The OTHER Tasmin Turbo...on Ebay!
Discussion
Well, it might be, or it might not.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2430033111&category=18308
Ian
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2430033111&category=18308
Ian
***Hmmm there's a red SE in the background of the main pic....wonder if that's for sale ?***
Give Steve a ring and ask. He is a dealer so it very well could be.
Interesting car. I would have thought it was worth a bit more than £1500 as it's a one off. There is another Tasmin 280 Turbo around but that's a FHC.
Give Steve a ring and ask. He is a dealer so it very well could be.
Interesting car. I would have thought it was worth a bit more than £1500 as it's a one off. There is another Tasmin 280 Turbo around but that's a FHC.
This car does sound like the one described to me by Chris (the owner of the other- definitely genuine 
- Tas Turbo), down to the missing chassis plate (should be just visible in the engine bay pic, but isn't). Why the hell would the real thing be missing such an important detail?
About three years ago there was a black DHC Turbo for sale in Co. Durham that also purported to be the genuine article. If the one on Ebay has been in known hands for so long, it can't be the same car, therefore one or more people are lying/ under a misapprehension about the vehicle they have.
Plenty of people have 'viewed' the Ebay car according to the 'hit' counter: I wouldn't be surprised if it went for £3500-4000 even in that condition. Having said that, if I'd been offered it for the £1500 it's currently at, I'd have been tempted!
Ian
- Tas Turbo), down to the missing chassis plate (should be just visible in the engine bay pic, but isn't). Why the hell would the real thing be missing such an important detail? About three years ago there was a black DHC Turbo for sale in Co. Durham that also purported to be the genuine article. If the one on Ebay has been in known hands for so long, it can't be the same car, therefore one or more people are lying/ under a misapprehension about the vehicle they have.
Plenty of people have 'viewed' the Ebay car according to the 'hit' counter: I wouldn't be surprised if it went for £3500-4000 even in that condition. Having said that, if I'd been offered it for the £1500 it's currently at, I'd have been tempted!
Ian
Wedgie/Ian I have received a few emails from people over the weekend about the remarks you have made regarding the TVR Tasmin I am selling on ebay so I have just popped in to have a look.
I am not too sure I like your inference that I am lying and I am certainly not misrepresenting the car. As I have said in the description on ebay the authenticity and heritage is FULLY DOCUMENTED for anyone interested to inspect.
Please let me put your mind at rest with a few facts. The car was built in 1981 and developed for TVR by a company called Ray Jay in Swindon with a view to going into production.It was acquired in April 1982 by Charles Millington who owned the Sportscar Centre in Pershore, Worcestershire who were longstanding TVR main dealers, possibly as a demo/promotion vehicle. It found its way subsequently into the hands of John Britten Garages, another TVR main dealer in Barnet who sold it to a young lady doctor called Jo Dudley. She ran the car for a few years, having it serviced by Tower Garage in Stokenchurch Bucks and covered over 14000 miles in it.
It then became the property of Russ Bowers in 1986 and he owned it till 1999, having it fully serviced throughout his ownership by Tubo Technics in Northampton. Russ was RO for Northants for many years and is still a very active Car Club member often found directing traffic at most national events. Russ sold the car in 1999 to Dereck Pitman in Shrewsbury with approximately 30000 miles on the clock who continued its service history till putting the car into storage with 30600 miles recorded.
Seldom does a 21 year old TVR have such a fully documented and complete service record and has EVERY Mot certificate to substantiate the mileage. I have known the car for most of its life and will testify on a stack of Bibles to its authenticity.
As for the Chassis plate, if you had any prior knowledge ot this car before forming and voicing your opinion you would have been aware that the chassis plate is on the panel immediately above the servo and is clearly visible in the photo. I will add however that since this was a factory prototype and not a normal production car it was allocated a chassis number in the normal sequence DH5254F1 but was never fitted with a normal plate from new and was only fitted with one when it became mandatory for the mot test in 1993, once again documented.
As for the Turbo Coupe of Chris Tierney that was in fact the only TVR Tasmin Turbo "production" car and was the 1982 Motor Show car. The existence of this car in no way undermines the importance of Chris's car and I would in no way wish it to do so, after all it was I who sourced the car for Chris in 1989/1990 whan nobody else wanted it and it was a slightly sad unloved car before he bought it.
