Thinking of starting a TVR workshop
Discussion
I have a full time business where I work on customer kit cars at my 1500 sq ft unit just to the north of Aylesbury. Kit car work is somewhat seasonal, and I would like to be better able to spread the workload over the year. Also I spend a lot of time doing fairly trivial and irritating stuff to meet the requirements of the IVA test that all new kits have to pass.
I’ve long had an interest in TVRs, and the Rover derived V8, and that is why I am considering offering my services to TVR owners in my area. I would be the first to admit that I don’t yet have enough experience of TVRs to be good on the diagnosis side, but if the problem were known, and it was simply a matter of doing the work, I believe I could handle that well.
My specialist field is electrics, but I also do engine swaps and general mechanical stuff. I believe I could tackle chassis repairs well, although maybe a bit slow on the first few. The only thing I couldn’t offer to do would be bodywork.
I already have suitable trade insurance which covers up to £15K value on any one car, and of course all the facilities I would expect to need.
I guess the big question is whether I am likely to be able to get enough work to make this worthwhile, and whether there is anything else that I don’t know that I should?
All opinions welcomed.
I’ve long had an interest in TVRs, and the Rover derived V8, and that is why I am considering offering my services to TVR owners in my area. I would be the first to admit that I don’t yet have enough experience of TVRs to be good on the diagnosis side, but if the problem were known, and it was simply a matter of doing the work, I believe I could handle that well.
My specialist field is electrics, but I also do engine swaps and general mechanical stuff. I believe I could tackle chassis repairs well, although maybe a bit slow on the first few. The only thing I couldn’t offer to do would be bodywork.
I already have suitable trade insurance which covers up to £15K value on any one car, and of course all the facilities I would expect to need.
I guess the big question is whether I am likely to be able to get enough work to make this worthwhile, and whether there is anything else that I don’t know that I should?
All opinions welcomed.
You've posted lots of reasons not to be attractive to a TVR owner there, mostly your lack of expreience with the marque, I for one wouldn't want to be a guinea pig for your first outrigger job. Remember lots of the indies around have many years experience in the TVR world either as or at main dealers or as TVR employees.
That said however you say that electrics are your speciality so I'd suggest you start to offer that as a service as electrical issues often plague these cars, you only need to look at recent threads fron David Beer and others that good diagnostic skills in the ECU loom and other areas are invaluable so I'd go down that route, maybe once you've got a reputation in that area people might be confident to ask you to do other work such as engine work etc.
Just my take, good luck whatever you do
That said however you say that electrics are your speciality so I'd suggest you start to offer that as a service as electrical issues often plague these cars, you only need to look at recent threads fron David Beer and others that good diagnostic skills in the ECU loom and other areas are invaluable so I'd go down that route, maybe once you've got a reputation in that area people might be confident to ask you to do other work such as engine work etc.
Just my take, good luck whatever you do
I say go for it. If your upfront with the potential customer and don't feel confident you can always decline the job, it may look bad but it won't look worse than doing a bad job 
The more options there are out there for owners the better and I'm sure your experience will build quickly.
The more options there are out there for owners the better and I'm sure your experience will build quickly.
I take the point about the electrics.
I also take the point about the competition, but I certainly wouldn't be in the same sort of market as the firms mentioned. I would expect to be dealing mostly with older and less valuable cars. In any case, I would expect to carry on with the kit cars, but must admit I would welcome a bit of variety.
I also take the point about the competition, but I certainly wouldn't be in the same sort of market as the firms mentioned. I would expect to be dealing mostly with older and less valuable cars. In any case, I would expect to carry on with the kit cars, but must admit I would welcome a bit of variety.
Hi mate..A little knowledge is a dangerous thing..These guys are right in what they say..Iam pretty new to owning a TVR and although mine is mainly ford based its the TVR bits that need that magic touch and that comes from years of fiddling with the buggers..However the wiring in most TVRs leave alot to be desired..There are also issues with certain parts on older cars like mine that could be worth a look into..These are fabricated and not engineered parts..Maybe get yourself a restoration project as there are a few about at mo and they are not that dear..at least it will give you an idea..There are loads of mods that could be done with todays technology and sometimes its the most simpliest of things that are the most needed..good luck..zig
mrzigazaga said:
Hi mate..A little knowledge is a dangerous thing..These guys are right in what they say..Iam pretty new to owning a TVR and although mine is mainly ford based its the TVR bits that need that magic touch and that comes from years of fiddling with the buggers..However the wiring in most TVRs leave alot to be desired..There are also issues with certain parts on older cars like mine that could be worth a look into..These are fabricated and not engineered parts..Maybe get yourself a restoration project as there are a few about at mo and they are not that dear..at least it will give you an idea..There are loads of mods that could be done with todays technology and sometimes its the most simpliest of things that are the most needed..good luck..zig
Sorry, but you have bought into the TVR's are special myth.They all have a wiring loom nicked from Land Rover. There is nothing rocket science to any of them (timing up an AJP aside). The Rover V8 is a simple 1950's Buick lump with the associated technical know how of the era.
