Considering respray, retrim and colour change

[ericgreveson]

I've got a 2003 Tuscan S with about 55000 miles on the clock, it's mechanically fine (looked after by Str8Six with a recent engine rebuild) but cosmetically is starting to look a bit tatty, especially since it lives outside and is only 99% waterproof. It's Grigio Titanio (grey) on the outside and red on the inside (the usual mix of carpet and leather).

Things like rubber trim and seals are starting to perish, some of the interior trim around the rear window is starting to pull away, and the exterior paint is dull with a few small cracks / dings in the fibreglass especially around the front of the car. I'm considering getting it properly fixed up inside and out, and maybe go for a colour change at the same time, especially inside, since it's a bit too red for me. I would also consider a new exterior colour if I can decide on something that looks nice - I think for me, the Tuscan suits lighter colours better due to the shape, and grey / silver especially - unfortunate since I think these colours are a bit boring, especially as it seems all recent cars are white / grey / black.

I'm based near Cambridge and am aware of some companies not too far away that might be suitable for some or all the work (e.g. Hilton and Moss, Dave the Trimmer) but would be keen to hear others' experiences. I haven't got any quotes yet and I suspect this could turn out to be quite expensive... hopefully not too expensive!

Current thoughts are a lighter interior (maybe cream with blue) and keep the grey or similar metallic silver paint... but I'm certainly open to ideas...

[The Three D Mucketeer]

Prepare for a £10-15k bill, and I doubt you'd get your money back ... OK if it's a keeper .. Money better spent on a garage for a the beast

Edited by The Three D Mucketeer on Sunday 12th April 08:26

[ericgreveson]

Ok, that sounds about in the ballpark I was expecting... Spending the money on a garage is a great suggestion, I already did that a couple of years ago but it seems to have acquired lots of other stuff and now there's no space for the car...

Maybe I can tidy it up so the beast has a place to live indoors once it's sorted!

[s6boy]

Colours and their combinations are too personal and some of the original TVR offerings were, to my eyes, terrible. But lots of people must have liked them enough.
Why not look at some adverts to get some idea of what appeals to you then start mixing things up to make it YOUR car.

[frontfloater]

Central TVR are advertising a full Tuscan respray @ £9,900 . They did a very good job on my S2 bonnet repair and respray.

https://www.centraltvr.co.uk/bodywork/?_models=tus...

But having a garage available after the work's done seems like an absolute necessity, otherwise it will soon deteriorate and the money will have been wasted.

[agreen]

Hi Eric,

Depends which side of Cambridge you are but if you are considering Hilton and Moss at Bishops Stortford I’d recommend also speaking to Simon at Cambridge Concours (based in Elsenham) about interior work.

For the exterior, Elliott at EC Classic Cars is worth a call - they are near Dunmow and are familiar with the peculiarities of fibreglass with TVRs and other plastic bodied cars such as Lotus -land Corvettes etc

[ericgreveson]

Thanks for the recommendations and suggestions so far, I will be getting in touch with a few this week!

[Basil Brush]

The Three D Mucketeer said:

Prepare for a £10-15k bill, and I doubt you'd get your money back ... OK if it's a keeper .. Money better spent on a garage for a the beast

Edited by The Three D Mucketeer on Sunday 12th April 08:26

I'd have thought nearer 20k for a colour change and full re-trim?

[The Three D Mucketeer]

Basil Brush said:

The Three D Mucketeer said:

Prepare for a £10-15k bill, and I doubt you'd get your money back ... OK if it's a keeper .. Money better spent on a garage for a the beast

Edited by The Three D Mucketeer on Sunday 12th April 08:26

I'd have thought nearer 20k for a colour change and full re-trim?

I was trying to be gentle with him
I see STR8SIXs rebuilt/refurbished MK1s are on sale for £70-£80k now

[s6boy]

Then why be condescending and not give a straight forward answer.....or no answer at all?

[Bowks]

I've just had a full colour change, with a few bits of bodywork too. £10k covered it.

Central are doing retrims for £7k

[Basil Brush]

Bowks said:

I've just had a full colour change, with a few bits of bodywork too. £10k covered it.

Central are doing retrims for £7k

What colour did you go for and who did it?

Mine could do with a re-paint but may have it wrapped as a short term fix while I recover from the cost of the chassis rebuild!

[Bowks]

Aston Martin Devine Red, from Chrimson Starmist. I used a non TVR place on the Cotswolds. A wrap could be a good alternative.

[ericgreveson]

Divine Red is a very nice colour, indeed Aston have a few nice ones. I am thinking about a couple of slightly left field options if I change from grey - Peugeot Obsession Blue or Alfa Verde Montreal perhaps - but still not sure.

However, first couple of quotes are in and it's looking like over £20-22k inc VAT for inside and out... in line with what others have already commented! And I haven't had a chassis restoration yet either, no doubt that would be needed some day too...

[frontfloater]

One of the nicest Tuscans I've seen was this one, retrimmed and repainted in Gunmetal gray by Central :

https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1376435