I have listed the car on ebay because in spite of being a TVR dealer for many years I do not have a clue how much it is worth, It could be worth anything from my opening £500 to far in excess of the considerable value of Chris's car, imagine how much a factory prototype Ferrari or Aston may be worth.
Yes it would be nice if it raised a good price, that would make me very happy but more than that we should all hope it finds itself in the ownership of someone like Chris Tierney and becomes, like Chris's a car we can all admire and wish we had bought. There can't be many wedge enthusiasts who wouldn't like to own his car, but nobody wanted it before he bought it.
I hope this clarifies the car's validity as so often a misguided or uninformed comment on the internet can quickly become adopted as fact.
I an sure that if anyone wanted independant verification of the records Steve Evans (who is himself building a Tasmin Turbo, albeit with a mere 2 litre engine) would pop along and have a look for them.
By the way Ian I will tell you something after the auction has ended that may make you laugh (or not)
There are several Turbocharged Tasmins around beacuse it is a relatively easy and cheap way to acheive a substantial increase in power, and in fact someone in Chester did a conversion on one only this year but this car is the "Original".
I cannot comment on the car you saw for sale in Co Durham but this car was advertised in Sprint 3 years ago before being put to bed.
ps the red car in the background is a 450SE, probably the last one built with 26364 mile recorded and is for sale.
sTeVeR
I am not too sure I like your inference that I am lying and I am certainly not misrepresenting the car. As I have said in the description on ebay the authenticity and heritage is FULLY DOCUMENTED for anyone interested to inspect.
Please let me put your mind at rest with a few facts. The car was built in 1981 and developed for TVR by a company called Ray Jay in Swindon with a view to going into production.It was acquired in April 1982 by Charles Millington who owned the Sportscar Centre in Pershore, Worcestershire who were longstanding TVR main dealers, possibly as a demo/promotion vehicle. It found its way subsequently into the hands of John Britten Garages, another TVR main dealer in Barnet who sold it to a young lady doctor called Jo Dudley. She ran the car for a few years, having it serviced by Tower Garage in Stokenchurch Bucks and covered over 14000 miles in it.
It then became the property of Russ Bowers in 1986 and he owned it till 1999, having it fully serviced throughout his ownership by Tubo Technics in Northampton. Russ was RO for Northants for many years and is still a very active Car Club member often found directing traffic at most national events. Russ sold the car in 1999 to Dereck Pitman in Shrewsbury with approximately 30000 miles on the clock who continued its service history till putting the car into storage with 30600 miles recorded.
Seldom does a 21 year old TVR have such a fully documented and complete service record and has EVERY Mot certificate to substantiate the mileage. I have known the car for most of its life and will testify on a stack of Bibles to its authenticity.
As for the Chassis plate, if you had any prior knowledge ot this car before forming and voicing your opinion you would have been aware that the chassis plate is on the panel immediately above the servo and is clearly visible in the photo. I will add however that since this was a factory prototype and not a normal production car it was allocated a chassis number in the normal sequence DH5254F1 but was never fitted with a normal plate from new and was only fitted with one when it became mandatory for the mot test in 1993, once again documented.
As for the Turbo Coupe of Chris Tierney that was in fact the only TVR Tasmin Turbo "production" car and was the 1982 Motor Show car. The existence of this car in no way undermines the importance of Chris's car and I would in no way wish it to do so, after all it was I who sourced the car for Chris in 1989/1990 whan nobody else wanted it and it was a slightly sad unloved car before he bought it.
I have listed the car on ebay because in spite of being a TVR dealer for many years I do not have a clue how much it is worth, It could be worth anything from my opening £500 to far in excess of the considerable value of Chris's car, imagine how much a factory prototype Ferrari or Aston may be worth.
Yes it would be nice if it raised a good price, that would make me very happy but more than that we should all hope it finds itself in the ownership of someone like Chris Tierney and becomes, like Chris's a car we can all admire and wish we had bought. There can't be many wedge enthusiasts who wouldn't like to own his car, but nobody wanted it before he bought it.
