1988 TVR Tasmin - 21589942091

Highlights

Advisory-free MOT until 28th April 2025
Judicious and well-documented maintenance history: serviced around every 5,000 miles
Superbly presented highly original and in very good condition for its age
Desirable 3.5-litre V8 variant with a five-speed manual gearbox
Recent new soft top

The Appeal

If you’re the shy and retiring type, the sort of person who likes to go about their business unnoticed - buy a diesel Golf. If you don’t mind a bit of attention, this TVR Tasmin is guaranteed to turn heads.

It really couldn’t be more ‘80s if it tried. One half expects Rick Astley of Midge Ure to get out of the driver’s seat…

The Tasmin was penned by ex-Lotus designer Oliver Winterbottom. It’ll come as no surprise that he was the man behind the Elite and Eclat - both icons of the “wedge” movement. Newly in charge of the Blackpool firm, the now legendary Peter Wheeler planned to turn TVR around by taking the fight to some more premium manufacturers. That meant the old Tasmin 280i’s l4 and V6 engines were;’t up to the task. The inimitable Rover V8 was called upon and thus, a legend was born.

This 1988 example is in great condition, benefitting from regular servicing (around every 5,000 miles). We adore the colour, the V8 soundtrack and angular proportions. These cars marked the start of TVR’s golden age, so for any collectors with a penchant for the Wheeler era, a 350i is surely a must-have. With an advisory-free MOT valid until 28th April 2025, this fine example is ready to go.

The History and Paperwork

Serviced approximately every 5,000 miles
Original book pack present
Haynes manual
Various TVR Club magazines
Service book and a folder of associated repair work invoices
Eight former registered keepers
UK market RHD example

The Condition

Fibreglass exterior in very good condition with minimal age-related chips
Recently replaced fabric folding roof in great order
OZ split rims with Bridgestone tyres featuring period-correct tread pattern
Leather MOMO steering wheel and wooden fascia in good order
Full grey leather interior with minimal wear
Working switchgear and quick-operating windows
Space saver spare wheel present in the boot

On the outside, this TVR can only be described as ‘80s-tastic, with its hyper blue metallic paint and colour-matched OZ split rims.

This TVR’s angular fibreglass bodywork looks to be in very good condition. There is the odd paint chip here and there as you would expect for the age and mileage of the vehicle, but there we did not see any signs of crazing to the fiberglass, as is often found on vehicles made this way.

Starting at the front of the wedge-shaped 350i, the ultra-cool ‘80s pop-up headlights are working as they should and are free from any obvious chips to the lenses. The same can be said for the fog lights and indicators. There are some age-related chips to the lower valance and bumper, but nothing we’d deem especially noticeable.

The bonnet aligns as it should with the wings, and the bonded windscreen is in very good order. The doors have an equal panel gap to both sides and th vendor reports that they shut well.

The Tasmin is a convertible of course and the fabric folding roof looks in great order having been recently replaced. The stitching is lovely and straight and there are no obvious blemishes in the fabric or the clear plastic window.

The gorgeous OZ split rims are shod in Bridgestone tyres which feature a period-correct tread pattern.

From the driver's seat, you’re faced with a leather MOMO steering wheel, with the gauges sitting neatly inside a wooden fascia. The switchgear is all reported to be working correctly and the windows go up and down at a good pace.

Into the boot, and the space saver spare wheel is present complete with the cover. The full grey leather interior which all presents in great condition with minimal wear. This interior has stood the test of time very well - especially considering this is a British-made low-volume sports car!

The Mechanics

3.5-litre Rover V8
5-speed manual transmission
New fuel pump and filter
New oil pump and oil transmitter with a strong spring
Immobiliser professionally removed
Both central locking remotes work
Manual electric fan override switch
Ford Granada brakes reportedly working as they should, with no judder
Includes spares including an oil sender, rear exhaust section, fuel operating module, gear knob, and gas strut

A Peter Wheeler era TVR is a hairy-chested, high-octane sports car, not for the faint of heart. We’re assured that this Tamsin lives up to that reputation as is a thrill to drive. The car has undergone copious recent work as listed above and has passed its MOT with no advisories.

The vendor comments:

“Fitted with Rover’s 3.5 litre fuel-injected V8, this TVR 350i sounds stunning and never faisl to turn heads as it rumbles through a high street. The car fires up from cold with the flick of the key and sounds amazing through the twin tailpipes. It drives well, with no untoward noises from the suspension or transmission, The Ford Granada-derived brakes are working as they should, pulling the car up in a straight line, with no judder.”

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