This 1985 TVR 280i is a surprisingly nice driver-grade example of a model that typically appears as a total trainwreck of a project. Yes, there are exceptions, but as someone who has wanted to own one of these for quite some time, I’m amazed at how many I find that look like they were beaten like a sick mule. The 280i is a desirable piece of kit, powered by the sultry Ford Cologne V6, a car that ranks right up there with Italian exotics in terms of the noises it makes with an appropriate exhaust. This car is said to be in fine order with only minor cosmetic flaws to report, and listed here 0n Facebook Marketplace for $9,000 with under 26,000 miles.

Pictures are limited to the exterior, but that alone tells a story in terms of how well this TVR has been maintained. The bodywork appears tidy, with no major dents or scrapes to report. Lenses are intact as well, and factory badges remain in place on the fenders. The TVR script on the hood will look quite weathered on a car left outdoors, and there’s no such issue here. The side view mirrors have always struck me as incredibly cheap-looking, but TVR wasn’t operating on a limitless budget for any of the cars it managed to make at a respectable scale. The mesh wheels are a great look and appear to be free of major curb damage.

I believe those wheels were genuine BBS/Mahle units, so they’re pricey to replace if they go missing. The convertible top looks quite healthy, with no apparent wrinkles that stem from years of being stored in the down position, or rips / tears that come from carelessness or outdoor storage. The back glass is even clear. For whatever reason, I find a lot of these 280i’s end up in the hands of owners who don’t know how to care for them, either because of a perceived lack of parts availability or the relatively stagnant values that make owning one of these wedges a labor of love. The shame of it is there’s a robust owner’s network in Britain that loves to preserve these things, so parts can be tracked down.

The front lip may have some scuffs, and it’s hard to tell whether the fog lights retain their lenses. The seller notes the car runs quite well, and that the Ford V6 and four-speed manual transmission are both behaving nicely at the moment. The rips and tears he mentions are limited to the driver’s seat and the carpeting, but no photos are provided. Many of these 280i’s appear as low mileage examples, so it’s not particularly surprising to see one with under 30,000 miles. The fun-per-dollar formula is quite strong on cars like these, and buying one that works and has been loved is the way to go.