Driving the TVR's "Test Track" in the Tuscan Speed Six | Henry Catchpole - The Driver’s Seat

The TVR Tuscan Speed Six is 25 years old, so early cars are now eligible for import in the USA. And that seemed like a very good excuse to take one on a trip around some roads that should feel very familiar to it. TVR didn’t have a test track like Weissach, Nardo or the Nurburgring Nordschleife on its doorstep, so it used the roads near the factory in Blackpool (the UK’s answer to Las Vegas). Luckily there are some great stretches of tarmac in Lancashire.
To really celebrate the full scope of the Tuscan, we also brought together the bookends of the Speed Six story at the very impressive Hilton and Moss facility near London. At one end of the scale is an early, red, 2000 Tuscan with its distinctive pierced grille and steampunk, bimetallic interior. At the other chronological end is a Tuscan 2 Convertible with a wavy dash and slightly more aero exterior. The latter also has some of TVR’s distinctive and expensive Reflex flip paint.
As the Tuscan Speed Six generally got better to drive throughout its life, we picked the later, 2005, Convertible to take on the journey (the Red car also has less than 10,000miles on the clock!). It has a 3.6-litre version of the Speed Six engine with 360bhp and 318lb ft of torque. The straight-six is not known as the most reliable engine, but Hilton and Moss’s engineers had an interesting perspective on how it should be approached.
Nobody is quite sure what the future holds for the TVR badge in 2024. There has obviously been the promise of a Cosworth-powered car with a Gordon Murray chassis, but equally there has been talk of an EV. The new factory in Wales doesn’t seem to be an option any more and they are reportedly now headquartered at Donington, but ways of contacting them are thin on the ground.
However, whether there is a new TVR or not, cars from the company’s past - like the Tuscan Speed Six - seem somehow more relevant than ever. The very analogue nature of the cars combined with interiors that seem even more impressive in the current restomod era, means that they have a surprisingly timeless quality to them.
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The Driver's Seat with Henry Catchpole
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[@HenryCatchpole]

Hope you all enjoy the film. It was great fun piecing it all together - many thanks to all those that helped. The first TVR I ever drove was a late Tuscan Convertible just like this one (on a group test in Germany on the roads around the Nurburgring as it happens) and all the memories from 20 years ago came flooding back as soon as I drove this car.

[@HiltonandMoss]

Thank you for allowing us to be a part of this project! An honour after over 20 years of working with TVRs.

[@dobster5819]

Thank you Henry and Team for a wonderful video.

[@Phuc_Yhou]

I had to remove my rose tinted glasses to wipe away a tear...

[@freemoniker]

I certainly did enjoy the film. I have always loved the Tuscan. Thank you!

[@benpaddon6833]

It was nice meeting you out the front of the old factory when you were filming. Even if I was a tad too intereaged as to what was going on🤣😅

[@pj9375]

Henry’s presenting style is probably one of my favourites of all. Just so easy to watch and without the gimmicks of other presenters. Would love to see more of him. Great work and lovely car ❤

[@FarmerTorque]

As a Griffith 500 owner during 96/97 I can confirm not only some of the downsides of TVR ownership, but the absolutely magical upside of these machines. A magical video Henry and plese compliment the videographer for some simply outstanding work. The prose, as usual, spot on. The essence of TVR captured perfectly.....Cheers 🥂

[@wingcommanderdaltonwalton67]

I had my Chimera from about 97 until roughly 2012. On many occasions we sat on the side of the road deep in conversation. I never told anyone that she’d let me down but I was just getting to know her better! I think I’ve scanned the ads every day since lusting after a Griff or 4.5 Cerb. I still miss her to this day.😭

[@blissprofessor4807]

I find these Herny Catchpole videos such a pleasure to watch. Well-written and filmed like old school Top Gear, but much more refined. Always looking forward to the next installment.

[@PiDsPagePrototypes]

These and Camisa's are the only things worth watching on Hagerty's channel - the mechanical trades videos have shown their in-house team shouldn't be allowed to turn spanners on anything.

[@Ktmzqw]

Better than most of the 2000s era Top Gear. Some segments were great, but there's so much better content nowadays. This kind of videos were never the TG forté, but I can't deny they had quality content similar to this. I much prefer it to saying funny things and do skids on a track

[@snaaakeey1]

Bought my Tuscan 5 years ago. Still can help but smile when I see it on the drive. Its a keeper.

