****** Interested parties should note, this vehicle was subject to a CAT (D) insurance claim in 09/1991 ******
Highlights
- Believed to be one of just 150 390se models
- Engine and gearbox recently rebuilt
- Extensive restoration of the car’s chassis
- New interior walnut panels
The Appeal
Deep into the era of the wedged TVR, the 390se was really something special.
Taking the successes of the 350i forebear, tuning specialist Andy Rouse was able to coax an extra 85bhp out of the Rover V8 shoehorned under the bonnet.
Combined upgraded running gear and a host of excellent, more aggressive styling cues compared to its predecessors, the 390se may very well be the ultimate TVR and moreover, the ultimate 1980s wedge. One of the lowest volume production TVRs ever made, just over 100 390’s rolled out of the Blackpool factory, making this a very rare opportunity indeed.
C390 AYG, a late 1985 car, presents in good condition and has been under the careful ownership of an avid TVR enthusiast and highly reputable name within the community for several years now.
Whilst certainly not in concours condition, big money has been spent on what arguably makes this car so wonderful, the drive train and running gear.
Taking the successes of the 350i forebear, tuning specialist Andy Rouse was able to coax an extra 85bhp out of the Rover V8 shoehorned under the bonnet.
Combined upgraded running gear and a host of excellent, more aggressive styling cues compared to its predecessors, the 390se may very well be the ultimate TVR and moreover, the ultimate 1980s wedge. One of the lowest volume production TVRs ever made, just over 100 390’s rolled out of the Blackpool factory, making this a very rare opportunity indeed.
C390 AYG, a late 1985 car, presents in good condition and has been under the careful ownership of an avid TVR enthusiast and highly reputable name within the community for several years now.
Whilst certainly not in concours condition, big money has been spent on what arguably makes this car so wonderful, the drive train and running gear.
With all the hard bits done, including a full JW Developments Stage 1 engine conversion and gearbox rebuild, this is a car that is ready to be enjoyed from the first moment of ownership, but is equally one that lends itself to a cosmetic restoration to become a truly unique show piece.
The History and Paperwork
- First registered in 19/09/1985
- Sold through legendary TVR dealership Harrogate Horseless Carriages
- Accompanied by TVR owners book
- Extensive collection of invoices for servicing and maintenance from throughout the car’s lifetime
- Correct V5 registration document present with the vehicle
- MOT valid until June 2023 with no advisories
- Invoices for the JW Developments & Son “Stage 1 engine conversion” and gearbox rebuild
The Interior
- New interior walnut panels
- Great clean leather upholstery
- Highly original condition
A perfect compliment to the gold exterior colour, the cabin of the 390 looks marvellous, upholstered in a rich leather in quite possibly the only suitable colour for a 1980s wedge, brown.
Presenting in highly original condition, the TVR has worn its miles well and has clearly been well looked after throughout its life.
Presenting in highly original condition, the TVR has worn its miles well and has clearly been well looked after throughout its life.
Sumptuous golden brown leather coats nearly every surface in the cabin, including the simple and stylish door panels, now with fresh new door trims, and the all important body hugging seats.
Embellished with contrasting black piping and stitching, these are of a good standard and exhibit just the general patina one would expect of a car of this age. The leather itself is of great high quality and is a real testament to 1980s TVR craftsmanship.
Embellished with contrasting black piping and stitching, these are of a good standard and exhibit just the general patina one would expect of a car of this age. The leather itself is of great high quality and is a real testament to 1980s TVR craftsmanship.
Bringing the exterior wedged, square styling motif inside the 390, the dash panel and centre console are undoubtedly the stand out pieces inside the car. Also coated in golden leather, these are in impeccable shape, still rich colour and benefitting from the recent addition of new replacement walnut insert panels to really set the panels off.
Nestled within, the collection of neat black switchgear is all in good order and reported to function fully and with ease.
Nestled within, the collection of neat black switchgear is all in good order and reported to function fully and with ease.
The Exterior
- Exquisite 1980s wedged styling
- Rare factory gold paint scheme
- Removable and retractable roof panels
It was Oliver Winterbottom who brought the famed wedged styling to TVR, having already worked his magic on the Lotus Eclat and Elite he was set to task with the Blackpool based manufacturers, creating a line of cars that still command legend status to this day due to their impeccable styling.
