Misplaced Pages

The article's lead section may need to be rewritten. Please help improve the lead and read the lead layout guide. (June 2015) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

TVR 350i
1987 TVR 350i convertible
Overview
Manufacturer	TVR
Also called	TVR Tasmin 350i TVR 350SX
Production	1983.08–1989 949 produced
Designer	Oliver Winterbottom
Body and chassis
Class	Sports car
Body style	2-door coupé 2-door convertible
Layout	FR layout
Platform	TVR Wedge
Related	TVR 390SE
Powertrain
Engine	3.5 L Rover V8
Transmission	5-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	94 in (2,388 mm)
Length	160.5 in (4,077 mm)
Width	68 in (1,727 mm)
Height	47.3 in (1,201 mm) (convertible)
Curb weight	2,209–2,213 lb (1,002–1,004 kg) (convertible)
Chronology
Predecessor	TVR Tasmin 280i

The TVR 350i is a sports car built by British company TVR from 1983 until 1989. In 1982 TVR's then new owner Peter Wheeler found himself wanting more power than the Cologne V6-equipped Tasmin 280i could offer. Thus, based on the existing car the TVR Tasmin 350i appeared in August 1983. Using the same chassis and body (with some minor changes), a 3.5-litre Rover V8 was installed. After a year, the "Tasmin" part of the name was dropped and the car became just TVR 350i.

Development

The 3.5 L V8 produced 197 hp (147 kW) at 5280 rpm and 220 lb⋅ft (298 N⋅m) of torque at 4000 rpm, propelling the 350i to a top speed of between 130–135 mph (209–217 km/h), while 0-60 mph (97 km/h) took between 6.3 and 6.5 seconds. The Rover-engined 350i provided the added benefit of being marketable in Arab countries, where there was a certain political resistance to buying Ford products because of Ford's close dealings with Israel. The 350i also provided the basis for the 390SE first seen at the Birmingham Motor Show in October 1984, as well as the extreme 420/450 SEAC and other future developments.

A modified form of the 350i's chassis, itself a stretched version of the chassis used for the old M-series, also underpinned the S-series as well as the later Griffith. There was a short run of non-factory Sprintex supercharged 350SX (and the bigger hearted 400SX) made by the Northern TVR Centre in the mid-1980s. Nine and two of the respective versions are thought to have been built. Power is not certain, but 260 bhp (194 kW) for the 350SX is commonly cited.

By 1989, after the introduction of the 400/450SE and 420/450 SEAC, the lineup was rationalized and the by now least powerful 350i was dropped. Over 1,000 350i's were built. The end of the run was marked by the limited edition (25 examples only) 3.9-litre TVR 350SE of 1990-91.

References

1. ^ James M. Flammang (1994). Standard Catalog of Imported Cars, 1946-1990. Iola, WI: Krause Publications, Inc. p. 619. ISBN 0-87341-158-7.
2. ^ Mike Lawrence (1991). A to Z of Sports Cars. Bideford, Devon: Bay View Books. p. 313. ISBN 1-870979-81-8.
3. Nichols, Mel (1 February 1987). "Showdown! Porsche vs. Porsche vs. Audi vs. TVR vs. Lotus. We find the winning formula" (PDF). Automobile Magazine.
4. "TVR 350i: The Rivals". Motorweek. 11 October 1986.
5. "TVR Wedge Specials". Pistonheads.com. Retrieved 14 December 2010.

• TVR vehicles
• Sports cars
• Rear-wheel-drive vehicles
• Cars introduced in 1983
• Cars discontinued in 1989