The Scariest British Car Ever Made and the Flaw that Ruined it - TVR Tuscan

The TVR Tuscan is without doubt the maddest.. but also most exciting car I have ever driven. A truly bonkers product from TVR that could have changed their fortunes.. instead a huge oversight wityh the speed six engine eventually led to its bankruptcy.
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[@stupidearthling9126]

"Nit the prettiest thing"... have you lost your mind, Jack!!. The Tuscan has to be one of the most beautiful cars ever to grace the roads... Grace, probably isn't the right word!

[@georgebettiol8338]

The said TVR is shapely, distinctive, and displays an aggressive stance - a truly mad concept that is unlikely to be repeated. I have a very strong liking for the TVR, however I agree with Jack, it's not a 'pretty' car.

[@Truth-And-Freedom]

Some tvr are beautiful cars.

[@Assimilator1]

Nah, it definitely ain't pretty! But it is very striking 😎

[@TS-1267]

... The Knight Who Says 'NIT" For 'NOT'... Tee! Hee!... 'Silly Not'... 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏰🍻

[@hiepphambui3941]

Nahhhhhhhhhhhh. Just say you like it and move on instead of writing this embarassing paragraph 😂

[@fizmo100]

I've had one of these for a few years now, what I have found is that while the front end feels darty and hyperactive, once you learn to trust it it will find its own way over the road profile. The instinct is to grip the wheel tight and try to wrestle it into submission, but if you relax your grip, let it squirm a little and trust the car will find its path, it begins to flow far better. Also, the quicker you go the more easily it flows down the road. There's absolutely nothing else like a TVR. They are made out of gaffa tape and magic, and we will sadly never see their like again! Great video Jack, I think you've captured what they are like to drive better than any other video I've seen on here. Regarding engines, the lubrication issue is definitely much discussed in the community, but another major issue with reliability was the finger followers which were bought on the cheap. A rebuilt engine from somewhere like Powers Performance with upgraded components is a pretty tough unit and they last well.

[@Drew-uv5wi]

Once you trust it...famous last words.

[@nigel.w]

There's one fs with a TVR Power engine rebuild. Is that a good rebuild?

[@Mike7O7O]

Thanks for answering the engine question. As in, what's the 'fix'. I've never driven a TVR sadly. But a colleague owned a wedge way back in 1986 and it looked like nothing else on the road. I was smitten and still am. Fast forward to around 1990 and I had too very good friends in Blackpool, so was there off and on. I think it helped me understand the TVR 'culture' or similar. A little. I think it was something akin to 'wring everything that you can out of what you're given' and maybe what you end up with is the whole being greater than the sum of it's parts? I honestly don't know. They like their bling, which explains the interior ;) They like to do things differently. Which explains the exteriors. And they like raw power, most of all and the ability to just 'get down the road'. As to the exterior styling. I recall being gobsmacked when I saw the 'new style front ends' on the Tuscan/Tasmin etc I LOVE the styling of these later cars and as far as I can remember, there was nothing like it, anywhere. I remember them popping up in various action movies and looking completely at home with all the explosions, supermodels, leading men and Hollywood in general. I think that defining a petrolhead is a toughie. However, I do think that you have to have a special place in your heart/soul for TVR. Right next to the special place that you keep for Italian exotics and others :)

[@fizmo100]

@@nigel.w As good as it gets. Dom at Powers was the guy who handled the warranty repair work when the issues with the Speed 6 engine were first becoming known to TVR. He was there at the very beginning dealing with the failures and developing an understanding and solutions to the problems. A Powers rebuild has a 5 year/100,000 mile warranty, which speaks to how solid the units are when rebuilt properly. The lubrication issue Jack mentions is not addressed as far as I am aware, but with better quality internal components these are proving to be very robust engines. The other key factor is correct warm-up and servicing - it is important to drive it gently when first setting off (don't leave it idling at standstill to warm up) and wait until the oil (not just the coolant) is up to temperature before giving it the beans.

[@fizmo100]

@@Drew-uv5wi Trust it, but always respect it! It might not be as unruly as you first think when you get in one, but it remains a hedge-seeking missile with no traction control, ABS or airbag. 😂 I'm absolutely fine with the fact most hot hatches would absolutely muller me point-to-point. That's not the car's failing, that's down to my limitation as a driver - but I know I would be having more fun, and I'm not about to wrap myself round a tree trying to prove anything to anyone! They are defintiely a handful if you get one out of shape, the key to a long and happy life is to not be daft enough to provoke it on a public road!

[@martinthomson5324]

I had two of these over about 15 years - amazing experience and I loved them. They never let me down, including 2 long european tours, apart from a jammed fuel pump (Bosch).They are certainly a handful and you have to remember that they are basically trying to kill you. Most fun you can have with your clothes on.

[@ianmangham4570]

🤘🇬🇧🙏

[@jeffreypostma6832]

I absolutely loved these care when they came out, and I still think they are some of the best looking cars ever.