[@bugattieb110ss]

Best cars ever. Never owned one, but boy did they 'stick their hand down your trousers and have a good rummage' in every road test throughout the 90's. Thanks Henry. 👍

[@forsh3546]

Fabulous car in fabulous Lancashire scenery in fabulous 21:9 ! - Keep it up guys!

[@johnv9018]

Great review of what is an incredibly rare unicorn, i've had the pleasure of owning a 2006 Tuscan S Convertible for 10 years now and I must admit, what you said about warming up the engine like a race car, maintaining it like a race car and being prepared for costs of a race derrived engine, then that is exactly what you have. A dry sumped, 6 cylinder, 4 litre race engine and boy what a sound it makes, i liken it to a old Spitfire Jet burbling and popping by. The later cars really were very well put together and mine has never been rebuilt nor had any issues, i'd better go touch some wood lol. A very well put together and great review of what is a dying breed of automobile. Well done Henry 👍

[@mitchell-wallisforce7859]

Pretty much every turn-of-the-millennium TVR can be summed up as a British Dodge Viper. They're charming as hell, and for all the same reasons the Viper was. Today they kinda remind me of indie films and games. Rough around the edges in some ways, but full of soul that modern cars can only simulate.

[@MyHumanWreckage]

TVRs are some of my favourite cars. Lovely design, engineering, handling, and you can’t beat that sound! And they have what modern cars lack- CHARACTER

[@stevenkelby2169]

Henry, you look 12 years old without the mutton chops! I'll have a Tuscan one day, always loved them. Love your work 👍 🍻

[@karlhurn]

Another great video Henry. That closing line that the Tuscan captures the mood of what enthusiasts want today is a great observation. Excellent work 👍👌

[@MrAjjm65]

The Trough of Bowland - my backyard! A wonderful road, running through to Clitheroe. Narrow, full of short straights and tight bends, hidden dips and blind crests. Our very own red rose Nordschliefe! And there’s a cracking sausage shop in Clitheroe (Cowmans Butchers).

[@tommychuckles7199]

My backyard too.Stoneyhurst loop is another great drive once the daytime traffic has died down although the a59 around Clitheroe sounds like a racetrack all hours these days with the PCP poppers out and about going God knows where!

[@MrAjjm65]

@@tommychuckles7199 Stoneyhurst is lovely. Apparently, JRR Tolkien was a teacher at the posh school there, and was inspired by the countryside to base ‘The Shire’ on its landscape. Allegedly!

[@tommychuckles7199]

@@MrAjjm65 Indeed he did.Great view driving up the drive to the college and one I’ve experienced for decades.Must get the car into the trough this weekend if the weather ever improves.

[@MrAjjm65]

@@tommychuckles7199 good luck with that one! If you see an F Type, grounding on some dips, that’s me! The front lip on my car is a bit worn..!

[@tommychuckles7199]

@@MrAjjm65 Ha! will do and likewise my black RF.The F type has been on my radar recently I must say.Cracking car.

[@panagiotiskafritsas4271]

Watching this very emotional video I feel proud of carrying the heritage of TVR with my restored Tuscan Mk1 3.6 🙏🏻 thanks for the video! Just hat two nice rides the last days. Now its in for service and some fixings to be done 😉👍🏻

[@GadgetyMV]

TVR Speed Six - one of the best sounding engines ever. So enjoyable to watch a well produced piece, as always with Henry Catchpole. First time I've ever heard TVR associated with Rolex.

[@ZeeBri]

Excellent video and what a treat it is to see my local roads on film!

[@porscheripper5547]

What a wonderfully put together piece of film making. Superbly shot and the narration captivating. Fantastic effort. Best piece of motoring journalism I've seen for a while. Bravo!!

[@joshdobson2737]

Playing Gran Turismo as a kid I had always thought they got the names of the colors wrong in the TVR section.

[@shelbysolko7783]

Same here with me. When driving the TVRS and battling against the Jaguars, Aston Martins, and Lotuses. The colors on the TVRS are all Metallic and Pearlescent. Which they were all unique and a very fancy look to them.

[@sprintermaximus]

Henry, you're still crushing it. I am so glad you are with Hagerty and making these happen. Please keep them coming. Rubber side down buddy.

[@jut8146]

Thank you for the wonderful film. It brought back memories. Had a Chimaera from 1999 to 2006. Crude and quirky in many ways but such a blast to drive. Replaced it with the marvellous 993 turbo X50. Quicker, refined and reliable, but not as much fun as the TVR (when on good behaviour). Still miss it.

[@billhart9832]

Motoring journalism at its finest. Definitely about the journey, narrated impeccably.

