85 FHC 280i with 3000 miles
85 FHC 280i with 3000 miles
Author
Discussion

GBinUSA

Original Poster:

222 posts

151 months

Monday 29th December 2014
quotequote all
I have an opportunity to buy this 1985 FHC. Yes its a federal USA spec'd car with the naff impact bumpers but it's only got 3000 miles on the clock and has been stored inside as part of a collection. So in theory one could say its almost brand new. All original apart from the veneers. Regularly exercised and maintained accordingly. It's not cheap but it is a rare car. If I pulled the trigger on it, it would be a realization of a teenager's dream - 30 years on. What do you all think?













Edited by GBinUSA on Monday 29th December 23:40

mrzigazaga

18,807 posts

192 months

Tuesday 30th December 2014
quotequote all
Wow..3000miles..An almost brand new 30 year old TVR...What a find....Ziga

GBinUSA

Original Poster:

222 posts

151 months

Tuesday 30th December 2014
quotequote all
My Graham Robson books says that only 3 280i FHC were built 1985. What are the odds it was used for this factory photograph?


mark387mw

2,203 posts

294 months

Tuesday 30th December 2014
quotequote all
GBinUSA said:
If I pulled the trigger on it, it would be a realization of a teenager's dream - 30 years on.
If you have the money then yes, you can't take the money with you. You only live once.

RCK974X

2,521 posts

176 months

Tuesday 30th December 2014
quotequote all
looks to be in fantastic condition, all clean....go for it...

KKson

3,470 posts

152 months

Tuesday 30th December 2014
quotequote all
No brainer. If you have the money then buy it. Quick!

colin mee

1,215 posts

147 months

Tuesday 30th December 2014
quotequote all
If its your dream car you have to have it.you may only get one chance

superwedge

1,286 posts

175 months

Tuesday 30th December 2014
quotequote all
bumpers look ok, get the car looks like a rare virgin to mecloud9

GBinUSA

Original Poster:

222 posts

151 months

Tuesday 30th December 2014
quotequote all
To say the 280i FHC is my dream car is a bit of a stretch but the wedge was the car I lusted after as a teenager in 1986. The later cars with the slightly softer lines, 400 etc..., and the updated dash were the best in my opinion. Only way to get one of those here stateside is as a personal import under the 25 year age exemption. Which in it's self is easy but it's the time and expense in finding the right car that makes it far from convenient and then factoring in the RHD LHD thing.

I've been playing with the notion of trying to buy this car for a few years. It is unfortunate that it's not a V8 powered car but it's condition is amazing and that's what attracts me to it. The FHC styling is an acquired taste granted but I like it.

I can get it for 9000 GBP / 13500 USD. Expensive for a FHC yes but when you consider that it's corrosion free and that there is really no substitute for low miles, the price seems a bit more reasonable. I haven't fully decided yet but I do have room in the garage.

superwedge

1,286 posts

175 months

Tuesday 30th December 2014
quotequote all
but it,don;t use it, just keep as it is, in a few years that will be worth a lot more,

fullpull

262 posts

194 months

Tuesday 30th December 2014
quotequote all
GBinUSA said:
To say the 280i FHC is my dream car is a bit of a stretch but the wedge was the car I lusted after as a teenager in 1986. The later cars with the slightly softer lines, 400 etc..., and the updated dash were the best in my opinion. Only way to get one of those here stateside is as a personal import under the 25 year age exemption. Which in it's self is easy but it's the time and expense in finding the right car that makes it far from convenient and then factoring in the RHD LHD thing.

I've been playing with the notion of trying to buy this car for a few years. It is unfortunate that it's not a V8 powered car but it's condition is amazing and that's what attracts me to it. The FHC styling is an acquired taste granted but I like it.

I can get it for 9000 GBP / 13500 USD. Expensive for a FHC yes but when you consider that it's corrosion free and that there is really no substitute for low miles, the price seems a bit more reasonable. I haven't fully decided yet but I do have room in the garage.
I am not very familiar with TVR prices in the U.S.A. but this offer sounds good to me. If I hadn't got my 350i FHC I'd be definitely interested myself.

TVR-NUT

1,404 posts

281 months

Tuesday 30th December 2014
quotequote all
My first and only wedge was a 280i fhc. Unfortunately I only had it for a relatively short time, as my circumstances changed and I had to sell up. I really enjoyed owning it and would have another one again if the circumstances were right. The fhc might be an 'aquired taste' and in this case only have a v6 engine, but if you don't have a go and try and buy it, you may well regret it. Also you could put a complete stainless steel exhaust system on it from the manifolds back and it will sound almost as good as a v8... biggrin

GBinUSA

Original Poster:

222 posts

151 months

Wednesday 31st December 2014
quotequote all
Getting close to buying it. Have asked for a few more detailed photographs. If all looks good then I'll ask for a few mechanical tests, compression test being one.

ajp55

102 posts

252 months

Wednesday 31st December 2014
quotequote all
If your paying top bucks,then certainly make sure that it is a top buck car. Good luck.

ajp55

102 posts

252 months

Wednesday 31st December 2014
quotequote all
If your paying top bucks,then certainly make sure that it is a top buck car. Good luck.

GBinUSA

Original Poster:

222 posts

151 months

Wednesday 31st December 2014
quotequote all
Today I received some undercarriage photographs. I would like to get people's impressions of what the photographs say. I think the car has been well taken care of, rather than pampered.










GBinUSA

Original Poster:

222 posts

151 months

Wednesday 7th January 2015
quotequote all
Well I ask for some specific out rigger and chassis photographs. Along with a compression test, which I would pay for. Not unreasonable considering the car is 1200 miles from where I live. The seller got stty and told me he wasn't going to sell it to me.

mark387mw

2,203 posts

294 months

Wednesday 7th January 2015
quotequote all
maybe it wasn't to be...

but then there is the nagging doubt of why was the seller getting defensive?

Grady

1,232 posts

287 months

Wednesday 7th January 2015
quotequote all
On a cautionary note, I was all set to by a 280i in NC but decided on an independent inspection (his shop, Flying Circus) where the new bushings and exhaust were false and the car had been scraped down a wall on the passenger side, funny no photos provided. All this "happened" to be described in the inspection video. Better safe than sorry and well worth the $250+/- since I couldn't inspect in person at the time. Grady

mrzigazaga

18,807 posts

192 months

Wednesday 7th January 2015
quotequote all
Well thats a big disappointment....The Chassis would probably be fine as it look like the early plastic coating but the rest don't look too good..I would suspect that bushes and fuel hoses would need changing and i would be a bit concerned that there might be rust in the fuel tanks, You would expect some signs of rust on a car that age but on first impressions you would think it has been looked after properly..Perhaps all is not what it seems...Shame....Ziga