TVR T350C Coupe

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With a top speed of 175mph, a 0-60 time of 4.4 seconds and a gurgling exhaust note that could wake the dead, the T350 was a proper TVR in the finest tradition with a better power-to-weight ratio than a Lamborghini Murcielago.

However it was also remarkably civilised (for a TVR) causing even Jeremy Clarkson to state: “This is the best TVR I have ever driven. The brakes are astonishing, so is the power. It is seriously, properly, eye-poppingly fast. And because it doesn’t try to bite your head off every time you make a mistake, you can use more of the power for more of the time.”

With a naturally aspirated 3,605cc Speed Six engine producing 350bhp and 290lb/ft and driving through a 5-speed manual gearbox, it provided all the performance that any sane man could want without needing a change of underpants. Just 460 were made between 2002 and 2006 and all are increasingly collectable today, especially if you can find one that has been properly maintained and not thrashed to within an inch of its life – which is where this car comes in.

First registered in March 2003, this TVR T350C has covered just over 24,000 miles and has been maintained regardless of cost throughout its life. The service book has no fewer than 7 stamps in the book up to 18,870 miles in August 2012 (all TVR main agent or specialist), shortly after which it was bought by a Swiss gentleman who planned to take it home with him.

As Switzerland famously has just about the toughest car maintenance requirements known to mankind, in March 2013 he entrusted the car to TVR Powers Performance in Coventry (a top specialist with ex-TVR factory technicians) for a thorough stem-to-stern checkover to ensure that it would meet all the Swiss regulations. Over £3,000 later it was declared good to go – and off it went.

It remained with him in Switzerland for the next year, passing the very strict MFK (a forensic version of our MOT) and also jumping through all the hoops necessary to get it approved and registered over there (another £4,000, danke schon) so it could even go back to the land of the cuckoo clock if desired.

Since returning to laid back England late last year, the car has been put back on UK plates, has flown through its November MOT with no advisories recorded (well what did you expect?), has been fitted with new back tyres and has been serviced yet again only 200 miles ago. It is supplied with the aforementioned service history and Swiss red tape, V5C, two sets of keys, stereo book, TVR handbook/service wallet and a large file of bills.

Ticking all the right OCD boxes, this ferociously fast and fanatically maintained TVR just needs a more relaxed new owner behind the wheel who will not phone the police if he hears his neighbour flushing the toilet after 10pm at night.

AMENDMENT: Contrary to what is stated in the printed catalogue, this car does not have a soft top as it is a fixed-head Coupe.