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Andy Hill’s magnificent S-V8
RV8R has received a number of queries regarding the more than pristine RV8-engined car with the red chassis and lots of shine. At the moment the car is not for sale. However, if you want to give your name and address to Harvey at rv8r.co.uk (please delete the spaces and replace at with @. I’m fighting spam) I’ll forward them to the owner of the TVR V8S, Andy Hills, as you never know.
Andy bought his V8S a dozen years ago when it had just 7000 miles on the clock. In the intervening period he has managed to push it up to 18,500, so you can see that petrol consumption is not a big deal with him.
First a warning from Andy:
“What I like about detailing is that once the car is finished it’s as if it has just rolled off the production line. Everything looks and smells new. The main problem is that it is easy to become obsessive. That and the fact that my reputation precedes me and people expect my car to be at a certain level all the time.”
He first task was to remove the waxoyl from the chassis. Whilst it is excellent for rustproofing, it does not look attractive.
“I put the car on axle stands and used standard car wax as it cut through the waxoyl quite well and left a protective coating. The wheels came off next allowing me to thoroughly clean both sides, using water and then polishing
them with car wax, not forgetting the wheel bolts. For the tyres, after cleaning out the tread of course, I used Back to Black to give them a shine.”
The engine receives a lot of praise.
“I wanted to remove as little as possible as I didn’t want to break anything so most items were cleaned in situ. I’m pleased with the way the rocker covers have come up as they were quite dull to begin with and all it took was elbow grease, time and Autosol metal polish. For oily areas, such as around the spark plugs, I use WD40 and a cloth. The manifolds were not so simple. I first removed surface discolouration and rust using fine wet and dry (W&D). This took lot of time and lots of sheets of W&D. Once they were cleaned I polished them using Autosol metal polish. I used no mechanical devices to clean any part of the car. My main fear was the dust this would create more dirt and muck in the process and further, it gave me more control by doing it by hand.
“The interior was straightforward enough. On the glass I use Autoglym glass cleaner inside and out. For the leather I first used Gliptone Leather Cleaner to take the years of grime off and now apply Gliptone Leather Conditioner regularly and it keeps it looking in tip top condition.
“The hood is often ignored. To remove the dirt and grime I used Autoglym Fabric Hood Cleaner which is very good, then I applied Autoglym Fabric
The car as purchased
It was the good general condition of the car when he bought it that
It was the good general condition of the car when he bought it that
Anyone other than Andy might well have been satisfied with the general cleanliness of the car as bought.
It is all seeming to be worth the effort now. A view of the engine bay after much work.
It looks as new despite the 12,000 miles on the clock.
All pictures courtesy of Andy himself.
More of Andy’s beautiful photographs can be see in Iain Ayre’s TVR, All The Cars, published by Haynes.
More of Andy’s beautiful photographs can be see in Iain Ayre’s TVR, All The Cars, published by Haynes.
Immaculate obsession
Hood Protector. It’s a simple process but don’t let any of the spray on the paint work as it means more polishing. I clean the hood when necessary and use the protector every couple of years.
“Lastly the bodywork. Most people have a preferred method of getting that lovely finish but I like to keep things simple. Clean water and a sponge to wet the car, then clean water to rinse the dirty water off. It is worth paying for a good quality chamee-leather. I use fine polishing clothes one for wax on and one for wax off and use standard car wax nothing too special or expensive.
“The car is still usable. Whenever I’ve taken it out I return it straight to the garage, was the fly splats of and the brake dust and then vacuum the interior. This takes very little time. If I get caught in the rain that it is up on axles stands and a clean underneath.
“The polished manifolds tarnish every time the car is used so polishing them is a regular chore after each drive. If I show the car you will see me under the bonnet polishing them once I’ve parked up but it’s not too much of a hardship
“I would recommend the following items but that’s not to suggest that you should not try other proprietary products:
Lots of rags,
Professional waxing clothes,
Simoniz Liquid Diamond Car Wax,
Autosol Metal Polish,
Autoglym glass polish,
Autoglym Fabric Hood Cleaner
Autoglym Fabric Hood Protector
Back to Black.
Gliptone Leather Cleaner
Gliptone Leather Conditioner
Patience and time”
Andy’s car is quite stunning. It has won many Best S and Best in Show awards