TVR Tasmin 280i

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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 it was only built with the fuel-injected Ford ‘Cologne’ 2.8-litre V6 which developed an unstressed 160bhp although from 1983 the Tasmin got the slightly more powerful fuel-injected Rover 3.5-litre V8. Only around 1,000 were built in total before production came to an end in 1989.

This 1982 model uses the robust and reliable fuel-injected Capri engine and comes with a history file containing 13 old MOTs. There is a comprehensive workshop manual, the vendor advising us that the car has been fitted with a stainless steel exhaust system which sounds fabulous and Spax adjustable shock absorbers. Treated to new brake pads all round, a recent oil change, filter and new plugs, he adds that the interior looks particularly good with its beige leather seats and wood-rim cross-spoke Momo steering wheel.

MOTd until August 2016, it remains a mystery to us why such an interesting and lively ‘80s TVR can be acquired at fraction of the cost of a similar condition, mechanically identical Capri of the same era. Go figure...