Martin Crass, Tuscan Challenge
Mat Smith Sports Cars ran Martin Crass's Tuscan in 2011, producing a number of podium finishes and outright wins.
Looking after TVRs since 1994, now from our own workshop in Downham Market.
We're an independent TVR specialist on Trafalgar Industrial Estate. We service, restore, align and race-prepare TVRs, and look after all types of modern and classic car.
- 5.0 from 41 Google reviews
- Working on TVRs since 1994
- Our own workshop since 2012
- Courtesy car available
- Open Saturday mornings
Fixed-price TVR servicing
Mat Smith Sports Cars are an independent TVR specialist with almost 33 years of direct experience with the marque. We carry out servicing on TVR and all types of modern and classic car.
We pride ourselves on our attention to detail, and on always going that extra mile to prepare our customers' vehicles to the highest standards at a cost-effective price. All servicing is carried out to manufacturer's specification and above.
Courtesy car
For customers who need it we have a courtesy car available while your car is being serviced or repaired. If you'd like to use it, pre-booking is essential to make sure it's available.
Samples of our TVR fixed price servicing:
S1, S2, S3, S4
- 3k
3k service
(low mileage service)
£300.00
- 6k
6k service
£400.00
- 12k
12k service
£520.00
Griffith, Chimaera, Wedges & V8s
- 3k
3k service
(low mileage service)
£350.00
- 6k
6k service
£450.00
- 12k
12k service
£640.00
Tuscan, Tamora, T350, Sagaris, Cerbera Speed 6s
- 3k
3k service
(low mileage service)
£350.00
- 6k
6k service
£480.00
- 12k
12k service
£620.00
- 12k
12k service
(including tappet adjustment)
£890.00
Cerbera AJP V8
- 6k
6k service
£690.00
- 12k
12k service
£980.00
- 12k
12k service
(including tappet adjustment)
£1440.00
All 2026 prices include parts, labour & VAT.
Labour rate £90.00 including VAT
Everything on the board outside unit 1E
We are an independent TVR specialist and cater for all brands of sports car, both modern and classic. From a Grantura to a Sagaris, from a kit car to a Ferrari, we have the skills, knowledge and experience to look after your pride and joy.
Independent TVR Specialist
Classic Car Preparation
Classic and modern sports cars of every make come through the workshop. We've had an Austin Healey replica in for sales preparation and wheel alignment, and recommissioned a Triumph Vitesse based kit car to go back on the road, with upgrades to bring it to modern MOT standards.
Kit Car Preparation
We finished the build of an Ultima GTR, fitting its Corvette LS3 engine and Porsche transaxle gearbox, ready for the IVA test and the road.
Chassis Restoration
From a simple preventative clean and waxoil to a full body off restoration, we examine your existing chassis and advise on the work to either prevent problems or repair it back to original condition.
Race & Track Preparation
We have the experience to build cars from scratch or take on existing projects, set up a race car to find those extra tenths, or check your road car over before a trackday. We also provide trackside support at race days, test days and track days.
4 Wheel Alignment
Our Hunter alignment system checks castor, camber, toe in/out and wheel set back, and when the setup is complete we can print the readings for you to check against next time.
Corner Weighting
If your car has adjustable spring platforms or ride height, our corner weight scales let us set each corner individually so the car has the best balance.
Suspension Upgrades
Bushes fail and wishbones crack or bend with age. We evaluate your suspension and repair it, either with replacements to OEM standards or upgrades with aftermarket bushes and dampers.
Call 01366 386004
Body off, and back on the road
The TVR body can hide chassis problems. We can examine and restore your chassis, from a simple preventative clean and waxoil to a full body off restoration.
Over time the suspension on a performance car will start to degrade, with bushes failing and wishbones cracking or bending, often due to corrosion. We have the experience to evaluate the condition of your suspension and then repair it.
One of ours: a full body off restoration of a Griffith 500.
- 1The work starts with careful removal of the engine and then the body.
- 2With the body removed, the outriggers are replaced.
- 3The chassis is completely stripped and shot blasted to remove all traces of corrosion.
- 4Rather than powder coating, this owner asked for a 2 pack paint finish on the restored chassis.
- 5The chassis is reassembled with the suspension, then the engine goes back in and the body goes back on.
- 6Journey's end: the completed car back on the road.
A Tuscan chassis after refurbishment.
The TVR Griffith came to us for a full body off restoration. Whilst the car looked in great condition externally, the chassis and running needed significant work.
4 wheel alignment and corner weighting
With any sports or classic car it is vital that the suspension components are in perfect working condition and that everything is set up correctly. Worn components or a less than optimal setup can ruin the ride of a car or, at worst, make the handling unpredictable.
Badly adjusted suspension can cause:
- Accelerated tyre wear
- Increased fuel consumption
- Poor stability
- Steering pull
- Wandering under acceleration and braking
- Loss of grip/control during emergency braking and manoeuvring
Used with our 4 post lift and level floor, the Hunter alignment system lets us repeatedly and accurately check the castor, camber, toe in/out, wheel set back and more, to make sure the suspension is set to its optimum and that everything is square and pointing in the right direction. Adjustments are made, then the whole car is rechecked in case they've had any knock on effects.
