The 1983 TVR Tasmin (later known simply as the 280i) is the quintessential "wedge" car of the 1980s. Born out of TVR’s desire to move upmarket and modernize, it replaced the curvy "M Series" with sharp lines, pop-up headlights, and a much more angular aesthetic.

By 1983, the Tasmin was hitting its stride as a cult classic sports car. Here is the breakdown of what made this machine tick

The Tasmin was styled by Oliver Winterbottom, who had previously worked on the Lotus Elite and Eclat—which explains the striking resemblance to other British wedges of the era.

• Body: A fiberglass      body mounted on a tubular steel backbone chassis. This kept the car      lightweight but resistant to rust (at least the body was; the chassis      still needed care).

• The      "Wedge": It featured a steeply raked windshield and      the iconic 80s pop-up headlights.

• Configurations: In 1983, you      could find it as a Fixed Head Coupé (FHC), a 2+2 Coupé, or      the very popular Convertible.

Under the hood, the 1983 model was primarily defined by its reliable Ford-sourced powertrain. A 2.8L Ford Cologne V6,  ~160 bhp (UK/Euro) / ~145 bhp (US),  0-60 8.0 seconds,  top speed ~130 mp

The Tasmin was designed to be a driver's car, utilizing a "parts bin" approach that combined components from various mainstream manufacturers to create a balanced sports car:

• Suspension: Independent      all around. It used a mix of Ford Cortina front wishbones and a bespoke      trailing arm setup at the rear.

• Brakes: Discs all      around (solid at the front, inboard at the rear). The inboard rear brakes      were a Jaguar-style touch intended to reduce unsprung weight, though they      are famously difficult for mechanics to reach.