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Call me suspicious...ebay listing

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C

Cheapsnake

Jedi Trainee
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https://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&viewitem=&item=290245551949

I came across this listing and it just doesn't pass the sniff test. For a variety of reasons, I'm suspecting that this might be a TR7/8 conversion being sold as an 8. Why would you move the battery from the trunk to the engine compartment for "safety" reasons? And a TR7 tach because it revs higher? sniff, sniff, yeah, now I'm smelling something.

Don't get me wrong, I don't have anything against well done conversions, but it's just not right to sell one as an 8. Oh yeah, and it's also illegal. Whatcha guys think? Anybody knowledgeable enough to spot some telltale signs or am I giving the guy a bad rap?

Tom

ps: it's all probably academic anyway because with a starting price of $14k, it's probably not going anywhere.
 
This has been tossed around on the wedgelist a bit already. The VIN shows it to be a true Canadian market TR8. Aside from the poor spelling and grammar in his description, one would think a "Master Mechanic" would know that moving the battery to the front from the trunk isn't really a necesarry saftey item and that putting a four cylinder tachometer into a V8 car would not read correctly either.

The biggest tell-tale is the VIN if its accurate and not wearing a VIN from a different car.
 
Ya never know about eBay cars.

The price may or may not be right. If it's everything he says, it may be "worth" well over $20K. A concours TR-8 might bring up to $30K, and the "Cars that Matter" guide indicates $26,200 for a concours example.

If he has excellent documentation, he might just get over $20K for this car. Sounds nice.

BTW, the description has been translated by software from French (Canadian), that's why the grammer/spelling is twitchy.

I'll watch this one. I've always been puzzled why the values on TR-8s were not greater. Lots of car, and go, for the dough.
 
Several discrepancies here.

The guy has a bit of a disclaimer at the end of his description, and does say not to bid if you're not comfortable doing so.

However, remembering Basil's policies on eBay, I think it's safe to say, "Caveat emptor."
 
I'd love to see this thing go for $14k and beyond, it's definitely worth it if it is legit. It's just that 8's haven't been bringing that kind of money unless they're low mileage and totally unmolested. BTW, I asked for a wider shot of the engine compartment to look for clues - no response, but it is a nice shot of that shiny air cleaner.

C'mon guys, if you don't give me any smoking guns I may have to offer this guy an apology.

Tom
 
Cheapsnake said:
Why would you move the battery from the trunk to the engine compartment for "safety" reasons?
Click to expand...
Well, think about the hot battery cable running the length of the car, and what happens if if it manages to get pinched or abraded. It's not a mod I would do (more likely to go the other way), but I can easily see someone else feeling it was a problem.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:] And a TR7 tach because it revs higher?[/QUOTE]Ok, let's say you are modifying your V8 and want to move the redline up; but want to keep the dash looking fairly original. Using a (modified for 8 cyl) TR7 tach seems like a reasonable way to go, to me.

Not saying it's on the level, just that it might be. Seems clear the modifications were done by someone else for his own benefit, the seller has just cleaned the car up and is trying to flip it for a profit.
 
Cheapsnake said:
I'd love to see this thing go for $14k and beyond, it's definitely worth it if it is legit. It's just that 8's haven't been bringing that kind of money unless they're low mileage and totally unmolested. BTW, I asked for a wider shot of the engine compartment to look for clues - no response, but it is a nice shot of that shiny air cleaner.

C'mon guys, if you don't give me any smoking guns I may have to offer this guy an apology.

Tom
Click to expand...

OK - Solihull ('81) nose emblem on a Canley ('80) car; aforementioned tach, which he does acknowledge; aftermarket steering wheel (which does look nice!); non-factory paint color and interior; pictures of different wheels installed (though he does mention them); etc., etc.

However, he's pretty up-front about its being modified. I'll be interested to see where the bidding ends up.
 
Well, at least there are no familiar palm trees in the background!

Tinkerman
 
Tinkerman said:
Well, at least there are no familiar palm trees in the background!

Tinkerman
Click to expand...

<span style="color: #000099">The homes look to be of French design.
DPO Pedro's cousin Pierre lives somewhere up in Canada!!

d</span> :rolleyes:
 
AAAHAAA, the truth will out, eh?
 
[Bob & Doug McKenzie voice] OK eh, like it's a really nice car, eh? Like, we did some modifications, to make'er go faster... So like, you can really give'er. Oh, and she runs on beer! Sweet... [/Bob & Doug McKenzie voice]
 
TR3driver said:
Cheapsnake said:
Why would you move the battery from the trunk to the engine compartment for "safety" reasons?
Click to expand...
Well, think about the hot battery cable running the length of the car, and what happens if if it manages to get pinched or abraded. It's not a mod I would do (more likely to go the other way), but I can easily see someone else feeling it was a problem.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:] And a TR7 tach because it revs higher?
Click to expand...
Ok, let's say you are modifying your V8 and want to move the redline up; but want to keep the dash looking fairly original. Using a (modified for 8 cyl) TR7 tach seems like a reasonable way to go, to me.

Not saying it's on the level, just that it might be. Seems clear the modifications were done by someone else for his own benefit, the seller has just cleaned the car up and is trying to flip it for a profit. [/QUOTE]

There seem to be several cars made in this world with batteries located outside of the engine compartment with long runs of the positive cable to the engine compartment. Several Audi's and Cadillac's come to mind right away. Modifying these cars doesn't seem to be commonplace for safety nor do they seem to have negative marks against them for having their batteries so located. Moving the battery out of the engine bay to improve weight distribution on the other hand, introducing a long run of the positive cable, seems to be very common and not really thought of in most automotive circles as being "unsafe". Unless its not done properly.

As to whether or not the TR7 tach can be adapted to an 8 cylinder or not I don't know, probably easily done, but it takes a lot to get the Rover V8 to NEED a higher reading tachometer.

Sounds like justifications to me instead of reasonable explanations. Or quite possibly a VIN swap on a TR7V8 conversion to try and cash in on higher TR8 prices. Not saying its so, but that it could warrant more scrutiny on the part of the buyer.
 
Woody sells TR7 tachs that have been converted to work with the V8. Alot of the guys who buy his big motors, also buy those tachs. He suggests the use of a 6500 to 6800 RPM soft rev limiter with his motors, but I think you can twist some of them to 7500. A converted TR7 tach with a 6500 rpm redline is only considered unnecessary if you are one of the guys who has displacement envy.
 
tr8todd said:
A converted TR7 tach with a 6500 rpm redline is only considered unnecessary if you are one of the guys who has displacement envy.
Click to expand...

Then color me GREEN! :cryin: :wink:
 
Gees Todd ,with my 340 rear I can't imagine turning that kind of RPM. You'd have to have a Chiro. on staff 24/7
 
swift6 said:
Several Audi's and Cadillac's come to mind right away.
Click to expand...
I owned one of those Audis ... and had to put out the fire when the battery got shorted, too!

But I'll admit they weren't especially known for that problem ... too many other little features like the motor mounts that broke every few years (DPO had replaced them with valve springs and threaded rod
grin.gif
) and the automatic battery discharger.
 
TR3driver said:
swift6 said:
But I'll admit they weren't especially known for that problem ... too many other little features like the motor mounts that broke every few years (DPO had replaced them with valve springs and threaded rod
grin.gif
) and the automatic battery discharger.
Click to expand...

That wouldn't have been a late 70's, early 80's Audi would it?
Click to expand...
 
Yesterday, I decided to just out and ask the seller the question, "Is this a TR7/8 conversion?" (insert sounds of crickets chirping)

Tom
 
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