TVR 350i

It all started back in 1947 when a Blackpool lad by the name of Trevor Wilkinson built a 'special' body on his old Alvis. Taking the T, V and R from his first name, his company went on to be one of the largest specialist sports car makers in the country, with a glowing track record and a reputation for a series of maverick motors.

During the late 70s TVR's then-owner decided that it needed a more contemporary look and took on Oliver Winterbottom, an ex-Lotus stylist, to inject a more 'with it' style. That he certainly did, with a classic piece of 80s design – the wedge. Launched as the TVR Tasmin at the 1980 Belgian Motorshow, it was initially available with a choice of 2-litre four-cylinder or 2.8-litre V6 Ford engines. By 1983 more power was needed and the V6 was swapped for the 190bhp Rover 3.5-litre V8 which came in at about the same weight. This was enough to propel the 1,160kg wedge to 60mph in 6 seconds and onto 135mph given a long enough straight. The 350i lasted until 1985, when it was replaced by the 390i, and following continued engine upgrades to give more performance was finally replaced by the ultra curvy Griffith in 1991.

This right-hand drive TVR was delivered to its new owner in France and spent its early life in the southern sunshine. Its owner was then posted to London and it took up residence in the UK before being put into storage where it stayed for some considerable time. It has been with the current owner for the last 2 years who has been giving it gentle exercise, and has recently fitted a TVR power stainless steel exhaust at the cost of £800. He reports that everything is in working condition, it comes with its own fitted cover and is MOTd until June 2011.

These iconic 80s TVR wedges represent a huge amount of performance per pound and cannot remain at such bargain prices for much longer. Now is perhaps the time to buy...