While there’s a season for every car, some vehicles seem to have a year-round presence on your radar. Barn Finds reader Chuck Foster knows this, as he continues to taunt me with available TVR 280i’s, a car I just can’t shake (or any TVR, for that matter!) Thanks, Chuck, for continuing to feed my obsession. This 1986 280i looks like a decent project, but the seller reports that it has been off the road for several years after the owner passed away. It needs the usual assortment of work done for any car that’s been sitting, but photos show what looks like a well-kept car before its hibernation. Find it here on Facebook Marketplace for $7,200.
As far as why I think these TVRs are so compelling, it has much to do with the Ford running gear. The Cologne V6 has been used in a wide variety of Ford vehicles both overseas and stateside, and in my opinion, it’s one of the best sounding engines with a proper exhaust. It’s amazing how much influence an uncorked exhaust can have when leaving a lasting impression of a car. Of course, the rest of the package is pretty slick as well, with the bodywork resting over a tubular spaceframe chassis. This structure is often a concern for corrosion despite the factory’s efforts to protect it, but the seller claims this TVR is rust-free.
Seeing the car up on stands makes me wonder if the deceased owner had plans for a proper off-season servicing before his health deteriorated. The body looks to be quite tidy and the same goes for the interior. The leather seats look quite nice, still, as does the piping. Usually, you see the piping wrinkled and broken in cars that haven’t been looked after or stored somewhere with poor temperature regulation, but no such issues here. The 280i, also known as a Tasmin, came with this slick Momo steering wheel and woodgrain dash trim, and both pieces along with the dash pad appear undamaged.
The 2.8L V6 makes a respectable 160 horsepower, and with the 5-speed manual, it moved out smartly when new. The mechanical bits of most TVRs came from somewhere else, as did some of the trim, so you can usually find a source somewhere for a needed component. Hopefully, given this 280i looks like it was in the hands of an enthusiast, the seller is correct that the bulk of the mechanical refurbishing will focus on draining fluids (with the gas tank being the most significant job) and otherwise just setting it up to run again. As an added bonus, this is a car that looks phenomenal with the top down! I’ll keep this one on my check to see if it’s still for sale in a year list.
These cars are light and fast and fun to drive. Very nice example here and what you might guess out of me, I like the color.
I am currently working on an 83 Lotus Eclat and you can see how the 80’s wedge styling was so similar. Except for the differences in the top, even the side view styling is similar! So is the front end and the rear end…..
Actually, both cars were styled by the same guy, Oliver Winterbottom.
Thanks Mike! I just learned something new!!!
Side view
Nice one Joey Mec. Great color too.
Iconic Lotus yellow! Everyone likes the color and it’s original. ( well… most of it anyway….)
A former neighbor in Chapel Hill has 2 of these, one a parts car and the other he was working on. Neither had any rust so both could have been finished. As with so many projects, his languished. (Believe me, I know about languishing projects!!!)
I have several 2.8s in the storage barn and one that I spent alot of time on the heads that sits in my MGB. (,infront of a T5 5 speed) I have never seen an induction system like this before. LUCAS? Did the work well? Where can I get one?
Jeff,
I have a metal TVR called a ’76 Capri Mk. 2 Ghia, that has a Stebro (?) exhaust. I have the TVR bug, too, but I’m holding out for a Cerbera.
Wayne: here you go.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/126171558950
Thanks Scottymac!
That HAS ti flow better than the 2bbl. manifold we get here. It looks like a Bosche unit. Is it?
That’s a standard Ford intake plenum for a 2.8L Cologne V6 with Bosch K-jetronic injection. Here’s a better look:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/186128569986
Says 4-speed in the Marketplace ad.
Cool car.
Thanks Scottymac!
That HAS to flow better than the 2bbl. manifold we get here. It looks like a Bosche unit. Is it?
SubGothius, thanks! I wonder what in installed height is? It’s getting tight under the MGB hood. May have to give it an MGC hood bump. Only in a different place!