1972 TVR TUSCAN

When Martin and Arthur Lilley acquired TVR in 1965, they inherited a small but ambitious British sports car maker and set about reshaping its model range. The Tuscan name first appeared in 1967 with the V8, but it was in 1969 that the more compact Tuscan V6 was introduced, combining the Vixen's narrower bodyshell and tubular chassis with Ford's new 2,994cc Essex V6. Weighing a whisper over 900kg and producing around 138bhp and 182lb/ft of torque, the V6 was capable of 125mph and 0 to 60mph in around 8.3 seconds. Independent suspension all round, a four-speed manual gearbox and optional Laycock overdrive on third and fourth gears made it an unusually capable grand tourer for such a small manufacturer, although production remained modest, with just 101 ultimately built.

This car occupies the final position within that tiny production run, being number #101 and the last Tuscan V6 built. The story began on 3rd December 1971 when its first owner called TVR to order the car, only to be told that production had ended and no further examples would be made. Having no interest in anything else, he was subsequently contacted by TVR and told they would build one more car, just for him. It was registered on 3rd January 1972 as BUT 185K.

The original owner's, somewhat dogmatic claim, that he had no interest in buying anything else if he couldn't have a Tuscan, is corroborated by the fact that he kept the car for over 50 years. During its first decade, it served as his daily transport before subsequently becoming a towing vehicle for his racing dinghy. In 1989, it was taken off the road and placed into his garage, where it remained for approximately 20 years while he waited for the means to restore it. The registration number TVR 3K was acquired and assigned to the car in 1990 and remains with it today.

An important part of the car's individual history is its engine upgrade. In December 1974, at 44,000 miles, the original engine was replaced with a new RS 3100 Specialised Engines Stage 2 powerplant, providing an uprated version of the Ford Essex V6. By 2009, the funds were finally available for a comprehensive restoration, completed over the following two years. The engine was also fully rebuilt and restored in 2009 by JW Developments (John Wade) the preferred specialist for these engines. The result is an exceptionally well-presented example, in striking Le Mans Green, retaining the character of the original car while benefiting from its thorough restoration. It subsequently featured in several publications, including the July 2011 edition of TVR Sprint magazine.

The history file is extensive, dating back to the original Bill of Sale and accompanied by a wealth of supporting documentation. Our vendor purchased the car directly from its first owner in July 2024, providing an unusually well-documented chain of ownership for a car now over 50 years old. HPI and the V5C confirm it is just two owners from new, showing one former keeper.

Rare by any measure, the Tuscan V6 represents an important chapter in TVR's development, and this example combines that rarity with an extraordinary ownership history, comprehensive restoration, period engine upgrade and the cherished TVR 3K registration. Number #101 of 101, and the final Tuscan V6 built, this is about as distinctive an early TVR as one could hope to find.

Transmission: MANUAL WITH OVERDRIVE