[@einzeltier]

Same here, I absolutely adore TVRs, and I still have the dream of being able to buy one one day. Just look at the Boxster next to it, and you realize how good the design of the TVR was back then. Add the exquisity of being so rare, the unique and raw interior design AND the flaws, and you probably get the most charismatic cars ever made in modern days.

[@LarsAgerbk]

100% agree

[@unom8]

First time hearing about these, it is gorgeous.

[@K.M.1985]

Griffith, Cerbera, even the T350 and just breathtakingly gorgeous in my opinion...

[@RUfromthe40s]

agreed, when they came out looked very good ,i had both cerebra and tuscan, also scary fast (the cerebra)

[@Lemma01]

The interior details anticipate Pagani, while the exterior is pure poster magic. I'm from an MG-Lotus tradition - neither terribly reliable, but neither that hairy... I've always held TVR at a highly respectful arm's-length. So glad these exist. Always wish them well. Hope they resurface...

[@williamegler8771]

If these were available in the United States I would be at my local dealership waving my checkbook and yelling "TAKE MY MONEY NOW PLEASE "!

[@RacerGRE]

If they were, the whole town of Blackpool would be won at court by Americans.

[@stevenjervis1184]

Make sure your life insurance is good it will try too kill you

[@dagnut]

And then at your mechanics when he waves massive invoices at you

[@S2NAZ]

I would as well, beautiful machine 👍🏻♥️

[@stijnvandamme76]

They were rather unconventional in construction , Ladder chassis , not monocoque..They would never make it in any kind of crash tests or modern homologation standard for pedestrial safety. If anything they were very much like the High end Kit cars, that could only be bought preassembled. Suspect that the only way they could be sold out of the UK is by first registering them in the UK, and in doing so they automatically became accepted in the rest of Europe.. But no such agreements were in place with the US, so I doubt you'd ever manage to get them road legal in the States..

[@mohammadcheema7375]

For me the most amazing aspect of this car, and perhaps all TVRs, is how they managed to do this on a budget that must have been so minuscule. Anyone who worked on this project is a legend in my opinion.

[@WhiteRoseDrives]

Amazing! That car was originally owned by a friend of mine. I had the sister car - X454 XCL (which I’ve tried looking for, but can’t find, sadly). 443 and 454 had many an adventure together 20+ years ago. I loved my TVR experience, all three engine rebuilds of it 😂

[@user-bw5ib8ds1e]

Three? Luckily I only had one, TVR Power worked their magic on it. It was a graceful brute.

[@DjDolHaus86]

What I loved about this era of TVR was that they looked at a reasonable way to make a sports car and said "yeah that's nice but what if we gave it a big spoonful of insanity?" and nobody told them not to. It was never going to work but I'm glad they tried

[@rogerking7258]

TVR were one of the very few small operations that knew how to make its cars look truly desirable; the styling was dramatic and well proportioned, and the bespoke switchgear made them special when they could have just used Morris Marina parts. But as you sadly point out, the reliability wasn't there. A friend of mine had his machine shop full of their cylinder blocks and heads which were in to correct "problems". A real shame, because TVR came so close.

[@Arltratlo]

if they had made engines for the Spitfire in WW2, Germany had won easy!

[@toucan221]

RUBBISH Reliability is THERE, as the man said, Wheeler starting using cheaper parts etc, and wrong metal part for the engine.

[@meanlean3095]

They should have used jaguar v8s then they would have sold like pies 😂

[@gairnmclennan5876]

The engines were released too soon and they fixed the issues buying now your nit gonna have the issues the new cars had. Too bad it's tarnished the reputation. Keep in mind the trusty Rover V8 slightly modified were used in the most popular models, ranging from 4 -5 liter across the Griffith and Chimera life span. Super sounding and reliable. Griffith 500 Rovers do a sub 13sec ¼mile. Even today that's right fair and square into hypercar territory!! 😮

[@chrisdooley1184]

Jesus I absolutely adore TVRs especially Tuscans, Cerberas and the Sagaris. That straight six sounds glorious!

[@asadzeethree2726]

Yeah, man, I couldn't agree with you more! One of the very few cars that look as good today, as they did in the naughties! The interior and exterior are both equally unique!

[@mescko]

Nothing like that fat snarl of a straight six. Nothing. I get to take in some vintage racing tomorrow and can't wait to hear a 3.8 or two, and anticipating some L24's since Datsun will be the featured marque. I attended the Goodwood Revival back in 2013 and had the giddy pleasure of parking up next to two gentlemen from Holland driving a Griffith and Sagaris respectively.