[@tonymonk7437]

Great Video henry that brought back so many memories i owned two wheeler era TVRs a 1985 350i wedge and a 1995 Chimaera 400 although only 10 years apart they were night and day , the chimaera still looks fresh today and was a brilliant car with the range rover V8 you had none of the race engine worries and it still went like stink and sounded fantastic . we used to meet at the factory each year for a "back home" event and drove out to the Trough of Bowland on those very roads .. happy days ..

[@jaron95]

I've idolized these cars since Gran Turismo 2, though my first TVR love was the Cerbera. Can't imagine actually getting to drive one for real.

[@colinritchie1757]

I can't be the only one watching this video , sighing and then heading off to the classifieds to see if there are any for sale. There really were wonderful infuriating cars - damm I miss them

[@HiltonandMoss]

The star of the video is for sale in our showroom! 1 passionate owner from new.

[@colinritchie1757]

@@HiltonandMoss you should be ashamed of yourselves tempting old vulnerable men like me ,, get behind me you evil wonderful people!

[@TomEvans-id8oc]

God I'd buy that car in a heartbeat what a beautiful car have to stick with what I have

[@Z-u-m-a]

Superb. A friend had one of these. Quite a beast (if/when it started). Knowing those roads well, the test drivers must have had some alarming moments with sheep in the middle of them!

[@fizmo100]

Beautiful, really enjoyed watching this. You've inspired me to make the pilgrimage to Blackpool, and look for some of these roads to enjoy. It will be good to return the cars to what is hallowed ground.

[@terryeustice5399]

That TVR is shaped like a Jaguar. Beautifully made. And fast . Thanks for sharing! 💯👍👊

[@duncanajpv8]

Gorgeous film, thank you Henry!

[@Derf1313]

Beautiful car, wonderful sound, interesting history! Thanx !

[@opbk88]

Fabulous film as ever Henry, bravo.

[@andymalpass7957]

As always a Great Video, like a stick of Blackpool Rock if you cut me in half I will have TVR through the middle. Loved TVR cars from being a young boy in Fleetwood although I am now based many miles away in Manila still very much a TVR fan. I have two in the UK, which Henry you were only meters away when you parked outside Lawfield engineering, one a rare surviving 3000s bootless prototype and one restomod TAIMAR, my third car is a restomod TVR Griffith 430BV here in Manila ex Martin Lilley. In the 90's and naughties would visit friends each year at the factory and was shown the first Tuscan's ready to go out to the dealers, looked amazing then and still do now. Those test roads of TVR, my wife would be given the opportunity to chosea car during our visits and would go out with a TVR driver and when asked if she enjoyed the answer was she screamed a lot! My cars in the UK are of course with Hagerty who have been brilliant. Love the MK3 Tuscan convertibles...mmm....very tempted. Sorry you did not hear back from TVR, I know Les and the team are working very hard on getting the latest Griffith on the road. An incredible car of Gordon Murray design & engineering, we may not all be able to afford a T33 or T50 and a Griffith will be able to enjoy an affordable amazing car to own and drive.

[@AdamAus85]

Man that paint on the convertible. Magic

[@davidbarnsley8486]

A truly unique English shed built car , still looks absolutely amazing 😍😍🇦🇺

[@snaaakeey1]

Great job Henry! I liked this a lot. 1 point that was missed but quite pertinent was the fact the speed six is and probably will always be the most powerful naturally aspirated straight 6 engine every. That's a bit of motoring history right there and should be lorded ! Especially if we are all going to try hawking our Tuscans to the Yanks. ; P

[@ThespankedoneRidesReviews]

These never seem to age. They look great

[@Whatshisname346]

I remember seeing Swordfish, that genuinely rubbish Travolta/Jackman movie and a mate of mine asked me afterwards 'was it any good?' 'Well' I replied 'the bits with TVR Tuscan in a car chase were pretty cool!' completely neglecting to mention the bit where Halle Berry got her top off. Kinda says a lot about how much attention this car gets!

[@urbanstrencan]

Another great one Henry, keep up with great work 😅😊❤

[@Asillyhobo]

I'll always remember this car for its appearance in Swordfish, and how the car was never available here in the USA.

[@khidorahian]

I believe it was the spy car in Looney Tunes back in action too.

[@PiDsPagePrototypes]

If you grew up in the era when you actually had to drive a car, the Speed Six is appealing retirement present that will be invigorating and alive in your hands. If you grew up in the era of legislated ABS, TCS, CAS, etc etc in Front Wheel Drive everything, then the entire TVR Tuscan range is a dangerously steep learning curve. With that 25 year rule, there's going to be a lot less TVR's as yank drivers end up sideways, backwards and upside down in the trees.

