The TVR you reviewed is a Series 1.5 (Series 2 models have flared wheel openings and rocker panels for a more rounded appearance, different front and rear bumpers, redesigned interior door panels, and high level 3rd brake lights mounted in the center of the trunk lid above the rear license plate. The black nerfing strips from the bumper on the car you reviewed have been removed. Momo steering wheels came standard. Handling is actually outstanding - the best feature of the car.
it was fast at the time, people forget that reviewing cars from the 80s. it was also a car you could fix at home with a friend basic tools 4 pack of beer.
I drove a red convertible just like this one back in 1981 for a British car dealership in Calgary that I worked for, albeit only for a few blocks. Ditto for the silver coupe version they had at the same time. I can certainly vouch for the engine sound you mentioned and, at the time, the design looked futuristic, taught and lean. Now it looks nice, but... dated. One thing I can say is that, as nice as the convertible is, I liked the lines of the coupe better, with it's almost horizontal glass hatch and its glass vertical lower window just above the tailights. Like the Porsche 911, the coupe version just seems to age better than convertible and targa configurations. They are better at keeping the weather out too, and more rigid.
I have one of these which I bought in 2005, although my 1983 model was then called the Tasmin 280i. It is now sitting in my garage waiting for the fuel pump to be fixed. A great car to drive at between 50mph to 120 mph, at slower speeds is OK, but at parking speed is hard work(I don’t have power steering on mine, and it has wider tyres than original).
The reason for the giant hood and all the vents is because the 280i was the budget model. Anything above this version has a Buick or Rover V8 ranging from a 3.5, a supercharged 3.9, a 4.2 and a 4.5. They had upwards of 350bhp and were genuinely terrifying. Strangely they weren’t ever sold outside Europe so they were never really sen in the US unless they had the ford engine.
Handling of the TVR 280i is actually a strong point of the car. The tubular steel space frame, weight under 2200 pounds, and the excellent steering feedback from the non-power steering all contribute to a driving experience on twisting country roads which you would find exhilarating. Thanks for your review of this unique roadster.
I have owned 4 of these 'Wedge' TVRs, from 2.8 to 4 litre V8. (1 x 2.8i FHC, 2 x 390SEs, and 1 x 400SE). The American export ones (2.8 only) were down to 150bhp from 160. The V8 models were of course much more powerful...producing between 200 and 300bhp, with torque to match, in a car weighing 1100-1200 kgs, but most new British cars exported to the States ended up with reduced power and more weight, because of emissions and safety regs. Soo... perhaps not the best advert for the British niche market sports cars. You need to drive and hear a V8 model, to understand the appeal they have for many.
watching from the UK, seen hundreds of TVR's but never seen this until it popped up on auto trader today, £5000 for a spotless low mileage example, surely a value that will only increase
Actual US spec TVR owner here... An '83 Tasmin was my daily driver until I got my Buick Grand National in '98. Damn near every single thing said in this video is wrong.
Pretty car. Looks to be in decent shape. This 280i has some nonstandard stuff. You can usually remove the chin spoiler rather easily - this one is deseamed. The front grill insert does show on some TVR parts diagrams, but US cars had wire mesh only. Rear bumpers aren’t this ugly, the rub strip is missing. You missed out by not cornering this car, they handle great. I’d say that’s the point in having it. If you think it’s boxy and odd, look at Buick Grand Nationals from the same period. The market was awash in angles and boxes. The jellybean Taurus was extreme back then.
Funny you bring that up. My Tasmin was a daily driver 600miles a week back and forth to work until I got my Buick Grand National because it has cruise control (And didn't leak water in and heat out. lol). Still have them both. The TVR hasn't been driven in over 20 years and the GN has been dormant since it got stolen and blown up in '06.
The TVR you reviewed is a Series 1.5 (Series 2 models have flared wheel openings and rocker panels for a more rounded appearance, different front and rear bumpers, redesigned interior door panels, and high level 3rd brake lights mounted in the center of the trunk lid above the rear license plate. The black nerfing strips from the bumper on the car you reviewed have been removed. Momo steering wheels came standard. Handling is actually outstanding - the best feature of the car.
it was fast at the time, people forget that reviewing cars from the 80s. it was also a car you could fix at home with a friend basic tools 4 pack of beer.
