TVR: Terribly light, Very quick, and Raucous. Located in Warwick, Rhode Island, this 1985 280i is listed for auction here on eBay. Five days remain at the time of writing, and though the bid has cleared $3,000, the reserve has yet to be met.
TVR was founded in 1946 by Trevor Wilkinson, who was much more interested in building wickedly fast cars than running a factory. So, under a long succession of owners, wickedly fast cars became TVR’s bread and butter. They quickly hit on the trifecta of steel backbone chassis, fiberglass body, and powerful engine, producing some of the most visually stunning performance cars of the Sixties and Seventies, all while cementing their reputation as the bad boys of Blackpool. If Lotus is the Bruce Lee of British sports cars, effortlessly dancing through opponents as they fall, TVR is a brawler: brutal and effective, although not without a certain grace. The sort of car that you’d love to get into trouble with.
This model, originally known as the Tasmin, was designed in the waning years of Martin Lilley’s ownership of the company, long after Wilkinson’s departure. In terms of looks, it was a major departure for TVR, yet the wedge shape perfectly places it in its time. Few cars are more 1985 than this. It’s equipped with a fuel-injected 2.8L Ford V6 that was good for 160 bhp, sending power to the rear wheels via a four-speed gearbox. Although respectable for the mid-Eighties, that’s not a huge number; but combined with a car that weighs around 2,400 pounds, it could make for some spirited driving.
As the Eighties drifted towards a close, new federal regulations about auto safety started to come into force. TVR chose to exit the American market rather than comply– likely with a few choice words regarding where the regulators could put their air bags. As a result, this was the last TVR model officially sold in the United States. The current owner has a long list of details that need attending to, including an engine that idles high and runs rough, electrical headaches, and cosmetic flaws. Most worrying is the lack of a title, though the seller is confident that the next owner can shop among the many state systems to find the one best suited to his situation. A suggestion in keeping, perhaps, with the spirit of TVR.
Body-matched tail pipes?
Someone hasn’t heard of masking tape.
Those are the cherry bomb mufflers
“ Although the air intake tube has been updated with black duct tape from silver, it should still be replaced to make it nice”
This might be one of the best, most honest descriptions of all time from the eBay listing….. nothing says quality repair like using the correct color duct tape!
That intake boot is a Ford Granada 2.8i item and it’s hard to come by. You can cobble a generic replacement in and it’ll work ok, but look funky.
Neat cars. This one sits right. Fun and sound good. Exceptionally solid fiberglass body. Rear suspension design has some design shortcomings.
I wouldn’t call 0-60 in 7.5 seconds very quick.
It was in 1985….but I don’t think my ’86 280i made to 60 that “quickly.” It was still faster than my 1977 TVR with the Triumph TR6 motor.
When I wanted to sell my 280i in the early 90s, I was offered a 1970s Maserati Merak in trade…an exotic that got to 60 in over 9 seconds. That car had no value at that time, except to repair shop owners. I ended up trading it for a restored 1950 Ford F1 and cash.