[@chrisdooley1184]

@@mescko oh boy I’m jealous! Sounds lovely. We don’t have much historic racing events here in the Pennsylvania area. Got to go to California for that type of stuff. Actually it would be quicker for me to get to England nonstop to get to California. See I’m talking myself into a UK trip 🤔 lol

[@sportster883able]

I owned a 4.0 litre Red Rose version of these between 2003 and 2009 before selling it and moving to Qatar. It was a BMW colour (Oregon Blue) and TVR used paint colours from many manufacturers. Provided they were well looked after, and maintained properly (and I mean properly) they were fine (although mine had an engine rebuild at 15,000 miles. Finnicky electrics required patience (windows anyone) and the boot leaked like a sieve (oh....and it smelt like a canoe!). At the time my daily driver was a BMW 730d Sport and I was also fortunate to have an SL55 AMG. For sheer fun and the odd squeaky bum experience (sideways most of the time and once, spinning the rears in 5th gear on a wet surface), there was (and is) nothing like it. A rocket ship that goes like shit out of goose with a thunderous exhaust soundtrack (that would set off every car alarm in an underground car park) to match.

[@dagnut]

It's such a cult car that owners will always excuse the dreadful build quality. On pistonheads back in the day you'd face an onslaught for suggesting they are anyway unreliable...yet every owner has had at least one rebuild! The perfect match of crazy British car and British owner

[@sportster883able]

@@dagnut 😝

[@markfox1545]

An engine rebuild at 15,000 miles is an unusual sign of reliability...

[@freespeech3673]

It's probably more suited to US roads rather than the third world black top that Jack is driving on.

[@tompiper9276]

​@@freespeech3673The car or your driving ability??

[@The_Original_Geoff_B]

I recall visiting the engine production facility as part of my Masters course in the late 90's - That was a rather good day.

[@robovac3557]

Why's that then?

[@seanyoung9014]

I remember using this car and the Speed 6 and 12 concepts in Gran Turismo 2 and being determined to master them after immediately spinning out over and over on the test track. Once I did, it was in the top ten out of the 100 great cars I had in the garage.

[@johnferguson4869]

Absolute beasts: liable to spin at any corner!

[@samueldowney2806]

As an overall package I prefer the chimera, but that speed 6 engine sound, wow! That's one of the best engine sounds I've ever heard. Utterly gorgeous.

[@fydstar]

Isn’t it!! Amazing sound❤🤘

[@andrewdavis9223]

What a lovely car shame enough people didn't have the confidence to invest in one 😊

[@BombSponge]

Some did. I own a 2005 MK2. Had it for 9 years now and worth a lot more now than I paid for it. I know a guy with a MK2 that's got 120k miles on it, takes trips around Europe, still going strong and never had an engine rebuild. I'll never sell it, just too much fun to drive .

[@Arltratlo]

its a British car, i dont trust the Brits..!

[@resnonverba137]

The AJP8 was a cracking engine that could produce some serious power.

[@r.markclayton4821]

Literally it would seem!

[@bugattieb110ss]

I always remember the film 'Swordfish' with this car being the main star in that movie. TVR was on an absolute roll back then. Such a shame it went downhill for them so quickly. I drove a 4.5 Cerbera several years ago and pretty much everything you say about this car applies to it. F*cking fast but boy it demanded 10/10ths concentration to drive it hard.

[@alanfaultless]

Loved it for the TVR but also remember it for Halle Berry’s ample assets.

[@Wargasm54]

Yeah. I remember. I think that car had the “flip-flop” or color changing paint scheme.

[@andyplage6590]

The V8 Cerbera held worst fastest production car for 2 years top gear did a feature the Blackpool bruiser

[@Sinnerboy88]

@@alanfaultless I don't even remember a TVR in that movie. All I remember about that movie was Halle Berry's knockers. One of my friends loaned me the VHS in school so I could watch that scene. I was only about 12 and didn't even have internet. All we had were movies and car magazine in those days. Amazing how much things have changed in 20 odd years.. Born in 1988 I was really the last generation to experience growing up without internet, smart devices etc. We used to buy car magazine like "Max Power", "Redline" and "Fast Car". The whole British modified car scene was very popular back then. I remember once in the very early 00s there was a feature of a Cerbera in one of those magazines, Max Power I believe. It was painted in gold and features a red leather clad interior.. Corbeau or similar bucket seats I believe.. and a massive sound system in the boot. We thought it was really cool back then. Today it'd probably be looked at as an abomination. I always loved the TVR cars. I only ever saw a few of them over the years, quite a rare sight on the roads around here. We used to play as them on Gran Turismo II on the PlayStation.

[@Arltratlo]

downhill quickly.... the UK car industry died many deaths and it took to long to die complete... but Thx tom Brexshit, the last remains will be gone soon, too ....its not a shame, others are just better...!

[@ste002]

Wow, what an informative piece. Fascinated by the cam/valve interaction that's been included, really interesting stuff. Great to be given a very articulate opinion on the driving experience, while at the same time being given some technical detail, and some company history. Learned a lot from this video. Many thanks!!

[@grahambone6198]

Great Video. You got to love that noise and raw driving experience, no other car manufacturer can compete. My Griff 500 puts a smile on my face every time I drive it.

[@ingopaul67]

A beast of a car, as a boy in the 80s I was obsessed by TVR, and the Tuscan was probably the pinnacle, loved it. Is that the best sounding 6 cylinder engine ever.

