Chassis Protectors
The chassis on most TVRs is the part most prone to corrosion, and the outriggers in particular. Despite what many owners claim unless the body is removed from the chassis its true condition cannot be assessed. My 1996 Griffith 500 chassis looked completely sound from below and gave a reassuring ring all over when tapped with spanner. On removing the body advanced corrosion was seen at the offside outrigger, requiring new metal (See here) the front outrigger corners appear to be the areas most susceptable as they take the full force of anything thrown back by the wheels. Having just restored the chassis it seemed sensible to minimise future corrosion by making some protectors.
I started by using cardboard as a template and trying various layouts until I was satisfied that the prone areas were covered adequately. Perhaps unusually I chose Zinc to make the protectors, It does not rust, is easy to bend and cut with tin snips and is much lighter than stainless steel.
To secure the protectors underneath I tapped both corner plates 6mm and used 6mm bolts and washers careful positioning here is essential as there is little room between the chassis and body. The top side was secured with SS tappers into the fibre glass body.
Before final fitting, a good covering of black silicon was applied especially where the protector meets the side outrigger to give a good weathertight seal.
I started by using cardboard as a template and trying various layouts until I was satisfied that the prone areas were covered adequately. Perhaps unusually I chose Zinc to make the protectors, It does not rust, is easy to bend and cut with tin snips and is much lighter than stainless steel.
To secure the protectors underneath I tapped both corner plates 6mm and used 6mm bolts and washers careful positioning here is essential as there is little room between the chassis and body. The top side was secured with SS tappers into the fibre glass body.
Before final fitting, a good covering of black silicon was applied especially where the protector meets the side outrigger to give a good weathertight seal.
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