Red Rose Armourfend

[MrC]

Hi. Am looking to upgrade my V8S to a Tuscan and looked at a 2001 Red Rose version today. Hoping someone can help me with a couple of Qs: Is the Red Rose conversion worth the extra cash? Can you tell the difference off the track? Also, can you remove Armourfend without damaging the paintwork? This one was covered in the stuff and it looked nasty! If anyone has a 2001 Tuscan, dark blue with Portland Interior and they are looking to sell, then let me know ....

[yohan]

I bought a Red Rose but mainly because I liked the colour and that was the most important factor!

It was probably a few quid over the odds and I'm not sure you'd notice the extra 20bhp but it does have bigger brakes than the standard Tuscan and the suspension is properly set up for the 18" wheels.

Basically it's almost an 'S'.

[Graham66]

I believe Armourfend can be removed, but no idea how easy it is and I have heard that you can get differences in the paint due to fading where there was no Armourfend - try the web site www.armourfend.com I think, they will no doubt not list about it's removal (they are selling it after all) but they should have a contact number so you can call and ask them.

The Red Rose pack - will you notice it and is it good value? Well, depends how much extra you are paying for the Red Rose pack, from new it was £4200, for that you got 18" wheels, uprated brakes, uprated suspension, an extra 20bhp and no badge ()

So, if you think the original standard suspension was not up to it and the brakes could do with beefing up, then yes it may be worth it, plus the resale value later on maybe? As I said, it depends on the premium you are paying, I would guess £1000 to £2000 max above a non Red Rose would be about right

Graham

[d_drinks]

yohan said: I'm not sure you'd notice the extra 20bhp but it does have bigger brakes than the standard Tuscan and the suspension is properly set up for the 18" wheels. .

and, the change to engine management that doesn't just increase the BHP figure but also the manner of the power delivery the spread of torque is changed etc. there is fair bit of internal engine work involved in the RR conversion, the syspension geometry is different as has already been mentioned, + you have the front splitter to aid front end stability when you are the other side of 120 odd MPH !! and the rear gurney flap if you have the S body kit fitted.

The Lost Boys have/had a Cerbera RR and had someone design so simple but effective RR badges in red for the front wings and rear of the car, so if you want something on the outside to say it's even more special that a standard Tuscan might be worth looking on their profile....

[yohan]

Mine hasn't got the front splitter, maybe that was added later .... unless the previous owner knocked it off on a kerb.

[Lost Boys]

Had the Cerbera a year now just had 6k service. Been great so definately no plans to sell! D_Drinks is correct, when we ordered the car new last year we asked if there was any badging for the RR which there isn't. Influenced by Cristoph's Cerby we had a word with the dealer (Hawthorns) and we came up with the R's. If I recall they where made by the people who do their adverts for the Tuscan Racers. I may be wrong though.

Best of luck MrC in your search for a Tuscan.

[evansy]

Armorfend can be a bit of a git to apply and get off however I have this stiff from VentureShield which was fitted by [url] www.rhinoproetct.co.uk [url] they did a fantastic job and it is soo much better than armourfend I had previously.

[Avalanche]

I had RR upgrade by TVR Power and trust me, you really feel the difference. Much faster. Also had front splitter fitted - much more stable at speed too. Both results great.