My 83 tvr 280i
Discussion
After wanting a tvr wedge since I was in my teens I have finally taken the plunge with a shabby looking but sound 280i auto. My first choice would not have been an auto, but it was the right price and the important stuff like the chassis, hood and running gear are in really good nick, and it came with 12 months ticket and no advisories from a fellow PHer (thanks pk500)
I drove it 200 miles home from sussex to Yorkshire in the pissing rain and hailstones with no issues at all apart from not knowing the trick to getting the key out of the ignition!
There are a few typical TVR foibles (door lock fubar, sticking electric windows etc) and the carpets have gone an interesting collection of colours in the sun, and there are a few leaks in the wet but I am pretty happy.
The ford v6 lump is great, starts first time,pulls really well and makes a lovely noise.
The paint needs a coat of looking at, the lacquer is peeling badly and has discoloured a lot but once I have driven it for the summer I have a mate who has a body shop and I will get him to flat it and paint it over the winter so it looks pretty for next year.
I drove it 200 miles home from sussex to Yorkshire in the pissing rain and hailstones with no issues at all apart from not knowing the trick to getting the key out of the ignition!
There are a few typical TVR foibles (door lock fubar, sticking electric windows etc) and the carpets have gone an interesting collection of colours in the sun, and there are a few leaks in the wet but I am pretty happy.
The ford v6 lump is great, starts first time,pulls really well and makes a lovely noise.
The paint needs a coat of looking at, the lacquer is peeling badly and has discoloured a lot but once I have driven it for the summer I have a mate who has a body shop and I will get him to flat it and paint it over the winter so it looks pretty for next year.
Baryonyx said:
Would you be able to get a manual transmission fitted?
It would be fairly easily doable but it is a pretty rare car and my feeling at the moment is to keep it as it was made.It also is a bit of a rarity in another way, it is a one owner from new car!
It was bought new by a lady, she drove it down from the factory in Blackpool down to essex where it lived for the next 30 years and 90k miles until she died last year. PK500 got as part of a deal on an e-type that he was buying to sell on for restoration, so I am only its second keeper and he sold it on at a bargain price.
I saw a 280 auto at the Donington Historic last month, I didn't realise TVR had ever made an auto and thought that it was a home conversion.
I'd leave it as it is, and if you decide you want a manual sell it and buy one!
Wedges are a bit marmite, but if you do love them they are a bargain, good luck with it, TVRs do get under your skin!
I'd leave it as it is, and if you decide you want a manual sell it and buy one!
Wedges are a bit marmite, but if you do love them they are a bargain, good luck with it, TVRs do get under your skin!
DELETED: Comment made by a member who's account has been deleted.
It makes a pretty good noise, enough to get me in the s
t with my OH 
My 8yr old daughter absolutely loves it, she asked to go and sit in it on the drive tonight, I asked her why and she just said that she loved being in it.
It is surprisingly nippy too, the combination of a not a lot of weight (about 1000kg) and 160bhp of cologne makes it pick up speed pretty well.
Once it has been repainted and the niggles sorted it will be a very good car, as it is it still puts a massive grin on my face, especially with the lid off
MrBrightSi said:
Wanted a wedge for too long now.
Enjoy it, it looks wonderful.
I have wanted a wedge since I was in my teens (in fact I became a teenager the year my car was built!) so 30 years ish!Enjoy it, it looks wonderful.
Go buy one!
I paid a fair chunk <2k for this one with its cosmetic issues you should be able to find a roadworthy and presentable 280 for 3k ish
like this one...
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/t...
I have had a sit in this one and a nosy round it in the dealers and I was planning on buying it if it was still available in a couple of months, before mine came up
ukzz4iroc said:
Lovely car that. Didn't realise they were quite so light. Enjoy and keep updating us.
There isnt a right lot too them lol.Tube chassis and a fibreglass body,with one of those nice light v6's up front.
The bloody engine must be 20% of the weight of the car lol, those colognes are a bit of a boat anchor but it does go well enough.
mohitos said:
I love wedges. Hats off to the original lady owner - it may have an auto but I can't imagine the steering is light?!
It has PAS!It isnt exactly light but it is still lighter than non assisted steering.
I think a fluid top up and a new drive belt to the pump might be in order as it squeals a bit on full lock but otherwise it is all good.
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff