A dramatic looking Tuscan S in a stealthy black on black livery
The most powerful S version with TVR’s own “Speed Six” engine
A low mileage example with a full and complete service history
The Appeal
The TVR Tuscan is a product of what many consider as the company’s “golden era” that spawned it and other icons like the Griffiths and Cerbera. The Tuscan is archetypical of TVRs of this period with brutal power, awesome, outlandish looks and offering a charmingly old-school driving experience. Add to this power from a respected, TVR produced Speed Six engine and the Tuscan in beefed up S form is definitely a range sweet spot.
The sleek black livery of this example suits the curves and swoops of the Tuscan’s design perfectly. It looks amazing in a stealthy and slightly menacing way. This is a low mileage example with its travels averaging out at less than 2,000 miles a year. It is complete with an extensive paperwork archive, too, documenting thousands spent.
The History and Paperwork
This Tuscan was supplied new by Trimar Sports Cars in July 2002
The first owner kept the car for about two years
A further eight keepers followed with an average tenure of a shade over two years
The current owner acquired the TVR in May 2021 at around 32,000 miles
In his tenure around a further 4,000 miles has been added to this total
The TVR is accompanied by a great level of paperwork
This includes the V5 in the name of the owner
The current MOT is present and valid until July 2024
This is noted as an advisory free test
The original TVR owners’ manual and ring binder is present
This includes a full complement of service stamps
These cover mileages from 3,550 to 31,194 and document nine services
These are with both TVR dealers and independent specialists
Numerous maintenance and repair invoices are present
These are from all periods of ownership
These include invoices for significant spends in 2020 and 2021
TVRs from this period were known for their interiors and this Tuscan doesn’t disappoint
It is finished in a mix of leathers, alloys and bespoke brass fittings
Benefitting from a removable roof panel offering a full convertible experience
One contemporary road tester described the Tuscan’s cabin treatment as “something from the mind of Jules Verne” and it is easy to see why. The cabin architecture is as swoopy and curvy as the exterior and features more hues and textures than can be immediately appreciated.
The sports seats feature a unique design that includes a seat back surround that almost snakes around the central section to provide bolsters and a headrest. The seat backs are finished in bright red leather as are the bolsters of the squab. The centre section of the base is finished in contrasting black leather. The condition appears very good overall with just a small area of colour fade noted on the driver’s bolster.
The door panels are finished in black and red leather and centred with a grey Alcantara. The cabin is carpeted in black with red edge binding for contrast and longevity. These are protected by a pair of Richbrook carpet mats. A carpeted shelf is situated behind the seats to provide some useful additional storage.
The spectacular dashboard is constructed from a padded top roll finished in red leather. Below this is a polished alloy, full width panel. The centre section of the dashboard consists of a full width storage shelf. The bottom roll is finished in black leather. The end pieces of the shelf are detailed with cut out polished alloy brackets. The instrument binnacle is formed from a polished alloy panel which extends down below the steering wheel. Set into this is a futuristic, brushed brass faced, semi circular speedometer. A digital screen is set into this providing additional metrics and information. A set of gear change warning lights sit at the top of the binnacle and a number of machined brass knobs and buttons are set into the surround. A red leather and brushed black alloy steering wheel is fitted.
A number of other bespoke and sublime details adorn the cabin. These include the machined alloy gear knob and handbrake handle. A number of other machined brass knobs populate shaped alloy panels on the big centre tunnel. A set of light alloy, floor hinged pedals inhabit an alloy pedal box.
The deep boot is finished in thick black carpet. This is also home to a Pioneer power amplifier and CD changer. This area also provides safe storage for the removable roof panel when required.
The Exterior
Finished in a gleaming black on black livery
The car exhibits the pronounced rear lip spoiler which forms part of the S package
The dark, seven spoke alloys and red TVR callipers round off the purposeful look
The TVR Tuscan is definitely a car destined to make an entrance and this example adds more drama still with its all-black livery. There are no chromed adornments to dilute the look giving this Tuscan a futuristic, Batmobile-esque persona. It’s a thrilling visual statement for sure.
The condition of both paintwork and body work looks to be excellent and all those innovative Tuscan cues are present and correct. These include the three-a-side, deeply set lamps in the nose working so well with the circular, cutout lower valance. The side profile is dominated by the muscular haunches and deep slashes to the leading edges of the doors. The rear features a similar light arrangement to the nose and the twin, carbon fibre motorcycle type silencers add to the theatre.
The 18-inch, seven spoke light alloy wheels are finished in a dark metallic anthracite colour. The condition of these appears to be excellent with no kerb rash, dings or scrapes noted. The open architecture of the wheels allows sight of the red finished, TVR embossed brake callipers and vented discs. These are shod with a staggered, matching set of Federal tyres.
The Mechanics
Featuring an exemplary level of dealer and specialist maintenance
Presented in the higher power 390bhp S configuration
Complete with a long and advisory free MOT for optimum peace of mind
By the time the Tuscan was launched, TVR had designed and were building their own engines. With performance, obviously, as their focus the Speed Six fitted here is a 3,996cc straight-six unit. In this S specification this originally produced 390bhp at 7,000rpm and 310Ib-ft of torque at 5,250rpm. This endows the 1,100kg Tuscan with a whopping 369bhp/tonne power-to-weight ratio resulting in a 4 second 0-60mph time and a 180mph plus top speed. A 0-100mph time in the early 9 second region was readily achievable.
As we have seen this Tuscan S has been diligently and fully maintained across its entire history. There is a ring binder full of valuable invoices to document this as well as the nine service stramps in the original service binder. Work includes over £2,000 spent a few thousand miles ago with TVR specialists, Sportmotive.
With this in mind, it will come as no surprise that the owner reports the TVR to be in a fine mechanical condition with no faults reported. This is a powerhouse of a TVR ready to use and enjoy immediately with no issues to address.
The Appeal
With no ABS or traction control and that eye-widening 369bhp/tonne power-to-weight ratio, the Tuscan S leaves it to the driver to moderate their inputs appropriately. As such it provides a truly old-school driving experience and a perfect antidote to the sanitised, semi-autonomous offerings of today.
This Tuscan is a fine example of the breed. It looks amazing in its black livery and dark, 18-inch wheels. The condition is very good indeed for a 20+ year old sports car. The low mileage, full-service history and long, advisory free MOT all combine to suggest this is both and exciting and prudent ownership opportunity. Bid today to get behind the wheel of one of the rawest and accelerative British sports cars ever made.
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.*
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