There’s a protracted 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 traditional 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 would possibly absolutely anticipate Lee Majors and Farrah Fawcett to come out of it and provide 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 p.c 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 identify. I suppose it was pure luck that his dad and mom didn’t identify him Augustus, or in the present day, we is perhaps considering the ASS 280i. As a substitute, this 1986 TVR 280i provides much less scatology and extra of a uncommon have a look at what the plucky automotive maker was as much as within the eighties, surprisingly sufficient, greater than twenty years after Trevor Wilkinson left the corporate.
Truly, that is far more than only a have a look at TVR of the period, as, based on the advert, the automotive has been completely restored, up to date, and renewed. A part of that course of was changing the automotive’s unique fuel-injected Cologne 2.8 V6 (therefore the 280i moniker) with a 5.0 V8 from a Mustang GT. Behind that could 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 modifications embody a steering rack from a Mustang II quite 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 massively nicely acquired on the time of its launch. The design was massaged over its life, and the identify modified to replicate the engine measurement. Over time since, it has gained followers for being so abashedly consultant of forward-looking ’80s fashion quite 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 quite than the standard-fitted U.S. rubber child buggy bumpers. The paint is claimed to have value $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 function of those automobiles is the Surrey high. That’s a convertible roof that has been in-built two sections—a mushy folding rear half and a tough “Targa” part over the seats. The center part might be eliminated individually from the rear part, giving the automotive three positions—closed, Targa, or full convertible. This was a fairly modern resolution and one which was copied by a handful of different small producers.
Whereas mileage might be much less essential on a automotive that has seen a significant restoration and motor alternative, we should always notice 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 probability that it will by no means cross a smog check 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 respectable form and nonetheless powered by the V6. This automotive clearly provides extra in each its situation and construct, however is it price twice the going fee consequently?
What do you say? Is that this V8-powered and seemingly turn-key TVR price that $19,500 asking? Or is that simply asking manner 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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