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Thank you for the welcome and advice. Asbojohn, please tell me more as I do like that car.

So Aero 8 cherry popped, and what a day to do it on as well......sun, a very present 18degs and not a cloud in sight. Before setting off I wrote myself a Post-it note and stuck it to the inside of my windscreen, it said "Be objective, check details", I should not have bothered as that went straight out of the window the moment I clapped eyes on the car. Longer than I imagined but lower as well.

The dealer did remind me that some of the preparation for sale stuff still needed doing, but even so, I have to say I was a little disappointed on the small wear and tear damage to the car. Absolutely nothing massive, but just little stretches in the alli dash surrounding the air on switch and the electric window switches, lacquer pealing on some of the wood, some dirt and grease/glue on the leather, dirty/water marks on the paint...... In themselves tiny issues, but the impression and my OCD were a little deflated.
The dealer drove for the first few miles swapping on a petrol station.......I fit.....yeah!!! I was worried about this as I am not the tallest and a TVR chimera was distinctly off limits owing to the driving position only affording me a touch on the peddles and a view of wipers and sky only. I had been warned that Series 1's were snug and while not really a fair description, it was not what you would describe as ergonomic ally abundant.
Now the dreaded clutch.....it is amazing what reading internet does for one's perception as I was expecting a nightmare, but in truth it was no more tricky than a paddle clutch in a rally car. In truth it was pretty easy to use and not as described at all. The driveline shunt on the other hand was full and present as described. The dealer assures me this is a "good example" and by that I took it to meet good at demonstrating it. It was awful and I can not imagine the original owners handing over so much for this "character". You can drive around a fair bit of it, applying revs before the clutch bites helps, but you sound like a Lerner and will ware the clutch and flywheel, or leave it in 4 and drive it in that gear all the time.
The drive was good, the steering is reassuringly solid and firm, and the ride compliant with little in the way of shimmy over bumps. I can see any it is described as modern. Ergonomically I did feel hemmed in a bit with elbows hitting seats and no clutch foot rest, but I was smiling....a big smile in fact.
Noise was less than I though as well, but this had rear pipes so I guess that is some of the reason, and it has to be said I did not exactly rev the nuts of the motor. To say I was apprehensive was a bit of an understatement not helped by the bonnet coming open.. No damage or drama and I relaxed after that and found a nice speed with the car. It in no way ever felt strained or held back or egging me on, but it was very easy to pile on speed well into 3 figures with relative ease. I suspect the easy going effortless pace is part of the charm, but as a road racer from a sports car company I felt there was room for a bit more drama.
Speaking of drama, I guess that it is present on the outside as everyone and I mean everyone was looking. My old Ferrari had a bit of this, mobile phones clicking and videoing and people stretching their necks as they pass, but this was in an all together bigger league that is for sure. If I do buy one perhaps like Hammond I will have to fix my teeth.

The dealer was excellent, the salesman friendly and very open and clearly had a passion for the cars, some 26 years service behind him speaks volumes as did his tour of the facilities. But the car I am not sure on, I think it is this car rather than all that I am uncertain of and will drive a series 2 and reading the advice above a series 3 as well. I wanted to love it and through a combination of not perhaps relaxing with the car and some of the details distracting from the pleasure, I found myself struggling a bit. Still a mightily impressive way to spend a Wednesday and a valuable experience......

Onwards as they say.