Short wheelbase, angular body lines and that utterly glorious wedged front end, the Tasmin lineup was an absolute marvel from an aesthetic perspective, and none more so than the 390se.
Short wheelbase, angular body lines and that utterly glorious wedged front end, the Tasmin lineup was an absolute marvel from an aesthetic perspective, and none more so than the 390se.
Boasting more aggressive styling than the previous wedges, the 390se has a mean and bold stance and as such garners many a compliment from passers by. Finished in excellent Omega Gold (also known as Ford Oyster Gold) this TVR is in good standing in terms of the exterior, however there are some minor flaws to be noted.
Whilst the paintwork itself is generally good and exhibits a wonderful shine, there are several blemishes and imperfections dotted around the car that would require rectifying if any prospective buyer intended to make this 390 into an impeccable show winner most notably we find this on the front air dam/valance.
However in its current state, it is unquestionably a very pretty car and would be a welcome addition to anyone's collection.
Whilst the paintwork itself is generally good and exhibits a wonderful shine, there are several blemishes and imperfections dotted around the car that would require rectifying if any prospective buyer intended to make this 390 into an impeccable show winner most notably we find this on the front air dam/valance.
However in its current state, it is unquestionably a very pretty car and would be a welcome addition to anyone's collection.
Originally a point of worry and scepticism upon the 390s first launch, although TVRs legendary chassis and powertrain put any of those qualms to rest at an instant, the convertible top on this wedge is in excellent condition.
Taking various forms, just the top panel can be removed and stowed in the boot, or if preferred can be fully retracted and folded away in just a matter of moments.
Taking various forms, just the top panel can be removed and stowed in the boot, or if preferred can be fully retracted and folded away in just a matter of moments.
At ground level we are presented with four excellent snowflake style alloy wheels, combining a gold paint and metal finish, these are of a good clean nature and exhibit very little, if anything in the way of wear. A fifth spare wheel can be found stowed in the rear boot area.
All of the TVRs shut lines and panel gaps are of a great standard, and to really seat the car off from an exterior perspective, the pop up headlights and Cibie fog lights all function perfectly.
The Mechanics
- Subject to JW Developments Stage 1 engine conversion/rebuild
- Rebuilt gearbox
- Chassis stripped and restored
From the current owner’s own testimony, the big money on this car has been spent where it matters on a TVR, making it perform excellently.
Starting with the beating heart of the 390, the 3.9 litre Rover V8 motor. The car was taken to engineering legends, JW Developments & Son who removed the engine and gearbox from the car, stripped them both and rebuilt them to an incredibly high standard before reinstalling in the car.
As a result the 390 is now in excellent mechanical standing, and is a truly brilliant performer on the road courtesy of the high lift cams and quality components used in the Stage 1 Engine conversion rebuild the car was subject to.
A roughty exhaust note bellows from the rear upon idle, and there is plenty of power on tap at the request of the driver and their right foot.
Starting with the beating heart of the 390, the 3.9 litre Rover V8 motor. The car was taken to engineering legends, JW Developments & Son who removed the engine and gearbox from the car, stripped them both and rebuilt them to an incredibly high standard before reinstalling in the car.
As a result the 390 is now in excellent mechanical standing, and is a truly brilliant performer on the road courtesy of the high lift cams and quality components used in the Stage 1 Engine conversion rebuild the car was subject to.
A roughty exhaust note bellows from the rear upon idle, and there is plenty of power on tap at the request of the driver and their right foot.
A pivotal part of what made the 390 so great was always its chassis, and the one on this particular example is of a great standard, having been stripped and rebuilt not long before being purchased by its current owner.
A selection of photographs from the rebuild accompany the car in its history file.
A selection of photographs from the rebuild accompany the car in its history file.
Summary
A TVR wedge does a rather splendid job of selling itself, simply on its sheer excellence from both a mechanical and aesthetic perspective. But this one is particularly special.
One of just 103 390se Tasmins ever made, C390 AYG boasts a raw and thrilling tuned Rover V8, rebuilt to the highest of standards, alongside a rebuilt gearbox, chassis and a clean, highly original interior. What more could one want from a TVR?
Ready to go right from the first moment, the TVR wants for nothing to be enjoyed, but it's very much a car that also lends itself to a light cosmetic restoration for the buyer who wishes to create an undeniably special show car.
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