[@davidjones5910]

I’ve owned a Tuscan S for 7 years now and this is the best, most honest and accurate review I’ve seen. Yes it feels lively on the front end but a good geo setup, modern tyres, decent adjustable shocks, you then gain trust it’s a pleasure to drive at all speeds. Thanks Jack, keep up the great content!

[@futureclassics8023]

I remember in the late 90's just about every car crash I went past (I was a courier driver) was a TVR that had swapped ends. You would really need to spend a week on a track with it to be able to survive a week driving it on public roads

[@petesarbutt6455]

Great review Jack, these have always been on my wish list. Came close a couple of years ago but will be back in the classifieds this evening! Keep up the great work and glad to see the channel going from strength to strength.

[@timgosling6189]

My main memory from a test drive from the Blandford dealer back in the day was of those fantastic brakes. The steering did feel nervous but then in those days there weren't too many cars with only 2 turns lock to lock, and you did get used to it. You certainly had to make sure everything was pointing in a straight line before giving it the beans but on the other hand that long-travel accelerator was a reasonable substitute for traction control. But I swear that even with the roof down it still smelled of glue!

[@knoxyish]

ap brakes the best then and now

[@byteme9718]

The smell was the from the polyester used to lay up the glass fibre.

[@drstrangelove4998]

Smelled like glue, yes, from the GRP! One French tester described his car as smelling of pee pee. It didn’t help the car was damp inside due to leak.

[@kahmed7328]

Always loved the Tuscan. Still remember the interior pic in Autocar. Had never seen anything like it. Just so outlandish and cool. Wish TVR was still around and available in the US.

[@Seminal_Ideas]

Absolutely loved this video. I was there experiencing it with you. Brilliant commentary. Engaging and informative. I really enjoy your videos. Keep em coming.

[@JT-dk9eo]

The tuscan has been my dream car since they came out, im in Australia, they never came here , except personal import and were very expensive... always thought the looks are epic, great vid

[@michaelharle722]

While my TVR is a little older, the first rule of driving a TVR is get the suspension geometry checked and set correctly. Mine had what we suspected was a less than perfect factory fabrication and would throw the car sideways constantly. Corrected it handles properly now. Fun little cars. Yes you can press on when you want to.

[@gairnmclennan5876]

Yes absolutely super critical to have a full 4 wheel alignment done. Do you put max camber-in at the top, on the front?

[@michaelharle722]

@@gairnmclennan5876 No idea. Just had the guys make a new suspension part to replace the banana that the original part was (rear suspension) and set it up within specs. Shop owner likes to go racing so let him work his magic. Drives like a dream.

[@lenseylens7724]

Great vid Jack! As an ex-owner of a Griff 500 (4years) and a T350 with a 4.0 litre blueprinted engine (6 years) I can concur that every time I got in them I felt great excitement and trepidation they were going to put me in a ditch somewhere! I loved them and they we're great cars for the money, I emphasise money as I believe this was TVR’s downfall, you couldn’t produce a car with this performance for the price they were charging without saving money where you could, hence the chocolate engine. I spent a huge amount of money on my T350 and it was set up properly but if TVR had done this from the factory they would’ve had to charge another 15-20 grand and that was getting close to 911 money.

[@WillChestnutt]

Brilliant review and soundtrack!! You’ve done some great work with the quality in these videos that really capture the essence of driving one

[@edwardmigliore6484]

8:09 The look on your face and subsequent words sums it up so well! Really enjoyed this one. Great presentation!

[@TheMrFishnDucks]

Awesome car design, it looks timeless. Thank you for showcasing another TVR. Only know this brand because of Top Gear and Gran Turismo.

[@jeandibb4111]

Thanks Jack. We got almost no TVRs in Australia. But in 2002 I vividly remember seeing a chameleon painted Tuscan S in traffic in Melbourne - what a thing!

[@Carrera90]

Another fantastic blog Jack….. one of the best you’ve done…. Probably up there with my favourites ever on KZbin concerning motors Honest, funny and informative without trying to be a ‘personality’ ( are you watching Jayemm?)….. keep on giving us gold mate!!!👍

[@Rajvirdee]

The level of detail and delivery never fails to astound. You really have this nailed. Thank you again

[@richardmay3278]

My dream car. Wanted one since they first appeared. It may not be 'pretty' as such but it's absolutely stunning to me. There's nothing quite like it. Not even other TVRs.

[@GadgetyMV]

Love the sound! Front grille treatment inspired Ferrari Roma almost 25 years later. Good coverage of the engine troubles. I understand that the last of the Speed Six line, the Sagaris, has some tweaks to the chassis making it more predictable. Would be fun if you found one for comparison.

