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The Tuscan V8 grew out of an American experiment. Jack Griffith had fitted a Cobra-spec Ford V8 into the TVR Grantura and the result, the Griffith 200 and 400, was sold almost entirely in the United States. It was undone by cooling problems, poor quality and a long dock strike. With Griffith out of the picture, Martin Lilley, newly at the helm of TVR, took the idea back to TVR’s home in Blackpool and created a V8 version of the Vixen. He launched it as the Tuscan V8 at Earl’s Court in 1967.
Underneath was a modified Grantura/Vixen tubular steel chassis, with independent front and rear suspension, front disc brakes and a front-mid-mounted engine for near-ideal weight distribution. The lightweight fibreglass body, unusual for its day, was a two-door, two-seat shape with minimal luggage space. It was never a grand tourer. It was a car you could drive to a circuit, win your class and drive home in.
Power came from Ford’s 289 cu in (4,727cc) V8, the engine used in the Mustang and early Shelby Cobras. In SWB form, with a four-barrel carburettor and tubular headers, it made 271 bhp. That was enough for 0-60 mph in the mid-5-second range and an estimated 155 mph. Motor magazine recorded 0-100 mph in 13.8 seconds in 1967, the quickest production car it had tested at the time.
Three versions followed:
The TVR Car Club estimate that just 26 Tuscan SE LWBs were built with chassis numbers beginning “LW” (not to be confused with the later wider bodied “MAL” chassis numbered cars), with perhaps only 12 in RHD.
This fantastic example was subject to a complete nut and bolt restoration. This covered tubular chassis, engine, transmission, suspension, braking, electrical, fuel and exhaust systems, wheels, tyres, body work and interior, which was completed in 2022. A period correct “crate” Ford 289 cu.in V8 engine was shipped in from Five Star Engines of Glendale, Arizona, with the original engine, Magnesium Minilite wheels and original radiator kept, which will come with the car.
The restoration is to a very high standard, with invoices exceeding £60,000, excluding the many hundreds of unrecorded labour hours and the bodywork preparation and repainting, which was carried out at the then owner’s South London coachworks business.
While eligible for historic racing, including HSCC Historic Road Sports, the car has so far been used for local shows and TVR events, allowing a proper post-restoration shakedown and covering just over 1,640 miles since completion.
Beautifully restored, correctly detailed and supplied with its original major components and an extensive history file, this is a collector-quality example with genuine provenance, considerable rarity and enormous road presence.
At a Glance
Please note that the car has been assigned the age related registration number of HMB 880F and will not come with the registration number featured in the photographs.
The Tuscan V8 SE LWB was 4.5” longer across the wheelbase than its SWB brother, allowing for a longer door providing easier access and a less cramped interior. It brought several unique features, from the Griffith, including distinctive interior trim, the deletion of the side-window quarter lights, twin heater fans and MK2 Cortina rear lights.
Originally finished in purple, as part of the restoration the car has been repainted in period Ford Olympic Blue with a Silver Fox roof, a striking combination that suits it beautifully.
The body was taken back to fibreglass, any issues were addressed and it was then professionally repainted. The body work restoration is to a very high standard, as it was carried out at the then owner’s South London coachworks business.
All chrome has been replaced or re-chromed throughout as has the badging. We believe the glass to be original and despite some age related marks, is in remarkably good condition.
Features:
The interior has had a full professional retrim in the correct style. The original seat frames were sourced and retrimmed in leather and new black carpeting has been fitted throughout. The cabin retains the distinctive trim and twin heater fans of the V8 SE LWB. Period seat belts have been fitted and a period style 3 spoke wood rimmed steering wheel, adds the finishing touch to a stunning interior.
The original gauges have been restored, and new dashboard panels were made using the originals as templates. The car has been completely rewired.
Features:
Power comes from a new Ford 289 cubic-inch (4.7-litre) crate V8 sourced from the USA, fitted with a performance alloy head and a 4-barrel Edelbrock carburettor. It is complemented by bespoke stainless tubular manifolds and a custom stainless steel exhaust system, a new alloy radiator and a new baffled and dished alloy fuel tank.
The original Borg Warner T10 H1 gearbox and Salisbury limited slip differential have both been fully rebuilt. The renewed OEM suspension is independent all round, with double wishbones front and back. New coil springs and dampers were fitted as part of the restoration, with a double set-up at the rear, accompanied by anti-roll bars also front and rear. The steering rack stripped and rebuilt, and new top ball joints fitted.
The original engine (non-running) and radiator remain and will come with the car.
The car sits on new Minilite-style 15” knock-on wheels, echoing the knock-on magnesium wheels fitted in period. All tyres are Pirelli P4000 Super Touring in 215/70/ZR 15 and all with plenty of tread left.
The original magnesium knock-on Minilite wheels remain and will come with the car.
Braking is via front discs and rear drums. The entire system has been renewed with new callipers and drums, the Girling servo rebuilt and new brake lines throughout.
A new tubular chassis was ordered from Keith Ticer, widely known as “The TVR Chassis Man”, to replace the original, which had failed just ahead of the bulkhead.
The new chassis has been converted to bolt-on body mounting and fitted with restored wishbones.
With just over 1600 dry miles covered since its restoration, the underside of the car presents much like it did when the restoration was finished.
As the photos show, the bolt on chassis still presents as new, as do all mechanical components, with just the merest hint of road grime sitting on the fibre glass floor pans and under the wheel arches.
Notwithstanding its condition when the car arrived with us, as part of the pre-sales preparation, the chassis and all mechanical components under the car were coated with Dinitrol 4010 anti corrosion clear wax. This is high temperature rated, so was also used on the engine, gearbox and differential casings. This treatment provides for another level of long lasting protection for the car going forwards.
The car is supplied with a clear HPI check from MotorCheck dated 13/10/2026 and a substantial history file supporting the restoration, including invoices exceeding £60,000.
It is recorded on its current V5C as having had two previous owners.
The car was taken off the road in 1979 after a jump over a hump-backed bridge snapped the rusty chassis just ahead of the bulkhead. In 2011, the then owner sold it to a friend on the condition that it would be returned to the road; that new owner subsequently undertook the restoration, which was completed in 2022.
The history file includes a selection of photographs showing the car before restoration, together with images documenting the new tubular chassis build. It also contains a selection of MOT certificates issued between 1973 and 1978.
Although the car is registered as an Historic Vehicle on the current V5C and is therefore MOT, Road Tax and ULEZ exempt, it was MOT’d in September and passed with no advisories. The MOT is valid until 24/09/2027. Please note that this MOT was carried out while the car was still on its “VLA 7” private registration number, as shown in the photographs. The car has now been re-registered and assigned the age-related registration number “FMB 880F”, with a new V5C issued to reflect this.
Finally, the file also contains a selection of period magazine articles on the Tuscan V8, copies of dealer brochures and various TVR-related parts catalogues.
Whilst every effort has been taken to ensure accuracy of the vehicle descriptions and information, some inaccuracies may occur. It is important that you do not rely on this information but check with Montpellier Motor Cars Limited about any items which may affect your decision to buy this vehicle, as well as examine the vehicle and check the accuracy of the information before purchasing any vehicle. We cannot accept any liability arising from any errors in the data provided.
Whilst every effort is made to represent details accurately on our Web Site, variations or errors may occur and so the information contained herewith does not constitute an offer for sale of any particular vehicle, accessory or specification.
