TVR Tasmin (Wedge) History

The Tasmin launched in 1980 with sharp, wedge-shaped styling by Oliver Winterbottom, a clean break from TVR's curvy 1970s coupes. It used a tubular spaceframe with extensively Ford-sourced running gear and the Cologne V6; a budget Tasmin 200 ran a 2.0-litre Ford Pinto four.

The wedge platform became the basis of TVR's whole 1980s range. After Peter Wheeler bought the company in 1981, the line gained Rover V8 power and evolved through the 350i (1983), 390SE, 420SEAC, 400SE and the final 450SE, turning the angular GT into a genuinely quick muscle-roadster. The Ford-V6 280i ran to 1987; the last Rover-V8 wedges were replaced on the launch of the Griffith around 1990 but sold into 1991, before the look gave way to the curvier S-series and Griffith.