[@martinda7446]

Ha, ha, the Roma, another ugly car.... (I know beauty is in the eye of the beholder so I'm not serious)

[@raybob49]

You superbly demonstrate this super car the likes of which I only wish I could have owned. With your easy naration you take the viewer right into the hot seat as you power up through the gears. I am reminded of how, many years ago, I enjoyed the acceleration of my '66 Sunbeam Tiger, even though it had but one third the power of this TVR beast. Such sound and, yes, you are "bedding ino" the drivers seat as you aproach and exit the bends, this is a drive-by-the-seat-of-your-pants car at the highest level. Wonderful! Of any car, THIS TVR is not one to be electrically converted. Thanks for your most exciting video.

[@MarcosCodas]

I never understood the “it tries to kill you” phrase until I bought a 1989 Honda Transalp 600cc V-Twin adventure motorcycle. It was terrifying for a man on the smaller side like myself. It tried to kill me 3 times. It was my dream bike. I sold it at a loss and was happy to see the back of it.

[@ultimateformulations]

A front engine, rear drive sportscar with character. Once again a straight six, NA engine bringing joy. :) Classic formula- crazy application. I don't know how you do it, but you keep putting out terrific videos seemingly every day!

[@nickloftus4188]

Well done Jack, great review as always. As the owner of a Griffith (who also regularly does your/Harry's test route!) I was thrilled to see this video come up. That looks like a particularly nice Tuscan too. They are such amazing cars, such an event every time.

[@joshuarosen6242]

Aha, so I was right. I thought I recognised those roads.

[@Quebecoisegal]

@@joshuarosen6242 At first I thought road was in Cornwall, then Dorset, but ach I don't know really!

[@joshuarosen6242]

@@Quebecoisegal I now know that it's in the Cotswolds near Burford.

[@jonathanpalmer155]

​@@joshuarosen6242 Me too, different camera angles, but those S-bends are so unique.

[@hemiwarrior6226]

"Half thrilled, half scared shitless." Never have I heard the experience of driving a TVR summed up so accurately. I believe the Tuscan is the most beautiful European cars built since the E-Type. I cannot WAIT to import one to America next year.

[@ChrisHib01]

on the wishlist for me for sure, great to see a first hand user expiereince of it. even in the video, could really sense that build of power as you head up the rev range, must be insanely addictive in real life!

[@pgr3290]

I love the Sagaris. Incredible looking thing. The Tuscan like most TVRs are intentionally intimidating. It's the excitement. That fear for your life and primal response.

[@TheSpoovy]

An absolutely incredible design. Still blows me away even today.

[@nickduncan1505]

Great video Jack, you really captured the essence of this TVR… I had a Chimaera in the early 2000’s which I used as a daily and miss it’s presence, noise and thrilling drive.

[@melraine919]

Thank you Jack for the demo and info 👍🏼🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇬🇧

[@johnnysmith863]

I've always thought these Tuscans were absolutely phenomenal looking (and sounding) things, but never really knew how they drove (other than quickly). A friend had one when nearly new and it did spend more time off the road than on it, though. I think he had gearbox issues rather than engine.

[@clockdva20]

Do not forget the Speed 12 a car that was imposserble to drive and was planned for Le-Mans but rule changes stopped that a very is a rare beast .

[@davegreg]

A Speed 12 auctioned recently for a little over £600k.🙂

[@clockdva20]

@@davegreg I read a test drive I think in Autocar back in the day. They said it was a Monster wheelspin in almost every gear it tramlined like crazy. I love those crazy Batmobil looks that the Gen of TVR's if only they could have shaken their Kitcar back ground off to become a quality built car instead of again great idea's let down with poor build quality and cost cutting .

[@arranstewart4905]

Just discovered this channel! So glad I have! Now a subscriber, great video/content

[@danmiddle2]

What a great video, thanks for sharing your thoughts. I've just discovered your channel through this video and look forward to seeing some more videos.

[@Number27]

That’s great Dan, thank you!!

[@tommcglone2867]

6:18 As a former Speed 6 owner those eyeball vents were there to dry your pants after you had pissed yourself in fear. Damn i miss my Lil' Devil

[@davehooper5115]

lmao 🤣

[@jmarthecorkes]

Fantastic looking Tuscan and a great review!

[@PrinceBarin77]

I remember test driving one of these gen1 Tuscans in c.2000. It was still being run in so they wouldn’t let me take it over about 3k revs but I remember the interior being every bit as mad and gorgeous as you see here. The floor mounted pedals were also new for me at the time and I found it really difficult to get comfortable with. Desperately wanted one - even more so after it appeared in Swordfish. Not sure I’d buy one now but these must bring a lot of joy to their owners. Shame we don’t have more of this madness to choose from these days.

[@kevinburchett3885]

Wow what a great video of my friend’s TVR sounds even scarier listening to the growl on video 😂 the car 🚗 is still looking amazing. Well done Gareth you should be proud x😎🍺🍺

[@terminus8444]

Jack: "I'm half thrilled and half scared shitless!" An excellent summation of a great review of a fantastic machine! I've always loved the TVRs for their insanity! There's just something about the style and presentation which has always stuck with me through the years. I would own one in a hot-minute! Cheers mate! 👍

[@markrutlidge5427]

The joke was, who was tvr's test driver? Answer, The customers.

