Has anyone done a LHD conversion on a Tuscan MK1
Discussion
Hi,
I'm looking at getting a MK1 Tuscan, but would prefer to have a LHD car.
I'm playing with the idea of buying a relatively sound car, rebuild the chassis, engine if it hasn't been rebuilt yet, giving it a full repaint and retrim, and converting it to LHD while I'm at it.
Has anyone ever done a LHD conversion (including handbrake location), or made a writeup of what's involved?
Are there any specific parts that can be bought of the shelf, like a steering rack, or does everything have to be custom made?
The 2002 Topaz blue one currently for sale in the classifieds looks interesting, since it appears to have had an engine rebuild by TVR Power, is relatively inexpensive, and looks like it could do with refreshing anyway.
Any thoughts?
Best regards,
Axel
Ummmhhh,
Sounds easy but the chassis mods will be the hardest part. The rack pinion coupling sits in a cut out in the cross member, think the diagonal brace will be in the way as well and the foot wells will need attention as the battery tray and pedal box plate will need swapping. Think also the chassis rails are not symmetrical at this point either so think best off as forgotten.
J
Sounds easy but the chassis mods will be the hardest part. The rack pinion coupling sits in a cut out in the cross member, think the diagonal brace will be in the way as well and the foot wells will need attention as the battery tray and pedal box plate will need swapping. Think also the chassis rails are not symmetrical at this point either so think best off as forgotten.
J
They have done one in Switzerland I think.
But it is silly because the room in the footwell is tiny. s
te driver position.
It is much esier and wayyyy cheaper to get used to a RHD believe me!
Another point is when it comes to LHD specific parts like steering rack replacement etc. you will be doomed.
So once again:
don't!
But it is silly because the room in the footwell is tiny. s
te driver position. It is much esier and wayyyy cheaper to get used to a RHD believe me!
Another point is when it comes to LHD specific parts like steering rack replacement etc. you will be doomed.
So once again:
don't!
Edited by JimmyZZ on Thursday 18th December 10:29
What are your reasons for wanting a LHD one?
I drive a RHD Tuscan on the continent and it's very rare that I have any sort of issue with it being RHD. There are some tight junctions I take in a slightly odd way to keep left visibility and there are a couple of places that are easier to overtake in the LHD car... but in general there's no issue.
You soon get used to swapping between RHD and LHD cars, if that's the concern.
I drive a RHD Tuscan on the continent and it's very rare that I have any sort of issue with it being RHD. There are some tight junctions I take in a slightly odd way to keep left visibility and there are a couple of places that are easier to overtake in the LHD car... but in general there's no issue.
You soon get used to swapping between RHD and LHD cars, if that's the concern.
Thanks for the replies.
I don't mind driving RHD cars in general, some of my cars are RHD, but they're mostly saloons.
I just feel that in a sportscar, RHD could get a little annoying at times. And there's the oddity of a LHD Tuscan
Basically, I would buy a car and restore it completely anyway, so a LHD conversion is not the reason I would take off the body, since I would end up with a bare chassis at one point anyway.
Custom exhaust, steering rack and chassis modifications don't really scare me.
If it would take an additional 200 hours on top of a complete restoration, that would be fine with me.
Since there ae a few LHD ones around, surely it must be possible to do a proper conversion and tackle the odd driving postition as well?
Either way, I'm currently in the market for a 4.0 MK1 Tuscan to restore completely.
There are two Cat D cars on ebay right now, a 2003 and a 2000 that I'm tempted by.
There was a cat D car in Herts. for sale in the classifieds with an older TVR Power rebuild, but that one appears to have sold.
Any recommendations, is there much of a difference between a 2000 and a 2003 car?
Any leads on a suitable car would be greatly appreciated.
Many thanks,
Axel
I don't mind driving RHD cars in general, some of my cars are RHD, but they're mostly saloons.
I just feel that in a sportscar, RHD could get a little annoying at times. And there's the oddity of a LHD Tuscan
Basically, I would buy a car and restore it completely anyway, so a LHD conversion is not the reason I would take off the body, since I would end up with a bare chassis at one point anyway.
Custom exhaust, steering rack and chassis modifications don't really scare me.
If it would take an additional 200 hours on top of a complete restoration, that would be fine with me.
Since there ae a few LHD ones around, surely it must be possible to do a proper conversion and tackle the odd driving postition as well?
Either way, I'm currently in the market for a 4.0 MK1 Tuscan to restore completely.
There are two Cat D cars on ebay right now, a 2003 and a 2000 that I'm tempted by.
There was a cat D car in Herts. for sale in the classifieds with an older TVR Power rebuild, but that one appears to have sold.
Any recommendations, is there much of a difference between a 2000 and a 2003 car?
Any leads on a suitable car would be greatly appreciated.
Many thanks,
Axel
Not all, but most of the LHD Tuscans available were factory built, not conversions. Even if you do a great job on the restoration and the conversion, you will loose a fortune when selling as it's not "factory". Much better investment would be to buy one those available on mobile.de or autoscout24.com (after confirming the LHD paperwork of course). You'll pay a huge premium for it, but should be able to sell it later for very little, if any, loss.
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