Full photographic restoration that has held up superbly well
Engine set up by Dennis Vessey, the specialist classic car tuner
Longstanding TVR enthusiast owner
Just 57,000 miles
Low owners from new – just 7
MOT to January 2024 with no advisories
Stored in heated garage
Large spares collection supplied with car
Presented in very good condition and carefully detailed
Tax and MOT exempt
Just 101 V6 Tuscans sold
One of around 20 Tuscan V6 models believed remaining
The Appeal
Today the name TVR might conjure up wild and fragile low volume sports cars. And ‘Blackpool.’ But before those increasingly individual later 80s, 90s and 00s cars there were cars like this Tuscan: more conventional models that nonetheless set the template for TVRs as low volume, lightweight yet powerful sports cars.
When TVR’s new owners took over in late 1965 they quickly began developing the Tuscan, conceiving it as a lightweight mainstream car with V8 and V6 power. It was launched in 1967. The smaller engine car was powered by Ford’s popular Essex 3litre.
Although the Tuscans shared a name, they didn’t share bodywork: the V6 model was narrower and used the Vixen bodyshell, but with a Salisbury differential from the V8.
Sadly few buyers were found and just 101 V6 and 78 V8 cars left the factory before production ended in 1971. It seems buyers were put off by the firm’s shaky financials, variable relationship with quality and the Tuscan’s price. Today only around 20 V6 Tuscans survive.
Despite the low volumes, the original Tuscan is an iconic TVR, its shape influencing models right up to the 1980s and its name carrying on even longer. Light, well balanced and quick, it is a gem to drive.
Those survival rates make this car a remarkable survivor. It must be one of the best available, its older comprehensive restoration having held up extremely well, perhaps thanks to being owned by a longstanding TVR enthusiast. It is a low mileage car with history going back to the 1980s and very well presented as the photographs show. This is a good opportunity to acquire one of Britain’s nicest late 60s sports cars and one that has clearly been very well cared for. 2D6572B1-44D8-49FA-A03D-31FBE488CB00.jpeg5.45 MB
The History And Paperwork
Extensive history file dating back to 1980s
Older photographic mechanical and body restoration
MOT to January 2024
Featured in specialist book ‘TVR – A Passion to Succeed’
Current owner since 2010
Extensive spares including engines, exhausts, lights and gauges
Just serviced
One of only around 20 Tuscan V6s remaining (out of original 101)
One of the last Tuscans built
Brochures and spares manuals included to make buying parts easier
Original bucket seats with original basket weave finish
Original door cards with basket weave finish
Dashboard and centre console in excellent unmarked condition
All dials complete and correct with no visible deterioration
All switchgear works correctly
Before TVR interiors became a watchword for creative excess, the firm’s cars looked like this: no-nonsense, simple unadorned layouts that prioritised delivering the key information to the driver easily and quickly.
The interior of this Tuscan appears to have been restored when the car was recommissioned around 10 years ago. And careful subsequent use by the enthusiast owner has clearly kept the condition the same. It is unmarked: the lovely original bucket seats feature the factory-correct basket weave, which is continued onto the door cards. The vinyl dashboard and centre console are equally unmarked and all the dials are clear and correct. All the switchgear, including the white lettering, appears virtually brand new.
The only mark we could find in the photographs is on the leather-rimmed Moto Lita wheel, which has a scuff on the anodised metal. These wheels are easy to obtain and this looks like it could either be refurbished or, if required, replaced. 5BA42E47-989F-4F30-8939-0B46704BD041.jpeg4.8 MB
The Exterior
Immaculate red fibreglass bodywork
Original duotone alloy wheels in very good condition
All decals and badges complete and in very good condition
Glass and lights clear and unmarked
Underside very clean and appears restored
The Tuscan is a fibreglass body built on a tubular chassis. The advantage is rot-free panels, the downside can be poor repairs and repainting, causing unsightly crazing. The body on this Tuscan is very good: we are told it was repainted around 10 years and 6,000 miles ago. Even the door sills, with their attractive metal tread plates, are unmarked.
There is a photographic record of this work with the car and it was clearly done to a very high standard judging by the lustre and quality of the paint. Careful maintenance by the enthusiast owner has clearly upheld that original shine.
From a careful analysis of the photographs we could only find two very small chips on the paintwork – both are on the leading edge of the doors and appear about 1-2mm in size.
Beyond the fibreglass body, buying a Tuscan should involve careful checking of the tubular chassis. This is particularly prone to rust, which can of course mean expensive body-off restoration. The Seller states and the photographs confirm that this car’s structure was restored when the car was refurbished. Again, the photographs in the history file support this. The vulnerable outriggers have been replaced and are in excellent condition. The MOT history indicates sparing use and the Seller states that it is kept in a heated garage when not driven.
The pretty 15inch original alloy wheels sit on Firestone Roadhawk tyres. The offside front, and both nearside alloys have signs of slight kerbing on the rims. The damage is light and appears to be right on the edge of each rim and is difficult to see unless up close. 2D1E6948-BEB6-4640-8362-9215C951A6B1.jpeg6.17 MB
The Mechanics
3litre V6 Ford ‘Essex’ engine
Engine tuned by specialist Dennis Vessey
Four speed Laycock gearbox with optional overdrive on 3rd and 4th
Full stainless steel exhaust
Kenlowe fan
AVO adjustable suspension
Service and maintenance history back to the 1980s
MOT to January 2024
57,000 miles
6,000 miles since 2010
Dynamo and ancillaries changed during restoration process
The heart of the Tuscan is Ford’s Essex 3litre, a proven, durable engine that graced fast Fords during the 1960s and 70s. It is good for nearly 140bhp, which gives this light car excellent performance. The engine is set back behind the front wheels for excellent weight distribution.
Power reaches the rear wheels via a Laycock 4spd manual gearbox. This car has the factory option of overdrive on 3rd and 4th, a useful addition that makes motorway driving significantly more relaxing.
The detailed engine bay is testament to the Seller’s attention to detail and care and attention. A Kenlowe fan is fitted as well as a stainless steel exhaust system. The Seller tells us that the dynamo and other ancillaries were replaced when the car was restored.
The car has covered just 57,000 miles, 6,000 of that since 2010. The thick history file goes back to the 1980s and the Seller states that during his 13 years of ownership it has been fully serviced. For peace of mind he has also annually MOT’d it, even though this car is MOT and tax exempt. The car is sold with MOT to January 2024.
With the car is an extensive spares package that includes two engines, two exhaust systems, various lights and gauges and a selection of other items.
TVR is a typically British sports car maker: small, distinctive and much-loved. The late 60s Tuscan is one of the firm’s rarest and best models, a lightweight, grunty two seater with superb handling thanks to near-perfect weight distribution. It’s perhaps no surprise that Tuscans are popular historic race cars.
There are less than two dozen V6 Tuscans left out of an already tiny production run. This one has the benefit of an older restoration that has held up exceptionally well thanks to the careful attention of the Seller. It presents extremely well, comes with lots of history and evidence of that restoration. Ffor enthusiasts of British 60s sports cars, particularly TVRs, it surely represents a compelling proposition.
Notice to bidders
This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only*.** Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.*
A non-refundable buyer’s deposit is payable on this item, refer to FAQs and T&Cs for the applicable percentage.
