Sags! Watching with interest.
Aircon... I'm all ears. I had my T350 aircon reconditioned and recomissioned a couple of years ago but to be honest, it's still like a chocolate teapot in hot weather. It seems that once the ambient temperature climbs beyond a certain level, it just gives up. I know it's in a very hot environment, and pretty close to the red hot exhaust manifolds but there must be room for improvement. I'd love to know what you and HPC do in the Sag and how effective it is.
Some say that removing the cats reduces the cabin temperature but (and call me old fashioned, maybe it's my age) I don't really want it any louder - other than a sports back-box.
We plan on touring with it (the Dolomites next year) and I'd like to get cabin temperatures down a little with a semi-decent aircon system. Or am I being unreasoonable?Apologies for the thread hijack, that's a great project. HPC like orange Sags!
Watching with interest.You could try a set of Clive F 200 cell sports cats to keep it legal, mute some sound and reduce heat. He does them in 4-inch diameter as well as 5-inch.
Ceramic coating them and the manifolds and some exhaust wrap beyond the gearbox would mitigate heat out of the cabin.
As would fitting or properly fitting the heat blanket over the trans tunnel.
Ceramic coating them and the manifolds and some exhaust wrap beyond the gearbox would mitigate heat out of the cabin.
As would fitting or properly fitting the heat blanket over the trans tunnel.
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