TVR Tasmin 350i

The first of TVR’s famous ‘flying wedge’ series, the Tasmin was introduced in 1980 with dramatic, angular styling by Oliver Winterbottom who had previously designed the similar Elite S2 for Lotus.

It used a tubular steel spaceframe chassis designed by another ex-Lotus man, Ian Jones, and was available as a 2+2 Coupe or a two-seater convertible with lightweight GRP bodywork. Much of the running gear was sourced from Fords of the period – the suspension and steering came from the Cortina with TVR-engineered rear wishbones and the 5-speed manual gearbox came from the Sierra. Brakes were discs all round, with the front units from the Granada and the differential courtesy of the Jaguar XJS.

Initially the only engine available was the fuel-injected Ford ‘Cologne’ 2.8-litre V6 which developed an unstressed 160bhp. However in 1983 a more powerful fuel-injected Rover 3.5-litre V8 was installed. Now with 190bhp on tap, the TVR 350i as the model was called could sprint to 60mph in just 6 seconds with a top speed of 135mph and a wonderful V8 bellow. Only around 1,000 were built in total before production came to an end in 1989.

First registered in January 1984, this 350i has been in the current ownership since 2002 and has only covered some 58,200 miles to date with most old MOTs to verify the mileage. Said to come with a comprehensive service history, it was last serviced in August 2012 when a new clutch was also fitted.

The owner has also recently fitted a reconditioned radiator, new carpets and has re-covered the seats in red leather although he states that there are still bits of the interior that could do with further tidying. The car is said to run and drive well with an MOT until the end of July.