Lot Ended
Description
Later 4.5 V8 engine fitted; uprated suspension; new chassis; recently
completed a 1,800 mile tour of Spain; advisory-free MOT; forced sale due to
illness
Launched at the
1986 Earls Court Motor Show, the TVR S-Series came about because Peter Wheeler
realised that the wedge shape so fashionable in the early Eighties was dating
fast so he wanted to return to the marque’s more traditional curves as seen on
the M-Series of the early Seventies.
Initially
powered by Ford’s 2.8 Cologne V6, from 1991 it was also available with the 3.9
V8 Rover engine, these V8S models being easily distinguished by the central hump
in the bonnet to allow clearance for the larger engine.
This engine was subsequently ditched in favour of TVR’s new AJP8
engine which was designed in-house and was fitted to the TVR Cerbera of the
1990s. Basically a race engine, this had a formidable 360bhp in the 4.2 version
and a bonkers 420bhp in the 4.5 version, sufficient to hurl the Cerbera to 60mph
in 4.1 seconds on its way to a top speed of 185mph – if you were brave
enough!
First registered in August 1998, this TVR
280S started out in life with the 2.8 Cologne V6 but at some point it has been
fitted with a later 4.5 V8. It isn’t clear from the history file exactly when
this was done or by whom, but there are various invoices from 2014 onwards for
V8 service items so it must have been at least a dozen years ago.
Our vendor acquired the car in the summer of
last year, specifically for a road trip to Spain. At this point the TVR it was
in use as a track day car and had recently had a brand new chassis and new
coil-over suspension with Spax adjustable shocks etc.
This made it a bit too low and stiff for the long-distance touring
our vendor had in mind, so he raised the suspension by 4”, fitted electronic
ignition, gave it a thorough service and also fitted new headlamps and a luggage
rack to the boot.
It then completed a scenic
tour around the spectacular Picos mountain range of Northern Spain, a 1,800 mile
trip during which we are told it behaved faultlessly.
Earlier this year the TVR also completed a scenic tour from the West
Midlands up to North Yorkshire via the East Coast, another 500+ mile trip which
it took in its stride, the only problem being the front anti-roll bar which got
broken on a rough northern back road. With the suspension adjusted to its
firmest settings the car still drove well and the anti-roll bar is stored in the
boot should the next owner wish to get it repaired.
The vendor also advises that a new clutch master cylinder was fitted
just before the auction but this needs to be bled properly because the clutch
pedal is now a bit soft. He also advises that the rev counter is not currently
working.
Showing 55,000 miles on the clock, it comes with a good few
invoices for upkeep over the years, recent stand-out items including fresh oil
and filter and a new battery in November 2023 plus a new set of
Falken tyres in August 2021 at 51,800 miles. It also retains the original
handbook and service book with 8 stamps, the last in March 1992 at 25,764 miles.
It has an MOT until August 2026 with no advisories recorded plus three old
MOTs.
As you can see in the photos, this
TVR looks very presentable for its age and has been starting promptly and
running well as we have moved it around on site, with healthy 45psi oil pressure
and bags of grunt from that big V8.
Only
reluctantly for sale due to our vendor’s health issues, it is on offer here at a
modest guide price and will make a very exciting fast road or track day car with
scope to take it to the next level if desired.
Consigned by James Dennison – 07970 309907 – james.dennison@brightwells.com