Later models had the Rover (ex Buick) V8, in 3.5, 3.9, 4.2 Litre capacities.
The true definition of a sportscar
I drove a red convertible just like this one back in 1981 for a British car dealership in Calgary that I worked for, albeit only for a few blocks. Ditto for the silver coupe version they had at the same time. I can certainly vouch for the engine sound you mentioned and, at the time, the design looked futuristic, taught and lean. Now it looks nice, but... dated.
One thing I can say is that, as nice as the convertible is, I liked the lines of the coupe better, with it's almost horizontal glass hatch and its glass vertical lower window just above the tailights. Like the Porsche 911, the coupe version just seems to age better than convertible and targa configurations. They are better at keeping the weather out too, and more rigid.
It is aerodynamic!
My neighbor have about 5 -6 of these.
I only remember the ads for the TVR at the time of release.
I have one of these which I bought in 2005, although my 1983 model was then called the Tasmin 280i. It is now sitting in my garage waiting for the fuel pump to be fixed. A great car to drive at between 50mph to 120 mph, at slower speeds is OK, but at parking speed is hard work(I don’t have power steering on mine, and it has wider tyres than original).
Sweet cars. I think I've seen one in my whole life (I'm 48). Would love to have one.
Im curious why you assume these cars dont handle well? Ive always had a interest in these cars. Never seen one in the US.
The reason for the giant hood and all the vents is because the 280i was the budget model. Anything above this version has a Buick or Rover V8 ranging from a 3.5, a supercharged 3.9, a 4.2 and a 4.5. They had upwards of 350bhp and were genuinely terrifying. Strangely they weren’t ever sold outside Europe so they were never really sen in the US unless they had the ford engine.
Handling of the TVR 280i is actually a strong point of the car. The tubular steel space frame, weight under 2200 pounds, and the excellent steering feedback from the non-power steering all contribute to a driving experience on twisting country roads which you would find exhilarating. Thanks for your review of this unique roadster.
I have owned 4 of these 'Wedge' TVRs, from 2.8 to 4 litre V8. (1 x 2.8i FHC, 2 x 390SEs, and 1 x 400SE). The American export ones (2.8 only) were down to 150bhp from 160. The V8 models were of course much more powerful...producing between 200 and 300bhp, with torque to match, in a car weighing 1100-1200 kgs, but most new British cars exported to the States ended up with reduced power and more weight, because of emissions and safety regs. Soo... perhaps not the best advert for the British niche market sports cars. You need to drive and hear a V8 model, to understand the appeal they have for many.
watching from the UK, seen hundreds of TVR's but never seen this until it popped up on auto trader today, £5000 for a spotless low mileage example, surely a value that will only increase
Actual US spec TVR owner here... An '83 Tasmin was my daily driver until I got my Buick Grand National in '98.
Damn near every single thing said in this video is wrong.
Yeah , weird review. Not like his Chevelle I guess ;)
Best "fun for the money" car I ever owned...
Pretty car. Looks to be in decent shape.
This 280i has some nonstandard stuff. You can usually remove the chin spoiler rather easily - this one is deseamed. The front grill insert does show on some TVR parts diagrams, but US cars had wire mesh only. Rear bumpers aren’t this ugly, the rub strip is missing.
You missed out by not cornering this car, they handle great. I’d say that’s the point in having it.
If you think it’s boxy and odd, look at Buick Grand Nationals from the same period. The market was awash in angles and boxes. The jellybean Taurus was extreme back then.
Funny you bring that up. My Tasmin was a daily driver 600miles a week back and forth to work until I got my Buick Grand National because it has cruise control (And didn't leak water in and heat out. lol).
Still have them both. The TVR hasn't been driven in over 20 years and the GN has been dormant since it got stolen and blown up in '06.
Where have you been??
I'm pretty much just waiting for nicer weather to get going again. It's nice to take a little break every now and then too haha
Nice!
A very interesting and sleek car to me, but it's a shame that cars of this era like this, such as the likes of the DeLorean, were so underpowered
I actually like it. It's really ugly but in a good way and I'll forgive it. I like it a lot. It looks much like a kit car. Wish I can test drive it