1968 TVR Tuscan V8SE Long wheel base

TVR Long wheel base Tuscan V8SE
This rare example has been painstakingly restored over the last 10 years.
In period the Tuscan V8 was one of the fastest production cars with a top speed of 175mph and a 0-60 under 5 secondsTVR Long wheel base Tuscan V8SE cars are one of the rarest and sought after models built.
They where mainly built for the demand of V8 powered cars in the USA after the closure of the Griffith Motor company and initially built in short wheeled base, like the Griffith 400 and sometimes today referred to as UK Griffiths. Some where LHD and exported and others where RHD for the UK Market.
Later in the 60s when TVR lengthened the chassis to create the V6 Tuscan and the S2 Vixen they also built a limited number of Tuscan V8SE Specked cars. These should not be confused with the later MAL Tuscan V8 Cars where some just had the engine change to V8 and even one fitted with and automatic gear box, these cars had the engines fitted in the USA at the time.
Records show that there where 24 Shorth wheel base cars built and 24 Long wheel based V8SE cars built, then later the MAL cars which at least 5 where wide bodied cars and the rest standard bodied cars.
Interior trim was totally unique along with the elimination of side window quarter lights and the addition of twin heater fans to name a few. The Chassis was bonded on and there where a number of unique features to these cars that make them stand out from the other models built at the time. Some think all had exactly the same features fitted. Research has shown variations in spec, this has often created confusion when researching these cars.
The current owner purchased this car on the 5th Jan 2011 from his friend Tony Lockyer. He owned he car since 25/ 03/ 1977 and was driving it until he jumped a humpback bridge and snapped the rusty chassis just in front of the bulkhead . The car sat in his garage from 1979 until the current bought it after a good few drinks one evening.  The car then came to the current owners workshop as he ran an accident coachwork business in South London . There it sat in a corner and they slowly started to strip it down and label and store the parts .
A new chassis was order from Keith Ticer (The TVR Chassis Man as many know him ) , he mention that the old chassis had two sets of lugs for the front wishbones one set was for racing which ties in with finding out that it was once owned by the brands hatch track doctor. A full restoration followed with bills for over £60, 000 has been executed to an extremely high level. This does not take into account the many hundreds of hours labour unrecorded. Restorations of this level paying a restoration workshop to handle all the work would cost would be nearly double.
The original colour was Lavender Grey, however the decision was made to paint in Olympic blue and silver fox roof which is a period colour for this model. New minilight wheels were fitted in the same style as the knock on wheels that where fitted in period and a crate 289 engine was bought from the U, S, A ( The original engine and minilight knock on magnesium wheels are still with the car )
Since completion the car has attended a number of local shows and allowed the car to have a good shake down .

Original Toploader Gearbox fully rebuilt.
Salisbury Differential fully rebuilt.
All Brakes Renewed.
Girling Servo rebuilt.
New Chassis now converted to bolt on and wishbones.
Renewed suspension all round.
New Top Ball Joints .
Steering rack stripped and re built .
Completely re wired.
New dash and dash panels made using the originals as a template.
All Original gauges professionally restored.
Bespoke custom stainless manifold and a new original factory exhaust.
New Baffled and dished alloy fuel tank sourced and fitted.
Wiper Motors rebuild.
New Alloy Radiator fitted.
All Chrome replaced or re chromed.
Original Seats frames sourced and re trimmed in leather.
Full Professional re trim to maintain the original style.
Professional paint taking the car back to fiberglass and all issues addressed.
Painted in a period Blue and Silver finish.
Car comes with a vast history file original radiator and engine.
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