68 Tuscan LWB Help

[ktr6]

Greetings everyone, this is my first post here and was hoping to get some guidance on a potential purchase. I have found what may be a 1968 Tuscan LWB. Its a basket case with the body separated from the chassis. This is what I know so far:

-there is DMV paperwork identifying it as 1968 TVR using an 8 cylinder engine.
-The wheelbase is 90 inches
-Transmission is a 4 speed top loader
-Salislbury differential
-It has what appears to be a 302 engine

I realize many people have performed V8 swaps in vixens and was curious if you could help me with guidance on how to determine if this is a swap or the real deal. Thank you in advance!

[Astacus]

Sorry, can't help with that, but congratulations if that is what you have found. Good luck and keep us posted. Everyone loves a rebuild thread!
There is lots of experience on these pages for those wanting to restore old TVRs and pretty much everything is available still.

[Everilda]

Does it have a chassis number?

There were about 24 LWB Tuscans built with the chassis number LWB/xxx and about 15 with the number MAL/xxx.
If the number is LVX/xxxx then it is a Vixen or a V6 Tuscan.

[ktr6]

There is a NY registration from 2001 that shows an assigned VIN by the DMW and a chassis number of CW011. Its all I have to go on at the moment. Is it possible this is LWB 011?

[Everilda]

Does it have a chassis plate on the front bulkhead in the engine bay?

I don't have a picture of a LWB Tuscan plate so I don't know the exact format of the number.

I have not seen CW011 before. Is it possible that the 'C' is an 'L'?

How much of a car is there? Is it possible the a car has been rebuilt/restored and this is what is left with no real identity?

[ktr6]

Everilda said:

Does it have a chassis plate on the front bulkhead in the engine bay?

I don't have a picture of a LWB Tuscan plate so I don't know the exact format of the number.

I have not seen CW011 before. Is it possible that the 'C' is an 'L'?

How much of a car is there? Is it possible the a car has been rebuilt/restored and this is what is left with no real identity?

Unfortunately it does not have a plate on the bulkhead. Only identifier is the paperwork with the CW011 listed on it and I don't believe that TVR/Griffith welded or stamped anything on the chassis to aid with identification. The chassis appears complete from the radiator back and from what I understand the car was complete and threw a rod so it was taken off the road for restoration and never completed. Any chance there is a Tuscan registry?

[Everilda]

I don't know of any Tuscan V8 registry. There is a Vixen/Tuscan V6 registry http://www.tvr.at/register.html
You could try and see if they have any info.

You are correct there was nothing stamped on the chassis, Just a plate riveted or stuck to the bulkhead.

[Andrew Gray]

Post some pictures of the engine bay and the interior that will help to identify the car as there are differences between the Vixen and the Tuscan V8s
If the car is a 68 then it wont be a MAL chassis number.
Is the chassis bolted on or bonded on although the information out there which is often quoted from the Club webb site and says they are bolted on however that information is wrong and they where bonded on unlike the Vixens that where built at the same time

Andrew

Edited by Andrew Gray on Saturday 16th March 16:13

[ktr6]

Andrew Gray said:

Post some pictures of the engine bay and the interior that will help to identify the car as there are differences between the Vixen and the Tuscan V8s
If the car is a 68 then it wont be a MAL chassis number.
Is the chassis bolted on or bonded on although the information out there which is often quoted from the Club webb site and says they are bolted on however that information is wrong and they where bonded on unlike the Vixens that where built at the same time

Andrew

Edited by Andrew Gray on Saturday 16th March 16:13

Will do, I will post some photos when I have a chance to see the project in person. Thanks to everyone for the help.

[RobMk2a]

I have 67 LWB - I'm not sure about the later MAL cars but as Andrew says the body on a LW V8 is bonded on also the bottom chassis rail and suspension pick up points is different to the later Tuscan V6 and Vixen. It is similar to a stretched Griffith chassis.

If you could post a photo of the chassis around the engine bay it will help.

Earlier LW cars have different interiors to the later Vixen.

The early cars had the 289 cu in engine.

Rob

[ktr6]

These are the only photos I have at the moment:

[RobMk2a]

The rear part of the chassis looks similar to my Tuscan, it would be useful to see the front suspension and chassis rails when you get time.

Rob

[ktr6]

RobMk2a said:

The rear part of the chassis looks similar to my Tuscan, it would be useful to see the front suspension and chassis rails when you get time.

Rob

I am having to request photos from the seller as this vehicle is quite a distance from my home. I will certainly ask for engine block #, front suspension, and frame rails. Anything else that would be helpful?

[Dollyman1850]

Looks like a LWB bonded chassis to me??

[Everilda]

Hi ktr6, I have found a picture of a Tuscan LWB chassis plate. The number format appears to be LW xxx. The car is a US LHD car.

I was going to email this to you but your account has the email disabled. I won't post the picture here.

Keith

[Andrew Gray]

Yes the chassis certainly looks like the car started life as a V8 car sad to see it in such a mess would be interesting to see what the rest of the car is like.
The lube plate suggests it may be a short wheel base car rather than a LWB car

Andrew

Edited by Andrew Gray on Tuesday 19th March 08:57

[1969tuscan]

By the width of them wheels and the writing on the tyre walls looks to me like it's been a race car at some time ?