There’s an extended historical past of stuffing Ford V8s into tiny TVRs, and whereas in the present day’s Good Worth or No Cube 280i isn’t fairly the basic we would anticipate, it nonetheless hews to that historic precedent. Let’s determine if we observe its pricing.
Yesterday’s 1977 Datsun 200SX was such a tremendous time capsule of a automotive that one may absolutely anticipate Lee Majors and Farrah Fawcett to come out of it and supply up a chilly can of Fresca. At $12,000, the Datsun’s value wasn’t fairly so old-fashioned, nor did it show acceptable to the 74 % of you who dinged it with a No Cube loss.
TVR, the on-again, off-again British sports activities automotive builder, was based in 1946 by Trevor Wilkinson. The corporate’s title was taken from the primary, fourth, and final letters of Trevor’s first title. I assume it was pure luck that his mother and father didn’t title him Augustus, or in the present day, we is perhaps considering the ASS 280i. As a substitute, this 1986 TVR 280i presents much less scatology and extra of a uncommon have a look at what the plucky automotive maker was as much as within the eighties, unusually sufficient, greater than 20 years after Trevor Wilkinson left the corporate.
Really, that is far more than only a have a look at TVR of the period, as, in response to the advert, the automotive has been totally restored, up to date, and renewed. A part of that course of was changing the automotive’s authentic fuel-injected Cologne 2.8 V6 (therefore the 280i moniker) with a 5.0 V8 from a Mustang GT. Behind that may be a Ford AOD four-speed automated. The vendor says that it was only in the near past rebuilt and remains to be underneath guarantee.
Different adjustments embrace a steering rack from a Mustang II somewhat than a Cortina, a brand new high, supposedly straight from Jolly Olde, refinished basketweave alloys fitted with contemporary tires, and new carpet all through.
This line of TVR began life because the Tasmin in 1980. Designed by Oliver Winterbottom, a stylist who by no means met an angle he didn’t like, it wasn’t vastly effectively obtained on the time of its launch. The design was massaged over its life, and the title modified to replicate the engine dimension. Over time since, it has gained followers for being so abashedly consultant of forward-looking ’80s model somewhat than the retro designs from TVR that might observe.
This one advantages from the much less in-your-face finish caps of the Euro fashions somewhat than the standard-fitted U.S. rubber child buggy bumpers. The paint is claimed to have price $15K alone and appears terrific. That’s been adorned with new decals, together with a 280i badge on the boot lid, which everyone knows is a lie. The fiberglass bodywork beneath additionally seems with out flaw.
The cabin, which on these automobiles is tighter than a Scotsman’s pockets, options new upholstery and refreshed wooden on the sprint. One very fascinating characteristic of those automobiles is the Surrey high. That’s a convertible roof that has been inbuilt two sections—a delicate folding rear half and a tough “Targa” part over the seats. The center part could be eliminated individually from the rear part, giving the automotive three positions—closed, Targa, or full convertible. This was a fairly revolutionary answer and one which was copied by a handful of different small producers.
Whereas mileage might be much less vital on a automotive that has seen a serious restoration and motor alternative, we should always observe that this TVR has a mere 39,450 on the clock. It additionally has a clear title and wears California plates with what look like 2024 tags regardless of the chance that it will by no means go a smog take a look at right here. If it’s a California-compliant automotive, that’s all the higher.
However might its price ticket be higher? The vendor is asking $19,500 for this TVR, which is about double what these automobiles go for in unrestored however first rate form and nonetheless powered by the V6. This automotive clearly presents extra in each its situation and construct, however is it value twice the going charge in consequence?
What do you say? Is that this V8-powered and seemingly turn-key TVR value that $19,500 asking? Or is that simply asking method an excessive amount of of the little automotive?
You determine!
Los Angeles, California, Craigslist, or go right here if the advert disappears.
H/T to Don R. for the hookup!
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