What are Tasmins like to drive?

[Chris71]

I don't suppose I'd ever do it, but part of me rather fancies a really smart 280i FHC (I'm probably in the minority here, but I much prefer the looks of the coupe). I know the later V8 wedges are said to be a bit of a handfull, what are the earlier V6s like? I know there are a lot of stripped out Tasmin racecars around, but has anyone got experience of tracking a near-standard one?

[hallsie]

Not yet tracked it but I did do a photo shoot for Classic and Sportscar magazine recently with some pretty good conering and 'speed' shots.

The FHCs are like rocking horse poo because they are raced in the Tuscan challenges and the like, the 2+2s are even rarer! (sp)

There is a really mint looking red FHC in the classifieds at the moment, perhaps a bit expensive for a series 1 IMO, but you could have a look at it for reference as and when the next one comes up!

The drive is, well is suppose like the article said, more of a drivers car to drive, but to be fair, it needed more work before the article and has now got different shock and rebuilt brakes so feel a lot different.

If you are in the Gravesend area you are welcome to come and have a look.

Stu

[Chris71]

It's more curiosity than a genuine desire to buy, but I might be tempted if a really nice one came up when I had some space and some cash.

Is there such a thing as a series 2 (or onwards) 280i FHC? Maybe I'm imagining it, but the one in the classifieds seems to have a slightly cleaner shape than some of the wedge coupes and I wondered if they were later cars?

I haven't got the article, but I did flick through it at the Supermarket the other day and I got the jist that it was a better handling car near the limit than they'd expected.

[hallsie]

The FHCs are mosly series ones, however, all of the 2+2s are series 2s,( information from Ralp at the TVRCC) and there are only 6 original series 2 V8 engined FHCs, I have asked all the owners if they wanted to sell ( feb time) and not suprisingly no one did!!

I think there is a register of the ammounts produced.

It would be interesting to see how many FHCs are still on the road!

Stu

[Chris71]

Yep, there was a V8 (can't remember if it was a 2 or a 2+2) that had been used for one of these road 'rally' tours, which languished in the classifieds for ages a couple of years back. Felt my wallet twitch every time I saw it.

(I hasten to add I wasn't just window shopping then, I was seriously considering one before I bought my S3)

[pwd95]

You do realise that in the back of your mind there is a rather large Wedge 'itch' that you will just have to scratch at some point.

[Number 7]

There was also a factory produced primrose yellow coupe with a 3.9 in the late eighties, although with S1 ridged bumpers.

7.

[Big Daft Lad]

cough E-bay cough

That's a series two by the way.

[hallsie]

I wonder how much the buy it now was?
No bumpers and diferent rear lower valence looks good!
Not sure on the seats though, and the alloys are a bit like mine.... crap!

Could still be cheap if the chassis is good and still has the powdercoat!

[Chris71]

pwd95 said:

You do realise that in the back of your mind there is a rather large Wedge 'itch' that you will just have to scratch at some point.

Nah, it's mostly just a TVR itch. I'd gladly have one of each and I've been debating which one to go for next ever since I sold my S! I think realistically it'd be a Griffaera or another S (maybe a V8) next time, but I'd consider anything from a Taimer to a T350.

[grahamw48]

Look here...in particular the 'buyer's guide' and gallery sections.

http://www.tvrwedgepages.co.uk/welcome.html

Tasmins and later Wedges are great cars to drive, if they've been properly maintained, as with any car.

I don't think there's an S1 FHC pictured on there, so here's my old one, and the best looking IMO...any excuse.



Pair of racing S1s:


.

S2 FHC racer (Dave Chant's, and leading his class this season).

.

Edited by grahamw48 on Thursday 2nd September 23:20

[schimg]

hallsie said:

The FHCs are mosly series ones, however, all of the 2+2s are series 2s,( information from Ralp at the TVRCC) and there are only 6 original series 2 V8 engined FHCs, I have asked all the owners if they wanted to sell ( feb time) and not suprisingly no one did!!

I think there is a register of the ammounts produced.

It would be interesting to see how many FHCs are still on the road!

Stu

Hi Stu,

I have one of the 5 remaining FHC 2+2 350i's, mine is No four in white with a red interior, rescued the car after a prompt from gandalf..ebay purchase .threw a couple of hides at the interior, fitted new belts, headrests in the rear, retrimmed new carpets with matching piping plus new paint...the car runs great but been sorned for 18 months as I got a cerbera last year so been workingon this since..

