Tuscan Challenge Road Car (at the moment) build project

[schimg]

Hi there,

I have been thinking about getting a Tuscan Challenge car for ages...and have finally sort of started to get one together.a couple of weeks ago I "sourced" some bits...hardly a car...but a sound start..

Here we go:

- chassis most important bit...appears straight and un molested with a touch of surface rust here and there...I am reliably informed (jonny and Brian from the factory) that it is circa 96 with AJP mounts where the rubbers sit for the back of the engine?
- roll cage - stickered up with "Rocket Rob Urkquart"
- all of the wishbones
- V8 manifold ( 1 side for ajp!)
- BTR diff
- rear anti roll bar (evidently they never fitted these so that is really useful!!
- plus carbon dash - ajp coil packs (although I'd throw them! and some wierd ajp engine wiring look...with a plug on either end)
- both rear drive shafts ...no rear hubs
- front hubs with TVR cast in them
- rear hub housing...(the bit the wishbones atach too and hold the hubs...which I need)


So there you go...certainly is a project but it would be good to create / save another TVR!

So for starters I need to know what bits are missing to create a rolling chassis...

Q: does anyone have a diagram - plan - file - document...with how the chassis goes together...so I can see what I might be missing?

I get the feeling this is going to be a long journey

Edited by schimg on Wednesday 12th September 12:08

[450Nick]

Good work Steve! Always good to hear of someone building up another car as there really aren't very many about... I have a feeling that once you get it together you'll start thinking about racing - or at least I hope you do, you've got enough road going TVRs as it is

Having built most of mine up from parts, I can comment on a few things - particularly wiring as I did mine from scratch using a Tuscan loom as a basis - the Tuscan std loom is actually 3 parts I have a spare dash/car loom brand new if you're missing it. There is then an engine loom and a rear loom and they all plug together. Give PM me your number if you want to chat about the build and where to source bits etc.

Would be good to have you in the fold!

[schimg]

450Nick said:

Good work Steve! Always good to hear of someone building up another car as there really aren't very many about... I have a feeling that once you get it together you'll start thinking about racing - or at least I hope you do, you've got enough road going TVRs as it is

Having built most of mine up from parts, I can comment on a few things - particularly wiring as I did mine from scratch using a Tuscan loom as a basis - the Tuscan std loom is actually 3 parts I have a spare dash/car loom brand new if you're missing it. There is then an engine loom and a rear loom and they all plug together. Give PM me your number if you want to chat about the build and where to source bits etc.

Would be good to have you in the fold!

Hi Nick,

Firstly love your car...thays pretty much the way I want to do it!

I did try calling you what be an old number you probably gave me back when you were helping Jamie...or when you turned up at the Bulls Z!

Wiring is a concern ...probably going to go RV8...poss 4.6 unit out of a range rover...thats what Graham Walden has suggested as a starter...I'd go ajp .the car has those mounts...and I have what I think is a loom BUT I have one load of AJP love in my life...doubt I fancy rolling the dice twice!

Need a steering arm ...steering rack...front ARB....diff mount brackets (what are they off?

Really appreciate you posting a reply ...

Steve


tTr

[RetroWheels]

Nice one Steve , as Nick says , it's always good to hear of another car being resurrected.

For parts, John Reid would be a good first port of call, as well as keeping an eye on the parts for sale Wiki on here.

I used to have a A4 folder of photcopied data sheets and factory info - written by Neil Anderson - relating to the Rover engined cars, but it got lost a few years ago, im sure someone still has a copy.

If you need any pics of the under parts of a Tuscan chassis, i can usually oblige as ive always got something in pieces .

[schimg]

Here we go some images of the stuff....




This is interesting...poss a bit of challenge history?






There are a few more bits....but that is essentially where I am at at the mo...what do you reckon wait for those quaint gypsey romany folk that blow their bugle around these parts to collect her...or dig deep and press on?

Edited by schimg on Wednesday 12th September 20:44

Edited by schimg on Wednesday 12th September 20:46

[schimg]

RetroWheels said:

Nice one Steve , as Nick says , it's always good to hear of another car being resurrected.

For parts, John Reid would be a good first port of call, as well as keeping an eye on the parts for sale Wiki on here.

I used to have a A4 folder of photcopied data sheets and factory info - written by Neil Anderson - relating to the Rover engined cars, but it got lost a few years ago, im sure someone still has a copy.

If you need any pics of the under parts of a Tuscan chassis, i can usually oblige as ive always got something in pieces .

Hi Darren,

Looking at your profile it would appear that you are from the North West...pity I didn't post earlier as I was up that side of the town at BNG..the Speed 12 did the numbers well worth watching...

Anyways...thanks for the contact info which will be of use ...knowing how these things go together is elusive...


Lifted the body of my Chimaera a few years back.2006 I think .evidence here..










But this is an whole new ball game!
I had a body then..plus other stuff...

Anyways thank you..I will make a mental note of this.

Edited by schimg on Wednesday 12th September 21:24

[wadsapple]

schimg said:

I had a body then..plus other stuff...

Anyways thank you..I will make a mental note of this.

