Silver Surfboard: 1985 TVR 280i

Someday this next car will be collectible.  Maybe not tomorrow, maybe not next week, but sometime in the next decade it'll be worth more than the simple asking price, because a car with the TVR badge represents more than just another piece of old iron.  North American imports of the Blackpool speed machines started in 1965 and ended in 1987 when the last 280i Tasmin reached our shores. TVR's history of tubular space frame vehicles continued on the other side of the Altantic but as of July 2012, the company has officially ceased its efforts to build and produce automobiles - a shame since its formula of mounting common parts on a bespoke hand built body is all but dead. Find this 1985 TVR 280i here on eBay bidding for $3,383 reserve-not-met with 5 days to go, located in Morristown, TN.

5.0 V8 Power: 1986 TVR 280i Convertible

What is the only thing hotter than a Phoenix sidewalk right now?  A sunfire yellow TVR 280i that is powered by a Ford 5.0 V8.  YES!  Find this 1986 TVR 280i Convertible offered for $15,750 in Amherst, NH via Hemmings.com. Tip from Rock On!

Auction Watch: 1972 TVR Vixen w/ Alfa Romeo Power

Find this 1972 TVR Vixen w/ Alfa Romeo Power here on eBay bidding for $12,899 reserve-not-met with 2 days to go.

Weird wedge: 1986 TVR 280i twin turbo

How plausible is the following scenario? Miami Vice TVR 280i chase car is found in Florida garage with a blown engine, next JDM fan owner swaps in a Toyota 1JZ twin turbo engine, and then car is sold to a buyer who fits a stanced wheel/tire combo so it can be shown off at the H20 festival.  This is about the only scenario that seems to make any sense as to what may have happened to this car.  Find this 1986 TVR 280i for sale in East NY, NY for $10,000 via craigslist. 

Mid Week Match-Up: Pick A Car For A European Assignment

It is Wednesday so that means it's time for another edition of Daily Turismo's version of a secret Santa, also known as Mid Week Match-Up!  Last week, we asked readers to find us a car for taking to an amateur drift event and received lots of great suggestions for going sideways.  Today we are going to go another direction and ask our readers to find the best car for an extended European assignment.  

10k: Tasmin Devil: 1985 TVR 280i

TVR started building racing cars in 1949 with the TVR One which was powered by a 35 horsepower tuned 1.2 liter sidevalve engine from a Ford Van.  North American imports of the Blackpool speed machines started in 1965 and ended in 1987 when the last 280i Tasmin reached our shores.   TVR's history of tubular space frame vehicles continued on the other side of the Altantic but as of July 2012, the company has officially ceased its efforts to build and produce automobiles - a shame since its formula of mounting common parts on a bespoke hand built body is all but dead.  Find this 1985 TVR 280i offered for $11,500 in Phoenix, AZ via craigslist.  Tip from JAZ.

10k: Hatchling: 1979 TVR Taimar

 In 1972 TVR introduced their M-series platform (1600M, 2000M, 2500M, 3000M and Taimar), a body-on-frame replacement for the aging Vixen/Tuscan sports cars.  TVR kept the same glass-reinforced-plastic (GRP) construction on a steel backbone of the previous cars as well as much of the same parts (like windshield, roof, doors) and was mostly redesigned for style and crash standards.  Find this 1979 TVR Taimar offered for $12,999 in Central Point, OR via craigslist.  Tip from FuelTruck and Oldsmobuick.

5k: Looks Sporty: 1977 TVR 2500M

The TVR M-series was a fiberglass body / steel frame coupe, built in Blackpool, UK from 1972 to 1979.  The US market 2500M used an inline six borrowed from the Triumph TR6 and at least it looks the part of a fun sports car.  Find this 1977 TVR 2500M for sale in Easthampton, MA currently bidding on ebay for $5,850 reserve-not-met with 1 day to go.

10k: 1974 TVR 2500M; Rare

The TVR M-series was a sports car built in Blackpool, England from a combination of TVR, Truimph, Lucas & Ford parts, covered in a glass reinforced fiber body.  The 2500M version was built from 1972-1977 with just under 1000 total production making them a rare sight on public roads today.  This 1974 TVR 2500M is for sale in Newark, DE currently bidding on ebay for $6,300 reserve-not-met with 3 days to go.

10k: 1985 TVR Tasmin 280i Convertible

TVR is a foreign name to our American ears, the last imports from Blackpool, England being the Tasmin 280i in 1987.  TVR does have a long history on the other side of the Altantic and built all of its cars on a tubular space frame and as of July 2012 has officially ceased its efforts to build and produce automobiles - a shame since its formula of mounting common parts on a bespoke handbuilt body is all but dead.  But you can relive the glory days with this 1985 TVR Tasmin 280i, currently for sale on ebay for $8,250 OBO in Sussex, WI.