CAT D Tuscan on EBay
Discussion
Anyone's on here or anyone know the car?
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TVR-Tuscan-4-0L-Convert...
Looks decent enough and obviously CAT D but seems light damage.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TVR-Tuscan-4-0L-Convert...
Looks decent enough and obviously CAT D but seems light damage.
![](https://thumbsnap.com/sc/9VZhbT3t.png[/img]</a> <a href="https://thumbsnap.com/AGl85Izj" Target="_blank" rel="nofollow">[img]https://thumbsnap.com/sc/AGl85Izj.png[/img]</a> <a href="https://thumbsnap.com/uS6zP0f8" Target="_blank" rel="nofollow">[img]https://thumbsnap.com/sc/uS6zP0f8.png)
I went to see this car in Wednesday. The reg stated above is correct. Now on F16 TVR. Wish I'd seen this before had as I may have had a bit more confidence in the car's history.
Mechanically sound and solid chassis. But the bodywork was rough. Removable roof damaged on both sides. Frame damaged. Main bonnet big chunk missing in the corner. Very poor repair to the service bonnet. Paint was awful. Basically, the repair work had been done on the cheap and needed to be redone. Large gouges or dents in the bottom of the near side body from putting the jack in the wrong place.
I was comfortable with the car at the price that we were discussing but then a review of the logbook and a HPI check revealed it's a Cat C not a Cat D. Not a total deal breaker but there was a lot of this cars 'story' since 2013 that just didn't stack up. And every time I asked another question, the 'story' seemed to change. In the end I lost confidence in what I was being told and someone picked it up on Saturday.
Hope everything works out for the final buyer. Apart from the bodywork it seemed like and amazing buy.
Mechanically sound and solid chassis. But the bodywork was rough. Removable roof damaged on both sides. Frame damaged. Main bonnet big chunk missing in the corner. Very poor repair to the service bonnet. Paint was awful. Basically, the repair work had been done on the cheap and needed to be redone. Large gouges or dents in the bottom of the near side body from putting the jack in the wrong place.
I was comfortable with the car at the price that we were discussing but then a review of the logbook and a HPI check revealed it's a Cat C not a Cat D. Not a total deal breaker but there was a lot of this cars 'story' since 2013 that just didn't stack up. And every time I asked another question, the 'story' seemed to change. In the end I lost confidence in what I was being told and someone picked it up on Saturday.
Hope everything works out for the final buyer. Apart from the bodywork it seemed like and amazing buy.
Thanks for the update and info.....good to know.
I suspect you have done the right thing there and dodged a potential bullet. When your confidence goes like that it is best to just walk away. When you get a seller you feel not being truthful or upfront about things what else are you not finding about? There is often more in my experience. A poor repair would also likely indicate that the right money has never been spent on this cars upkeep with that owner.
What was the deal with that 10th pic with what looked like a plastic bag in arch behind the lights? Then a screwdriver seemingly popping out of the top of that as well?
I suspect you have done the right thing there and dodged a potential bullet. When your confidence goes like that it is best to just walk away. When you get a seller you feel not being truthful or upfront about things what else are you not finding about? There is often more in my experience. A poor repair would also likely indicate that the right money has never been spent on this cars upkeep with that owner.
What was the deal with that 10th pic with what looked like a plastic bag in arch behind the lights? Then a screwdriver seemingly popping out of the top of that as well?
It definitely hadn't had any servicing of any record other than a new clutch. Chap selling it said he'd done it. I believe that part but that's probably it. I service my other cars from time to time (brake fluid etc) but I still keep a detailed record.
The underneath of the chassis and the engine looked like there was an oil leak too. Not uncommon I guess with a car this age as gaskets and seals can leak over time. He chalked it up to just being messing when doing an oil change but I had my doubts.
The screwdriver definitely wasn't hanging off when I was there and I didn't notice what looks like a plastic bag. I did inspect the wing too as there were a number of cracks / splits at the top of the wing.
If the crash damage is as pictured, I still think it's a good buy. My issue was that after evolution of the repair story I'd already heard about how the car had been serviced and repaired, once I found out it was a Cat C I got another two different stories and I couldn't help thinking that the Cat C damage may have been much more major and then there was a second accident / repair which is the one that is pictured. I'm definable no expert in TVR body repairs but I hadn't even walked on to the drive and could see issues with the so called high quality professional repair.
ECU was swinging around in the passenger foot well too (or he said it was the ECU). I'm sure 90% of people would run a mile with all these warning signs but I just tired to price it up as best I could. A solid car underneath but a cosmetic project with some risks and some rewards. Just have to keep looking.