When it comes to racing, the correct setup can be the difference between winning and the back of the pack.
Setting each corner
If your car has adjustable spring platforms or adjustable ride height, rather than simply setting the ride height we use our corner weight scales to set each corner individually, so that the car has the best balance.
Ideally a car would have 25% of the weight on each corner. Unless it's mid engined that usually isn't possible, but getting the same weight distribution on each side of the same axle, and matching the cross corner weights, will improve the car's handling. Setting a car up this way lets us take into account the manufacturing tolerances in the suspension and chassis.
Book an alignment
Well known in the TVR paddock
Mat earned his racing stripes from the age of 15, spending many years building race cars and providing trackside support in England and across Europe. During the 90s he joined the TVR Centre, supporting Giles Cooper in the heyday of the Tuscan Challenge.
“There is something special about building and racing your own car”
Championships we've worked in
- Dunlop TVR Challenge1994, 2004-2011
- LMA Euro Saloons2011
- Race-at-Spa2011
- MG BC V8s1990-1993
- Thoroughbred and Classics1990-1993
- TR Championships1990-1993
- French F3 Championship1989
- Porsche Cup1986-1988
V8
Kevan Gore, Tuscan Speed Six race car
Built by Mat from a cat D road Tuscan and converted to a racer over 2007/2008, ready for the 2009 season. It runs a fuel injected 4.5 litre AJP V8 mated to a Borg Warner T5 gearbox, and produces around 400 bhp.
Our own Chimaera
Bought as an early road car and developed into a Class C racer for the TVR Challenge. After buying it we discovered that Mat had serviced this very car at the TVR Centre back in 1995 and 1996.
Want to go racing, or have an existing race car that wants setting up? Please contact Mat to discuss your track based requirements.
Call 01366 386004Talk to the man who works on your car
Mat joined the TVR Centre in 1994, and after 18 years of all things TVR he brought that experience together in his own workshop in 2012. Above all, Mat is Mat Smith Sports Cars. Integrity, reliability and expert knowledge.
- 1994TVR CentreMat joins the TVR Centre to fuel his passion for TVRs, and his skills are finely tuned there.
- 1999Brundle TVRHe moves closer to home and works on TVRs at Brundle TVR until they cease trading in 2006.
- 2006Sebring InternationalHe's snapped up by Sebring International.
- 2012Mat Smith Sports CarsAfter 18 years of all things TVR, Mat opens his own haven for all things TVR.
What you can expect
- We'll treat your TVR with the same care and attention to detail we'd give our own.
- We'll keep you informed of any significant additional work that needs doing, before we do it, so there are no sharp intakes of breath when you settle your account.
- When you collect your car you'll get honest, constructive feedback on the areas to keep an eye on, so there are no nasty surprises.
- You talk to the actual man who will be working on your car, so nothing gets lost in translation, or forgotten.
What owners say
5.0 from 41 Google reviews
I’m new to TVR and discovered Mat through invoices that came with the car. Their knowledge is exceptional and they treat the car as their own. I am extremely pleased to have them close by and now I am perfectly relaxed about owning a brand with “foibles”knowing that Mat and the guys are at hand.
Mat just did my Cerbera’s first 12k+valve service and I am extremely pleased with the quality of work. Very thorough and rectified items I had forgotten to mention, so attention to detail was noted. The 12k includes engine, diff, gearbox, clutch and brake fluids. I’ve been left with nothing to do! 😅 Thanks Mat and your team for the brilliant work.
Totally recommend Mat, used him for wheel alignment on my chimaera at short notice as was passing by on holiday. He’s an absolute gent to deal with and fixed the door opening which was playing up for free. I only wish I lived nearer to him as I’d be a regular customer!
I have used Mat for two Services/ MOT's and both time I have come away feeling very looked after. Mat and his team live and breath TVR (and race them) and talked me through the status of my car both times/ made recommendations for the future. My technician had an attention to detail and sorted anything that needed doing.
Mat has done various specialist work for me, including a Tilton Slave cylinder modification on my Cerbera Speed Six, as well as fitting Core suspension to my dad’s Chimaera. Everything was carried out in a timely fashion to exceedingly high standards. 10/10 would recommend
Finding the workshop
Unit 1E, Sovereign Way
Trafalgar Industrial Estate
Downham Market, Norfolk
PE38 9SW
Downham Market train station is about two minutes away, with direct links to Ely, Cambridge and London.
Opening hours
- Monday
- 8:30am - 5:00pm
- Tuesday
- 8:30am - 5:00pm
- Wednesday
- 8:30am - 5:00pm
- Thursday
- 8:30am - 5:00pm
- Friday
- 8:30am - 5:00pm
- Saturday
- 8:30am - 12:00pm
- Sunday
- Closed
Open Saturday mornings, closed Sunday and bank holidays.
Book your car in
Whether it's an annual service, an upgrade or a body off restoration, call the workshop or send Mat a message.