280 at auction with 4.6 litre V8

[sixor8]

Interesting 280 at Mathewsons next week (the 'Bangers and Cash' lot). 4.6 litre V8 fitted (although DVLA not notified). Refurb chassis..... in yellow!

https://www.mathewsons.co.uk/product/1988-tvr-280-...

[Classic Chim]

That’s an interesting blend as I always likes the S2 small bonnet scoop.
I assume the bonnet sits high at the back as engine needs clearance?
A lot of work and money has gone into that car.
Owning a V8 Chim that weighs around 1260 kgs out of interest what does a V8S weigh?
I bet the induction roar on that is ace.
No Cux to fuddle with lol.
A great track/ summer toy.

[magpies]

Classic Chim said:

That’s an interesting blend as I always likes the S2 small bonnet scoop.
I assume the bonnet sits high at the back as engine needs clearance?
A lot of work and money has gone into that car.
Owning a V8 Chim that weighs around 1260 kgs out of interest what does a V8S weigh?
I bet the induction roar on that is ace.
No Cux to fuddle with lol.
A great track/ summer toy.

I agree about the bonnet being high at the back - it may be closed but not locked / secured - and just sitting on the springs?

Looks like a lot of work and guide price about right as originally a v6 (as per the V5)
The standard V8 weighs 1052 kg whereas the V6 is about 80kg lighter.
Should still go well, figure between the V6 and V8 numbers.

[Oldred_V8S]

magpies said:

Classic Chim said:

That’s an interesting blend as I always likes the S2 small bonnet scoop.
I assume the bonnet sits high at the back as engine needs clearance?
A lot of work and money has gone into that car.
Owning a V8 Chim that weighs around 1260 kgs out of interest what does a V8S weigh?
I bet the induction roar on that is ace.
No Cux to fuddle with lol.
A great track/ summer toy.

I agree about the bonnet being high at the back - it may be closed but not locked / secured - and just sitting on the springs?

Looks like a lot of work and guide price about right as originally a v6 (as per the V5)
The standard V8 weighs 1052 kg whereas the V6 is about 80kg lighter.
Should still go well, figure between the V6 and V8 numbers.

I thought the V8 was lighter than the V6 engine, with the V6 being an iron lump.

[GreenV8S]

On paper the V8S is a fraction heavier. This means it moves up into a different weight class than the V6 S in some competitions, which always seemed unfair to me.

[phillpot]

GreenV8S said:

On paper the V8S is a fraction heavier. This means it moves up into a different weight class than the V6 S in some competitions, which always seemed unfair to me.

An engine a third as big again, what's unfair about going up a class?

[sixor8]

Following the auction live, Derek on the rostrum. Sound is a bit all over the place. I think the smack of the hammer overloads the mic and it resets at lower level and builds up each time.

I was tempted to bid on a car or two like a Jaaaag or a Corrado but Thornton Le Dale is one hell of an awkward place for me to collect from, so delivery costs would have to be considered. No train station for miles. Hmmm.

Anyway, the top bid on the 280S with 4.6 litre V8 was £6750, so it was passed.

[greymrj]

Prior to the auction I did contact Mathewsons and advised them of some of the concerns FB members had about this car, particularly that the engine was almost certainly not a 4.6 (believed to be an older SD1 derived engine), and that it still have 2.8 brakes. A very responsible response was received and I know Mathewsons have been cautious in their advice to prospective viewers.
The car has already been offered elsewhere for £5600 I think, a much more realistic price for a 'hybrid' car. With an apparently good chassis might now be worth reverting to original or doing properly?

[GreenV8S]

phillpot said:

An engine a third as big again, what's unfair about going up a class?

The V6 is penalised for being under the weight limit.

[greymrj]

Car is now being listed on FB on TVR Buy, sell and swap for £6750. Being sold by 'NG Cars' ** but the car is in Malton Yorkshire. Quick google on NG isn't encouraging. The FB entry has generated some other concerns and the ID of a past owner. It is still being advertised as a 4.6, on the basis that it says 4.6 on the non original rocker covers. But it appears to be a pre serp engine on carbs as SD1 and I am informed it is VERY expensive to take them over 3.9. The chassis is S1 2.8 as are the brakes. Questions have been asked on the V5 status and the proof or engine type.

Appears to be a good chassis so might be worth converting back? Although the costs of doing so wouldn't be cost effective for an S1 at that price.

• I can find no previous history of NG Cars, or at least not this NG Cars

Caveat emptor plus bargepole?

Edited by greymrj on Saturday 11th December 15:54

[frontfloater]

I sent the seller some questions when this was on Ebay a while ago - simple questions about who did the engineering work, whether other parts like suspension, brakes etc. had been upgraded to suit the bigger engine. The seller did not reply.

[GreenV8S]

On the bright side, if it really is an elderly 3.5 on carbs then it's probably not producing much more power than the 2.8 so the lack of brake, suspension and transmission upgrades is less scary. Although still pretty scary given that somebody has shoe-horned in a bigger engine apparently without considering the knock-on effects of the bigger engine.