Btw - all the history from the previous owners on this forum above was still with the car.
The underneath of the chassis and the engine looked like there was an oil leak too. Not uncommon I guess with a car this age as gaskets and seals can leak over time. He chalked it up to just being messing when doing an oil change but I had my doubts.
The screwdriver definitely wasn't hanging off when I was there and I didn't notice what looks like a plastic bag. I did inspect the wing too as there were a number of cracks / splits at the top of the wing.
If the crash damage is as pictured, I still think it's a good buy. My issue was that after evolution of the repair story I'd already heard about how the car had been serviced and repaired, once I found out it was a Cat C I got another two different stories and I couldn't help thinking that the Cat C damage may have been much more major and then there was a second accident / repair which is the one that is pictured. I'm definable no expert in TVR body repairs but I hadn't even walked on to the drive and could see issues with the so called high quality professional repair.
ECU was swinging around in the passenger foot well too (or he said it was the ECU). I'm sure 90% of people would run a mile with all these warning signs but I just tired to price it up as best I could. A solid car underneath but a cosmetic project with some risks and some rewards. Just have to keep looking.
Btw - all the history from the previous owners on this forum above was still with the car.
MPETT said:
It saddens me that such a lovely car has been ruined
. I hope the person that bought it can bring it back to its former showroom condition.
Hi all, I am said gambler who took the punt on F16 TVR. . I hope the person that bought it can bring it back to its former showroom condition.Matt, I was the one there when you you turned up to view on Wednesday, I then picked up the car on Saturday in the monsoon. Very steady drive home! Sadly I was late arriving on the Wednesday as had my newborn and the wife in tow (putting paternity leave in to full use - he’s got to learn some time and she’s well used to my antics) so our ‘viewing times’ clashed.
I thought the same as you, engine was strong and pulled well. Chassis was in good nick also and had been well looked after until it’s unfortunate crash and subsequent poor repair by what appears to be a blind folded Stevie Wonder.
The fibreglass prep is awful on the near side front wing, main bonnet, service bonnet and roof. Paint job is poor all round. Luckily I know a meticulous bodywork guy who’s done repairs on a Tuscan previously for me so it’s going for a full re-spray over the winter.
It’s just been to Str8-Six for a full 12,000 service and geometry set up. Jason has confirmed great engine and chassis (Waxoyl wouldn’t hurt) but tatty body work and needs a few bushes and minor hoses replacing - general wear and tear, again, something I can get my teeth in to over the winter. I ended up getting it very cheap and negotiated hard due to a curve ball listing as Cat C.
As Mark said, the story didn’t match up with the repair but is only to the front offside wing and bonnets as per the pics I’ve been given. I couldn’t find any chassis damage, nor car Str8-Six. I confirmed with the insurance company who wrote it off and they said there may have been a cock up with the classification on the V-car. Cat D/C I don’t really care as after having 2 Tuscans previously I’ve wanted another for some time now and when this one came along I snapped it up. I want this one as a keeper. I’ll be restoring to her former glory. I hadn’t seen the folders of receipts and invoices from previous owners and was happy to see there were masses, the most I’ve ever seen on a second hand car including an original sales invoice and a set of original keys under the drivers seat?!
The restoration will take place over the winter but credit to Martin and any previous owners on here, she’s been well kept over the years but badly repaired, I’ll see that right, love a project!
Martin, did you mention you had the bonnet modification done? This has now been removed and 2 new bonnets installed back to standard by the look of things.
Hi there Rich,
Saw your post about your plans for restoration. In answer your question. No I didn’t install a bonnet mod.
Am very pleased to hear that you’ve got all the service history and are planning to restore her to her former glory. Keep me posted and if I can help, please reach out. Have just about finished my restoration of a cat d in a much worse starting condition.
All the best,
Martin
Saw your post about your plans for restoration. In answer your question. No I didn’t install a bonnet mod.
Am very pleased to hear that you’ve got all the service history and are planning to restore her to her former glory. Keep me posted and if I can help, please reach out. Have just about finished my restoration of a cat d in a much worse starting condition.
All the best,
Martin
RichMax2018 said:
Hi all, I am said gambler who took the punt on F16 TVR.
Matt, I was the one there when you you turned up to view on Wednesday, I then picked up the car on Saturday in the monsoon. Very steady drive home! Sadly I was late arriving on the Wednesday as had my newborn and the wife in tow (putting paternity leave in to full use - he’s got to learn some time and she’s well used to my antics) so our ‘viewing times’ clashed.
