Tuscan Racer

[TVR Dude]

Hi guys wonder if I could get some advice im going to be moving up from my Westfield as ive just sold it and have found this Tuscan race car (link on bottom of page)I really like the look of it but don't know to much about them or in fact that car,so could you please give me some advice on what to look for and if there is any history to this car that I should know about,I don't wont to go up to the dealers with this money burning a hole in my pocket and him telling me all sorts of rubbish.
Many Thanks.
Chris.
http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/www/cars_search.asp?modelexact=1&make=TVR&min_pr=0&postcode=ME5+9rr&source=0&model=TUSCAN&max_pr=20000&sort=3&miles=1500&max_records=50&search.x=14&search.y=1

>>> Edited by TVR Dude on Thursday 3rd April 14:04

[GreenV8S]

Looks like it has a full race cage (which will come with double door bars), so it will be almost impossible to get in through the door. This means the only real access is to climb over the top of the cage. Which is fine, as long as you don't kid yourself that soft/hard top is an option.

[jvaughan]

Chris, Basically, as it says on the Tin, it is a race car that has been converted. Im not sure of the Insurance implications, but it is probably expensive.
Race Tuscans are rare, and usually Very High Performance 450bhp isnt for the faint hearted.
Dont expect a mint car, the pannels for these are only available as race spares or repairs. For that Money, get yoru self some test drives in Griffs / Chimps

I have a 400SE, which a slightly modified ( and only pushes out 200bhp (at the wheels) this is plenty fast enough for normal use, plus I have a roof, leather, wood... ie comfort.

A roof isnt normally supplied with a tuscan, you may be lucky and have a tonneau. You will be the envy of most road users, but when its wet, even Micra's will seem attractive.

If its what you Really Really want, then go for it, but there are lots of Good, really good TVR's that have similar performance, and will offer you comfort too.

[williamball]

You'll also find it was first mentioned on PH quite a few months back [last summer?] when Ted did a wee article on the fact it was for sale. Trawl the archives, probably in the Track Days section. It's therefore been up for grabs for some time.

WB

[TVR Dude]

Thanks for the replys guys im not to bothered about it being an ex race car as I will only really be using on track and will tow so the impractical side of it doesn't really matter as im coming from a Westfield im used to that

[dictys]

Post in the Tuscan Challege section as Someone there will hv direct knowledge of this car. I think there is only 2-3 converted for road use.

[griff2be]

Someone will shoot me down in flames here - but is 450bhp from the 5 litre Rover V8 lump not slightly optimistic?!

[jvaughan]

griff2be said: Someone will shoot me down in flames here - but is 450bhp from the 5 litre Rover V8 lump not slightly optimistic?!

I suspect thats a flywheel figure..... or before they removed the Nitrous !

[shpub]

No but requires a rebuild every couple of hundred miles!

I turned down (postponed) the next upgrade for the 520 that would take it into this territory but everything starts to break with regular monotony, especially if the car is thrashed on a track.

Steve
www.tvrbooks.co.uk

[ti_pin_man]

Steve,

Sorry, but quick question: did you help Thorpe convert a Griff 500 to 520??? I ask cos tis mine sweet mine but it doesn't come with much info and I heard you helped him do the job? Rumour or fact?

Cheers
Joe

[shpub]

ti_pin_man said: Steve,

Sorry, but quick question: did you help Thorpe convert a Griff 500 to 520??? I ask cos tis mine sweet mine but it doesn't come with much info and I heard you helped him do the job? Rumour or fact?

Cheers
Joe

Nope ... Richard rebuilt the 520 himself as part of the Nitrous mods he made to basically strengthen the engine in preparation for the power increase from the nitrous. I have been in it and I did use the uprated clutch that Richard was going to fit in the Wedge but it is all Richard's fault.

Mine is a bespoke engine from John Eales (we are not worthy etc) with different engine management, triple throttle bodies and twin fuel pumps to quote just a few things.

Both engines have 8 cylinders though...



