Rob's 2001 TVR Tuscan
Discussion
Hey all,
Been a very long time lurker, like many on here. With my most recent purchase I thought I'd start a reader's car thread as I enjoy reading others and this car seems to be reasonably well liked / interesting enough for a thread! Had various cars over time including a 987 Cayman, 987 Boxster and a Honda S2000.
I also currently own an Integra Type R (DC5). Might put up a readers car about that if there's interest, I've been doing a fair amount of work on it (very amateur mechanic). I have a thread on ITR DC5 club website (http://www.itr-dc5.club/) but it's behind a login (need to join the forum) so not too many see it. I've got tonnes of good advice there from other owners.
Anyway, to the Tuscan.
It began in mid April when I saw the car advertised on this very site and contacted the owner. We exchanged a lot of emails and then whatsapps before doing the deal on 20th April. Of course we've been in lockdown for a long time. Even when the small relaxation on restrictions came, it didn't allow me to make the 3hr trip down to see the car and pickup. However a lot of trust and information had been exchanged so a quick transport broker website quote later and we set a date for it come to me, and it arrived exactly one month after I committed to buy it. That's a long time to wait for a car I've coveted since my now business partner had one in 2005!
Transport driver was great, if a little behind schedule on the day, so I had to apologies to the neighbours for the significant exhaust noise at 10pm on a quiet Wednesday evening.
Still, it was worth the wait. It's a brute of a machine in comparison to modern stuff and even the Integra (same age, both 2001) and I love it. Smiles per mile are indeed a good way to phrase it, with all the pops and crackles from genuine overrun and it's looks.
Here's a couple of photos. I'll be giving it a through checking out tomorrow (driven it a few times first for food based trips!)
It's been looked after by the previous owner for the last 6 years and ~36,000 miles and has had significant cash spent on it, which I'm pleased with. I've got no service history for the first 5 years of the car's life (be good to hunt it down somehow). An engine strip/fix in 2006 and a proper rebuild in mid 2017 / 15k miles ago puts me in a good place amongst a lot of other servicing and work. There's a bit of history 2007 to 2011, and then nothing until the current owner in 2014. I did also find this Pistonheads thread just today which would of been disconcerting if it wasn't for the most recent owner: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
More tomorrow after a good look around!
Been a very long time lurker, like many on here. With my most recent purchase I thought I'd start a reader's car thread as I enjoy reading others and this car seems to be reasonably well liked / interesting enough for a thread! Had various cars over time including a 987 Cayman, 987 Boxster and a Honda S2000.
I also currently own an Integra Type R (DC5). Might put up a readers car about that if there's interest, I've been doing a fair amount of work on it (very amateur mechanic). I have a thread on ITR DC5 club website (http://www.itr-dc5.club/) but it's behind a login (need to join the forum) so not too many see it. I've got tonnes of good advice there from other owners.
Anyway, to the Tuscan.
It began in mid April when I saw the car advertised on this very site and contacted the owner. We exchanged a lot of emails and then whatsapps before doing the deal on 20th April. Of course we've been in lockdown for a long time. Even when the small relaxation on restrictions came, it didn't allow me to make the 3hr trip down to see the car and pickup. However a lot of trust and information had been exchanged so a quick transport broker website quote later and we set a date for it come to me, and it arrived exactly one month after I committed to buy it. That's a long time to wait for a car I've coveted since my now business partner had one in 2005!
Transport driver was great, if a little behind schedule on the day, so I had to apologies to the neighbours for the significant exhaust noise at 10pm on a quiet Wednesday evening.
Still, it was worth the wait. It's a brute of a machine in comparison to modern stuff and even the Integra (same age, both 2001) and I love it. Smiles per mile are indeed a good way to phrase it, with all the pops and crackles from genuine overrun and it's looks.
Here's a couple of photos. I'll be giving it a through checking out tomorrow (driven it a few times first for food based trips!)
It's been looked after by the previous owner for the last 6 years and ~36,000 miles and has had significant cash spent on it, which I'm pleased with. I've got no service history for the first 5 years of the car's life (be good to hunt it down somehow). An engine strip/fix in 2006 and a proper rebuild in mid 2017 / 15k miles ago puts me in a good place amongst a lot of other servicing and work. There's a bit of history 2007 to 2011, and then nothing until the current owner in 2014. I did also find this Pistonheads thread just today which would of been disconcerting if it wasn't for the most recent owner: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
More tomorrow after a good look around!
daniel-5zjw7 said:
wow Tuscans seem to be very popular all of a sudden! :-) that looks amazing, I love the colour combo!
