You have the taste and knowledge,
gives you the trading advantage
Example
Year: 1983 • Mileage: 103,000 mi • Price: £8,750 • Location: Stockton on Tees, United Kingdom
This fixed-head coupe is finished in red and powered by a naturally aspirated 2.8-litre V6 engine paired with a manual gearbox. A comprehensive glass-out cabin retrim was completed in leather and Wilton carpeting by Trim Unique, and the chassis is noted to be in excellent condition having been fully polybushed. Driven 103,000 miles across five previous ownerships, an annual MOT was recently passed with no advisories despite its tax- and MOT-exempt status.
AI Assistant
Overview
- 1983 TVR Tasmin 280i Fixed Head Coupe (FHC) fitted with a 2.8L Ford Cologne V6 and manual transmission.
- Displays 103,000 recorded miles, supported by a fresh MOT with no advisories despite MOT/tax exemption eligibility.
- Bodywork and paintwork present in excellent condition; high-cost bespoke leather and Wilton carpet retrim by Trim Unique significantly elevates interior presentation.
- Underside inspection confirms a fully refurbished/painted tubular chassis and upgraded polyurethane suspension bushes.
- Overall condition is mechanically sound and cosmetically strong, requiring only minor recommissioning and detailing before resale.
Notes
- Chassis condition: The tubular steel chassis appears in exceptional structural order with visible grey protective coating and fresh poly-bushings, eliminating the most common and costly TVR structural failure point (outrigger rot).
- Custom Interior: The bespoke two-tone cream and red leather cabin and Wilton carpets show negligible wear; documentation from Trim Unique should be compiled into the history file to justify added value.
- Drivetrain: The 2.8L Ford Cologne V6 with Bosch K-Jetronic mechanical fuel injection is durable and cheap to maintain, though prone to warm-start vaporisation or metering head issues if left idle for extended periods.
- Glass & Panels: The large rear glass hatch and bonded windscreen are intact; replacement glass for Tasmin FHC models is exceptionally scarce and expensive to source.
- Uncertainty: Lack of documented recent service history requires assuming fluid changes, cooling checks, and belt replacements must be carried out immediately prior to retail presentation.
Work and Repairs
| Item | Estimated Cost | Why it's needed |
|---|---|---|
| Full fluid service, filters, and K-Jetronic fuel system tune | £550 | Standard retail recommissioning required due to prolonged lack of use. |
| Exhaust hardware refresh & minor clamp replacement | £180 | Underside inspection shows surface oxidation on exhaust pipe clamps and joints. |
| New set of period-correct performance tyres | £480 | Tyres on low-use classic cars often age out chemically despite healthy tread depth. |
| Pop-up headlight motor and linkage overhaul | £220 | Preventative maintenance for typical TVR wedge linkage wear and slow motor actuation. |
| Pre-sale rolling road diagnostics & cooling system flush | £250 | Ensures the Cologne V6 operates at optimum temperature and fuel mixtures under load. |
Value Add Improvements
- Full Paint Correction & Ceramic Coating: Enhances the single-stage or clearcoat red paint finish, accentuating the sharp wedge lines and making the car stand out in dealer listings and classic car auctions.
- Engine Bay Cosmetic Detailing: Cleaning, bead-blasting the intake plenum/rocker covers, and replating yellow-zinc hardware will bring the engine bay up to the immaculate standard set by the cabin and chassis.
- Period-Correct Audio Integration: Replace or discreetly hide any modern aftermarket head unit with a period-styled classic unit (such as a modern-internals retro radio) to suit classic car purists.
- Documented Inspection File: Commissioning an independent classic engineer inspection report will provide reassurance to distance buyers regarding the chassis integrity and mechanical health.
- Hardware Refresh: Replacing minor oxidised exhaust clamps, fasteners, and detailing the wheel centres and original lattice alloys.
Pricing
| •Asking Price: | £8,750 |
| •Suggested Buy Price: | £5,000 to £6,500 (£5,750) |
| •Estimated Repair Cost: | £1,680 |
| •Suggested Sell Price: | £8,500 to £10,500 (£9,500) |
| •Buy Markup/down: | -£3,000 (--34.3%) |
| •Sell Markup/down: | -£930 (--10.6%) |
Target Market
The primary target market for this TVR Tasmin 280i is an entry-to-mid-level classic sports car enthusiast or dedicated TVR collector seeking a turnkey, usable wedge coupe. This buyer values unique 1980s styling, manageable Ford-derived mechanical maintenance costs, and a finished cabin that does not require expensive trim restoration.
A viable secondary niche includes modern classic collectors and 1980s retro-futurism enthusiasts looking for alternatives to contemporary Lotus Esprit or Porsche 924/944 models. The Tasmin Fixed Head Coupe's relative rarity compared to the convertible variant also appeals to TVR brand purists who prioritise distinct wedge-era design.