Tuscan Challenge Road Car (at the moment) build project

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Well decided to continue with this project and bought some plastic to add to the scrap metal...

So have a body set out as a two seater...fully carpeted ...dash trimmed..engine turned with some TVR dials...





rear spoiler frenched in...3/4 length passenger door...side exhaust ...and the all important windscreen...plus wiring (will need to be checked and improved), body prepped and painted in pearlescent viola ...plus body is "thicker" than .....and has doors...lacking handles and passenger side hinge...plus another damaged chassis and parts from the a tuscan that was a rally car in the past

Also picked up a dual fill petrol tank...



Then the things that I had to buy as they were so rare...and will make the car look right if it ever gets on the road...

O.Z. 18in split rims fitted with new rubber....(depths checked) ...I will strip these polish the outer rims and colour the inner rim black or purple...to go with the car...








My Staffie dog Buster kept an eye on proceedings...he brought along a matching ball for this important occasion...

Edited by schimg on Thursday 8th May 11:10

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RetroWheels said:

I've a feeling this Tuscan is going to look Good,especially the wheels .

Polished O.Z Split Rims... They're not just a Wheel.. They're a way of life. .

Cheers....wrong time to be buying wheels really, but there aren't too many sets of these...the image of your car on them (unless I am mistaken!) pretty much made my mind up...when I should be buying brose joints and engines...

gonna take a few hours to take them apart by the look of the bolts...looks like I need a special socket for the job too... looks like they are twp piece wheels and the centre will unbolt without needing to re-seal anything..Blaine UK had some OZ's on his 400se looked the DB's but these were three piece and not 18in

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Mr Tank said:

Hi Steve

Yes the wheels do look OK

I have a set of shockets you could borrow when you want to strip the wheels.

But one thing, sorry mate the centers don't come out on there own.

So you will have to re-seal them!

Andy

Hi Andy would appreciate the use of the sockets...as soon as really unless I just buy a couple...so if I go and undo all of the bolts without deflating the tyres I will end up in casualty?

Had a real good look at them and couldn't see man than one joint...and Ginny spotted that!

I will start on them sooner rather than later...although don't anticipate needing them any time soon!

Got any spar steering arms or front abti roll bars?
Diff mounts?

Thanks for the advice...be good to catch up at the NEC

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RetroWheels said:

As per Andy, the wheels are 3 piece and need to be re sealed (we use black silicone).
Laser now make the 8 and 10mm ten point sockets for the nuts/bolts.

Thanks for the advice sounds like a piece of work...was hoping to get away without splitting them...but want to do it properly..........will have a look for the sockets....

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450Nick said:

Think you should get to work on the car first Steve, worry about the wheels next year! The collection of parts is starting to look good though! Well done for bringing another one back mate

Valid point well made ....nothing to do to the chassis until I have the rose joints....need some sort of spacer kit....need some chimaera raer hubs...ball joints....the weekend was the turning point really...before I hadn't really got what you would describe as a car...now it's more like one...so will get the suspension...

Once I have the proper sockets I can take the wheels apart sat on the floor in front of the telly on winter nights!

Oh Joy

What are them old shockers like?

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Mr Tank said:

Steve

I can send you the shockets in the post if you want to borrow them!

All my wheels are OK so I don't need then for a while!

Andy

Thats very good of you Andy...and appreciated...was looking on ebay last night get both for £12.00 inc postage but just want to confirm I need

1. 8mm 10 point drive?
2. 10mm 10 point drive?

I will order them tonight then...

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Mr Tank said:

Hi Steve

Both sizes are used, I have both sockets, so I suggest you bit the bullet and get both, they are not an arm and leg to buy!

Andy

Will do now they are defo those sizes...thanks mate will order them tonight...

What next then?

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450Nick said:

The shockers are in good condition (race type with twin springs) I'll get you a photo when I'm next home at the weekend. Good shocks from what I've heard, I just have another set so don't really need them.

Might be worth looking at...although the shocks will one of the areas where I wan't loose a little of the "harshness" ...sticking with rose joints because I do not want to ruin the the ethos by firring polybushes by having the wishbones altered...running gaz pro's on my cerbera and chimaera...need something that I can adjust for levels of fairness of ride...

Once I have all of the rose joints I will need to get of of these shim things...whats that all about, think John Reid is the bloke to talk to about them?

I am thinking of getting over to Oulton, George would love it be good to see the cars in action again..

thanks for replying Nick

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Graham said:

I got my rose joint spacers from Jon greenwood and I think he can do the rose joint adjusters too

Thanks Graham...I have sent you a text..

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NTEL said:

I think Bob Lodge who resides in Newcastle NSW is selling his mk1 Tuscan for not too silly money if that is any good?

Dave,

Just looked at your profile...now that is a car to aspire to mate...and the right colour

Did you ever have a tamora in your family that colour?

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Chuggaboom said:

I have some 2 way remote reservoir Ohlins that should be fine for the road/track day use...3 way might be considered OTT if working to a budget ?

Hi Grant,

Thanks for posting be well worth looking at not familiar with these shockers...after speaking with Mr Walden yesterday it would appear that getting standard shocks to fit is a challenge (excuse the punn), I will be up at Oulton Park for the race Saturday....are you going?

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NTEL said:

Thanks for that Steve. The Tuscan is painted in Norfolk mustard (lotus yellow). The missus used to have a very nice halcyon Midas pearl Tamora.

