1986 | TVR Tasmin 280i

When TVR launched the Tasmin 'wedge' in 1980, it was a radical break from the more traditional sports cars that had come out of Blackpool. Oliver Winterbottom's angular design resembled the Lotus Esprit and Elite, although the TVR even looked more razor-edge sharp. Most of the wedge-shaped TVR's were built for the home market as RHD versions, making a LHD TVR 280i a very rare hand-built sports car. Few cars are more cutting edge eighties than this red wedge from Blackpool.

This particular TVR 280i series two was delivered new in the United States, to a lady in Maryland. She ordered the car in red, with a custom license plate 'NTIMATE'. The TVR was enjoyed for only a few years, during which she was a member of the TVR Car Club North America. The last repair order dates from 1994, when the car had some suspension work done at 38.265 mls. This was possibly when serious chassis frame corrosion was discovered. It has not been driven ever since and must have gone into storage quickly thereafter. In 2013, the car was bought by a collector from Ohio, who recently sold it to us.

We managed to get the TVR running again, finding out that it is still able to drive on its own. The left hand exhaust manifold is leaking though a crack and the Ford V6 engine would need a further service check up before being driven more frequently. Standard 4 speed manual gearbox, shifts through gears smoothly. Although we did not test everything on the electrical system, there are a few electrical flaws. This is possibly due to coroded earth connections, after having been in storage for 25 years. The dashboard gauges do not seem to be working, so there is no oil pressure reading. We expect the car to need at least an extensive maintenance check up.

The tubular chassis frame is in need of restoration work, as it shows rust damage to the lower central sections. Its GRP body is still in factory original paint, heavily faded and with smaller signs of wear. No signs of collission are present, other than some road rash on the front spoiler. Original BBS alloy wheels, one of which has a flat tyre (hence the spare is mounted on the right rear).

On the inside, the previous owner had the seats reupholstered in light grey leather with red piping. New convertible top fabric was ordered in England and is included with the car. Other extra parts include a head gasket set (ordered because the car required replacement of dried out injector seals).

US title (Ohio) and EU import document (duties paid). The car comes with a folder containing TVR car club bulletins, invoices and old registration documents. This TVR 280i convertible is available for inspection in our shop in Sint Anthonis, the Netherlands. Delivery throughout Europe can be arranged at extra costs.