My dream car is almost complete

[magpie21]

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
- Aftermarket wheels replaced with 18" 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 sound.

Now mechanically almost everything I could replace / improve had 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 20:46

[magpie21]

Thanks all, I'm really pleased with how the car has turned out, I appreciate all of the comments. As and when I get more pictures of the interior I'll update here as it's going to be completely different to any Tuscan done before.

swisstoni said:

One of the nicest non-standard fronts I've seen. Its a real shame to have to stick a dirty great number plate in there.

Agreed, I've been running without a front plate now for three years and haven't been pulled over by the police once yet!

Toady1 said:

wow stunning mate! Where did you get the rear led's from and did they fit in the same sized hole or was bodywork required?

I got the rear lights from here http://www.s-v-c.co.uk/category/mix-match-lights/ they are larger than the standard ones and so the rear end does need modifying and you also need to fill in one of the standard light recesses also.

tuscman said:

The Mk2 grill looks really good. Can you advise where you had it done please as I was considering it. I know they do them at TVR Power.

As Toady says it was done through TVR Power when they were using the Northampton bodyshop though. In fact the picture of the grill conversion on the TVR Power website is actually my car.

[magpie21]

Some pictures of the car going through the respray, and once finished which show the colour effect much better

[magpie21]

Macey said:

Any chance of a night picture with the rear lights on?

Not the best picture but all I have whilst the car is away being retrimmed, this was the first picture I was sent once the conversion was done

[magpie21]

Spot the difference

Edited by magpie21 on Sunday 3rd March 20:10

[magpie21]

Picking it up from Dave tomorrow, can't wait, also had a couple of other mods done whilst its been there

Video

Edited by magpie21 on Friday 1st March 13:36

Edited by magpie21 on Saturday 2nd March 06:51

[magpie21]

Done





Full write up here
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[magpie21]

cookie450 said:

Hi
What's the story behind the merc 5 spoke wheels in the paint shop? Just wondering if they are an alternative to the 18" spiders ( I have a set on my cls)
Cheers

They were on the car when I bought it, they certainly weren't genuine Mercedes. I can find out the name if you want, have the receipt for them in the binder that was given to me by the previous owner. I removed them as they weighed more than the car itself and I much prefer the spiders.

[magpie21]

Now in the classifieds!!
Testing the water and I know I'll regret it but having done hardly any miles in it during the last two years I'm considering selling. I know I'm mad with all the money and effort I have put into it but with three children under 10 the opportunities are becoming fewer as I become dad's taxi service every weekend.