I thought the same as you, engine was strong and pulled well. Chassis was in good nick also and had been well looked after until it’s unfortunate crash and subsequent poor repair by what appears to be a blind folded Stevie Wonder.
The fibreglass prep is awful on the near side front wing, main bonnet, service bonnet and roof. Paint job is poor all round. Luckily I know a meticulous bodywork guy who’s done repairs on a Tuscan previously for me so it’s going for a full re-spray over the winter.
It’s just been to Str8-Six for a full 12,000 service and geometry set up. Jason has confirmed great engine and chassis (Waxoyl wouldn’t hurt) but tatty body work and needs a few bushes and minor hoses replacing - general wear and tear, again, something I can get my teeth in to over the winter. I ended up getting it very cheap and negotiated hard due to a curve ball listing as Cat C.
As Mark said, the story didn’t match up with the repair but is only to the front offside wing and bonnets as per the pics I’ve been given. I couldn’t find any chassis damage, nor car Str8-Six. I confirmed with the insurance company who wrote it off and they said there may have been a cock up with the classification on the V-car. Cat D/C I don’t really care as after having 2 Tuscans previously I’ve wanted another for some time now and when this one came along I snapped it up. I want this one as a keeper. I’ll be restoring to her former glory. I hadn’t seen the folders of receipts and invoices from previous owners and was happy to see there were masses, the most I’ve ever seen on a second hand car including an original sales invoice and a set of original keys under the drivers seat?!
The restoration will take place over the winter but credit to Martin and any previous owners on here, she’s been well kept over the years but badly repaired, I’ll see that right, love a project!
Martin, did you mention you had the bonnet modification done? This has now been removed and 2 new bonnets installed back to standard by the look of things.
Yes, it was me in the green Porsche. Matt, I was the one there when you you turned up to view on Wednesday, I then picked up the car on Saturday in the monsoon. Very steady drive home! Sadly I was late arriving on the Wednesday as had my newborn and the wife in tow (putting paternity leave in to full use - he’s got to learn some time and she’s well used to my antics) so our ‘viewing times’ clashed.
I thought the same as you, engine was strong and pulled well. Chassis was in good nick also and had been well looked after until it’s unfortunate crash and subsequent poor repair by what appears to be a blind folded Stevie Wonder.
The fibreglass prep is awful on the near side front wing, main bonnet, service bonnet and roof. Paint job is poor all round. Luckily I know a meticulous bodywork guy who’s done repairs on a Tuscan previously for me so it’s going for a full re-spray over the winter.
It’s just been to Str8-Six for a full 12,000 service and geometry set up. Jason has confirmed great engine and chassis (Waxoyl wouldn’t hurt) but tatty body work and needs a few bushes and minor hoses replacing - general wear and tear, again, something I can get my teeth in to over the winter. I ended up getting it very cheap and negotiated hard due to a curve ball listing as Cat C.
As Mark said, the story didn’t match up with the repair but is only to the front offside wing and bonnets as per the pics I’ve been given. I couldn’t find any chassis damage, nor car Str8-Six. I confirmed with the insurance company who wrote it off and they said there may have been a cock up with the classification on the V-car. Cat D/C I don’t really care as after having 2 Tuscans previously I’ve wanted another for some time now and when this one came along I snapped it up. I want this one as a keeper. I’ll be restoring to her former glory. I hadn’t seen the folders of receipts and invoices from previous owners and was happy to see there were masses, the most I’ve ever seen on a second hand car including an original sales invoice and a set of original keys under the drivers seat?!
The restoration will take place over the winter but credit to Martin and any previous owners on here, she’s been well kept over the years but badly repaired, I’ll see that right, love a project!
Martin, did you mention you had the bonnet modification done? This has now been removed and 2 new bonnets installed back to standard by the look of things.
I do think you've got a good buy there but I was really struggling with how much the story kept changing. I've seen Cat D's before that have turned out to be Cat C with a little more digging and to be honest, I was pretty annoyed it had happened again. I couldn't get it out of my head that this is a Cat C he's had fixed and then the front wing damage was a secondary accident. And, at the same time I wasn't really after a Tuscan but it just seemed too cheap a car to miss out on - car to keep and never have to worry about depreciation or whatever happened to it. Just have as much fun as possible in it. Possibly the best value TVR if you have the time to restore it.
I'm glad you got a positive health check from Str8six.
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