Start from scrap ?

[JnP]

We would all love to be able to order a brand new Tuscan with the color combo we love, engine specifications etc. but that won't ever be possible.

I love my Tuscan but how much would it cost to retrim, full respray, powder coat the chassis, get a 4.3 in and change a few things on the bodywork. It would be as much as the entire car...

It has taken some of you years to get to this point and so much money.

Wouldn't it be more sensible to start from scratch ? Using a donor car ? Or buying a brand new chassis...

I'm in the process of selling my P&J but I know I will miss it and long for a TVR in the garage. Is it wise to start such a huge project?

If so, does an abandoned Tuscan exist out there awaiting someone to bring it back to life ?
Now and then you come across a thread about some bloke who's crossed a TVR in a backyard in a shameful state... That's what I'd love (for sensible £)

[natben]

Re-trim £4k
Re-spray £4k
4.3 £8k
Body off and chassis repaired/painted £5k
Extras like suspension,clutch etc £4k

Rough guess around £25K

Tuscan in poor nick needing saved £8-10K (if you cab find one that hasn't been in a smash TVR DEAN example)

So I'm guessing around £35K+

Or buy a sorted Tuscan for £22-30k+

There is a nice sorted T350 with a 4.3 for sale at £28k

All a guess could be more or a less but it's a ballpark figure.

[12Esc]

Mine had a full respray (about €5K), FFF2 engine rebuild (about €14K), retrim (carpets replaced, seats resprayed, about € 1K). So total of about €20K (GBP 17K) for that. Add to that new tyres, new rims, new brakes and some other changes and it totals to about € 25K (GBP 21K).
Much more than i paid for the car initially. I don't think it is a wise investment, but I enjoy the car...

[m3coupe]

I'm wanting to do this very same thing with a Tuscan or Cerbera, just can't decide what and it will depend what's on offer next year when I'm buying it. Will either be a sorted Cerb or Tuscan or I'll look into a Sag conversion.

I've seen cars in various states of repair from £2.5k up to £12k and everything in between!

The prices quoted above are for garages doing them but there is certain jobs you can do yourself to cut down on costs that would make it more manageable with the added bonus you get to have a helping hand building it instead of throwing money at it.

Roll on next year is all I say.

[JnP]

Thanks for the input everyone, m3coupe, after having looked at different salvaged cars you want to go with a sorted one or you want to go with a damaged one ?

Things like retrim can be done by yourself or with an extra hand for sure.
I don't mind taking 2 or 3 years getting it to my standards !

[m3coupe]

JnP said:

Thanks for the input everyone, m3coupe, after having looked at different salvaged cars you want to go with a sorted one or you want to go with a damaged one ?

Things like retrim can be done by yourself or with an extra hand for sure.
I don't mind taking 2 or 3 years getting it to my standards !

It depends on the car I eventually decide to buy. If I'm bringing a Cerb or Tusc back up to scratch, I'd prefer something that is just unloved or the chassis is needing work on as I'd bd happy enough lifting the body. If I'm doing a Tusc to Sag conversion I would look at a accident damaged one providing the chassis isn't damaged. As it will be a keeper anyway I wouldn't discount an accident damaged car since resale will not be an option.

What are you thinking?

[JnP]

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=117...

This is what I have in mind.
I wouldn't want a bare chassis as there would be too much involved.

Plus I don't have the expertise to take on any project, I have to take a lot into consideration. (I live abroad etc)

[m3coupe]

Yeah I can see why that would be appealing to you. I'm looking at getting my hands a little dirtier with a little help from some friends.