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{{Use British English|date=July 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=July 2017}}
{{Infobox automobile
{{Infobox automobile
| image = TVR 350i Bahamas at speed.jpg
| image = 1987 TVR 350i M.Pettitt.jpg
| name = TVR 350i
| name = TVR 350i
| manufacturer = [[TVR]]
| manufacturer = [[TVR]]
| aka = TVR Tasmin 350i<br>TVR 350SX
| aka = TVR Tasmin 350i<br>TVR 350SX
| production = 1983.08–1989<br>949 produced
| production = 1983.08–1989<br>949 produced
| predecessor = [[TVR Tasmin 280i]]
| predecessor = [[TVR Tasmin 280i]]
| related = [[TVR 390SE]]
| related = [[TVR 390SE]]
| successor =
| successor =
| class = [[Sports car]]
| class = [[Sports car]]
| body_style = 2-dr coupé<br>2-dr convertible
| body_style = 2-door [[coupé]]<br>2-door [[convertible]]
| platform = [[TVR Wedge]]
| platform = [[TVR Wedge]]
| layout = [[FR layout]]
| layout = [[FR layout]]
| engine = 3.5&nbsp;L [[Rover V8 engine|''Rover'' V8]]
| engine = 3.5&nbsp;L [[Rover V8 engine|''Rover'' V8]]
| transmission = 5-spd [[manual gearbox|MT]]
| transmission = 5-speed [[manual gearbox|manual]]
| designer = [[Oliver Winterbottom]]
| designer = [[Oliver Winterbottom]]
| caption = 1987 TVR 350i convertible
| wheelbase = {{convert|94|in|0|abbr=on}}
| weight = {{convert|2209-2213|lb|0|abbr=on}} (convertible)
| width = {{convert|68|in|0|abbr=on}}
| length = {{convert|160.5|in|0|abbr=on}}
| height = {{convert|47.3|in|0|abbr=on}} (convertible)
}}
}}
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 (TVR)|Peter Wheeler]] found himself wanting more power than the [[Ford Cologne V6 engine|Cologne V6]]-equipped [[TVR Tasmin 280i|Tasmin 280i]] could offer. Thus, based on the existing car the '''TVR Tasmin 350i''' appeared in August 1983.<ref name="SCI">{{cite book | title = Standard Catalog of Imported Cars, 1946-1990 | author = James M. Flammang | publisher = Krause Publications, Inc. | location = Iola, WI | page = 619 | year = 1994 | isbn = 0-87341-158-7 }}</ref> Using the same chassis and body (with some minor changes), a 3.5-litre [[Rover V8 engine|Rover V8]] was installed. After a year, the "Tasmin" part of the name was dropped and the car became plain TVR 350i.<ref name="A-Z">{{cite book | title = A to Z of Sports Cars | author = Mike Lawrence | publisher = Bay View Books | location = Bideford, Devon | page = 313 | year = 1991 | isbn = 1-870979-81-8 }}</ref>
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 (TVR)|Peter Wheeler]] found himself wanting more power than the [[Ford Cologne V6 engine|Cologne V6]]-equipped [[TVR Tasmin 280i|Tasmin 280i]] could offer. Thus, based on the existing car the '''TVR Tasmin 350i''' appeared in August 1983.<ref name="SCI">{{cite book | title = Standard Catalog of Imported Cars, 1946-1990 | author = James M. Flammang | publisher = Krause Publications, Inc. | location = Iola, WI | page = 619 | year = 1994 | isbn = 0-87341-158-7 }}</ref> Using the same chassis and body (with some minor changes), a 3.5-litre [[Rover V8 engine|Rover V8]] was installed. After a year, the "Tasmin" part of the name was dropped and the car became just TVR 350i.<ref name="A-Z">{{cite book | title = A to Z of Sports Cars | author = Mike Lawrence | publisher = Bay View Books | location = Bideford, Devon | page = 313 | year = 1991 | isbn = 1-870979-81-8 }}</ref>