[@user-ue2ig4zs6t]

I was a big fan of TVR - my own grail was a Griffith - but they disappeared just as I was getting able to afford one. I did know a chap with a Tuscan in the colour-changing (green/purple) paint. Thank you Jack for this EXCELLENT view into the TVR Tuscan driving experience - it's exactly how I imagined it - and that SOUND! All the best, Rob in Switzerland

[@willemkaret1568]

I had the opportunity to drive a few laps in a Tuscan with Supercar Espana on Grand Canaria. Beefy transmission tunnel, great feeling in the controls, deep roar, such a unique car, loved it.

[@jackholder7979]

To me both the Tuscan and the Cerbera are two of the best looking cars ever made, also love the TVR story they were ambitious, unique and deserved more success!

[@paultaylor9652]

Lovely Jubbly, what a beast from Blackpool, nice to see it on the road being driven Jack

[@Number27]

Glad you enjoyed it Paul.. mental car this!!

[@user-ys5xy3um9o]

One of my heroes. Thanks for making this Jack.

[@craigturnbull5067]

What a video. What a car. I used to always lust after a TVR anytime they were in a Magazine. You rarely see any on the road and always hear them first!!

[@robingerhardpopma2587]

The scariest British car ever made would be another TVR in my book: The Cerbera Speed Twelve. Thanks for the video of this insane car. Cheers Robin

[@ronin84]

I've always loved how these sound more than their looks, but I do appreciate the uniqueness. In the original Gran Turismo I remember it being absolutely impossible to keep these on the road lol

[@UnboxRacing]

Yes...spot on. When I was a kid our neighbor had one..monumental noise, which I thought was so cool. In GT7, it looks very ugly, will buy it to see how it drives.

[@barry7608]

Its taken me many years but that's the car for me love all its features...thanks for this review.

[@skeligun]

Another amazing car and review Jack, if you had a show on regular tele, I would definitely watch it! It'd be well deserved, albiet probably more restrictive! Thank you again for your videos, tvr is completely bonkers, cheers!

[@eze8970]

It's been said TVR altered the engine design so that they wouldn't have to pay Al Melling the royalties. Oil starvation & a bad batch of crank components did the rest. The Mk 1's were more twitchy. Thanks Jack, I feel that you are slowly being drawn into the TVR world?! 🙏🙏

[@Number27]

I am.. love these cars!!

[@eze8970]

@@Number27 'Resistance is futile!'

[@sp00ky1969]

I seem to recall hearing the same story and it would sound like a Wheeler sort of thing to do. 😂

[@stevenhogan9724]

Heard the same story with the speed six

[@512bb]

"Not pretty" couldn't disagree any more, series 1 is just as cool as it got.

[@Brain_Juice]

The design of this is georgeous, every curve spot on, simply stunning inside and out, darker colours preferred, they spoilt it when they changed the headlights and rear lights, should have had courage to stay with the original design!

[@kroozer5215]

The carbon fiber exhausts with the stainless steel cap used to be made by a company called Blueflame performance exhaust when they were in skelmersdale - i was the metal polisher who polished them stainless caps, a friend of mine had a tuscan which was his dream car, unfortunately it was in the garage more than it was on the road.

[@jackburtonstwin]

TVR speak to a generation of car making when you were assumed to be an adult capable of making important and significant decisions without the nannying. If you f'd about you absolutely found out! I have huge admiration for TVR.

[@WalterDiamond]

Like a first gen Viper. Your feet are the traction and stability controls.

[@nickwebb9290]

I think the Tuscan looks brilliant. Not sure why but this also brings to mind the Chrysler Viper which was a handful. Wonderful cars if you know what your doing 😉

[@MegaSkypes]

Brilliant review thank you and probably the best sounding straight 6 ever!

[@dalamar6228]

I have a mk1 Tuscan and yes every drive is an experience. Drove it to work today and when the barrier went up at the entrance, just the slightest touch of the throttle got the back end stepping out and the wheels spinning in the damp morning conditions. Brilliant, terrifying, thrilling are the 3 words I’d choose to describe this car!

[@colingregson8653]

Got a 5 litre Chim drove it to work on a secure sight (Sellafield) and the security guys always said nice car mate even when a Porche was in front of me .

[@Bubbaburp]

The world needs more companies like tvr. Less homogeny, more uniqueness, more excitement! Bring back tvr!

[@turboturtle9083]

Those days are gone.....pollution controls , airbags , crash standards , antilock this and lane control that. If you want a real car, look for one and snap it up .they don't make affordable ones for regular people anymore.

[@Bubbaburp]

@@turboturtle9083 Never say never again!

[@badgers1975]

The tuscan from the Tuscan challenge series was gorgeous. For true lunacy the speed 12 was insane more power in road trim than it had in the British GT champship.....when it ran.....