Anything bespoke TVR will have been made by a bloke wearing a brown overall and flat cap in a garage in Lancashire. The electric control boxes and ECU are no mystery either, well not to an auto electrician anyway.
This bloke is a kitcar specialist, he's already over qualified to work on tractor technology that is TVR!!
The spitfire won the battle of britain because it was british..The most favoured cut of meat was beef..british beef..British steel was amoung the strongest and british gas was amoung the smelliest and yes i know the car is made of all other bits..but they are british bits (most of em anyway)..and if its that easy then what the bloody hell are you waiting for..get on with it..where are you..ill be in tomorrow morning for a full service and waxoyle...0600hrs sharp..Hope youve got a teapot old chap..hoorah..
I feel it maybe your houly rate that brings mosy custom along with electrickery knowledge.
Tivs are essentally kit cars anyway...you should be OK but start with standard service/fault stuff and build up your knowledge.
Know your limits and don't push them too hard and I guess you'd be fine. Then there Lotus, scimitar, Triumph, Ford...go for the classics.
A
BTW many Tivs go away for the winter to!
Tivs are essentally kit cars anyway...you should be OK but start with standard service/fault stuff and build up your knowledge.
Know your limits and don't push them too hard and I guess you'd be fine. Then there Lotus, scimitar, Triumph, Ford...go for the classics.
A
BTW many Tivs go away for the winter to!
Edited by Guillotine on Monday 8th November 16:50
You could place an ad in Sprint magazine.
Over winter people like to have chassis work eg body off total refurbs, body lift / body cut outrigger replacement, chassis paint, waxoyl etc...
There is always an opportunity to specialise in that area. Particularly if you can do it 'cheaply'.
There is also a call for engine replacements ie changing S6, AJP and RV8's for LS's.
Then there is also servicing and engine rebuilds and track preparations.
Over winter people like to have chassis work eg body off total refurbs, body lift / body cut outrigger replacement, chassis paint, waxoyl etc...
There is always an opportunity to specialise in that area. Particularly if you can do it 'cheaply'.
There is also a call for engine replacements ie changing S6, AJP and RV8's for LS's.
Then there is also servicing and engine rebuilds and track preparations.
So long as your prices are keen, you do a good job,tell the truth and listen to your customers - you'll do well. Alas - I would also drop any association with TVR as a brand which has been killed off in terms of customer service and reliability....market yourself instead as someone who knows how to service and fix them.
mistermagoo said:
Well i need a diff rebuild this winter its a gkn diff and if you are willing and the price is attractive i may be intrested
My approach to a job like that would be to take the car in, take the diff out and take it to a specialist to rebuild. Differentials really require a lot of experience, and the right tools for a successful rebuild. I've watched it being done by a specialist, fascinating stuff.mrzigazaga said:
The spitfire won the battle of britain because it was british..
Well we could discuss that. Radar, Goerings tactics, fighting over home ground and of course those other planes, the Hurricane (1715 flew during the battle of britain, significantly more than any other fighter and accounted for 1,593 out of the 2,739 total aircraft claimed shot down).Can you do a rewire on my Tasmin 280i?
I want it to be original, so it must be all black wiring with absolutely no identifiction markings at all, all the connectors must be loose and corroded and the relays must be open to the elements under the bonnet!!!
And of course, all the earths must be badly made off......
Stu
(all tongue in cheek, of course)
I want it to be original, so it must be all black wiring with absolutely no identifiction markings at all, all the connectors must be loose and corroded and the relays must be open to the elements under the bonnet!!!
And of course, all the earths must be badly made off......
Stu
(all tongue in cheek, of course)
hallsie said:
Can you do a rewire on my Tasmin 280i?
