Silly Tuscan idea
Discussion
OK, to liven up this forum...
The only thing that might part me form the Griff, one day, is a road-going Tuscan racer. I don't want one of those already-converted ones with massively tweaked engines and plastic interiors. I fancy a new chassis and shell, Chevy 5.6 engine (as advertised elsewhere!) and - and this is the real difference - a proper interior and roof. I've heard that an S roof will fit - can anyone confirm this? And the interior would need to be from a late S or Griff. The result should be a storming road car that's no less practical than a Griff or Chimp. And unique!
Quotes on a postcard...
The only thing that might part me form the Griff, one day, is a road-going Tuscan racer. I don't want one of those already-converted ones with massively tweaked engines and plastic interiors. I fancy a new chassis and shell, Chevy 5.6 engine (as advertised elsewhere!) and - and this is the real difference - a proper interior and roof. I've heard that an S roof will fit - can anyone confirm this? And the interior would need to be from a late S or Griff. The result should be a storming road car that's no less practical than a Griff or Chimp. And unique!
Quotes on a postcard...
Does the factory supply the shells with cage as standard then? I confess I know nothing about it but am quite good at putting 2 and 2 together. (Though not Tuscans!). Perhaps you could keep the back part within the targa section, like other TVRs.
More info needed - on everything! (I suggested putting Griff headlights in a Chimp years before all these fancy headlight conversions took off!)
More info needed - on everything! (I suggested putting Griff headlights in a Chimp years before all these fancy headlight conversions took off!)
Simpo,
If you're serious about this then contact Rod Barret at Hawthorns TVR in Farnham. I was debating doing a similar thing (but with an AJP V8) about a year ago and Rod was very enthusiastic about the idea.
It's worth noting that a 2nd hand car (even one that's only do one seasons racing) is much cheaper than a new car and they often come with expensive extras on them (for example it was suggested I could get a 2 year old car for circa £17K with full data logging facilities (but minus the engine which TVR lease to the team).
I imagagine a new Tuscan (excluding engine) is over £30K. So going down the 2nd hand route this gives you £13K to convert the car (which if you source a used AJP V8 would only cost circa £8K to produce a good quality road car conversion)
cheers,
Mike.
If you're serious about this then contact Rod Barret at Hawthorns TVR in Farnham. I was debating doing a similar thing (but with an AJP V8) about a year ago and Rod was very enthusiastic about the idea.
It's worth noting that a 2nd hand car (even one that's only do one seasons racing) is much cheaper than a new car and they often come with expensive extras on them (for example it was suggested I could get a 2 year old car for circa £17K with full data logging facilities (but minus the engine which TVR lease to the team).
I imagagine a new Tuscan (excluding engine) is over £30K. So going down the 2nd hand route this gives you £13K to convert the car (which if you source a used AJP V8 would only cost circa £8K to produce a good quality road car conversion)
cheers,
Mike.
I suggest you speak to Grant who converted a Tuscan (see photos in this thread: www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=16679&f=13&h=0). Sorry, I don't know Grant's 'PH' handle.
His Tuscan is used in Mannings insurance advert in Sprint magazine each month.
Thames Valley Racetech did the conversion for him. His has a Cerb 4.2 AJP engine.
His Tuscan is used in Mannings insurance advert in Sprint magazine each month.
Thames Valley Racetech did the conversion for him. His has a Cerb 4.2 AJP engine.
quote:
quote:
I suggested putting Griff headlights in a Chimp
I think the RSPCA would have an issue with this! Think of the monkey's welfare!
Andrew
There's a big black hairy fella on the new Planet of the Apes film, who will give you a big thump if he hears you calling a Griff a monkey....
Simpo One, I've thought about this two, but haven't had the bottle/money to plunge into it.
Have you seen this?
www.pistonheads.com/pic.asp?picture=tvr/tuscanracer/images/tuscan-racer-02.jpg
I guess this is the sort of thing you are after?