==Development==
==Development==
The {{convert|190|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} V8 propelled the 350i to {{convert|130|mph|km/h|0|abbr=on}}, while 60&nbsp;mph came up in 6.3&nbsp;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.<ref name="A-Z"/> The 350i also provided the basis for the [[TVR 390SE|390SE]] first seen at the Birmingham Motor Show in October 1984,<ref name="SCI"/> as well as the extreme [[TVR 420 SEAC|420]]/[[TVR 450 SEAC|450 SEAC]] and other future developments. [[File:TVR 350i cp.jpg|thumb|left|TVR 350i coupé]] A modified form of the 350i's chassis, itself a stretched version of the chassis used for the old [[TVR M Series|M-series]], also underpinned the [[TVR S Series|S-series]] as well as the later [[TVR Griffith|Griffith]]. There was a short run of non-factory Sprintex supercharged 350SX (and the bigger hearted [[TVR 400SE|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 {{convert|260|bhp|kW|0|abbr=on}} for the 350SX is commonly cited.<ref>{{cite web | title = TVR Wedge Specials | publisher = Pistonheads.com | url = http://www.pistonheads.com/tvr/wedges/specials.htm | accessdate = 2010-12-14 }}</ref>
The 3.5 L V8 produced {{convert|197|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} at 5280 rpm and {{convert|220|lbft|Nm|0|abbr=on}} of torque at 4000 rpm,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Nichols |first=Mel |date=1987-02-01 |title=Showdown! Porsche vs. Porsche vs. Audi vs. TVR vs. Lotus. We find the winning formula |url=https://www.tvr-car-club.co.uk/uploads/9/5/1/5/95156928/v1automobilefeb1987.pdf |work=Automobile Magazine}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=1986-10-11 |title=TVR 350i: The Rivals |url=https://x.com/motormobilias/status/1774865078124204382 |work=Motorweek}}</ref> propelling the 350i to a top speed of between {{convert|130-135|mph|km/h|0|abbr=on}}, while 0-60&nbsp;mph (97 km/h) took between 6.3&nbsp;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.<ref name="A-Z"/> The 350i also provided the basis for the [[TVR 390SE|390SE]] first seen at the Birmingham Motor Show in October 1984,<ref name="SCI"/> as well as the extreme [[TVR 420 SEAC|420]]/[[TVR 450 SEAC|450 SEAC]] and other future developments. [[File:TVR 350i cp.jpg|thumb|left|TVR 350i coupé]] A modified form of the 350i's chassis, itself a stretched version of the chassis used for the old [[TVR M Series|M-series]], also underpinned the [[TVR S Series|S-series]] as well as the later [[TVR Griffith|Griffith]]. There was a short run of non-factory Sprintex supercharged 350SX (and the bigger hearted [[TVR 400SE|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 {{convert|260|bhp|kW|0|abbr=on}} for the 350SX is commonly cited.<ref>{{cite web | title = TVR Wedge Specials | publisher = Pistonheads.com | url = http://www.pistonheads.com/tvr/wedges/specials.htm | accessdate = 2010-12-14 }}</ref>
[[File:1989 TVR 350i in Sweden (cropped).jpg|thumb|1989 TVR 350i convertible rear]]

By 1989, after the introduction of the [[TVR 400SE|400/450SE]] and [[TVR 420 SEAC|420]]/[[TVR 450 SEAC|450 SEAC]], the lineup was rationalized and the by now least powerful 350i was dropped.<ref name="A-Z"/> 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.
By 1989, after the introduction of the [[TVR 400SE|400/450SE]] and [[TVR 420 SEAC|420]]/[[TVR 450 SEAC|450 SEAC]], the lineup was rationalized and the by now least powerful 350i was dropped.<ref name="A-Z"/> 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.


Latest revision as of 20:30, 23 April 2024

For an overview of the "wedge" body, see TVR Wedges.

TVR 350i
1987 TVR 350i convertible
Overview
ManufacturerTVR
Also calledTVR Tasmin 350i
TVR 350SX
Production1983.08–1989
949 produced
DesignerOliver Winterbottom
Body and chassis
ClassSports car
Body style2-door coupé
2-door convertible
LayoutFR layout
PlatformTVR Wedge
RelatedTVR 390SE
Powertrain
Engine3.5 L Rover V8
Transmission5-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase94 in (2,388 mm)
Length160.5 in (4,077 mm)
Width68 in (1,727 mm)
Height47.3 in (1,201 mm) (convertible)
Curb weight2,209–2,213 lb (1,002–1,004 kg) (convertible)
Chronology
PredecessorTVR 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.[1] 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.[2]

Development

[edit]

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,[3][4] 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.[2] The 350i also provided the basis for the 390SE first seen at the Birmingham Motor Show in October 1984,[1] as well as the extreme 420/450 SEAC and other future developments.

TVR 350i coupé

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.[5]

1989 TVR 350i convertible rear

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.[2] 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

[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to TVR 350.
  1. ^ a b James M. Flammang (1994). Standard Catalog of Imported Cars, 1946-1990. Iola, WI: Krause Publications, Inc. p. 619. ISBN 0-87341-158-7.
  2. ^ a b c 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.
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