Thanks it's stealth grey apparently, think it's a Focus RS colour.TR4man said:
Looking forward to reading of your exploits.
I’ve owned mine for two years this month and they are truly awesome cars.
Great stuff, I'll be needing all the advice I can get!I’ve owned mine for two years this month and they are truly awesome cars.
Had a little look around the vehicle today. First thing was taking the kids out in the car for their first time which they loved! The boy child spent about 20 mins just sitting in while I was messing around in the boot.
I spent a bit of time in the boot just hoovering it a bit and sorting a few bits. The previous owner 3D prints items and included some wiring caps for the lights, which I fitted. I know I can't advertise here even for others and I'm not - DM me if you want to know more. I think they look great, especially as I was missing one of the original ones.
The boot light was also sticking out at the top of the light and not sitting flush with the liner no matter how much jiggling was applied. So a bit of judicious stanley knife usage and a tiny notch was added and it sits nice and flush now. While I was there I ordered a new LED festoon bulb to replace the current incandescent one, should be here in a few days.
The clips that hold the rear screen have clearly been replaced with aftermarket ones (albeit good quality ones) as they are allen key, not thumb turns. It means always having an allen key to remove them. I'll see how often I want it out to see if there's a different fastener that can be used to make them thumb turn instead.
The rear screen doesn't perfectly fit - there's still a gap from the rubber to the screen so there's not a perfect seal from the elements, will check that out over time. You can see the screen itself is a bit tired. It has some stress marks and scratching. I'll try and clean it up first (including the original factory overspray!) and see how it goes. It is perspex after all.
The temperatures seem to be running right. This was after some enthusiastic driving showing the kids and sitting idling. The temps never reached 90 that I saw and the fans seem to be kicking in as they should. Sadly the speedo seems nuts: both the analog and digital speedos are wrong most the time and the analog is sweeping up and down. I'll check out the speed sensor near the rear wheel as I have read elsewhere it may need cleaning / adjusting. It even read 6mph on the digital when I was dead stopped
The pod binnacle is pretty loose which I'll look into pretty soon, you can see here it is separated from the ally housing:
While the service hatch was up I noticed the original colour a bit more. While I was there I also polished up the oil cap (why not!) and struggled to get a good reading on the oil. These are notoriously difficult compared to most cars due to the dry sump. I had a reading of nothing at all when shut off for a few mins (despite being hot) and when running, all over the place but above max. I'm sure I tried just shutting off and getting straight there, but will try again. Have ordered some oil anyway as quite a few Tuscans use oil and are designed to, so I read.
About 20 times today I've looked at the car and thought that it looked stunning. With the screen out and roof off even more so in my opinion. And the noise...
More to come! Advice always welcome.
I spent a bit of time in the boot just hoovering it a bit and sorting a few bits. The previous owner 3D prints items and included some wiring caps for the lights, which I fitted. I know I can't advertise here even for others and I'm not - DM me if you want to know more. I think they look great, especially as I was missing one of the original ones.
The boot light was also sticking out at the top of the light and not sitting flush with the liner no matter how much jiggling was applied. So a bit of judicious stanley knife usage and a tiny notch was added and it sits nice and flush now. While I was there I ordered a new LED festoon bulb to replace the current incandescent one, should be here in a few days.
The clips that hold the rear screen have clearly been replaced with aftermarket ones (albeit good quality ones) as they are allen key, not thumb turns. It means always having an allen key to remove them. I'll see how often I want it out to see if there's a different fastener that can be used to make them thumb turn instead.
The rear screen doesn't perfectly fit - there's still a gap from the rubber to the screen so there's not a perfect seal from the elements, will check that out over time. You can see the screen itself is a bit tired. It has some stress marks and scratching. I'll try and clean it up first (including the original factory overspray!) and see how it goes. It is perspex after all.