[@sputumtube]

A pal of mine here in Cheshire had that same model and wanted some special mod or other. I followed him to the Blackpool factory in an Audi S4 (also his). Once we hit the M55 motorway where there were hardly any cars (it was a Sunday) , he accelerated to a speed the Audi couldn't match. To be honest, I lost my bottle at 140 and backed off. At the factory, I needed a wee and the very kind security guard allowed me to go as long as I didn't deviate from the yellow lines on the factory floor. The smell of adhesive was overwhelming and if I didn't know better, I'd have thought they were making canoes! Very memorable day.

[@logtothebase2]

The styling was laugh out loud hilarious, interesting about the production compromises of the engine i dont remember that was really out there at the time, although "spending time at the dealership" was understood to go with the territory. I think for Peter Wheelers ambitions they undersized the displacement and might have been better with more modestly tuned 5L, What I would note is that supercar switchgear and dials of the time were largely parts borrowed from more modest production cars, TVR was the first I can remember that actually manufacture their own unique stylized instruments, the milled binnacle with its brass aluminium and glass is museum worthy on its own. 6:04

[@richardharrold9736]

To be fair, 90bhp/litre was not that highly strung, considering BMW, Honda and Ferrari were all pushing over 100bhp/litre in this era... a rebuilt 4.5 with high compression pistons and aggressive cams should be good for 600bhp.

[@princesssolace4337]

Looks more at home in a modern art studio .... or front knobs of EVH 5150 guitar amps .. or Hartke bass amps

[@mohammadzein504]

When I saw the TVR Tuscan in the Movie Sword Fish back in 2001! I thought wow TVR has finally made it to the big leagues! It looked amazing in that chase scene! But unfortunately as you adequately put it in your review, they didn't address the real issues. Thank you Jack Sir for the great content as always 🙂✌👍

[@Arltratlo]

i think you see more BMWs or Mercedes in movies now, because they still produce cars....

[@jel5034]

A friend of mine had a Tuscan and it terrified him. He once told me that he felt, for no reason at all-he might one day wear a lamp-post, such was its chaotic handling. I love the look of this car Jack, aggressive, squat stance, a touch of Batman and an AC DC soundtrack. What a car

[@J.C.Vleugel]

you have a great job Jack, I envy you and again a TVR ! (next time a AJP Cerbera?) btw.love the over run bangs of the speedsix

[@slimboyfat3306]

So here we are twenty years later. What would you rather have? A twenty year old Boxter or the car equivalent of Darth Vader... The word "nervous" is used an awful lot here. You're supposed to be nervous. Darth Vader is meant to scare you. 😱

[@wokeybrokey8006]

It’s a beautiful looking beast

[@MarcosCodas]

Crackles and pops on the overruns reminds me of watching rally races with my dad. So good.

[@tvrduude]

Enjoyed your videos with your Else and I have an S2 also (and S240 Exige), but I will always have an affinity for TVRs as my avatar will attest. Since very few (none) of the later lairy cars were sent here, I have to make do with some of the early lairy cars!! Haha. I have SIX TVRs such as 68 Tuscan SE V8, Taimar Turbo, 3000S and some others. Thanks for this review and love your channel!

[@carlharvey7098]

Great video Jack as usual - I drove one once on a test drive, lovely car for for 300 yards until it broke down 😢

[@Number27]

Ah mate.. why a shame. It’s a ride you would not have forgotten!

[@carlharvey7098]

@@Number27 Oh the sound of it was amazing and the colour, vivid yellow!

[@GRACEORT]

What an exaggeration! I bet you are a Fisherman

[@carlharvey7098]

Nope fact! TBH it was less than that!@@GRACEORT

[@thom_Said]

Bullshit

[@richardsmith9509]

Hey Jack....Looks like a mini Viper !!! but O so fast

[@Urartus]

What a car. A staple in the history of the British automotive industry. That radio falling out at @04:17 is an undeniable signature characteristic as well 😆

[@photosbyernesto9621]

Such cool, bonkers cars! Love the snap, crackle and pop throttle overrun!

[@REPOMAN24722]

Always loved the TVR's exterior styling, unusual but nice for some reason, quirky. They should have sourced the 4l inline 6 from ford, intech and later evolved into the Barra spiced it up cost effective cheap motor that's easy to maintain and bulletproof.

[@richardharrold9736]

That would have involved sourcing engines from Australia, and pay import duties on it, not inexpensive at all, and those are HEAVY lumps, based on a 1950s cast iron block!

[@REPOMAN24722]

@@richardharrold9736 And can make heaps of power, iron block alloy head is the way to go for a performance motor, even with the tax it's cheaper, the engines were cheap as chips and can make tons of power. No wonder they are so sought after, people are importing them into the US.

[@richardharrold9736]

@@REPOMAN24722 the Barra is only any use in turbocharged form. For an N/A engine you want an aluminium block, oversquare dimensions - everything the Barra isn't. And no, it would not have been cheaper to import and modify Barras.

