History of my TVR
History of my TVR
Author
Discussion

art nouveau

Original Poster:

58 posts

228 months

Friday 28th September 2007
quotequote all
Hi Guys

I would like to find out a bit more about my TVR Tuscan registration LK03 UYB and I am trying to track down anyone who can help piece the history together.

Following receipt of all the documentation I am a little confused - doesn't take much these days!

When looking at the owners manual it has the model identified as Tuscan 4.0. VIN (Which I assume is the Vehicle Identification Number or Chassis Number) 3B001164, with engine number P6403255. Date of purchase was 13th May 2003 and the owners name/address was Giles Cooper Limited, The TVR Centre, Barnet Road, Arkley, Barnet EN5 3LJ.
The pre-delivery inspection is dated 12th May 2003. VIN 3B001164. Mileage 0015. Carried out by The TVR Centre.

A change of owner is recorded on 13th May 2003. VIN 3B001164. Engine number P6403255. The new owner being Mr Dean Drake, 9 Gawsworth, Tamworth. B79 7UH.

The 1,000 mile service is dated 1st July 2003. VIN 3B001164. Mileage 1089. Carried out by The TVR Centre.
The 6,000 mile service is dated 17th May(?) 2004. However the VIN has been changed to SDLEA16A73B001164. The mileage was 5,100. Carried out by The TVR Centre (Why the change in VIN?).
The 12,000 mile service is dated 25th May 2005. VIN SDLEA16A73B001164. Mileage 12926. Carried out by TVR Power, 339 Bedworth Road, Longford, Coventry, CV6 6BN.
The 18,000 mile service is dated 9th May 2006. VIN SDLEA16A73B001164. Mileage 16764. Carried out by TVR Power, 339 Bedworth Road, Longford, Coventry, CV6 6BN.
The 24,000 mile service is dated 16th May 2007. VIN SDLEA16A73B001164. Mileage 19017. Carried out by TVR Power, 339 Bedworth Road, Longford, Coventry, CV6 6BN.

As noted above the owners manual has the model written down as Tuscan 4.0. The log book however has the make/model as TVR Tuscan S (3996cc engine). It may be the garage's shorthand in writing down Tuscan 4.0 rather than Tuscan S - How can I check? What is the difference between the Tuscan and the Tuscan S apart from the engine size 3605cc - 3996cc?

Secondly I have been told by McGurk.com (who I bought the car from) that the car has been fitted with a (free)replacement engine (under warranty as the original Tuscan engines were quite fragile). I do not know when this happened - could this be the cause of the change in VIN? If so why change the chassis? why not just the engine?

For what it's worth I will be sending a copy of this message to both the TVR Centre and TVR Power. I am hoping the previous owner is a PH member.

Anyway, enough of me wittering on. I hope somebody can fill in the missing pieces, and if anyone's interested I will let you know the result. One thing is for certain, the TVR is quite a specialist car, and as such it is difficult tracking down information on them.

Time to see if the car still works!!

Art

satman

2,455 posts

275 months

Friday 28th September 2007
quotequote all
The S has a few distinctive differences...the rear lights are set vertically on the S opposed to horizontally, also has a rear boot spoiler and a front splitter (sort of a spoiler under the front grill), oh and a rear badge that will say "Tuscan S"...although some of the above can be added to make a non S look very much like one...biggrin

Regarding the VIN, I think you will find this is the same, but someone was lazy and didnt write the number in full in the beginning. You may also find the number may show shorter on the log book, compared to the number on the plate on the car, found mounted inside the boot on the back panel.

Edited by satman on Friday 28th September 07:59

stillgrinning

1,091 posts

264 months

Friday 28th September 2007
quotequote all
I suspect someone went home with the wrong service book from Power. I check mine since they gave me the wrong one by mistake in a hurry.

UpTheIron

4,058 posts

297 months

Friday 28th September 2007
quotequote all
Your VIN hasn't changed...
XXXXXXXX3B001164
SDLEA16A73B001164

Dom @ Power can probably tell you about the rebuild.

The biggest cosmetic difference between the S and standard is the rear light position, as already mentioned. Also bear in mind that not all 4.0 Tuscans are an S - lots of other threads on this.

art nouveau said:
Secondly I have been told by McGurk.com (who I bought the car from) that the car has been fitted with a (free)replacement engine (under warranty as the original Tuscan engines were quite fragile).
Not just the early ones ;-)


art nouveau

Original Poster:

58 posts

228 months

Saturday 29th September 2007
quotequote all
Thanks Guys

First - I can now work out my Tuscan is a Tuscan, and not a Tuscan S. My rear lights are horizontal, I do not have a rear boot spoiler or front splitter (thank you for the definition!) However I do have a 4.0 litre engine (I understand there are other threads on this and I will try to track them down).

Second - I said it did not take much to confuse me. I feel such a plank for missing the "shorthand" version of my VIN. Once again it's the bleeding obvious that escapes me.

No replies yet from the TVR centre or TVR Power.

Thanks one and all.

Art

UpTheIron

4,058 posts

297 months

Saturday 29th September 2007
quotequote all
Re: your 4.0. Originally all Tuscans were a 4-litre, S or otherwise. Only later on did the 3.6 engine feature...

Anyway..Enjoy!