Martin Lilley was about to execute on an enduring ambition that would get him fired. It was the late 1970s and he had been running TVR since 1965. The company was no longer making kit cars, and its finances had improved. But for a decade, Lilley had yearned to move both upmarket and more decisively into the US. So he hired Oliver Winterbottom, formerly a designer at Lotus but now independent, to come up with a new model. The Tasmin was the result. Based on the futuristic wedge shape that was all the rage, the car was built as a coupe first. Ten months after its 1980 introduction, a convertible and a 2+2 broadened the range. But a perfect storm met the new car: it was underpowered yet thirsty, at a time when fuel prices and inflation were killing luxury makes. Its design was controversial – sharp where TVR had been known for curvy. Worse yet, the company had failed to read the fine print around US emissions regulations, resulting in the impoundment of thousands of dollars worth of M-series cars at US ports. The company faced financial ruin once again. Martin Lilley was out just one year after the Tasmin’s introduction. Meantime, here on craigslist is a surviving example of this cauldron of woe – a 1985 TVR Tasmin 280i convertible, listed at $15,500 (advertised at $17,500 about a year ago, and we covered this car here in the spring). Drive it home from Mattituck, New York. T.J. sent us this tip – thanks T.J.!

The first iteration of the Tasmin received Ford’s fuel-injected 2.8 liter Cologne V6, good for about 160 hp and 125 mph. Somehow the automotive press was unimpressed, a bit of a puzzle since the Porsche 924 was gasping out only 125 hp, and the Esprit was limping along with 140 hp. The ennui was probably influenced by the near arrival of turbo-charging. Aside from the Ford engine, the Tasmin’s front suspension was also borrowed from Ford, while in the rear it sported a Jag XJS differential and inboard brakes. The five-speed gearbox is also from Ford. Handling is excellent. This car is said to have clocked only 20,000 miles over its life; the seller notes the clutch has been replaced.

The interior is luxe, with wood dash accents and velour seats. The gauges and steering wheel are as new. The convertible top is clever: the center section is a removable fabric-covered targa top, while the rear section folds down conventionally.

After Mr Winterbottom finished penning the Tasmin’s design, management was apparently not particularly pleased with the result. But sunk development costs prevented backtracking. Despite the twin exhausts, the rear of the car is less than harmonious. As to value, the market is speaking if the seller will listen. This car hasn’t found a new home yet, which says to me that the price must come down.