[@peaktraveller]

Great vid. My first sportscar was a TVR Taimar followed by a Taimar Turbo (rare) that was the first turbo sportscar produced in the UK . It even predated and "outperformed" the 911 Turbo according to contemporary reports. All TVRs get under your skin and ownership is a love hate relationship however almost always the charms of the cars, win over their failings. Not however for the faint hearted or financially challenged!

[@maxjones5128]

Makes a man want one

[@allareasindex7984]

Beautiful scenery

[@masterxyr]

elegant car indeed. Also true is how gorgeous that little corner of the world is. fairy tail indeed, again

[@Toxofox]

Once managed to blag a test drive on a Tamora. Same issue getting in the car and then getting out (no door handles). The Tamora was the "baby" TVR... Yet, one wide open throttle stretch later, all my chest hair had migrated to my back! The car sounded intimidating and it revved fast. It felt almost dangerous. But a brisk cruise on a twisty little B road was heavenly... Still on my must have list, 20 years later...

[@rbee6507]

Gran Turismo taught me all I needed to know about this car...That being, I would spin out in it in less than a quarter mile, every time.

[@rob175kks]

These are my local backroads! That big, long straight on the way to Pilling from Lancaster and the road through the Trough from Lancaster to Clitheroe. I didn't realise these were the TVR 'test tracks' but it makes sense. I've hooned along these roads in all of the fun cars I've owned..........including a 4.5 Cerbera.

[@unavailable8681]

Amazing cars! One of my ultimate dream cars is a Sagaris.

[@Silldro]

Have wanted one ever since i went to LeMans in the early 2000s and they wehere many TVRs on site. I was suprised how small they are, Miata size with a larger straight 6 than a Bmw M5 without driver aids. How can you not want that

[@TheFlyingScotsmanTV]

I had a lotus blue red rose one. Loved it. And hated it. I loved driving it, hanging back out, the sound..the mental handling (adjustable shocks fitted and a must), and did high speed run at airfield..at 170 it was still going strong but felt like the backend was going to go airborne....the bad..needed a total engine rebuild at 20k miles, sometimes headlights wouldn't work unless you turned on wipers..battery would go flat whenever it felt like it..

[@Avto28]

Wonderful car and of course the video was very well produced, filmed and presented.

[@Arsen989]

Can’t wait for the Sagaris to be legal state-side. I’ve always wanted to see one in person.

[@julianowens4071]

Great video stunning car

[@chrisharding361]

I got married in this part of the world and drove many of these exact roads the morning of my wedding in an SLK55. My best man in the passenger seat, pretty special memories.

[@ThePilotGear]

beautiful. I longed after the Speed 6, oddly, as a kid. Of course it was always a pipe dream since it's forbidden fruit here in Canada. I ended up chossing a 2001 Miata in emerald green which, in my own opinion, has many ressemblances in the bodywork to the convertible Speed 6 you drove. Very cuvaceous, and a lightweight driver-first motoring experience...with a manual top...and a manual gearbox.

[@BarryThompsonUK]

I remember seeing the 450SEAC when it came out and being awestruck. These looked like spaceships after those early wedge cars.

[@andybroer651]

Wish we had them in the US en masse, I've only seen a handful in the past few decades 280i if memory serves... too bad, amazing cars

[@alexleung3128]

I KNow I saw you in Blackpool that day !

[@aryaahmadi4029]

Can't help but reminisce the Jaguar E-type, after watching and hearing it driven by someone as original as Henry Catchpole.

[@kallekas8551]

Oh good! Mr. Catchpole!🫵🤡

[@culldera1]

Loved the video!

[@brianiswrong]

I can only imagine what 180mph feels like in a tvr😮

[@grahamrobson9292]

I think Evo magazine did a top speed test and at 166mph the front valance snout was torn open by air pressure with a frightening bang like a shotgun. The test driver commented at that point the Tuscan was still accelerating like a ‘weevil in free fall’ The instruments were wildly inaccurate and read 180mph but other test gadgets showed 166mph. All very exciting though it’s not the same nowadays. I guess TVR just added a layer of fibreglass to solve the problem..

[@MartinPittBradley]

The original steering column was incredible

[@ericpisch2732]

i miss tvr

[@bradleyfurer7847]

Gran Turismo is how I know about these.

[@darkmatter6714]

I really really want one

[@deltalima4069]

Great video, well put together. Gorgeous shape, the car, not Henry!