I hope this clarifies the car's validity as so often a misguided or uninformed comment on the internet can quickly become adopted as fact.
I an sure that if anyone wanted independant verification of the records Steve Evans (who is himself building a Tasmin Turbo, albeit with a mere 2 litre engine) would pop along and have a look for them.
By the way Ian I will tell you something after the auction has ended that may make you laugh (or not)
There are several Turbocharged Tasmins around beacuse it is a relatively easy and cheap way to acheive a substantial increase in power, and in fact someone in Chester did a conversion on one only this year but this car is the "Original".
I cannot comment on the car you saw for sale in Co Durham but this car was advertised in Sprint 3 years ago before being put to bed.
ps the red car in the background is a 450SE, probably the last one built with 26364 mile recorded and is for sale.
sTeVeR
Stewart Halstead, TVR's Sales Director at the time, brought the car to the TVRCC AGM at Warwick in 1981 and gave several of us, inluding me, 'joy-rides' around the block (a 16 mile block, mainly dual-carriageways!)
I was told that the turbocharging was carried out by Tony Jones, of AVJ Developements, but I could be wrong (although I rarely am
)
Not seen the car for several years now when Russ owned it and it would be good for it to be restored in the same way as Chris's.
And no, I won't be bidding, I've got 5 TVRs right now as it is and don't have the room for another project.
I was told that the turbocharging was carried out by Tony Jones, of AVJ Developements, but I could be wrong (although I rarely am
) Not seen the car for several years now when Russ owned it and it would be good for it to be restored in the same way as Chris's.
And no, I won't be bidding, I've got 5 TVRs right now as it is and don't have the room for another project.
steve said:
Colin AVJ did the Turbo on Chris's car which is fuel injected but Ray Jay definately did the drop head
This was as I was also informed by mike Williams maaaaaany years ago.
As to other turbo wedges being built its hardly a surprise as Ford 2.8 / 2.9 cars are selling on e bay for under 1500GBP, with 250 / 260BHP being reliably achievable this is no surprise to me.
Steve: I don't think Ian was insinuating anything, when I looked at the photograph on e bay I noticed the same, I also remembered that it was not present last time I saw it circa 1989. I still thank you very much for sourcing my car for me, for others information, I did not pay a lot of money for my car when I bought it, it was in VERY bad shape, and I have spent a substantial amount on it - do I regret anything NO - it was THE car I wanted, I think its fantastic (as we all feel about our own cars). Would I be interested in this one? Yes, but obviously I would need to see it 'in the flesh'. But my problem is I only have a single garage so it is just not practical, My turbo has also only covered about 1K miles in the last 4 years, Damn work!!! PS. Turbo's rule.
Chris.
Steve, I would welcome the car for 'her indoors' but she would prefer a griff! 5.0!!!! FFS she hasn't got a driving licence yet. How the puppy, not really a pup any more, six months old and getting huge! He won't fit in the footwell of my motor any more and is more relaxed on the entire rear seat of the daily hack.
Gamekeeper old chap, in my second post I did say 'If the one on Ebay has been in known hands for so long, it can't be the same car [as the one in Durham], therefore one or more people are lying/ under a misapprehension about the vehicle they have'.... therefore not denigrating you, but A.N. Other.
I have no doubt that at some stage 'your' car has changed hands for buttons, the Wedges (or at any rate the early ones) have been going through a patch (maybe slowly climbing out of it now?) where one couldn't give them away. It took me a year to sell my Series 1 FHC (chassis 36), despite an £800 respray and the fact that it was far from the worst S1 on the road. It also had an unleaded engine. I consider myself lucky to have recouped the price I paid, although not what I'd spent. My current 390 is, I feel, heading the same way judging by the price slide that has resulted in some guys on here driving very tidy cars for not much money (relatively speaking).
I've seen Steve Evans' car and am very impressed, as in fact I told him. There are plenty of people who would have taken a ratty Tasmin and dumped a Cosworth in it any old how 'for a laugh', but Steve is taking it very seriously and some of his engineering considerations are quite remarkable (and his base car is far from ratty). I believe that the words Tasmin, Cosworth and Evans will become linked in the annals of Wedges
in the same way as Chris and his Turbo, Steve Heath/ 520 and Walden/ brakeless Tas Challenge car (sorry Graham )
Let's hope the genuine Turbo DHC one day looks the part.
