390SE - how many Tasmin bodied?

[toby noble]

I'm pretty sure the 390SE originally came out with the earlier, Tasmin type bodywork, plus some spoilers as I've seen a photo of one.

Anyone know how many were produced before they went to the later body and whether all Tasmin bodied cars had +Trailing arm suspension?

In other words, was there ever such a beast as a Tasmin bodied 390 with A frame suspension?

[mark387mw]

Here is a 390 discussion that seems to be confirming your query www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=12&t=125346

Mark

[Graham]

Some of the late tasmin 280i's had A-frame and some of the earlier V8 cars had trailing arm...

The is one tasmin racer with original A-frame at the rear

[2 sheds]

The very early 350i's had the original tasmin look, when the 390SE was lauched the body design had moved on slightly, they had a raised centre to the bonnet like the early tasmin but otherwise were similar to the regular mk2 350i except they had a deeper spoiler with intakes.
I had a 1985 390SE which i believe was number 5 or thereabouts, it had trailing arm suspension & raised bonnet.
tim

[19560]

2 sheds said:

When the 390SE was lauched the body design had a raised centre to the bonnet like the early tasmin but otherwise were similar to the regular mk2 350i except they had a deeper spoiler with intakes. I had a 1985 390SE which I believe was number 5 or thereabouts, it had trailing arm suspension & raised bonnet.

So is this the commonly known mk1.5?

[Broadside]

Don't forget about the one off 390SE Coupe !!

Nige'

[jmorgan]

Interesting. I was under the impression that the 350 pushed the trailing arm to its limits?

[19560]

jmorgan said:

Interesting. I was under the impression that the 350 pushed the trailing arm to its limits?

Maybe so, the 390 just pushed it way past.

[jmorgan]

19560 said:

jmorgan said: Interesting. I was under the impression that the 350 pushed the trailing arm to its limits? Maybe so, the 390 just pushed it way past.

Right o. Just wondering where the limits were when it broke

[toby noble]

I suppose that was what I was getting at. The conventional wisdom is that the trailing arm is good for 160hp but not much more.

I wonder what breaks when you pump 275hp through it...

[2 sheds]

My 390's rear tyres and suspension lasted 2000 miles between rebuilds. Tower view do a kit that strengthens the trailing arm set up, from what i've heard it's very good.
Tim

[Badcow]

My 390SE is of the "trailing arm" type, and one of the previous owner thought (in 1988) it would be a good idea to improve the engine up to 420SE specs (of course, it was not).
During acceleration, the result is "interesting", there is so much lateral movement and tyre bouncing than you think the car is really walking (ok, running).

[SEvans]

The trailing arm set up is definitely the weak link in the car and one of the reasons that I would be reluctant to upgrade the BHP I have now.
The Cosworth should be pushing out about 230bhp, not sure what this equates to at the wheels (180-190??). It's running an almost standard trailing arm setup, apart from some strengthening brackets around the rubber pivot and everything is new/rebuilt. Only done about 1000 miles so far, but I don't experience any of the above problems.
Interested in the upgrade from Tower View. Has anyone had this fitted? What did you think?