[@REPOMAN24722]

@@richardharrold9736 yes, turbo is fun, why not.

[@richardharrold9736]

@@REPOMAN24722 once again, too much weight - a turbo and intercooler are heavy. You'd have ended up with an engine a hundred kilos heavier than the TVR Speed Six engine. Plus turbo engines sound awful and their laggy, lumpen power delivery is horrid.

[@denzbeanz2]

As as long-time viewer and 3 year Tuscan owner. This I was really excited to see. Jack you pretty much nailed it, the feeling you got is almost exactly how I feel every time I drive mine, it is a shame you drove an early example as there is a big difference a couple of years later with different geometry and wider track ect, good tyres are also a must and I'm not sure about the tyres on that car, re taking it to the limit I'm 3 years in and I have only almost hit the limit only a few time, basically on a smooth flat straight road on a dry day with warm tyres, any other situation and your risking it, the series 2 wavy dash I don't like, the later 2002/3 4.0L examples of MK1 are peak prime Tuscan, I love how it scares you but like me you want more its soo additive, wonderful honest spot on review Jack, I genuinely don't think there is anything else like it and I've driven a lot of cars, this car connects to you on a level unlike anything else, thanks Jack

[@Number27]

Glad you approve dude!! Great to hear that from a Tuscan owner..

[@pabo8080]

British B roads are scary, no shoulder, cant see around corners because of tall grass, hedges, or stone walls, narrow.

[@GM-ii8gs]

Yep, fun 👍

[@pabo8080]

@@GM-ii8gs I m thinking the just stop oil people should be on those roads instead of in London. Maybe right after a blind high speed sweeper where they could.. umm.. get their message across better.

[@SabotsLibres]

First of all, the AJP8 was developed because they feared the end of production and thus availability of the Rover engine, not because they particularly wanted an in-house engine. Secondly, the major reason for bankruptcy was the new Russian oligarch owner Nikolay Smolensky who basically milked the company driving it into the ground. The company has, ever since the early days of Trevor Wilkinson, always lived on the edge. Smolensky had promised investment but went back on that almost as soon as he took over ownership.

[@smhorse]

The impression I had was that Smolensky was never a serious businessman, and merely treated TVR as a plaything that he bought with his father's money. He had no real interest in the cars, and it therefore didn't matter to him whether TVR failed.

[@SabotsLibres]

@@smhorse exactly… it was just empty promises to appear interested enough.

[@smhorse]

@@SabotsLibres : ....and Smolensky wasn't the only Russian playboy. There were a great many like him, all funded by their fathers.

[@SabotsLibres]

@@smhorse true, but he was the one that brought down TVR...

[@thebritishengineer8027]

The story I got from some of the lads who worked at TVR was... BMW walked into the office and stated they were taking over Rover Group and were interested in acquiring TVR to build a sports car. And that if they did not get their own way, the supply of V8's would dry up. To which Peter Wheeler replied "f**k off...". 8 months later TVR unveiled it's incredible Speed Eight engine. That's how I heared it.

[@rustyturner431]

Ah, yes... TVR was a truly quirky company - quirky cars and quirkier management! I was involved with importing them into the USA in the late 1970s, when TVR thought a roadster with side curtains and a semi-porous top would be a good idea. Fun to drive, and fast for the day, but not a really winning formula. This Tuscan seems to me to be the illogical successor to the 1970s Griffith 200, which with a tuned Fored 289 was positively suicidal! It made even John Bolster think twice... Back in the day, I drove one that had been "fully sorted" and had a fulll house 289 with 4 Webers and a wild cam. It was an absolute monster that wiggled its way down the straights at VIR and got frighteningly light at speed over even the slightest hill. At the time, I thought it was sort of fun...but I was a lot younger and made my living racing F5000 cars. For the Tuscan, I never did understand why TVR didn't just buy Ford Barra engines and dry-sump them. They're cheap and reliable and make tons of power when tuned. OK, it wuld not have been "their" engine, but look how well that worked out for them.

[@Ezz800]

Height clearance would’ve been an issue with the Barra. They’re insanely tall engines compared other i6’s on the market.

[@tomtravers4246]

100 per cent agree with your review Jack. Loved my S1 Tuscan but, as Clarkson said, it was always waiting to rip your face off. In the repair shop after one spin off I chatted with the managing director of an insurance business who said the Tuscan was the most crashed car in British history. With the skittishness at high speed and the risk of blipping the throttle at the wrong moment on the painted white lines it is easy to understand why.

[@GT380man]

My father owned a original TVR Tuscan, before he emigrated to the USA in 1976. Sometime after 1972, because I remember being in a new house with a triple garage. It was Spartan inside and was green metallic.

[@hazzayt24]

I know it's hard to believe but my dad owned this exact car (the one being reviewed) before I was born and was forced to sell it because it had a few problems and was a bit unreliable. I wonder who owns it now.

[@03056932]

two former owners in the comments now!