Ian
I have no doubt that at some stage 'your' car has changed hands for buttons, the Wedges (or at any rate the early ones) have been going through a patch (maybe slowly climbing out of it now?) where one couldn't give them away. It took me a year to sell my Series 1 FHC (chassis 36), despite an £800 respray and the fact that it was far from the worst S1 on the road. It also had an unleaded engine. I consider myself lucky to have recouped the price I paid, although not what I'd spent. My current 390 is, I feel, heading the same way judging by the price slide that has resulted in some guys on here driving very tidy cars for not much money (relatively speaking).
I've seen Steve Evans' car and am very impressed, as in fact I told him. There are plenty of people who would have taken a ratty Tasmin and dumped a Cosworth in it any old how 'for a laugh', but Steve is taking it very seriously and some of his engineering considerations are quite remarkable (and his base car is far from ratty). I believe that the words Tasmin, Cosworth and Evans will become linked in the annals of Wedges
in the same way as Chris and his Turbo, Steve Heath/ 520 and Walden/ brakeless Tas Challenge car (sorry Graham ) Let's hope the genuine Turbo DHC one day looks the part.
Ian
Hello TVR fans!
I got the TVR Tasmin 280 Turbo Convertible!
It has a comprehensive file of letters going back to the early 80's from TVR Blackpool - Including evidence that this was a 'factory car' and that the turbo work was done for development / prototype purposes.
There is no MOT at present but the car is very sound and i do not see any major problems -
I have another modern TVR that's taking up a lot of time but I'm planning to at least get the MOT within the next one month or so and then iron out all it's bugs as i go along.
I estimate this car will produce 200bhp+ and do 0-60 in about 5.5 - 6.5 secs once it's tuned up. We'll soon see.......
As this is my first Wedgey I'm interested in all your views / opinions and hearing from anyone who worked on the car / owned it etc......
Yours
fabtvr
I got the TVR Tasmin 280 Turbo Convertible!
It has a comprehensive file of letters going back to the early 80's from TVR Blackpool - Including evidence that this was a 'factory car' and that the turbo work was done for development / prototype purposes.
There is no MOT at present but the car is very sound and i do not see any major problems -
I have another modern TVR that's taking up a lot of time but I'm planning to at least get the MOT within the next one month or so and then iron out all it's bugs as i go along.
I estimate this car will produce 200bhp+ and do 0-60 in about 5.5 - 6.5 secs once it's tuned up. We'll soon see.......
As this is my first Wedgey I'm interested in all your views / opinions and hearing from anyone who worked on the car / owned it etc......
Yours
fabtvr
I am re starting this old thread in the hope that someone has some set up information, as my car has just failed its mot with a CO reading of 9.6% . amongst the paper work I have there is one hand written note " CO2 = 1.5-2% . Timing 12 degrees with vacuum pipe on. 0386- 860036 Tony Jones. Tappet setting standard "
Now 0386 is the old area code for Pershore area and Tony Jones was the boss of AVJ Developments who fitted the turbo to the car (maybe from new, but definetely before it was a year old.) So I hope it is a fair assumption the notes were written by someone who had spoken to Tony Jones.
As the car has been off the road since 2014 and has only done 300 miles since 2006, so it seems unlikely former owners will be able to help.
Now 0386 is the old area code for Pershore area and Tony Jones was the boss of AVJ Developments who fitted the turbo to the car (maybe from new, but definetely before it was a year old.) So I hope it is a fair assumption the notes were written by someone who had spoken to Tony Jones.
As the car has been off the road since 2014 and has only done 300 miles since 2006, so it seems unlikely former owners will be able to help.
I remember the car from back when at Club meets...but not the details of the system...pictures might help. I have helped look after evolve on customer/friends TVR turbo's (76-80 era and run a 328BHP Taimar turbo) and dealt with the Broadspeed/AVJ/Robin Rew/Turbo Techinics/ Tickford...BUT Pictures of the engine bay might help. I am visualising some kind of variable pressure regulator in the engine bay or supplementary injection system stacked into a standard 2.8 system (I also run a standard '86 2.8DH). A@
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