Norfolk mustard....good colour...from memory (which ain't brill!), is your good ladies name Dorothy?

We have met before ...can't think where though ...did you have a tuscan s?

Seen the chap who has the tamora it now a a couple of times recently....cracking trim job on that car...

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NTEL said:

Yes Steve, we have met a few times. Last time was at Autosport in January

You are quite right, my missus is Dorothy although she will black your eye if you call her that Its DOT! I do, indeed, have a spectraflair Tuscan 2 which doesn't really get out much these days.

Dot sold her car a coupling of years ago to a guy in Crewe. Ant I think his name is. It was a bloody great car that (hope it still is) Dot spent a fortune on the interior, engine bay, etc etc and it was the best sounding speed six on the planet after I had played with the exhaust a bit

Anyway, we will be at Oulton with #24 on Saturday, so swing by and have a chat.........

Dave

Best not upset the ladies mate...that would not be good!
Ant sounds about right ..he loves the car and is very proud of it...quite right too..

Definatly say hello mate be rude not to should be good, I know my son George is looking forward to it!

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Chuggaboom said:

No, sorry....bit far for just watching. One day a TD perhaps though.

Hi Grant,

Sent you an email e specification ....and the mini van!

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Quick update...took the wheels apart 44 bolts a go...that was fun...



After spending some time with a decent stripper ..I felt frustrated as I was getting nowhere...thought it was going to cost me....as I risked damaging these precious items...

Got them treated at a local wheel place, they came out grey all over..but more importantly with no drama's or underlying problems, (this was not anticipated as they came from a reliable source) but nice to see that following some sound advice.... I spent literally 1 hour on one of the rims with some autosol and some stuff I picked up from overseas..and they started to shine a bit...







Not sure on the centre colour yet....if I do the car Cadbury purple.(which is a sound TVR colour, plus Ginny likes it!...) ..might be nice to co-ordinate...or bright chrome / silver ...so that I can go any colour on the body?


Moving on I think I have sourced the 40 odd ball joint spacers...and will go for high quality Mcgills Ultra Quality rose joints ...

So will need new bolts...

Been advised that they are all UNF 3/8...best go for socket capheads...@ a minimium of 12/9 grade hi tensile?

I understand that the majority are 2.5 ins - 3.0 ins
Does anyone know the number I need and at what length?

I'd like to get a dry build on the wishbones before chrimbo.....yeah right!

Edited by schimg on Tuesday 6th November 21:32

Edited by schimg on Tuesday 6th November 21:37

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schimg said:

Thanks for the advice sounds like a piece of work...was hoping to get away without splitting them...but want to do it properly..........will have a look for the sockets....

Just looking back over this thread...thanks for the input..out of interest I had a couple of mates (one of which had a set of OZ split rims on his 400se) look at the wheels before I unbolted them...we were convinced they were two piece items!

I know you have seen my front hubs (Oulton). that's the next thing I will be looking at...need to take them apart and see what bearings and version I have...shame they are not a matching pair, even though they are the same flippin casting! ...plus they are "old style" bearings be a challenge to get them right! hey ho all good clean fun

Appreciate aany thoughts on the best way forward?

Steve

Edited by schimg on Tuesday 6th November 21:39

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Graham said:

I think I've got a list of all the suspension bolts, I had a few sets made up for my chassis ill have a look

Thanks G,

that would be handy thanks

Will be manning the tvrcc classic show stand from Thursday to Monday starting next week...but then will have a bit of free time to concentrate on this I'd like to start putting a few bits together after that ..what days are you doing...you know I will keep an eye on the car whilst you aren't there...

what did you tell me about creating the rear hubs...I have the "triangle" carriers...I understand they are Granada items..if I get them will that do the job?

Or do they need to be fettled, I have a grinding wheeel!

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wadsapple said:

I can give you the part number for the bearings when i get home tomorow.Those wheels are going to look special.

Thanks Perry,

Don't go out of your way mate, this will all take time but appreciated tho...Will do my best over the wheels (plus the rest)..don't want to make them too "bling" ...we know they need to be just right ...wrong timing but right choice in many ways..

.think "high silver" is the safe way...as I am stuck until I can source a decent "purple" that hits the "wow" factor spot..without being hard to repaint if the car needs front end repaints...it will be need to be used ...pointless otherwise..

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Graham said:

I must get the Tuscan ready for the nec and chat about getting Jamie's taz there.

You need to grind the caliper mounts off the Granada hub carriers

If using Tuscan bells you need to put the hubs in a lathe and take them down a bit too

Off Topic my Mundano has a tow bar...not sure where Jamie is or where his car is...I am in work from 07:30 Thursday on the set-up day ..leave at midday straight to the NEC for set-up...then it begins..but if you are stuck...things can move

Are you doing the curry Friday night?...there are 30 of us doing it...you'd be welcome sir!

So for starters...I need new grenada hub carriers?..makes sense because the rear hub housing appears to have mounting points....what normally goes on there?

Edited by schimg on Tuesday 6th November 22:44

Edited by schimg on Wednesday 7th November 07:56

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Started to clean up the front hubs on Sunday....both front bearings look A1, hard to check play when they are clamped in a vice though..but they just look "new"....

Both of the hub nuts have a yellow "insert"....IF I remember correctly my Chimaera hub nuts were coloured green and yellow? Assume that the hubs might be handed then?...which might mean that I have two nearside ...or off side?

Any clarification appreciated...