The temperatures seem to be running right. This was after some enthusiastic driving showing the kids and sitting idling. The temps never reached 90 that I saw and the fans seem to be kicking in as they should. Sadly the speedo seems nuts: both the analog and digital speedos are wrong most the time and the analog is sweeping up and down. I'll check out the speed sensor near the rear wheel as I have read elsewhere it may need cleaning / adjusting. It even read 6mph on the digital when I was dead stopped
The pod binnacle is pretty loose which I'll look into pretty soon, you can see here it is separated from the ally housing:
While the service hatch was up I noticed the original colour a bit more. While I was there I also polished up the oil cap (why not!) and struggled to get a good reading on the oil. These are notoriously difficult compared to most cars due to the dry sump. I had a reading of nothing at all when shut off for a few mins (despite being hot) and when running, all over the place but above max. I'm sure I tried just shutting off and getting straight there, but will try again. Have ordered some oil anyway as quite a few Tuscans use oil and are designed to, so I read.
About 20 times today I've looked at the car and thought that it looked stunning. With the screen out and roof off even more so in my opinion. And the noise...
More to come! Advice always welcome.
See how you get on with the upgraded rear screen latches, but seems a pain to always need a key for them. I always take the screen out as it reduces the buffeting.
Oli is difficult to read - you need to check it as soon as the engine is turned off. I do it by pulling up on the drive, opening the inspection panel ready and then turning the car off - saves a bit of time and gives a more accurate reading.
Oli is difficult to read - you need to check it as soon as the engine is turned off. I do it by pulling up on the drive, opening the inspection panel ready and then turning the car off - saves a bit of time and gives a more accurate reading.
Thanks all. Yep I’ll have that a go on oil reading tips.
Thumb turn screws for the rear screen are only £9 from RaceTechDirect so seems rude not to. Though it makes it easier for anyone to get into the car I suppose. Still that’s why it’s got an immobiliser too.
Thumb turn screws for the rear screen are only £9 from RaceTechDirect so seems rude not to. Though it makes it easier for anyone to get into the car I suppose. Still that’s why it’s got an immobiliser too.
Edited by Rob-c33sg on Monday 25th May 20:33
Andy665 said:
Stunning, had mine delivered late March and loving it.
Had my engine rebuilt and opening bonnet conversion done immediately after buying it so actually owned since early Dec
Still one of the best looking cars around at the moment I think, especially in that colour... Had my engine rebuilt and opening bonnet conversion done immediately after buying it so actually owned since early Dec
Edited by Andy665 on Monday 25th May 00:15
One day....
Congrats and welcome to the club.
Be careful with the boot light. Most have them disconnected as the prox switch on the boot closing is notorious for poor shut, leaving the light on and flattening your battery.
The thumb screws are a must with the ally window clips. I got mine from an indie but the Racetech ones look fine.
I might be interested in those 3-D printed light cups, mine are looking a bit shagged.
I would also invest in a battery conditioner, it keeps the battery in good nick (obvs) but also prevents the 20th century alarm/immobiliser getting confused.
Tyre pressure is a key thing on the Tuscan, never put more than 22-23 psi in.
Be careful with the boot light. Most have them disconnected as the prox switch on the boot closing is notorious for poor shut, leaving the light on and flattening your battery.
The thumb screws are a must with the ally window clips. I got mine from an indie but the Racetech ones look fine.
I might be interested in those 3-D printed light cups, mine are looking a bit shagged.
I would also invest in a battery conditioner, it keeps the battery in good nick (obvs) but also prevents the 20th century alarm/immobiliser getting confused.
Tyre pressure is a key thing on the Tuscan, never put more than 22-23 psi in.
This is possibly the nicest looking Tuscan I’ve seen in a while. It may be the colour, can’t say I’ve seen one before.
I nearly bought one a few years ago, with the rose red engine. Unfortunately that ship has long since sailed as they’re a bit too strong for me at the moment.
Looks like a fantastic example, enjoy it!
I nearly bought one a few years ago, with the rose red engine. Unfortunately that ship has long since sailed as they’re a bit too strong for me at the moment.
Looks like a fantastic example, enjoy it!
Speed 3 said:
Be careful with the boot light. Most have them disconnected as the prox switch on the boot closing is notorious for poor shut, leaving the light on and flattening your battery.
The thumb screws are a must with the ally window clips. I got mine from an indie but the Racetech ones look fine.
I might be interested in those 3-D printed light cups, mine are looking a bit shagged.
