Buying a TVR is always going to be a Heart over Head experience…..or is it?
I had been looking for the perfect MK1 Tuscan S for a number of months and having viewed too many cars to remember, all of which were nice but lacked the wow factor, I struck lucky with a call into Shmoo Automotive.
Without any prompting, they immediately replayed the challenges I was faced with – body work was tired, bad colour schemes, heavily customised, mechanically questionable, interior looking very sad, chassis needs significant work etc etc etc. But supplemented by their confidence that great Tuscan’s did exist and I wasn’t chasing a dream.
Throughout several conversations with both Ed and Ross, their knowledge and passion for cars was clear, as was their genuine willingness to help regardless of where I was buying from, this was incredibly refreshing.
Within the week I was talking to Ed again about a car that he was just in the process of collecting and that he felt fitted the bill. Emails, photos and videos were exchanged frequently. It was looking good and my excitement was building. (You all know what it’s like once that potentially perfect car comes up, it does rather take over one’s thoughts……) J
The car in question was a stunning and completely original one owner MK1 S in the most spectacular unmarked Ferrari Azzuro Hyperion pearl.
A full engine rebuild with the Powers 5 year engine warranty was already booked and with it the opportunity at this early stage to include all of the must do things and upgrades whilst the engine was out…more of which in a moment.
What else could you possibly ask for I hear you say? And the answer was nothing – except for the fact that this beautiful car was generating a lot of interest from other would be buyers and I needed to move fast, but with work and travel commitments I wasn’t going to be able to view the car quickly. However, Ed sent me plenty of videos and photos of the car, both the good and the areas that proved it wasn’t a brand new car. These included chassis and suspension videos ….
So, I did what any other right minded TVR buyer would do and brought it blind without seeing it in the flesh.
Whilst it sounds inconceivable, the relationship that I’d developed with Ed throughout the process gave me more confidence in buying this car than any other before it. His professionalism, passion, honesty and relentless attention to detail left me in no doubt at any stage that this car would be anything short of perfect. And I wasn’t disappointed.
I eventually managed to get up and see the car on Saturday 24th March. Ed met me at Powers Performance and it gave me a chance to look over the car, and chat with Dom and Ed about all the choices that lay in front of me. Some of which were not needed, but the car was just so lovely that I felt this was the time to throw the wallet at it and just get it right first time, rather than worry over a few more shillings. (See perfect car comments above…J)
Some of the work I had carried out is listed here. Alloy radiator upgrade, heavy duty starter motor, upgraded and all new oil pump, re-bushed throttle pots, relined block, new clutch, front spacers and suspension set up silicone hoses etc etc…plus a few other things that took many hours of time from Ed to make the car spot on. All justified by the fact the engine was out; stripped and labour costs were being saved. I think the wife could see my man logic on this one as well…phew!
The car had to have a few blemishes sorted, Ed’s want more than mine really and after many weeks of updates, with more photos and video updates from Ed, all of his advice, knowledge, the hours of preparation and focus on the small details resulted in what I (and the many people who have complemented me) think is the best Tuscan MK1 S out there.
The car was delivered on the day of the Royal Wedding on May 19th 2018. Harry remembers it for his reasons; I remember it for the day my Azzuro Hyperion Princess turned up.
I can without any hesitation recommend Ed and Shmoo Automotive Ltd to any potential buyer and I know this will be the first of many cars I have from them.