My dream Tuscan is almost complete
Discussion
I have a thread running in the TVR section but seeing as so many enjoyed the last thread I ran on rebuilding a written off M3 ( http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... ) and now my 3 year journey of getting my MK1 Tuscan to my dream spec is nearing completion I thought I would share with you all. I bought the car in October 2009 and when looking for a car wanted one that was mechanically sound rather than cosmetically perfect. I came across this 2001 model which had recently had a TVR Power 4.3 rebuild and so after a chat with Dom and the remainder of the 5 year warranty transferred I was very happy. As an added bonus the previous owner had also spent a fortune with Carl Baker getting the stereo system sorted so all was good. After driving for a few miles I could only describe the handling as 'interesting'! The obligatory Nitrons were fitted and that really transformed things.
As I said the car was not cosmetically sound, there was some glazing in the paintwork and there was also some sinkage from some previous fibreglass work that had been done. So I went to Powers bodyshop in Northampton to set about getting it up to scratch. From the idea of getting the paintwork sorted this turned into a mammoth job of
- complete respray in Spectraflair Black
- MK2 Grille Conversion
- Upraded Front Lights to xenons
- Upgraded rear lights to LED
- refresh of paintwork on brake calipers
- Replacing aftermarket wheels with 18" TVR Spiders
After 8k trouble free miles, whilst chasing a GT40 up the M1, the gearbox decided to drop 5th gear, the perfect excuse to take it into Str8six to have a close ratio gearbox fitted. Whilst there I also took the opportunity to get the leaking steering rack fixed and get them to fit their bumpsteer kit. After getting the car back it drove like a dream, it's amazing as things slowly deteriorate you don't really notice how bad they are until you get them fixed! Whilst in there Jason and the team gave the car a full inspection and pointed out a few things that would need to be addressed in the near future, one of which being the exhaust system. The only answer was to fit a full ACT big bore system which really transformed the sound to a much deeper, bassier note.
Now mechanically almost everything I could replace / improve has been done (bar a carbon airbox) my attention turned to the interior. At present it is a cream colour which hasn't really stood the test of time with the leather cracking and discolouring and the carpet falling away in places and is discoloured by the sun. So presently the car is with Dave The Trimmer having a full retrim with a few added extras which I will update once it's finished, hopefully by the end of the month.
Anyway, pictures speak a thousand words........
The new interior starts....
As I said the car was not cosmetically sound, there was some glazing in the paintwork and there was also some sinkage from some previous fibreglass work that had been done. So I went to Powers bodyshop in Northampton to set about getting it up to scratch. From the idea of getting the paintwork sorted this turned into a mammoth job of
- complete respray in Spectraflair Black
- MK2 Grille Conversion
- Upraded Front Lights to xenons
- Upgraded rear lights to LED
- refresh of paintwork on brake calipers
- Replacing aftermarket wheels with 18" TVR Spiders
After 8k trouble free miles, whilst chasing a GT40 up the M1, the gearbox decided to drop 5th gear, the perfect excuse to take it into Str8six to have a close ratio gearbox fitted. Whilst there I also took the opportunity to get the leaking steering rack fixed and get them to fit their bumpsteer kit. After getting the car back it drove like a dream, it's amazing as things slowly deteriorate you don't really notice how bad they are until you get them fixed! Whilst in there Jason and the team gave the car a full inspection and pointed out a few things that would need to be addressed in the near future, one of which being the exhaust system. The only answer was to fit a full ACT big bore system which really transformed the sound to a much deeper, bassier note.
Now mechanically almost everything I could replace / improve has been done (bar a carbon airbox) my attention turned to the interior. At present it is a cream colour which hasn't really stood the test of time with the leather cracking and discolouring and the carpet falling away in places and is discoloured by the sun. So presently the car is with Dave The Trimmer having a full retrim with a few added extras which I will update once it's finished, hopefully by the end of the month.
Anyway, pictures speak a thousand words........
The new interior starts....
Edited by magpie21 on Sunday 3rd March 20:41
I need one if these in my life
Thanks for all the positive comments, to answer a few points
lindrup119 said:
I love the cream interior keep it!!
Looks good in the pictures but in reality the quality was appallingScoticus said:
Can I ask a bit of a boring question.. Where do you mount your front number plate?
Errrr, I don't Petrolhead95 said:
Christ, TVR really do make the worst interiors in history. Apart from that, what an awesome machine!
Agreed, hence it's being completely overhauled during the retrim
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