<img height="1" width="1" style="display:none" src="https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=1022571135044110&ev=PageView&noscript=1" />

1985 TVR TASMIN 280i

1985 TVR TASMIN 280i – 1,417 miles – photo 1 of 239
1985 TVR TASMIN 280i – 1,417 miles – photo 2 of 239
Exterior
1985 TVR TASMIN 280i – 1,417 miles – photo 57 of 239
Interior
1985 TVR TASMIN 280i – 1,417 miles – photo 86 of 239
View All (239)
Watch

Specs

Mileage
1,417
Transmission
Manual
Drive
RHD
Colour
GREEN
Engine Size
2933 cc
Location
Chelmsford, UK
VIN
2FH5878F1
Buyer's Premium
6% of the offer accepted by the seller, inclusive of VAT, payable in addition to the agreed purchase price. Minimum £500, maximum £5,000.

Description

SB's Take

  • Beautiful example of the rare TVR 280i Coupe 2-seater - likely the only one for sale in the UK right now
  • Full nut and bolt restoration, including engine upgrade to a 2.9litre, as found in the TVR 290S
  • Now eligible for Historic Vehicle status
There’s something wonderfully unapologetic about a Wedge-era TVR, and this 1985 TVR Tasmin 280i Coupe captures that spirit perfectly; angular, analogue and utterly individual. Finished in an evocative dark green and configured as a rare two-seat coupe, this Tasmin already stands apart before you even begin to explore its backstory and SB is thrilled to have it on our platform. Originally born with the familiar Ford 2.8-litre V6, this car was treated to a far more ambitious upgrade in 2010 by a clearly dedicated TVR enthusiast. Over a near two-year period the whole body was removed from the chassis so every bolt and bushing could be replaced. This ultimately led to the possibility of the original engine being replaced, with the larger 2933cc Ford V6 chosen as found in the TVR 290S. This brought newer and more modern technology including - crucially - an improved electronic injection fuelling system over the original engine's outdated K-Jet injection. Importantly, this wasn’t a hurried conversion; the work was carried out privately, meticulously documented, and supported by extensive photographic records contained within two substantial folders that accompany the car today. Following completion, the odometer was reset to zero and the car has covered just 1,410 miles since, spending much of the last decade in dry storage until the current owner acquired it in March of this year. Since then, the Tasmin has been gently recommissioned once more, bringing it back to confident, usable condition. The most recent MOT, carried out in June, resulted in a pass with No Advisories, offering reassuring evidence of its current health. As a 1985 car, it can now benefit from Historic Vehicle status should the next owner so choose, meaning exemption from road tax and congestion or low-emission zone charges; a genuine advantage for London-based enthusiasts. A rare (as far as we can tell, the only one available for sale in the UK?), well-documented and enthusiast-upgraded Tasmin, this is a compelling opportunity for those who appreciate TVR in its most raw form. The seller - unsurprisingly a historic vehicle enthusiast themselves - is available to answer all questions via the Comments section below. Buyers should bid with confidence.

Key Equipment

  • Green exterior paint over full black leather interior
  • 2-seater Coupe edition
  • Tubular steel spaceframe chassis with fibreglass bodywork
  • 2.9 L Ford V6
  • 5-speed manual
  • Pop-up headlights
  • Royal Black Royal Miles tyres are brand new (date stamped 2025)
  • Power windows

Condition

  • As with all items listed on Shooting Brake, buyers are encouraged to examine closely all photos contained within the photo gallery
  • The exterior dark green paintwork presents itself in generally very good condition for a car of this age
  • The Royal Black Royal Miles tyres are brand new (date stamped 2025) and show plenty of tread
  • No rips or tears in the interior cabin but the passenger side bolster shows slight fading of the leather
  • All buttons and switches work as they should save for the handbrake button that is missing (handbrake still fully operational)

Service History

  • This TVR underwent its most recent MOT in June of this year and passed at the first time of asking with No Advisories
  • Two comprehensive folders will be included in the sale that document the extensive work carried in 2010
  • More recently, light re-commissioning was carried out by the current seller (see photos) in June of this year

Summary

A striking 1985 TVR Tasmin 280i Coupe, finished in dark green and upgraded with a 2933cc Ford V6 from the TVR 290S following a comprehensive nut and bolt restoration. Extensively recommissioned, meticulously documented, low mileage since conversion and now Historic Vehicle status eligible. Here's your chance to acquire something seriously special, and quite possibly the only one for sale in the UK right now. Buyers should bid with confidence.

Finally, all cars on Shooting Brake are run through a 3rd party online vehicle checker, MotorSpecs (note, this does not include a mileage history check). This particular vehicle throws up no insurance claims for damage or theft and has no outstanding finance owing. Nonetheless, we strongly encourage all bidders to undertake their own due diligence prior to placing any bid. It is entirely reasonable for any classic or enthusiast vehicle to have undergone cosmetic repairs that could otherwise go undetected from the provided photos or by any in-person inspection. Unless the seller explicitly states otherwise, assume that any vehicle or item listed may have undergone bodywork or paintwork at some point. Additionally, photographs may not accurately represent the vehicle’s true overall condition. It is the bidder’s responsibility to verify the condition, and any past repairs—including bodywork or paintwork—before placing a bid or making a purchase. If you have any questions or queries, please use the Comments section to firstly ask the Seller directly before placing any bids. Shooting Brake tries to portray the item listed as accurately as possible through detailed questions asked to the seller but would like to remind users that all vehicles are sold as seen and, as per all goods purchased at auction, there is a No Return policy. Please see our Terms and Conditions for more details.
Exterior Photos
1985 TVR TASMIN 280i – 1,417 miles – photo 1 of 2391985 TVR TASMIN 280i – 1,417 miles – photo 2 of 2391985 TVR TASMIN 280i – 1,417 miles – photo 3 of 2391985 TVR TASMIN 280i – 1,417 miles – photo 4 of 239
Interior Photos
1985 TVR TASMIN 280i – 1,417 miles – photo 57 of 2391985 TVR TASMIN 280i – 1,417 miles – photo 58 of 2391985 TVR TASMIN 280i – 1,417 miles – photo 59 of 2391985 TVR TASMIN 280i – 1,417 miles – photo 60 of 239
Mechanical & Docs
1985 TVR TASMIN 280i – 1,417 miles – photo 86 of 2391985 TVR TASMIN 280i – 1,417 miles – photo 87 of 2391985 TVR TASMIN 280i – 1,417 miles – photo 88 of 2391985 TVR TASMIN 280i – 1,417 miles – photo 89 of 239
Watch

Specs

Mileage
1,417
Transmission
Manual
Drive
RHD
Colour
GREEN
Engine Size
2933 cc
Location
Chelmsford, UK
VIN
2FH5878F1
Ended
Buyer's Premium
6% of the offer accepted by the seller, inclusive of VAT, payable in addition to the agreed purchase price. Minimum £500, maximum £5,000.
Ended