Can you ID this 280i? Something missing?

[Wedgehead]

Long story - but this is my car (not yet in my possession, prob another 60 dayis till shipping time). Mine icar is a 1985 280i (state side) which was purchased quickly, under bad lighting, while wearing my rose tinted glasses.
I knew/know what I’m getting into but have a question about the front (see pics).....From the pics I’ve seen, All of the wedges have a full width spoiler/ lower valance and Mine doesn’t . Again, I don’t have my car next to me to investigate in person so I figured I’d ask here;
1. Missing?
2. This model from xxx-xxxx didn’t have one?
3. Mystery?


Thanks for your help, can’t wait to bring it back up to its former glory.

[Wedgehead]

Hmmm, looking on how to post pics

[Wedgehead]

[Wedgehead]

[KelWedge]

Hi

At a guess, Front spoiler missing and the bumper and side reflecter are American specifaction, lots of euro cars into the US at that time had to have bumpers and lights changed because of the US laws about Bumper light hights,
Google US Spec TVR Wedge images, you will see the bumpers like yours in 85, 86 etc

Hope that helps a bit

[Adrian@]

The last spec rubber bumper 2.8 DH car (there is another version in between the OP car and mine).



A@

Edited by Adrian@ on Friday 1st March 20:38

[Wedgehead]

Thanks! I figured, but I thought I would have see. A more defined paint line, fade or....detecting it was once installed. We’ll see
The U.S. spec bumpers are the first thinb to come off.

[Adrian@]

My thoughts are you are 'missing' a lower spoiler...and that the version with that bumper also had the earlier M series back lamps inset over a poor moulding (as said ...keep it legal for the states) Mine has Rover SD1 lamps that Lotus had 'passed' legal laws with. IF you do a search for TVR Tasmin 1986 it should come up with the middle verison and I think that is a 'do-able conversion/add-on.

A@

Edited by Adrian@ on Friday 1st March 20:42

[Wedgehead]

[Wedgehead]

It needs my love. Color choice still way in the air, later model bumpers from a 350i or......and front spoiler install/replacement /we’ll see

[Adrian@]

The earlier M series rear lamps can be removed and converted to the Ford Capri lamps (that were never 'legal' in the states) but the car had been designed for in '81. A@

[Wedgehead]

[Wedgehead]

[Wedgehead]

[Wedgehead]

I like your rear lights better. I don’t want to do any large body mods for new lights though.
Easy swap out? Capri’s are pretty scare here , I better start looking.

[adam quantrill]

Car is painted before spoiler attached (originally). So there might not be much evidence when you take it off, and it may have had a front end blowover to hide the mounting holes since.

If you really want to find out for sure, take out a headlight and take a look inside the wing, you should find evidence of a couple of bolts (just the holes maybe) that would have dropped down and through the spoiler to secure it. There will probably be a couple of patches or lunps of body filler.

I quite like the look of it although it would benefit from a little dark grille over the air scoop for the radiator just to tidy that up. It now looks too low at the front for a spoiler to be attached (and stay there!)

[Wedgehead]

It is parked on a small downward slope hence the stance. Thanks for info!

[Wedgehead]

It is parked on a small downward slope hence the stance. Thanks for info!

[Adrian@]

I like your rear lights better. I don’t want to do any large body mods for new lights though.
Easy swap out? Capri’s are pretty scare here , I better start looking.

Ebay here 30UKP for the pair 173777738178
A@

[Wedgehead]

Thanks for the info, but it’s not on eBay any longer.

It’s on its way to me!

Woohoo-Thanks!