Tuscan Challenge Road Car (at the moment) build project

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Hi there,

I have been thinking about getting a Tuscan Challenge car for ages...and have finally sort of started to get one together.a couple of weeks ago I "sourced" some bits...hardly a car...but a sound start..

Here we go:

- chassis most important bit...appears straight and un molested with a touch of surface rust here and there...I am reliably informed (jonny and Brian from the factory) that it is circa 96 with AJP mounts where the rubbers sit for the back of the engine?
- roll cage - stickered up with "Rocket Rob Urkquart"
- all of the wishbones
- V8 manifold ( 1 side for ajp!)
- BTR diff
- rear anti roll bar (evidently they never fitted these so that is really useful!!
- plus carbon dash - ajp coil packs (although I'd throw them! and some wierd ajp engine wiring look...with a plug on either end)
- both rear drive shafts ...no rear hubs
- front hubs with TVR cast in them
- rear hub housing...(the bit the wishbones atach too and hold the hubs...which I need)


So there you go...certainly is a project but it would be good to create / save another TVR!

So for starters I need to know what bits are missing to create a rolling chassis...

Q: does anyone have a diagram - plan - file - document...with how the chassis goes together...so I can see what I might be missing?

I get the feeling this is going to be a long journey

Edited by schimg on Wednesday 12th September 12:08

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450Nick said:

Good work Steve! Always good to hear of someone building up another car as there really aren't very many about... I have a feeling that once you get it together you'll start thinking about racing - or at least I hope you do, you've got enough road going TVRs as it is

Having built most of mine up from parts, I can comment on a few things - particularly wiring as I did mine from scratch using a Tuscan loom as a basis - the Tuscan std loom is actually 3 parts I have a spare dash/car loom brand new if you're missing it. There is then an engine loom and a rear loom and they all plug together. Give PM me your number if you want to chat about the build and where to source bits etc.

Would be good to have you in the fold!

Hi Nick,

Firstly love your car...thays pretty much the way I want to do it!

I did try calling you what be an old number you probably gave me back when you were helping Jamie...or when you turned up at the Bulls Z!

Wiring is a concern ...probably going to go RV8...poss 4.6 unit out of a range rover...thats what Graham Walden has suggested as a starter...I'd go ajp .the car has those mounts...and I have what I think is a loom BUT I have one load of AJP love in my life...doubt I fancy rolling the dice twice!

Need a steering arm ...steering rack...front ARB....diff mount brackets (what are they off?

Really appreciate you posting a reply ...

Steve


tTr

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Here we go some images of the stuff....




This is interesting...poss a bit of challenge history?






There are a few more bits....but that is essentially where I am at at the mo...what do you reckon wait for those quaint gypsey romany folk that blow their bugle around these parts to collect her...or dig deep and press on?

Edited by schimg on Wednesday 12th September 20:44

Edited by schimg on Wednesday 12th September 20:46

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RetroWheels said:

Nice one Steve , as Nick says , it's always good to hear of another car being resurrected.

For parts, John Reid would be a good first port of call, as well as keeping an eye on the parts for sale Wiki on here.

I used to have a A4 folder of photcopied data sheets and factory info - written by Neil Anderson - relating to the Rover engined cars, but it got lost a few years ago, im sure someone still has a copy.

If you need any pics of the under parts of a Tuscan chassis, i can usually oblige as ive always got something in pieces .

Hi Darren,

Looking at your profile it would appear that you are from the North West...pity I didn't post earlier as I was up that side of the town at BNG..the Speed 12 did the numbers well worth watching...

Anyways...thanks for the contact info which will be of use ...knowing how these things go together is elusive...


Lifted the body of my Chimaera a few years back.2006 I think .evidence here..










But this is an whole new ball game!
I had a body then..plus other stuff...

Anyways thank you..I will make a mental note of this.

Edited by schimg on Wednesday 12th September 21:24

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Mr Tank said:

Hi Steve

Well done in getting the bits together!

If you want to go over a car at anytime you are more than welcome to go over mine!

I presume you will be doing the rebuild to match your chim?

Andy

Thanks Andy.....might be in a position to take you up on this offer ....appreciated as you well know...moving forward I need to cost stuff and availability out....i.e. know what ball joints to get ...and will not settle for cheap jobbies ....plus I have sourced top spec rose joints...need twenty two ..but you can't cut corners on stuff like this IMHO...

I am missing vital bits to lift the chassis off the ground...so until I can source these parts I won't purchase any bearings- rose joints- eitc....this might all get stored or moved on....had an email from the other side of the pond enquiring about condition of chassis...but do not want to dip out ...be a shame ..and as you know is not my way

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wadsapple said:

I have two bodys as we spoke about last week,you were going to call back.I am at brands till monday perhjaps you might want to call me early doors next week if interested.

Hi Perry,

Really appreciate the information and background you provided v.very interesting and informative.

Moving forward I need to to prioritise stuff....I obviously need a body ....so we need too have a chat....be very rude not to!

I would like to get down to Brands Hatch and meet you and look at some of the cars and how they fit together..

We were up at bng last weekend ...with the SP12 ....there was a lovely yellow challenge car there....two seater with an RV 8....had a good chat with him..lot's of nice panels...which would sit well on a road car


Plus on the way to bng I detoured over to Hinckley and met Colin Blower lovely bloke.. they had a challenge car that had been totally rebuilt following a rear end loss of traction...ending in a surplus body ... obviously I'd need to arrive at a deal, and it would require some work, which I am not scared of, might not be the best way in the long run some glass work to sort.......

But this is down the line ...be great to chat again

thank you

Steve

Edited by schimg on Friday 14th September 06:33

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7 TVR said:

Great to see another one being put back together and hope you bring it racing!
Look forward to watching the build especially if its to the standard of your chim.

Thanks for the compliment re Chimaera...hopefully it won't be far off that...not decided yet which way to go with the chassis...with the Chimaera I had it refabricated shot blasted - hot zinc sprayed - the I painted it with POR 15 two - three coats of that then did smooth hammerite as a top coat...then waxoil in the areas that you couldn't get to...

I avoided powder coating....but things have moved on..galvernising has been used and might be an option...I will speak with Adrian Venn see what he thinks...

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Graham said:

Steve Do you want to list the bits you are missing to get it up to a rolling chassis?

i.e.

Steering arms ( i might have one as I ended up buying 2 sets as the first pair were different to each other)

and then we can have a hunt round our spares boxes

G

Hi G,

That makes perfect sense...Mike had left his lad straps here when we collected the chassis ..I dropped them back to him yesterday...explained that I was missing things like the steering arm...he said he'd have a good route around for it...plus he has some other stuff...plus a T5 box...which I will probably buy off him at some point...

But yes I need for starters...

1. Steering rack
2. Diff Mounting plates...(I guess there are two and handed?)
3. Steering Column...is this one off a Griff / Chimaera/ S-series? I have one of the UJ's that looks very similaer to the one I replaced on my Chimaera..
4. Shockers...which way...Nitrons? Gaz (not sure if they fit / suit?)
5. Wheels ideally 18ins...I'd love to fit spiders...how would you get by the different pcd?, change hubs?

Edited by schimg on Friday 14th September 20:32

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Graham said:

I have some btr diff carriers off the car that you can borrow if you need to get them copied.

2 at the front and one at the rear

Thanks G thats interesting....I'd have thought they'd be just two and a diff bush at the back!

Thats really good of you ...just wondered if anyone has a spare set...might save a bit of heartache?

I know beggers can't be choosers and all that....

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Graham said:

Yeah there is a bracket on the back of the diff that fits the bush in the chassis.

It's the same as the chim but different ;-)

Doh...you have probably told me before...so bespoke parts thanks mate

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Graham said:

I have some btr diff carriers off the car that you can borrow if you need to get them copied.

2 at the front and one at the rear

Thinking about this I Am out with Howard and a few other tvr folk tonight.....will ask about see if any of them have a good contact....

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450Nick said:

I have a spare set of shocks - original double springed konis I think they are. Supposedly very good shocks and mine are in great nick if you're interested?

Cheers Nick,

What did you fit?

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Onzlouk said:

Nice addition to the collection Steve! (envious smiley)

Hope you are all well. Keep us updated!

Hi Loz

Cheers mate...must admit Not much of addition at the mo, but hopefully come together at some point..

More importantly hope that things are going well in Austrailia mate.....that's one place we fancy living tbh, we intend to go there as our next long haul trip...must be about 12 months since you went love to you and the family bud...
Got any Tuscan bodies hanging around down there!?

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Onzlouk said:

Thanks mate and yes its all going very well! Ive been eyeing up a T350T but its $86k..... yes really.

