10th Jun, 2009 13:15
The Pavilion Gardens
1981 TVR Tasmin
Sold for £2,925
(including buyers premium)
Registration No: ONR299W
Chassis No: DH5105F1
Mot Expiry: April 2010
The Tasmin was introduced in 1980 and featured an angular wedge-shaped body designed by Oliver Winterbottom. It used a chassis designed by Ian Jones; both engineers were ex-Lotus employees. Disc brakes featured all round, inboard at the rear, and electrically actuated pop-up headlamps were introduced too. The Tasmin was an epoch defining car for TVR during the1980s, with examples of the `wedge' even used in cassette and video tape advertisements. The large investment in the new car paid off, as over 2,600 examples of the car were built, cementing TVR's position as a serious, and series, builder of real sports cars. Initially the only engine available was the fuel-injected Ford `Cologne' V6 which displaced 2792cc (hence 280) and developed an unstressed 160bhp. The 5-speed all synchro gearbox was also of Ford manufacture, and the car featured a Salisbury final drive unit. Bodywork was moulded in GRP and fitted to a tube and square-section steel chassis. Convertibles benefited from standard-fit electric windows, and this early car features the notable TVR wiring system, which uses identity tags on the wires rather than colour coding to assist fault-tracing.
According to the TVR Club, this example was the fourth convertible (from 862 drop top 280s) built, and was supplied new to dealer Midland Car Sales. There's nearly a full set of MOTs present with the car, verifying mileage, and a substantial history file backs this up with receipts whilst in the hands of the car's former keepers. The vendor describes the Tasmin as being in "good" condition with regard to its engine, gearbox, electrical equipment, interior trim, bodywork and paintwork. In addition to the supporting paperwork, the car is MOT'd until April 2010 and apparently comes with "a boot filled to the brim" with new and used spare parts, which will be sold as one lot with the car. 1980s nostalgia is on the up and this early Tasmin convertible looks set to provide a reminder of all the decadent and stylish themes from the era to its new owner.
Auction: The Pavilion Gardens, 10th Jun, 2009
All successful bids must be paid in full by midday the day after the auction at the latest.
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