I would also invest in a battery conditioner, it keeps the battery in good nick (obvs) but also prevents the 20th century alarm/immobiliser getting confused.
Tyre pressure is a key thing on the Tuscan, never put more than 22-23 psi in.
Thanks, I'd kept forgetting to check the pressures and just did - 32psi at the rear, bang on in front. Probably because the wheels have just been refurbed and put back on before it got transported to me. This might of been partly why it was a little 'wavy' at slightly higher speeds at the rear!The thumb screws are a must with the ally window clips. I got mine from an indie but the Racetech ones look fine.
I might be interested in those 3-D printed light cups, mine are looking a bit shagged.
I would also invest in a battery conditioner, it keeps the battery in good nick (obvs) but also prevents the 20th century alarm/immobiliser getting confused.
Tyre pressure is a key thing on the Tuscan, never put more than 22-23 psi in.
For cups check out the Facebook group 'TVR Tuscan owners and enthusiasts' and look out for Terry, there's a post from 9th May.
Battery conditioner yes I will need - probably Accumate as well regarded and good value. Just need a new plug socket up front of the garage.
Big Tomm said:
This is possibly the nicest looking Tuscan I’ve seen in a while. It may be the colour, can’t say I’ve seen one before.
I nearly bought one a few years ago, with the rose red engine. Unfortunately that ship has long since sailed as they’re a bit too strong for me at the moment.
Looks like a fantastic example, enjoy it!
Thanks very much! I'm not wild about the colour but many seem to like. Much more modern colour but I do like BOLD colours.I nearly bought one a few years ago, with the rose red engine. Unfortunately that ship has long since sailed as they’re a bit too strong for me at the moment.
Looks like a fantastic example, enjoy it!
I've been finding http://www.mytuscan.co.uk/ very useful and also the manual that's on there is good too (previous owner left me a printed copy in the car!)
Took off the main bonnet today to have a look around. All looking good in general. There was a rusty looking joint that looked a bit like a steering column but I didn't take a picture and now I can't find a pic online either. Pretty deep in the engine bay. Like two U elements together. You can just see it in the pic below to the right of the coolant tank I think. I'll grab a pic next time I'm there. Did a general tidy up but still more to go and a lot more polishing of the metal areas needed.
Front discs and pads are all in good order (should be they're very new!)
Polished the cans
And fixed the binnacle. Just pushed in, so I'm guessing it'll pop out again but feels solid for now.
The steering wheel look great, though I'm unconvinced how it feels when driving especially when it's a quarter turn in and you're holding the flat bottom
Next steps will be some rear tyres (Eagle F1 Asymmetrics or Michelin PS4s seem the two main contenders). They are 6 years old at the rear. 5 years old at the front. Front has quite a bit of grip left so I'll keep an eye on them.
I'll also continue the clean and tidy up. The seats are in dire need of a redo. I've seen there's a good trimmer in Milton Keynes who seems good value, but it would probably take a while. My inner bolster is off the main seat body and leather very worn. Outer bolster is split
Much to do! I did just sit in it for a few minutes this evening. There's a distinctive smell about Tuscan's that I love!
Took off the main bonnet today to have a look around. All looking good in general. There was a rusty looking joint that looked a bit like a steering column but I didn't take a picture and now I can't find a pic online either. Pretty deep in the engine bay. Like two U elements together. You can just see it in the pic below to the right of the coolant tank I think. I'll grab a pic next time I'm there. Did a general tidy up but still more to go and a lot more polishing of the metal areas needed.
Front discs and pads are all in good order (should be they're very new!)
Polished the cans
And fixed the binnacle. Just pushed in, so I'm guessing it'll pop out again but feels solid for now.
The steering wheel look great, though I'm unconvinced how it feels when driving especially when it's a quarter turn in and you're holding the flat bottom
Next steps will be some rear tyres (Eagle F1 Asymmetrics or Michelin PS4s seem the two main contenders). They are 6 years old at the rear. 5 years old at the front. Front has quite a bit of grip left so I'll keep an eye on them.
I'll also continue the clean and tidy up. The seats are in dire need of a redo. I've seen there's a good trimmer in Milton Keynes who seems good value, but it would probably take a while. My inner bolster is off the main seat body and leather very worn. Outer bolster is split
Much to do! I did just sit in it for a few minutes this evening. There's a distinctive smell about Tuscan's that I love!
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