You guys are aware of my Pontiac J2000 race car project. I’m about done with the engine, but the project has stalled with my return to work so just for shits and giggles I advertised it on Marketplace and said trades welcome.
A former owner of the car messaged me and offered, amongst other things, a 1985 TVR 280i. I had no idea what that was, except that I was familiar with TVR as a small builder of weird and unreliable British sports cars. Turns out the 280i is actually...a weird and kiiiinda reliable British sports car?
Sorry if these pictures show up sideways, they’re vertical on my phone. I say kiiiiinda reliable because it’s powered by a Ford Cologne v6, uses Cortina suspension bits, and a Jaguar XJS rear end. Also a 4 speed Ford tranny that’s supposed to be very good.
It’s not what I was looking for because I didn’t know it existed. But now that I know it exists I don’t know how I can say no to it. It’s the most 80s thing I’ve ever seen, being an angular red thing with white leather and red wheels.
It doesn’t run but it does turn over. It needs a windshield (the most likely deal breaker, but it’s almost totally flat so maybe something can be done), and it does not have a title, which I can find a way around.
It’s very much a step sideways, but I like that it’s a street car rather than a dedicated track thing, so I’d likely get more use out of it. But I have to look into the windshield, that’s the main thing.
Anyway that’s the spectacularly 80s thing I was offered. I’m considering it.