TVR 350i
{{For|an overview of the "wedge" body|TVR Wedges}}
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{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=July 2017}}
{{Infobox automobile
| image = 1987 TVR 350i M.Pettitt.jpg
| name = TVR 350i
| manufacturer = TVR
| aka = TVR Tasmin 350i
TVR 350SX
| production = August 1983–1989
949 produced
| assembly = United Kingdom: Blackpool, England
| predecessor = TVR Tasmin 280i
| related = TVR 390SE
| successor =
| class = Sports car
| body_style = 2-door coupé
2-door convertible
| platform = TVR Wedge
| layout = FR layout
| engine = 3.5 L Rover V8
| transmission = 5-speed manual
| 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 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.{{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 }} 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.{{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 }}
Development
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,{{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}}{{Cite news |date=1986-10-11 |title=TVR 350i: The Rivals |url=https://x.com/motormobilias/status/1774865078124204382 |work=Motorweek}} propelling the 350i to a top speed of between {{convert|130-135|mph|km/h|0|abbr=on}}, 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. File:TVR 350i cp.jpg 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 {{convert|260|bhp|kW|0|abbr=on}} for the 350SX is commonly cited.{{cite web | title = TVR Wedge Specials | publisher = Pistonheads.com | url = http://www.pistonheads.com/tvr/wedges/specials.htm | accessdate = 2010-12-14 }}
File:1989 TVR 350i in Sweden (cropped).jpg
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.
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References
{{commonscat|TVR 350}}
{{reflist}}
{{TVR}}
{{TVR road car timeline}}
Category:Rear-wheel-drive vehicles