Cheers,
Graham
Have you seen this?
www.pistonheads.com/pic.asp?picture=tvr/tuscanracer/images/tuscan-racer-02.jpg
I guess this is the sort of thing you are after?
Cheers,
Graham
It funny, but the pictured car looks like a gorgeous fusion of the best bits of the Chimaera and Griffith to me. However, since its got 400SE wheels and "ordinary" door handles I would guess that it predates both? Or at least born from the same melting pot that created the other two?
>> Edited by JonRB on Friday 13th September 14:26
>> Edited by JonRB on Friday 13th September 14:26
Yep predates both - to my eye it's more reminiscent of a beefed up S. Think they were considering releasing it as a road car but scrapped the idea.
I'd love one, but as Simpo One suggests with a decent interior and comfort levels, smaller roll cage, roof and a 4.5 AJP V8!
Graham
>> Edited by Graham B on Friday 13th September 14:32
I'd love one, but as Simpo One suggests with a decent interior and comfort levels, smaller roll cage, roof and a 4.5 AJP V8!
Graham
>> Edited by Graham B on Friday 13th September 14:32
Now that looks interesting. Judging by the doorhandles and alloys I'd say that was a prototype of the road-going version, which was knocked into touch by the Griffith. The bonnet vents are wedge-like.
You can certainly see it's the 'missing link' between S and Griff. I think they look better with the rear spoiler though.
Does anyone know more about this car?
GrahamB - nice to know there's another bold soul out there! I just want to do a feasibility study and costing for now.
You can certainly see it's the 'missing link' between S and Griff. I think they look better with the rear spoiler though.
Does anyone know more about this car?
GrahamB - nice to know there's another bold soul out there! I just want to do a feasibility study and costing for now.
'4.5 AJP V8!'
Nope, Chevy 5.7 please! www.chevroletls1.com/ls1.htm
Dribble dribble!
>> Edited by simpo one on Friday 13th September 14:36
Nope, Chevy 5.7 please! www.chevroletls1.com/ls1.htm
Dribble dribble!
>> Edited by simpo one on Friday 13th September 14:36
'You may also struggle to get a new chassis and shell. Seem to remember hearing somewhere that the factory frowned upon the road going conversions.'
I'm sure they do - I sent them a couple of e-mails on this subject once but got no reply. But heck, the factory 'frowns' on everything, don't they? Bizarre - a company that made only road-going cars would 'frown' on racing versions! Dissaproving elders are just the sort of encouragement I need!
A secondhand car was suggested earlier as being much cheaper, though that would make it an ex-racer. I wouldn't want the engine or 'interior'. Perhaps another route is to get a smashed up Griff or Chimp (though with OK chassis) and put the shell on that. There are so many ways to skin this cat, there must be answer somehow. I guess you need (1) chassis (2) shell (3) engine (4) interior (5) someone clever enough to put it all together. Only the shell is the unique bit, as I see it.
Comments anyone? Volunteers??
I'm sure they do - I sent them a couple of e-mails on this subject once but got no reply. But heck, the factory 'frowns' on everything, don't they? Bizarre - a company that made only road-going cars would 'frown' on racing versions! Dissaproving elders are just the sort of encouragement I need!
A secondhand car was suggested earlier as being much cheaper, though that would make it an ex-racer. I wouldn't want the engine or 'interior'. Perhaps another route is to get a smashed up Griff or Chimp (though with OK chassis) and put the shell on that. There are so many ways to skin this cat, there must be answer somehow. I guess you need (1) chassis (2) shell (3) engine (4) interior (5) someone clever enough to put it all together. Only the shell is the unique bit, as I see it.
Comments anyone? Volunteers??
quote:
Perhaps another route is to get a smashed up Griff or Chimp (though with OK chassis) and put the shell on that. There are so many ways to skin this cat, there must be answer somehow.
Think the Griff/Chim chassis is near it's limits with the 5 litre engine so probably wouldn't be a good idea with a 5.7 litre Chevy engine!
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