Does anyone here no anything about TVRs?

[AllanS]

I'm going to check out a Tasmin 280i this afternoon- there's one at the local junkyard that I'm interested in buying and completely restoring it. It looked like it was in decent condition the last time I saw it, but are there particularly expensive problems that I should be aware of?

Thanks,
Allan

[Black 535i]

http://www.tvrcc.com/

[Black 535i]

http://www.pistonheads.com/tvr/

[AllanS]

The TVR I checked out was totally trashed- it would need massive fiberglass work plus painting, and the engine looks like it hasn't been run in a decade. On top of that, the guy wants $4k for it- yeah, hrm, let me think on that one :P

[Joestancampiano]

My brother restored one a few years ago (email him at jswr1@tds.net). It came out great. He is a watchmaker by profession and restored the car like it was a Rolex. Can send you some pix if you like



Joe

[kempy535]

mate ive worked on a few different tvr's, you wont get parts from tvr coz they dont keep 'em if it hasnt been kept in good nick it will break a lot. most of the running gear is ford, euro model.

[bahnstormer]

the new ones sure are pretty.
tvr tuscan OH BOY!

[Dirty.Deeds]

The 280i uses Ford Capri 2.8i running gear which is pretty bullet proof.The parts are easy to get here in the UK.The guys up at trevor(TVR) are really helpfull and there are plenty of owners groups.If you need any bits just give me a yell ,I have a friend with a 450i and he seems to love the things.

[AllanS]

I'm more worried about the body and frame than the motor and driveline, since it's Ford as you say. The fiber was cracked all over the front around the headlights and it had been in a rear-end accident.

BTW isn't the 450 one of maybe 50? Rover v8? God, I'd love to see one stateside. I'd probably have better luck trying to get hit by lightning though.

[AllanS]

I'm going to email him in minute- thanks Joe

[Dirty.Deeds]

The body shouldn't be that much trouble to sort out if you can find a specialist to do it.I have known people go to boat yards to get Fibreglass repairs done.The chassis (frame ) is a different thing altogether though.If someone has an Autoliner jig or similar jig the data should be available from TVR for all the points on the chassis so it can be checked/straightened.

The 450i is Rover V8 (which was a ripped off version of a buick engine) it is basically bored and stroked to get capacity.It is rare as rocking horse crap !!
It is also amazingly fast!!!

[Marshy]

Definitely tap the knowledge of the folks on the TVR forums at www.pistonheads.com, as previously mentioned. There are a *ton* of friendly and knowledgeable people there.

Oh and I used to own the purple monster that's up here: http://www.hatstand.org/gallery/cars

5 litre Rover V8, around 300 bhp, 1060kg, 0-60 in about 4.5, 0-100 in just over 10. 2.5 turns lock to lock, fairly stiff suspension, an excess of power, and about as much weight as a wet carpet slipper. Fun? Oh aye.

[Shaun Nelson]

Fancy that, I just bought a e34 540i M-sport last week, and I also have a '87 280i.

There's nothing in a TVR (280i) that can't be source and gotten in the US.
The only bigger is the frame. But's it a basic Mild Steel tube frame.

TVR does not give out repair info, AFAIK, and nobody sells just sells sections of the frame, (ie. the front or rear)

The body is just fiberglass, and can be repaired, or large sections sourced from the UK. (google for "TET moulding")

The engine is a bone standard "Cologne" v6 at 2.8l. Very close to the mid-80's ranger and bronco, and the 70's US Capri 2.6. The Tranny is a simple N-type I believe.

The rear diff is from a 70's-80's XJ6 (pre-xj40) jaguar Salisbury. It won't go back. Custom suspension in the back, some wierd Trailing arm system. They went to A-arms later on, not sure how many of those made it to the US.

Steve Heath sells a very excellent book on repairing, maintaining, and racing the tasmin series.

I would be worried about crash damage however, the frame is the simgle most expensive part in the car.

Pistonheads is also a great source of information. As is the Yahoo USA TVR list.

If you have any questions I haven't answered, feel free to ask.

Shaun Nelson (bofh@stnelson.com)
'95 540i6 M-Sport
'87 TVR 280i

[bofh]

Fancy that, I just bought a e34 540i M-sport last week, and I also have a '87 280i.

Now with registered goodness!

If you're in the US, try Gene Bird Classic Motor Works (814 288-6911) in PA for parts if you need them. For info there's www.TVRNA.com

And in the UK there's Wedge Automotive. I've had some sucess getting parts shipped from them to the US.

Shaun Nelson

[AllanS]

great info- thanks Shaun

[kempy535]

4.5 rovers where fitted to range rovers.

[bofh]

And technically they aren't even a ripoff, since the were actually bought from Buick in the 60's and stuffed all sorts of BL cars.

In fact, there was an MGB made with the Rover/Buick V8. Of course, it the engine went on to power a slew of landrovers.

In the Eighties, Marcos and TVR started putting them into their cars, TVR mainly becuase the name Ford didn't sell many cars in the mid-east. :)

[BMWE34M5]

It was nice!!

http://www.abrahamsmotorsport.com/Sebring/P3190026.JPG http://www.abrahamsmotorsport.com/Sebring/P3190027.JPG