TVR 280 Tasmin Polycarbonate Windows

The TVR 280i Tasmin, launched in 1980, was a bold new direction for TVR, a car that looked like it belonged in a sci-fi movie but still retained the raw, unfiltered driving experience that made the brand famous. Designed to bring TVR into a more modern era, the 280i Tasmin combined sharp, wedge-shaped styling, a Ford-sourced V6, and a lightweight chassis, making it a unique and engaging British sports car.
When it arrived, the Tasmin was a radical departure from previous TVRs, ditching the traditional curves of models like the TVR 3000M for a much more angular, futuristic design. Styled by Oliver Winterbottom, who had previously worked on Lotus designs, the Tasmin featured pop-up headlights, a sharply raked windscreen, and a low, aggressive stance, giving it a distinctive presence. The car was available in coupe and convertible versions, both of which looked striking compared to their more conventionally styled competitors.
Under the bonnet, the 280i model was powered by Ford’s 2.8-litre Cologne V6, producing 160 horsepower, not an outrageous figure, but in a car that weighed just over a tonne, it was more than enough to provide proper sports car performance. The 0-60 mph time was around 7.8 seconds, with a top speed of about 130 mph, putting it in the same league as cars like the Porsche 924 and Alfa Romeo GTV6. The five-speed manual gearbox made the most of the engine’s torque, delivering strong mid-range acceleration and a raw, mechanical driving feel.
The real magic of the TVR 280i Tasmin lay in its chassis and handling. Built on a tubular steel backbone chassis with independent suspension all around, it had sharp, responsive steering and excellent cornering ability. The lightweight construction meant it felt nimble and engaging, with a proper old-school, rear-wheel-drive balance that made every drive an event. While it lacked the outright power of later TVRs, it was still a joy to push through the bends, offering a pure, analogue driving experience.
Inside, the Tasmin had a typically TVR mix of luxury and quirkiness. The dashboard was angled towards the driver, giving it a cockpit-like feel, and the bucket seats were deep and supportive. The build quality wasn’t always the best (as was often the case with TVRs), but the interior had plenty of character, with handcrafted details and a sense of occasion that made it feel special.
Despite its futuristic looks and strong performance, the TVR 280i struggled in the early years. The recession of the early 1980s hurt sales, and TVR’s small-scale production meant the Tasmin was always a niche car. However, as time went on, TVR refined the formula, eventually leading to the more powerful 350i and later V8 models, which helped secure TVR’s reputation for building wild, performance-driven sports cars.
Today, the TVR 280i Tasmin is a rare but fascinating classic, often overlooked in favour of later, more powerful TVRs. However, for those who appreciate lightweight handling, distinctive styling, and raw driving excitement, the 280i offers a unique slice of TVR history. It was the car that set the stage for TVR’s insane V8-powered machines, proving that sometimes, taking a bold new direction can lead to great things.
For enthusiasts looking for a classic British sports car that stands out from the crowd, the Tasmin is a forgotten gem, a car that may have been overshadowed, but still delivers a thrilling, grin-inducing driving experience.