Have some "princess" calipers for the front, the idea is to bring the car on...but the cerb is taking a lot f time to get exactly how I want her..might post some piccies up if I can find some!

Edited by schimg on Friday 3rd September 19:42

[schimg]

Here we go...better now tho..


and another..



this was when we were getting her sorted..

[GinG15]

compared to a lotus eclat, elite, excel, which had been the competitors during the time when it was built, the v6 tasmin´s road-holding and crispyness is like the titanic.

the tasmin is a great cruiser with reliable and cheap mass-production-car running gear...nothing more.



blue metallic one at ebay:

none of all original...lights, missing bumpers, wrong mirrors, wrong alloys, wrong seats.

black wired car....hopefully the number coding on the wires is still existing...otherwise good luck with finding an electrical problem.

also looks like a hydraulic clutch model: slave cylinder is inside the bell housing--> engine out job for replacing the slave cylinder!!!!

keep all this in mind when calculating the purchase-price.

Edited by GinG15 on Friday 3rd September 20:41

[eesbad]

Chris71 said:

I know the later V8 wedges are said to be a bit of a handfull

Like any car, once you understand it, you can drive it!

My 350i took some time to fathom, but when you get used to the pointy front (no pun intended!) and loose rear you start to get the idea... However, it does need respect or it'll bite you! It is still the only car I have had that could break traction in a straight line and throw the back end sideways... in the dry!

I remember one occasion when I saw a Tuscan coming the other way and he flashed and stuck his hand out the window with the thumbs up - so I (of course!) dropped down a gear and gave it 'the beans'... Cue a couple of hundred yards of snaking rear end and white knuckles

Edited by eesbad on Friday 3rd September 21:24

[schimg]

GinG15 said:

compared to a lotus eclat, elite, excel, which had been the competitors during the time when it was built, the v6 tasmin´s road-holding and crispyness is like the titanic.

the tasmin is a great cruiser with reliable and cheap mass-production-car running gear...nothing more.



blue metallic one at ebay:

none of all original...lights, missing bumpers, wrong mirrors, wrong alloys, wrong seats.

black wired car....hopefully the number coding on the wires is still existing...otherwise good luck with finding an electrical problem.

also looks like a hydraulic clutch model: slave cylinder is inside the bell housing--> engine out job for replacing the slave cylinder!!!!

keep all this in mind when calculating the purchase-price.

Edited by GinG15 on Friday 3rd September 20:41

Seen this car before on ebay...couple of times if I remember correctly...not a fan of the rear lights...still guess not throw too many stones as I live in a greenhouse.not doing original cars and all.

[hallsie]

schimg said:

Here we go...better now tho..


and another..



this was when we were getting her sorted..

If you ever consider mooving it on , SHOUT!!

Stu

[grahamw48]

Ebay 280:

Looks like someone's done a lot of work on it, and engine bay looks nice and clean.
I suppose it's all down to the chassis then really.

Minor stuff like mirrors and wheels wouldn't concern me. Easily swapped.

He should have put mileage, MOT details etc on though.

As for the Loti referred to... what an ugly bunch.

Esprit... yes.

[pwd95]

GinG15 said:

compared to a lotus eclat, elite, excel, which had been the competitors during the time when it was built, the v6 tasmin´s road-holding and crispyness is like the titanic.

the tasmin is a great cruiser with reliable and cheap mass-production-car running gear...nothing more.

Having owned an early Excel I can whole heartedly agree with this. Different planet for road holding. Remarkable how they could get it so wrong really.

Addicted to V8's at the mo though.

[Chris71]

pwd95 said:

GinG15 said:

compared to a lotus eclat, elite, excel, which had been the competitors during the time when it was built, the v6 tasmin´s road-holding and crispyness is like the titanic.

the tasmin is a great cruiser with reliable and cheap mass-production-car running gear...nothing more.

Having owned an early Excel I can whole heartedly agree with this. Different planet for road holding. Remarkable how they could get it so wrong really.

Addicted to V8's at the mo though.

Interesting. The Lotus Excel is another one of those cars I find myself almost buying every so often. I think the biggest problem for the Excel - which doesn't have quite the same charisma as the TVR for me - is the Porsche 944. It can do most things as well, but it's a lot more practical (care of folding seats) and - annecdotally at least - said to be a lot more reliable.

What were your general thoughts on the Excel Wyn? Do they have much potential to generate big bills?