T00**MW Tuscan- Anyone know this car?

[Mark26]

Hi all,

After hiring a Tuscan from South West Sports Cars a few weekends ago I am now seriously thinking about purchasing my first TVR. I have found one for sale at a local independent specialist and am wondering whether anyone on PH knows anything about the car's history? With only two previous owners I know this is unlikely but thought it might be worth a shot.

Having racked up over 720 miles in Mike's Tuscan ( a weekend record!) and loving every second of it, I hope this car brings the same feeling of enjoyment.

The Indy looks to have a very good reputation on the forum, would it still be wise to get it inspected by a third party?

Any advice would be gratefully received.

Thanks,

Mark

Edited by Mark26 on Friday 27th May 20:03

[nrick]

Hi

Can you post up the ad, then we can give some pointers! I am not too far away if you want to look and poke around mine. There are a couple of things to look out for, but I didn't take any notice!

Engine - Recent rebuild with warranty is a good thing (4k for a current rebuild to latest spec with warranty, but you can do it yourself if you are good at whirling spanners) (There is a Sag build manual (close enough to the Tuscan) which is essential by Mr Varley 5* and a head rebuild guide on here also 5*) There are also a couple of other big bills that might be lurking - Half time bearing is a pig (1k), chain tensioner and valve clearances (£300-700). Service history is nice but not a guarantee of not having problems.

Clutch - AP 2 plate and slave cylinder, check when replace or budget £1k to fix if and when it goes.

Steering rack - Couple of hundred I think from memory if it wears.

Brakes aren't cheap discs £300, pads extra - Check thickness and pad condition

Carpets - can fade as no UV protection

Spacers - £25 help handling from SP

Rad - Can go but can be re-cored locally or aluminium one available (£500)

check for accident damage, I checked mine and missed some (mine is cat C) not all declared.

Geo check recently is nice (£100) and some decent suspension (Gaz Golds, Nitrons or Protech £500-£1200)

Check windows work ok, 2 keys, and heater works ( little niggles)

Hope that helps, oh and btw they are absolutely fantastic and my wife now thinks I love my Tuscan more than her. Your life will never be the same and every trip will be an event.....

I have had mine for almost a year and so far I have had a snapped cable (Bodged previously and a split coolant pipe) and it is has been the best thing I have ever done.

[Mark26]

Hi Neill,

Thank you for all those good pointers. Here is the car in question:

http://www.davidgeraldtvr.com/stock.asp

Thanks,

Mark

Edited by Mark26 on Friday 27th May 21:13

Edited by Mark26 on Friday 27th May 21:14

Edited by Mark26 on Friday 27th May 21:15

[nrick]

Mark26 said:

Hi Neill,

Thank you for all those good pointers. Here is the car in question:

http://www.davidgeraldtvr.com/stock.asp

Thanks,

Mark

Edited by Mark26 on Friday 27th May 21:13

Edited by Mark26 on Friday 27th May 21:14

Edited by Mark26 on Friday 27th May 21:15

Hi Mark

Great colour, rebuild and great history. It is at the top end of Mk1's but a really great car (at first glance) and from a good dealer.

2008 is a great time to have a rebuild as most of the problems had been fixed on the engine front and with a full history most of the above will be covered.

See when

Clutch was last done
What suspension it has?
What warranty comes with the car?

My view is that Tuscan have hit the bottom in terms of depreciation (famous last words) and the prices are on the way up, there is a lack of good cars to sell and a lot of cars have found long term owners (like mine). Most of the cars are now better than when they left the factory, engines, suspensions etc. (But they were great from the factory for the price!). Some cars are having a fortune spent on them just because the owners love them and there is nothing like them.