Swapping to a Rover V8 wasn't just about power — it let TVR sell the 350i in Arab markets wary of Ford over its ties to Israel.
Lead trim: 3.5 Rover V8 (197 hp)
TVR Engineering Ltd 350i1983–1989
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Nobody in Burbles has spotted a TVR Engineering Ltd 350i yet. See one on the street, point the app at it, and the first card is yours — with your @handle permanently credited on this page.
FactSwapping to a Rover V8 wasn't just about power — it let TVR sell the 350i in Arab markets wary of Ford over its ties to Israel.
The TVR 350i is a sports car built by 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, so, based on the existing car, the TVR Tasmin 350i appeared in August 1983 with the same chassis and body (with some minor changes) and a 3.5-litre Rover V8; after a year the "Tasmin" part of the name was dropped. The 3.5 L V8 produced 197 hp and 220 lb-ft of torque, propelling the 350i to a top speed of between 130 and 135 mph, with 0-60 mph taking between 6.3 and 6.5 seconds. The Rover-engined 350i was also marketable in Arab countries, where there was some political resistance to buying Ford products, and it provided the basis for the 390SE and the extreme 420 / 450 SEAC. By 1989, after the introduction of the 400/450SE and 420 / 450 SEAC, the line-up was rationalised and the now least powerful 350i was dropped, after over 1,000 had been built; the end of the run was marked by the limited edition (25 examples) 3.9-litre TVR 350SE of 1990-91.
Collectors Spotted in the TVR Engineering Ltd 350i Lineage
No member has published a public street spot of the TVR Engineering Ltd 350i yet — the First · Worldwide stamp is wide open.
Trims & Figures
One published trim in the catalogue. A blank is a figure not recorded, not zero.
| Trim | Years | Engine | Power | Torque | 0–60 | Drive | Gearbox | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Rover V8 (197 hp) | 1983–1989 | 3.5 L V8 | 197 hp | 220 lb-ft | — | RWD | — | — |
Owning one
We don’t estimate running costs for a car like this. What it costs depends on its condition, its specialist and how it is driven, and an average would mislead.
Owners’ builds
Nobody has claimed one yet.
Photographs
TVR picked the Rover V8 for the 350i partly for politics, not just performance — Ford engines faced resistance in Arab markets over Ford's ties to Israel.
Swapping to a Rover V8 wasn't just about power — it let TVR sell the 350i in Arab markets wary of Ford over its ties to Israel.
Rivals
Same body, same money, other badges — tap any card to flip.
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