Definitely suggest that you come take a look if youre serious and if you fancy a tour around sunny Queensland look us up! I need a good car chat, 4x4s are great but i miss my tiv

All the best

Great that it is all going well mate...pity you couldn't have got your Cerbera shipped out....looking at cost of purchasing one!

We will look you up if we ever get the opportunity...sunny ...sounds brill!

You still got access the TVRCC site? Bulls Head meet yesterday, a blast from the past!

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450Nick said:

Mine came with a set of remote reservoir ohlins so went with them. The other ones were spares I believe.

Nick

Cheers Nick...I guess I'd need to get them re-furbed ...certainly worth making a note appreciated

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Dave PORTER said:

steve, call me

Cheers Dave will do...I appear to have lost your number off my mobile, must of lost it when I changed over phones or something..

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Good God I have just read this thread...

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=109...

£45K to do it...anyone want a chassis!
I am obviously way off the mark with my project!

Edited by schimg on Tuesday 18th September 19:51

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Guillotine said:

I would have said £45k for a sorted car is about right.
or
You can buy a complete car and refurb it...£35k onwards
or
You can be lucky and find an uptogether car for £20k upwards.

Obviously buying a sorted car is by far the cheapest. They are much less than the some of their parts, but the prices of cars seems to be rising. I am aware of cars that have changed hands recently at both ends of the spectrum. £20k-£30k+

Doing it yourself must be satisfying but in no way guarantees a faultless car!
Have a look round for a good car. I did the same as you. Had pretty much an entire car, then sold the bits and bought a complete one.
Cheers

Cheers Andy..

Doesn't get any better then wow on this basis it is not justifiable!

I am not looking to create something with massive horsepower / performance, I reckognise my limitations, racing is probably not really on,getting too wound up on a race grid...is probably not the best thing ...following that sudden death cardiac arrest rubbish last year ..plus more importantly .if I have any regard for Samantha, Ginny and George...I need to be a bit sensible.

So the bits I have sourced so far allow me flexibility..the chassis is good as are the other bits ...moving on as a road car I'd be trying to create something that handles well, but at least leaves a couple of fillings in!

Been told from reliable sources that this achievable..and yes it might not have the best OZ's ...BUT will fit quality brakes suspension rose joints steering etc...the things that matter the other stuff can come later..

I fully appreciate that the cars are not cheap, and being an active member of the club and running and attending loads of car events each year I'd never be so rude as to talk thee values of our cars down..I guess any car purchased bit by bit will be more expensive that buying the whole thing...but I'd like to buy "chunks" of bits...and not buy stuff I end up ditching when I realise it is not compatable or I have changed direction!

I bought my first TVR the Chimaera in 2003...ran it for a couple of years before poking a hole in the outrigger...I'd paid 10k for it which was bottom end money then...and I paid the price I guess...but ended up taking the body..probably one of the first body off Chimaeras done at home....ended up pretty much rebuilding the whole thing ...so there are no cheap cars in reality...but have ended up with a car that is o.k...but I haven't finished with that yet either...I suppose if I do finish this one at least I will know how it goes together...the advantage with the Chimaera was that we took it apart...so had an idea of how it went back together....but more importantly ( as you correctly identified) I had all the bits !

Same with my Cerbera was a bit of a snotter when I bought the car...she is getting better... and the 350i was a tip!

bit like this..



then this



What I am saying is that I don't mind having a go myself and being patient,

Andy I see where you are coming from..and fully appreciate the cracking cars you have had ...I am sure that at one point I nearly a 5.0l engine off you when I had the body off my Chimaera back in 2006? (or am I loosing it!?)...

It would be a shame to walk away...lets see what happens..first things first and all that!

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wadsapple said:

What sort of money do you have as a budget ? it may be possible.

Hi Perry,

Be rude to go public...don't like being mocked in public!
But sort of linked to the above post according to the parts available listing on this forum, you have a body at £400 which is a possible starting point...

It was good talking to you previously I will give you a call..I left you whilst you were away on holiday, and it was Brands Hatch last weekend so you'd have been busy...I could do with some positivity, I'll be selling one of my kidneys at this rate!!

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Guillotine said:

Thats the spirit mate,
Give it a go, eyes wide shut!

I like your style!

I will probably end up with egg on my face..hey ho thats all part of life's rich tapestry, nice to fail in public!