I want it to be original, so it must be all black wiring with absolutely no identifiction markings at all, all the connectors must be loose and corroded and the relays must be open to the elements under the bonnet!!!
Sounds worse than some of the kit cars I have come across, not a lot worse, mind you, but definitely worse.I want it to be original, so it must be all black wiring with absolutely no identifiction markings at all, all the connectors must be loose and corroded and the relays must be open to the elements under the bonnet!!!
Came across one where the wiring to the rear indicators had failed, so a previous owner had used scotchloks to tap into the wiring for the front indicators, and run the wires across the floor of the cockpit and scotchloked them into the wiring for the rears. That was the same car that had a piece of 2x1 heavy gauge box section stick-welded across the underside of the chassis to stop it spreading.
Yes byker..Of course you are right.. I was having a bubble..How could anyone forget what those people did for us..They all gave their lives for this country and i wear my poppy with pride..do you..Thanks to them we are here now able to enjoy everything..even quirky handmade british sports cars..Its a shame that after all that we have to conform to a country that murdered millions of innocent people..
singlecoil said:
I have a full time business where I work on customer kit cars at my 1500 sq ft unit just to the north of Aylesbury. Kit car work is somewhat seasonal, and I would like to be better able to spread the workload over the year. Also I spend a lot of time doing fairly trivial and irritating stuff to meet the requirements of the IVA test that all new kits have to pass.
I’ve long had an interest in TVRs, and the Rover derived V8, and that is why I am considering offering my services to TVR owners in my area. I would be the first to admit that I don’t yet have enough experience of TVRs to be good on the diagnosis side, but if the problem were known, and it was simply a matter of doing the work, I believe I could handle that well.
My specialist field is electrics, but I also do engine swaps and general mechanical stuff. I believe I could tackle chassis repairs well, although maybe a bit slow on the first few. The only thing I couldn’t offer to do would be bodywork.
I already have suitable trade insurance which covers up to £15K value on any one car, and of course all the facilities I would expect to need.
I guess the big question is whether I am likely to be able to get enough work to make this worthwhile, and whether there is anything else that I don’t know that I should?
All opinions welcomed.
Why not take what you are obviously good at and twist it into the TVR arena and offer a completely new sort of product that doesn't compete in quite the same way asthe existing TVR shops?I’ve long had an interest in TVRs, and the Rover derived V8, and that is why I am considering offering my services to TVR owners in my area. I would be the first to admit that I don’t yet have enough experience of TVRs to be good on the diagnosis side, but if the problem were known, and it was simply a matter of doing the work, I believe I could handle that well.
My specialist field is electrics, but I also do engine swaps and general mechanical stuff. I believe I could tackle chassis repairs well, although maybe a bit slow on the first few. The only thing I couldn’t offer to do would be bodywork.
I already have suitable trade insurance which covers up to £15K value on any one car, and of course all the facilities I would expect to need.
I guess the big question is whether I am likely to be able to get enough work to make this worthwhile, and whether there is anything else that I don’t know that I should?
All opinions welcomed.
My initial thought is that many owners like to do their own work on the older cars but I'm guessing that sometimes, just like with kit car projects, other priorities come along or sometimes a project has parts which are just too onerous, and so you could offer a service to assist there, just as you do with kit cars?
Just an idea.
singlecoil said:
hallsie said:
Can you do a rewire on my Tasmin 280i?
I want it to be original, so it must be all black wiring with absolutely no identifiction markings at all, all the connectors must be loose and corroded and the relays must be open to the elements under the bonnet!!!
Sounds worse than some of the kit cars I have come across, not a lot worse, mind you, but definitely worse.I want it to be original, so it must be all black wiring with absolutely no identifiction markings at all, all the connectors must be loose and corroded and the relays must be open to the elements under the bonnet!!!
Came across one where the wiring to the rear indicators had failed, so a previous owner had used scotchloks to tap into the wiring for the front indicators, and run the wires across the floor of the cockpit and scotchloked them into the wiring for the rears. That was the same car that had a piece of 2x1 heavy gauge box section stick-welded across the underside of the chassis to stop it spreading.
d' skotchlocks.... these things should be banned!Nothing that about 37 foot of shrink tube and a soldering iron and probably 412 hours should be able to sort out!
Stu
In answer to your question, I would start by contacting the local RO to see if they have and members in need of an indy specialist in electrics, and perhaps do some kind of deal in the slower non kit car months!
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