Tuscan chassis refurb

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My Tuscan has got to that age and mileage where its fairly tired. I have owned it 12 years and new this day would come at some point. I have used it in all weathers to be honest, it has done 76k and is 23 years old now.
I dropped it in to Sportmotive last year for a gearbox rebuild and they confirmed that the chassis was in need of a refurb. I did think about selling it as a project as i new i would still get more back than i paid for it 12 years ago. Tvr tuscans were rock bottom prices back then. I mentioned selling it to my wife and she strongly disagreed. There was now way she would let me sell it.
The car is now at sportmotive with the body off, all poor metal cut out of the chassis and replaced. Its now awaiting its coatings. Heres a list of the chassis service they provide.
We can rebuild your car using your existing chassis. This is fully stripped and sand blasted, new outriggers are fitted and any corroded steel sections replaced. All this is done in our chassis jig. The chassis is then re-coated in a 3 stage powder coat that includes 2 coats of expoxy zinc rich primer and gloss powder coat top coat in any RAL colour.

New wishbones
Reconditioned uprights
New wheel bearings and ball joints
New brake, clutch and fuel lines
New handbrake cable
New fuel pump and filter

New engine and gearbox mounts
A choice of new Powerflex or standard bushes
Nitron or Bilstein dampers and springs
Rebuilt steering rack
New discs and pads and reconditioned calipers

Heres some pics

Chassis when stripped and then blasted














Chassis after repairs and sat at the restoration and classic car show

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Edited by Let off some steam Bennett on Thursday 11th April 10:44

Edited by Let off some steam Bennett on Thursday 11th April 10:45

Edited by Let off some steam Bennett on Thursday 11th April 11:04

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keo said:

What a great project! When do you think you will have it back on the road?

They are hoping to have it finished for the end of May

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baconsarney said:

Good work! Sportmotive did a headlamp conversion, minor damage repair, and front end respray on my Chimaera around ten years ago, standard of work was superb.....

They have been great to deal with to be honest. I have been round most so called TVR specialists, lets just say you do not always get what you pay for

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baconsarney said:

Agree!

Heres a pic outside their workshops, April 2013..... superb spray job.......

Looking good, i do miss my chimaera, great cars. I started in a 400, then 450 and on to the tuscan

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d_a_n1979 said:

That's some serious work; good to see it being saved

I remember the WD episode where they did a full chassis replacement on the Cerbera they bought; that was a straight swap over though; but a lot of work

Sportmotive offer a brand new chassis but mine is good enough to save

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sortedcossie said:

Certainly future proofing it!

I think so mate, i kind of figured i couldnt part with it so it had to be done really

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sortedcossie said:

Certainly future proofing it!

Nice user name, i'm guilty of owning 3 sapphire cosworths in my time. They were all white and 2wd, absolutely loved them

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Byker28i said:

From when I did my Cerbera, It's completely apart now, so use the opportunity to do everything needed as it's put back together,so you won't have to touch it for years.

I had replaced all bushes, bearings, fuel lines, brake lines, new and additional heat shielding, Nitrons rebuilt, all new stainless nuts and bolts etc.
A little money spent now means years of trouble free improved motoring.

Thats my plan mate, I'm leaving no stone unturned

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sortedcossie said:

Ha, had a 4x4 Sapphire previously and still got a 1996 Escort Cosworth, had it 18 years.

Great cars mate

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DuncanM said:

Love this, well done OP, also, your username is brilliant!

Thanks mate, i should have some more updates over the weekend

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Brakes refurbed and looking good.





[url]|https://thumbsnap.com/BuHXJGBt[/url

A picture of the old boy before he was pulled apart

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AndrewGP said:

Fabulous, following with interest. The Tuscan is such a great shape and your car is a lovely colour too.

I don’t think it’s been mentioned but fair play to your wife for convincing you not to sell it, 12 years with a car is a long time so it’s great it’s being treated to a full refurb!

Top wife that's for sure. I have never owned a car for more than 3 years so I think that says it all

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KingGary said:

I was going to ask a similar question, is there a reason not to build a chassis out of stainless instead?

Great work OP btw.

Brittle as I have read

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dom9 said:

As far as I know, hot zinc can warp a spaceframe (well spacey backbone in this case) with the temperatures involved and stainless steel is less easily welded, less malleable and more stiff and brittle, hence why you don't really see it in automotive applications as the fatigue life is lower.

Great thread OP, looking forward to seeing more!

Cheers, I'm looking forward to driving my angry boy soon

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DuncanM said:

Gorgeous, a real forever car

Sure is

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AndrewGP said:

Fabulous, following with interest. The Tuscan is such a great shape and your car is a lovely colour too.

I don’t think it’s been mentioned but fair play to your wife for convincing you not to sell it, 12 years with a car is a long time so it’s great it’s being treated to a full refurb!

It's nightfire red, a rover colour I believe

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Bobupndown said:

From a non TVR fan that is a beautiful looking example. Significant expense to restore it to that level but it will make it almost as good as new.
I don't like powder coat however, it's not the most durable outer coat and chips can lead to rusting again. Having said that its probably going to be better protection now than when it was new and you'll obviously keep on top of any issues.

I agree but it will only be coming out in good weather now.

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Wheels refurbished and ceramic coated

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Chassis back from being coated and ready for the rebuild

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Limpet said:

Lovely.

Can I ask what the cost was/is of the chassis work at Sportmotive? I need to get my Chim's chassis sorted in the next year or two and would be good to have an idea what I'm in for / how much I need to start squirrelling away.

Cheers
Dan

I will send you a message mate