>> Edited by shpub on Friday 4th April 09:01

[tweety]

I bought a Tuscan racer a month ago and haven't stopped grinning since. Mines got a 4.6 injected engine and even though its still being run-in is much faster than my previous Chim and Griff, being approx 200kg lighter. Perfectly user-friendly on the road and great fun. There are about 10 cars converted for road use, most with Rover V8, but also Chevy V8 and one AJP. Insurance is not a problem, £580 limited to 6k miles through Mannings. Panels etc available from Streber Motorsport who have done quite alot of the conversions and also Steve (ex Thames Valley ). Other people on here own / have owned them and will be more knowledgeable than I am.
The particular car in question has been for sale for some time, as previously mentioned, so you should be able to get it for a fair bit less. There is one for sale on here which was/is at Peninsula, but has been reduced, with a supercharged Rover v8 4.0. Also Henley Heritage have one for about £24k with a Chevy engine (I think).
Anything else I can help you with email me direct or if you want to have a look let me know as I'm only in Sussex.
Cheers Al.

[Grant Tuscan]

Dude - I've had my roadgoing AJP powered Tuscan racer for around 3 years which I guess speaks for itself! They are great fun and super quick. To give you an example Steve Sutclife (Autocar) lapped the Nurbugring in 7min 45sec in damp conditions on grooved wets with other traffic on the circuit! He reckoned in ideal conditions a 7min 30sec would be possible!!! (A Caterham R500 holds the production car lap record at 7min 55sec).

The car can be made to be a little more practical ie removable soft/hard tops, boot space created, heater, even some 'wussy' carpet like in mine - without spoiling the character/look of the race car.

The car advertised is (I think) the ex-Gerry Marshall car that Henley Heritage sold a year or two back. You may find it has the older style exhaust which will strugle to make track day noise limits - I've just fitted the new style exhaust to mine as it was previously 115db's!

Al is right one of the best people to talk to re these cars is Steve Howard - he is currently building 3 of these and did the conversion on mine. He's up at donnington this w/end running 3 cars in the Tuscan Challenge.

Al - sounds like your enjoying your new toy - I look forward to seeing it in the flesh!

[tweety]

Hi Grant, yeah its brilliant, I've got the exact opposite problem, mine is too quiet, doesn't sound like a RV8 TVR at all, need to change exhaust I think.
Cheers Al.

ps. don't suppose you want to sell your old noisy one do you.


>> Edited by tweety on Saturday 5th April 17:00

[d_drinks]

You could always look on the CDL website (www.cdlracing.co.uk)they have a for sale section. There are a number of Tuscan Race cars on there for sale, though not road legal they may well be worth a look for converting to road use as the cars are still in full race livery which looks great (Grant Tuscan's car looks the dogs kahooners still in race style livery) - Darren Dowlings car from last year (prev Troy Dunlop's) Michael Caine's car that won the series in 2000 is also for sale.....

[Roobarb]

Ummm, having followed the link, I get:-
Petrol, Silver, Coupe, 0 miles , 2 Doors. TVR Tuscan Challenge Chassis only. Jigged and refurbished by Colin Blower. Ready to be built up. contact Verney Wood Jnr £600 ono.

Am I missing something here or is this an advert for a chassis and not a car.....

[tweety]

Roobarb, you need to do a national search as its ooop north, not a local one.
Cheers Al.

[Grant Tuscan]

Al - my old exhaust is at Steve Howards place at the moment. Your more than welcome to try it for size (and noise!!) I've got the down pipes as well as the main 'silencer' section. E-mail me and we could arrange a meet.

Cheers
Grant

[d_drinks]

Roobarb said: Ummm, having followed the link, I get:-
Petrol, Silver, Coupe, 0 miles , 2 Doors. TVR Tuscan Challenge Chassis only. Jigged and refurbished by Colin Blower. Ready to be built up. contact Verney Wood Jnr £600 ono.

Am I missing something here or is this an advert for a chassis and not a car.....

Try this then www.cdlracing.co.uk/sale.htm (the link is at the bottom right of the main screen) There are at least 6 Tuscans for sale..