Typically, modified cars don’t get a ton of love from enthusiasts when it comes to classics. We want to see vintage cars in a preserved state, as they were delivered from the dealership. Well, every now and again, you see a modified car and it’s hard not to admit the builder had a fairly compelling vision. This 1986 TVR 280i is not only a very pretty survivor, but its original Cologne V6 has been removed with a classic Ford 5.0L V8 from a Fox body Mustang swapped in its place. Weighing in at just 2,200 pounds, this looks like heaps of fun. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Mitchell G. for the tip!
The TVR 280i (also known as the Tasmin) is likely one of the more misunderstood vintage roadsters out there. On paper, it seems like it should have been a home run: lightweight, sleek shape, BBS wheels, a torquey V6, and limited production numbers. Then there are the small details: the subtle aerodynamics kit, dual exhaust, and pop-up headlights. Overall, this looks like a car that anyone with a panache for high-performance machines should love. However, build quality issues and a limited presence in the marketplace made the 280i a bit of a question mark, and it remained fairly obscure. That being said, I remain amazed at how many of these wedge-shaped British roadsters still pop up for sale.
While the 5.0L V8 makes an awful lot of sense as swap fodder, the Cologne V6 wasn’t a bad engine. Ford used it across the lineup in the 1980s, and given how many 280i’s show up in relatively awful condition with the engine still running, it had to have been fairly durable. Still, if you want to eliminate one of the primary concerns about driving a 280i farther than the center of town, a 5.0L V8 paired to a 4-speed automatic transmission is one of the best ways to make a car like this into a four-season driver. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg as it relates to the modifications made by the seller; some of the highlights include Jaguar rear end with IRS suspension and inboard brakes, a Mustang 2 front end with rack and pinion steering, a coilover suspension, and much more.
The interior was redone with fresh carpeting, along with the wood trim. A full exterior paint job was included as part of the rebuild, and the top replaced. The A/C and heater work, and the transmission rebuilt. Overall, it seems like the builder of this 280i didn’t leave much untouched, and while I’m sure it was a money-losing proposition, the end result is a car that is somewhat unrepeatable and entirely usable with the added bonus of being serviceable by Jiffy Lube and whatever Autozone has on the shelf. Find it here on craigslist for $19,500 in Van Nuys, California.
Wow I won’t be putting my golf clubs in that trunk. The spare tire practically fills it. Really cool car though, like the mechanical upgrades. And that wedge style doesn’t get old it seems.
Owner sure hit the right spots to modify. This one I’d spend the money on if I wasn’t over run with cars at the moment. Crew chief says not a problem pulling out the spare for grocery runs. Nice car.
Scrap the spare tire and carry a can of tire inflator and a small air compressor. My daily driver doesn’t even offer a spare tire as an option. The auto club can tow you to the tire store for any major blow outs.
These types of modified rides always seem to get their detractors, but really, aren’t they a spiritual continuation of our long ago hot-rodder forefathers who actually spurred on the pursuit of high performance and personal automotive expression? I can just hear the same guy who dogs something like this would hammer on a 50’s-60’s period mod of a deuce coupe with (heaven forbid) a small block Chevy. Would you hear the same about a nine-inch FoMoCo diff installed on a big block GM anything?
This little ‘door stop’ appears very well sorted and no doubt gave its builder great pride and fun…of course after all the possible headaches of modification.
I think one can be both a purist, and open minded. For me, I think this is an amazing build and really appreciate all of the thought, creativity, and talent required to create this one off. So while I really like it on the one hand, I wouldn’t own it.
I’m the guy described by the author in the opening paragraph, I want all my cars to look like they just rolled off the showroom floor: rock-stock. It also requires a lot of work and sometimes creativity, but that’s my personal goal in any restoration project.
Great for a run to Trader Joes…. NOT a run to COSTCO!