Tuscan ownership – what’s it like?
Discussion
Tuscan ownership – what’s it like? Not a question but my thoughts after 3 1/2 years ownership and the car now gone to a new owner.
When we swapped the Griff (4.3 precat) for a Tuscan we went into it eyes wide open, engine scare stories were at their height and it was uncertain which direction values were going. We chose on bodywork and engine condition, Reflex Purple and only 1k miles after a TVR Power rebuild proved to be a good choice, it looked gorgeous and the engine was reliable and strong. After 3 1/2 years it was the easiest car I’ve ever had to sell. Along the way we improved it somewhat so here’s my take on what and what was not worthwhile:
Suspension – Correct size front tyres, Nitron dampers and Str8six bumpsteer modification all combined to improve stability, handling and confidence. Wheel spacers not required when geo moved closer to optimum as with the bumpsteer mod.
Engine – Roller bearing throttle bodies correctly balanced and adjusted worked wonders and together with the lightened flywheel made the engine super smooth and responsive. Rolling road re-map made marginal low end improvements but was nowhere near worthwhile for the cost, didn’t help that the outfit that did it were an absolute shower.
Bits ‘n’ bobs – Replaced heater stepper motor cured the lack of heat (remember half way on the dial is actually full heat, turn it any more and you’re just straining the motor). Shaped block under the base of the rear screen keeps it in place nicely, original plastic window clips just fine with the block. Pedal box moved rearwards improved the driving position, I’m 5ft 8” but if you are over 6ft you might want to move it the other way. Accelerator pedal fore and aft stops fitted to prevent repeat of broken throttle cable.
So that’s it, a great experience and unless I suddenly have another £20k to spend over the cost of a Tuscan nothing else will come close, anyone hesitating about getting one should just do it – just buy a good one and it I’ll be happy days.
(Small plug, spares no longer required now for sale in PH adds)
Cheers and happy motoring.
When we swapped the Griff (4.3 precat) for a Tuscan we went into it eyes wide open, engine scare stories were at their height and it was uncertain which direction values were going. We chose on bodywork and engine condition, Reflex Purple and only 1k miles after a TVR Power rebuild proved to be a good choice, it looked gorgeous and the engine was reliable and strong. After 3 1/2 years it was the easiest car I’ve ever had to sell. Along the way we improved it somewhat so here’s my take on what and what was not worthwhile:
Suspension – Correct size front tyres, Nitron dampers and Str8six bumpsteer modification all combined to improve stability, handling and confidence. Wheel spacers not required when geo moved closer to optimum as with the bumpsteer mod.
Engine – Roller bearing throttle bodies correctly balanced and adjusted worked wonders and together with the lightened flywheel made the engine super smooth and responsive. Rolling road re-map made marginal low end improvements but was nowhere near worthwhile for the cost, didn’t help that the outfit that did it were an absolute shower.
Bits ‘n’ bobs – Replaced heater stepper motor cured the lack of heat (remember half way on the dial is actually full heat, turn it any more and you’re just straining the motor). Shaped block under the base of the rear screen keeps it in place nicely, original plastic window clips just fine with the block. Pedal box moved rearwards improved the driving position, I’m 5ft 8” but if you are over 6ft you might want to move it the other way. Accelerator pedal fore and aft stops fitted to prevent repeat of broken throttle cable.
So that’s it, a great experience and unless I suddenly have another £20k to spend over the cost of a Tuscan nothing else will come close, anyone hesitating about getting one should just do it – just buy a good one and it I’ll be happy days.
(Small plug, spares no longer required now for sale in PH adds)
Cheers and happy motoring.
wongthecorrupter said:
i would like a rover v8 tvr to go with my tuscan, best of both
Me too, but couldn't live with a TVR as a daily driver again. I went for a supercharged Jaguar V8, more creature comforts. Best of both worlds! If I had space, I would have another Chimaera in a heartbeat. It would have to be a third car though!
Edited by S6 Devil on Tuesday 21st May 22:30
The throttle pedal brackets stop the pedal returning back too far and straining the cable, I bought them from Racing Green for £10-15 from memory but cant seem to find them on their website at the moment. Bit of a pain to fit, as is all work in the foot-well but worth it to prevent being stranded.
Pretty much spot on with the 'Golden Era' comments, we will never see the like again and I think cars kept as close to standard with proper TVR paint (I.e. not white/silver/grey/black) and improved for reliability will ultimately be the most sought after. At least the 'T' cars don't suffer the Leven add-on bling syndrome like my Griff did, looked much better back to standard after I'd finished with it.
We have also seen the emergence and then survival of the fittest of Speed 6 specialists over the last 5 years. This bodes well for the future and my impression has been that any good sports car garage can deal with the RV8 cars, the Sp6 and AJP engines however really do need specialist knowledge and of course an enthusiastic owner also goes a long way in keeping the cars tip top.
Pretty much spot on with the 'Golden Era' comments, we will never see the like again and I think cars kept as close to standard with proper TVR paint (I.e. not white/silver/grey/black) and improved for reliability will ultimately be the most sought after. At least the 'T' cars don't suffer the Leven add-on bling syndrome like my Griff did, looked much better back to standard after I'd finished with it.
We have also seen the emergence and then survival of the fittest of Speed 6 specialists over the last 5 years. This bodes well for the future and my impression has been that any good sports car garage can deal with the RV8 cars, the Sp6 and AJP engines however really do need specialist knowledge and of course an enthusiastic owner also goes a long way in keeping the cars tip top.
Oh dear, I have a VXR220 stage 4 bought new, which i was more than happy with, and then I bought the Tuscan last year, now the VXR220 stands unused taxed and MOT'd and I lust after another Tuscan convertible which I happened to come across in my search for the first one, and you guys with 2 TVR's do not help.
)scotty_d said:
billy no brakes said:
wongthecorrupter said:
swisstoni said:
I think people are beginning to realise that TVRs were part of a golden age that has gone.
I agree
picking it up in a weeks time billy no brakes said:
scotty_d said:
billy no brakes said:
wongthecorrupter said:
swisstoni said:
I think people are beginning to realise that TVRs were part of a golden age that has gone.
I agree picking it up in a weeks time 
going for a full set? And why not. Your biggest dilemma is what one to drive, what a dilemma to have 
scotty_d said:
billy no brakes said:
scotty_d said:
billy no brakes said:
wongthecorrupter said:
swisstoni said:
I think people are beginning to realise that TVRs were part of a golden age that has gone.
I agree picking it up in a weeks time going for a full set? And why not. Your biggest dilemma is what one to drive, what a dilemma to have so happy days as I have had it for 14 years and spent thousands on it, I always liked the T350 but got the Tuscan because the wife likes them then she saw a T350 and really liked them and it was agreed I could get as long as I sell the Tuscan, runs for cover on here, so once it get a front end respray its going up for sale Gassing Station | Tuscan | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff