Dino246, then 328 GTS, now THIS!!!

Hi all,
Just wanted to post that I have just become the very happy new owner of an 86 TR Norwood Twin Turbo TARGA! Yes, this is the one Robert Klein wrote about a few days ago. the seller, Charles Larman, has been an absolute gentleman and above board in every way during this transaction.

Car was purchased by him in 86, then sent to Straman for a Targa conversion. Charles hates closed top cars! Then between May 95 and June 96, the car was sent to Norwood for the Twin Turbo conversion. don't know the exact RWHP, but Charles remembers it to be around 900hp. There is a nitrous system but has apparently never been used. Maintenance has been down by Continental Auto Sports in Hinsdale, Il. Interior was changed to Blood Red using factory Connolly leather to reflect the owner's preference. Exterior is black. Car has 27,007 actual miles, only 5000 since the Norwood conversion. Charles has a stable of amazing cars, including an F40 he sold 2 years ago to Chris Parr. He is apparently waiting for delivery of a BEntley Continental GT, and already has plans for that baby!

I am flying to pick up the car tomorrow and driving approx 550 miles home...nice way to get acquainted! Will post pics once I figure how to do so!

Leakdown and inspection shows the car to be in amazing condition, less than 1% variance in all cylinders.

Special thanks to RJKlein, who put the word out, and was instrumental in aiding the purchase process, the good folks at Norwood (both companies!), who spent a lot of time enlightening me about the process, conversion, pros and cons etc, Robert Calisi for all his help and advice about importing into Canada, and Charles, who has been wonderfully patient and generous.

CAN'T WAIT!!!!!

 

Thanks guys. Really looking forward to having fun with this beast! The engine was rebuilt, with stronger rods, internals, sleeves, intercoolers etc. Engine management is a Motec M48(?), completely software adjusted for proper boost so the the driver cannot easily screw it up. Racing clutch was installed, along with new gears. The previous owner doesn't seem to be a drag racer type, just loves to customize and boost the potential of his cars. Only thing I will do later is add bigger brakes.

Mako, you're a little ****! (JK!!!) Hell, you only live once, and from all accounts, this car is really well built. And if it does blow up, you can be a pall bearer!

 

Thanks everyone. I am really stoked about this. Plan to really use it most of the year until the weather gets really bad.

Tom, I will see you next Monday...in the rain predicted! I will post pics as soon as I take them tomorrow, after I get back.

Good to see you on this board Yoshi...hope your search goes well.

Doody, next stop a 550!!!

Got to build a bigger garage now.

 

Updates: the car has just received a major tuneup, done by our very own Tom Bakowski. Belts were about 9 years old, a little age worn but didn't seem stretched or cracked. Mind you, the previous owner drove only 5000 miles or so after the last belt change. Also did a couple of hoses, spark plugs and wires etc. Original clutch was absolutely fine, water pump rebuilt preventatively. Total cost was about $3500 US. Tom is a champ, totally honest and very competent.

Right after the tuneup, the car feels even more amazing, if that were possible. Both Tom and I noticed it right away, it pulls incredibly smoothly, drives like a normal TR up to about 4000 rpm, then when you stomp on the gas, you hold on and watch out! I have never felt anything accelerate so quickly! And boy does it want to pull! The accelerator pedal seems totally effortless above 4000rpm, almost feather light. The scenery seems to literally melt and blend, and the distant car in front of you comes up VERY QUICKLY. With the MUCH bigger wheels and tires (335/40/17 if I remember, at the back) the car feels incredibly planted and solid. Yet at no point does it seem to wander or follow road grooves.

The BEAST is currently at the auto detailer getting some well deserved TLC. All interior leather trim including seats coming out for reconditioning, buff and re-dye. Exterior gets at least 2 wet-sand treatments and wax, all little dings/chips filled in. Engine bay gets complete treatment. The car will be cosmetically perfect when Adam is done. Incidentally, Adam used to own a top detail shop in Dallas, and often restored cars and participated in Pebble Beach concours. Should be finished by Saturday.

After all that, the BEAST goes on a dyno for final tweaking to the Motec fuel management system.

Can't wait!

Projects for next year...update the engine system to Norwoods newest work. I am sold on James' great work. Incidentally, Norwood's invoice showed the specific mechanic who worked on the separate systems...James Patterson, current owner of Norwood Performance rebuilt my engine. A total of 4 mechanics were responsible for the total work, including fabricating custom exhaust, electronics, wiring etc.

p.s. I cannot seem to load pics. If anyone can help, I can email pics of the car before all this work was done.

 

Tiger I am sharing the car...my friend and I are going to spank this bad boy together! Vincent, thanks for the kind words, and I remember the old Dino threads, some of the most hilarious, with pics of Dean Martin and Dino of flintstones thrown in! LOL. How is the 355 working out?