[@bozzy-101]

Looks like the Trough of Bowland to me ❤

[@mounirmahboubi1656]

How cars should be made ❤❤❤❤

[@bobgnarley1]

There are some proper car people at Hagerty...and that is why I'm subscribed!

[@sgavy]

I'd watch Henry review a bin bag 🤣

[@bit1564]

As a human TreVoR, I have always rooted for TVR. Wonderful video, hope it inspires some investor to foolishly attempt to make money selling bespoke-engined, flip-coloured, gauge-under-steering-wheel-having, six-eyed oddballs...

[@colinfuidge8660]

Still looks amazing. I had a Chimaera and it was truly epic but unreliable and leaky. Best sounding car ever.

[@williamfischer3990]

I wonder if TVR intentionally made it difficult to get out of their Tuscans?? Either way though they are beautiful with that lovely throaty six cylinder sound.

[@jamesmancuso3666]

The speed 6 is a beautiful car but the speed 12 stole my heart

[@chrisdavidson911]

TVR should've used the test track at Lotus, by getting them to do the set-up work

[@Peron1-MC]

youve got to appriciate that they where one of the last manufacturers to make real sports cars. light and simple. supercars weighing 2 tons is ridiculous.

[@RC51Legend]

A Jag XK & a Dodge Viper had a baby!

[@keithhume8855]

It's a Tuscan Convertible ..not a MK2 ... but a model in it's own right... A MK2 is a Targa and I'm sure if it had the electric roof as originally planned , you wouldn't be calling it a MK2 . The TVR 2006 Price List shows it as a separate model , unfortunately dealers today (and James May) don't know the difference . The test straight is also 1 mile long provided a tractor doesn't pull out from the fields :) .

[@PhillyDee215]

Interesting vehicles...

[@corystansbury]

I worked with a gentleman in the U.K. who worked on the engine in these. They certainly tried hard-- but engine development is not trivial.

[@DwightJones-fu1nu]

If it weren't for Gran Turismo wouldn't of heard of Tvr or skyline gtr big up's to the series

[@richardcarter1000]

Wonderful. Proper car. Buy a couple of TVRs for the price of an EV. One will always work and you'll feel alive. They won't even lose a fortune like an EV

[@pmdomski5562]

:-) haha! Henry, you should have asked a TVR owner to show you how to put the roof up properly.... ;-)

[@卓尧杜]

Remember dove this car in TDU1 when i was a kid😂😂

[@stasisthebest]

Having a cosworth engine... Nice burn towards bugatti

[@travkatz]

Every possible box does this tick.

[@flat6croc]

Great, so just rebuild the engine frequently at great expense and it's fine! I mean, when you put it like that it's so simple. We can all now have race engines, no problem!

[@pipimontana]

what happened to the Griffith v8?

[@90boiler]

Sad fate for both turbo Saabs and TVRs, they are special brands

[@jamesrobert4106]

The Swordfish car.

[@richsan4923]

Blackpool is nothing like Vegas. Went thew about 20 years ago and it was a shithole with one casino. Apparently it's got a lot worse since be surprised if that Grosvenor was even still open.

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Great video, beautiful car - but please don't try and pretend that's a race engine in any way, shape or form. It just had some fundamental flaws.

[@RADukura]

I only know this car because of Looney Toons: Back in Action lol

[@robc3056]

hmm 18k between rebuilds hmm

[@brocklndrs]

Swordfish

[@Ben-Rogue]

TVR's of that era, are some of the most gorgeous vehicles ever produced!

[@CockatooDude]

I have to agree. They're so unique. Very alien and strikingly beautiful, especially with that paint they used.

[@salmonella9253]

Honestly, in what seems to increasingly be an echo chamber on KZbin of people clamouring to agree on the next best thing, Henry your videos are always unique and beautifully put together; the music, the shots the story behind it and the details on the cars are just splendid. Don't stop doing this stuff, it's an absolute pleasure to watch!

[@NarwahlGaming]

Him: _"...25 years old."_ Me: _"Pretty sharp for a 1960s car."_ Him: _"...1999..."_ Me: 😢

[@danielhillier7417]

I have always loved TVRs, I'm just about 32 so growing up here in the UK you would quite often spot and hear one on the road, and almost always see them at local car meets and shows. I would love to be able to afford one, one day.

[@otavionovaes5865]

The price for S series and Wedges is pretty reasonable for how much fun you get out of it.

[@danielhillier7417]

@@otavionovaes5865 Yeah i have been looking at ways into TVR ownership