Edited by schimg on Wednesday 12th September 21:24

I have two bodys as we spoke about last week,you were going to call back.I am at brands till monday perhjaps you might want to call me early doors next week if interested.

[Mr Tank]

Hi Steve

Well done in getting the bits together!

If you want to go over a car at anytime you are more than welcome to go over mine!

I presume you will be doing the rebuild to match your chim?

Andy

[schimg]

Mr Tank said:

Hi Steve

Well done in getting the bits together!

If you want to go over a car at anytime you are more than welcome to go over mine!

I presume you will be doing the rebuild to match your chim?

Andy

Thanks Andy.....might be in a position to take you up on this offer ....appreciated as you well know...moving forward I need to cost stuff and availability out....i.e. know what ball joints to get ...and will not settle for cheap jobbies ....plus I have sourced top spec rose joints...need twenty two ..but you can't cut corners on stuff like this IMHO...

I am missing vital bits to lift the chassis off the ground...so until I can source these parts I won't purchase any bearings- rose joints- eitc....this might all get stored or moved on....had an email from the other side of the pond enquiring about condition of chassis...but do not want to dip out ...be a shame ..and as you know is not my way

[Graham]

Mines got an empty engine bay if you fancy a mooch around it this weekend

G

what are you missing to get it on its wheels ?

[7 TVR]

Great to see another one being put back together and hope you bring it racing!
Look forward to watching the build especially if its to the standard of your chim.

[schimg]

wadsapple said:

I have two bodys as we spoke about last week,you were going to call back.I am at brands till monday perhjaps you might want to call me early doors next week if interested.

Hi Perry,

Really appreciate the information and background you provided v.very interesting and informative.

Moving forward I need to to prioritise stuff....I obviously need a body ....so we need too have a chat....be very rude not to!

I would like to get down to Brands Hatch and meet you and look at some of the cars and how they fit together..

We were up at bng last weekend ...with the SP12 ....there was a lovely yellow challenge car there....two seater with an RV 8....had a good chat with him..lot's of nice panels...which would sit well on a road car


Plus on the way to bng I detoured over to Hinckley and met Colin Blower lovely bloke.. they had a challenge car that had been totally rebuilt following a rear end loss of traction...ending in a surplus body ... obviously I'd need to arrive at a deal, and it would require some work, which I am not scared of, might not be the best way in the long run some glass work to sort.......

But this is down the line ...be great to chat again

thank you

Steve

Edited by schimg on Friday 14th September 06:33

[schimg]

7 TVR said:

Great to see another one being put back together and hope you bring it racing!
Look forward to watching the build especially if its to the standard of your chim.

Thanks for the compliment re Chimaera...hopefully it won't be far off that...not decided yet which way to go with the chassis...with the Chimaera I had it refabricated shot blasted - hot zinc sprayed - the I painted it with POR 15 two - three coats of that then did smooth hammerite as a top coat...then waxoil in the areas that you couldn't get to...

I avoided powder coating....but things have moved on..galvernising has been used and might be an option...I will speak with Adrian Venn see what he thinks...

[Graham]

Steve Do you want to list the bits you are missing to get it up to a rolling chassis?

i.e.

Steering arms ( i might have one as I ended up buying 2 sets as the first pair were different to each other)

and then we can have a hunt round our spares boxes

G

[schimg]

Graham said:

Steve Do you want to list the bits you are missing to get it up to a rolling chassis?

i.e.

Steering arms ( i might have one as I ended up buying 2 sets as the first pair were different to each other)

and then we can have a hunt round our spares boxes

G

Hi G,

That makes perfect sense...Mike had left his lad straps here when we collected the chassis ..I dropped them back to him yesterday...explained that I was missing things like the steering arm...he said he'd have a good route around for it...plus he has some other stuff...plus a T5 box...which I will probably buy off him at some point...

But yes I need for starters...

1. Steering rack
2. Diff Mounting plates...(I guess there are two and handed?)
3. Steering Column...is this one off a Griff / Chimaera/ S-series? I have one of the UJ's that looks very similaer to the one I replaced on my Chimaera..
4. Shockers...which way...Nitrons? Gaz (not sure if they fit / suit?)
5. Wheels ideally 18ins...I'd love to fit spiders...how would you get by the different pcd?, change hubs?

Edited by schimg on Friday 14th September 20:32

[Graham]

I have some btr diff carriers off the car that you can borrow if you need to get them copied.

2 at the front and one at the rear

[schimg]

Graham said:

I have some btr diff carriers off the car that you can borrow if you need to get them copied.

2 at the front and one at the rear

Thanks G thats interesting....I'd have thought they'd be just two and a diff bush at the back!

Thats really good of you ...just wondered if anyone has a spare set...might save a bit of heartache?

I know beggers can't be choosers and all that....

[Graham]

Yeah there is a bracket on the back of the diff that fits the bush in the chassis.

It's the same as the chim but different ;-)

[schimg]

Graham said:

Yeah there is a bracket on the back of the diff that fits the bush in the chassis.

It's the same as the chim but different ;-)

Doh...you have probably told me before...so bespoke parts thanks mate

[450Nick]

I have a spare set of shocks - original double springed konis I think they are. Supposedly very good shocks and mine are in great nick if you're interested?