TVR Tuscan gets nose job
PHer redesigns controversial cheese-grater grille
PHer bigphil -- Philip Dawson -- has constructed a new nose for the TVR Tuscan, and is offering it to others. Philip says that the Tuscan's new nose was conceived following a visit to last year's Le Mans and the glorious site of the T440R race cars. These stunning looking cars had so much presence it just seemed right, says Philip, to translate this to the road-going Tuscan.
Philip tells the story of how he came to make the new front end:
"Following many months of searching (mainly on Pistonheads) it became clear that very few if any TVR dealers or specialists catered for individual styling for these glorious cars, so what to do? The answer seemed to be get on and do something about it.
"For many years I and a few good friends have been involved in the tuning and modifying scene particularly with high performance cars so it was on with the thinking caps, out with the pencil and paper, sketch a design and model up the first prototype in foam.
"The result was a total change to the pretty looks of the Tuscan with a now much more aggressive look. A little drip-feeding to the Pistonheads community to determine viability and the project got the green light.
"Next step was to create the mould and hey presto we have the finished product manufactured in the highest quality fibreglass with a 2mm gel coat. The finish out of the mould is so good the only preparation required for painting is to key the surface.
"The design has been done in such a way that while our main aim was for aesthetics we have also created the opportunity for those who regularly participate in track days to utilise the two circular ducts to attach ducting which can be routed to provide additional cooling for the brakes.
"Our first car (our own) was only finished one week ago and already we have supplied twelve units, three of which we have fitted and painted for customers and the smile says it all.
"The unit costs £280 which includes the grille, mesh, number plate brackets and full fitting instructions. The brackets are already mounted as are the fixings for the mesh which allow it to be removed if required.
"We have a number of other modifications currently underway and near to completion, including a Sagaris style spoiler for the rear of the Tuscan.
"We will be taking some more photographs at the weekend which we can provide if required."
Details: www.freewebs.com/bumperddiddy
Discussion: www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?f=5&h=&t=154004
http://is.freefoto.com/images_d/29/37/29_37_5_web.jpg
www.tvrbodyshop.co.uk/TVR/Images/Content/Homet440r.jpg
Be aware of the effect: the 440 looks angry and the new T nose looks like a horse pulling his upperlip: sorry I'm a designer . . .
I read from the other thread that you are going to take some better pics, which will hopefully allow viewers to judge the aesthetics clearer. Congrats on the quality of finish acheived.
I have a question (which your team have probably asked themselves) - does your design have any effect on the volume of air getting to the cooling system, over the factory set up?
apprentice
www.freewebs.com/bumperddiddy under the more pics section.
As far as the air flow is concerned this has been increased.
Thanks for the comments guys.
Where are you situated if not to far we could repair the chips as well as we did for Philw who will confirm the standard of our work.
>> Edited by bigphil on Thursday 17th February 17:52
That said, the cheese grater grille also does it for me, so If I had one I'm not sure I'd change it.
Only my opinion though..
At least you've tried to do something different so I applaud that, but it just seems like something the chavs would do to their Astra's.. sorry..
Good luck.I'll keep with my cheese grater
the orginal ...the best...TVR Tuscan S MK1 with 'owt farted about with..
(well apart from CCC cans) >> Edited by salty-nlv on Friday 18th February 10:57
Good to meet you at Hexham, hope the cars sorted.
Thanks for the comments, I think more people need to see it in the flesh to fully appreciate the difference, pictures don't fully do it justice.
Should meet up some time when you are around.
>> Edited by bigphil on Saturday 19th February 19:53
Are you trying to say that when TVR updated the Tuscan to the MK2 they "chavved it up"? As far as I can see all Phil and his guys have done is given the MK1 the same front panel as a MK2.
Any chance you can explain your reasoning, as I think I've missed something.
By the way Phil well done on giving the car the aggressive look it needs to back up the power.
PETE
Whether you like it or not the quality and finish is excellent
Personally I think it adds that extra bit of aggresiveness to the front end - so much so that driving home from bruntingthorpe today cars were indicting left on a straight road with no turn off just to get out of my way
Pete68 said:
I know everyone has a right to thier own oppinion, but the comments from Salty leave me scratching my head.
Are you trying to say that when TVR updated the Tuscan to the MK2 they "chavved it up"?
that's certainly what I'd say they did with the MK2, yup.
Then again, I think the S looks like it's drove through a halfords parts bin too, so I'm sure I'm in the minority.
As for the new front end, I think it looks nice, but I prefer my 'cheesegrater'. But a nice job none the less. It's clear a lot of hard work has gone into it.
stu
>> Edited by powerlord on Monday 21st February 10:11
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