Vehicle Description
The history of British sportscar manufacturer TVR has always been a
bit of a roller coaster. From the early years of TreVoR Wilkinson
ownership that set an early tone and high-bar for innovative
designs and lightweight construction, to the nostalgia fan-favorite
Martin Lilley era that borne wildly popular cars but practically no
financial success, and ultimately to the uber-accomplished Peter
Wheeler syndicate that ushered cars like this fantastic 1990 TVR S2
convertible into the automotive zeitgeist. No other manufacturer
can boast such an eclectic, sporty, and downright fun model line
quite like this, and if we were to even begin to attempt to go
through all that beloved automotive diversity in this limited
space, we'd never do the brand justice. What's important to know is
that this is a treasured make of cars that's respected all over the
world, and the S-series line is the one that's remembered best,
even with TVR still manufacturing new cars today. Cars like this
very clean S2 are what turned TVR away from the brink of extinction
and will therefore always be revered and collected by hobbyists
across the globe. Oh, and they're a load of fun to drive, too.
It's easy to spot a TVR S-series at a car show, just look for the
crowd that's gathering around the bonnet. In the US, that crowd is
usually arguing about how it can't be an Alfa, because it looks too
aggressive and sporty, and how it doesn't smell like Paco Rabanne
and an electrical fire (Just kidding, Alfas are amazing too). Of
course, painting it a vivid shade of blue metallic never hurts, and
it's a great choice considering TVR would literally paint cars "any
colour you want!". Smack in the middle of the '80s and '90s
affordable sports car boom that so many of us Gen X and Y guys
cherished, this convertible is a familiar face that has really aged
gracefully through the years. This particular S2 has always been a
driver, and the paint has a very good shine and luster with only
minor imperfections to be found here and there upon closer
inspection. Composed of a five-piece fiberglass body, the panel fit
and alignment is quite good, especially for a convertible, all of
which is evidence of a life lived easy before it was imported from
across the pond. Styling features include the open-mouth front
valance, hood scoop, integrated ducktail spoiler, and the twin
tailpipes centered underneath the oversized license plate slot. If
you're familiar with British motoring, there's certainly no
mistaking the S2 for anything else, and how many cars built today
can make that claim?
The handsome white interior is all original, showing very nice
preservation with a few signs of use, but definitely nothing beyond
what's expected of the age. The bucket seats are remarkably
comfortable and for a small car, there's plenty of room once you're
settled behind the wheel, which is on the 'wrong' side on the car
if you haven't already noticed. The layout is much more luxurious
than you'd expect for a car in this price range, with sporty TVR
gauges, well-placed switches and knobs, a thick TVR steering wheel,
and a slick-shifting 5-speed manual transmission that's just inches
away. They're all organized inside the beautifully designed
dash/middle console combo that anchors the interior, which also
houses an AM/FM/CD head unit that provides all the entertainment.
White door panels match the seats, the blue carpets and floor mats
below are very plush and accented with white piping on, and there's
a surprising amount of storage space both behind the seat and out
back in the trunk. Fine, it's a boot, settle down Nigel. Overhead,
there's a very unique 'hybrid' convertible roof that doubles as
both a targa top (thanks to two removable panels) and conventional
roadster when it's dropped down.
The numbers-matching 2.9 liter 'Cologne' V6 from Ford delivers a
peppy 170 horsepower that can get very lively in the corners, and
thanks to a fuel-injection system and modern components, it's
responsive when properly maintained. Sturdy and reliable, the
engine has an enthusiastic demeanor that suits the sporty look of
the car, and in the years since it was imported into Texas, it has
obviously been well-kept, pulling the 2-seater around with gusto,
letting loose with great British sounds from the dual exhaust pipes
out back. The 5-speed gearbox snaps through the gates easily and
clutch action is light, so you will quickly find this TVR to be a
great dance partner. With a lightweight body and fully independent
rear suspension, performance is brisk and handling is excellent,
and power front disc brakes bring the whole show to quick stop. A
clean undercarriage, solid structural members, and no obvious signs
of trouble all make this S2 a really great find. Blacked-out TVR
alloys are fitted and carry 205/60/15 performance radials that look
right.
Someone took very good care of this TRV, and we're lucky that she
was Brexited stateside to give all those Alfas and Triumphs a run
for their Pounds. For an affordably-priced British sports car,
perhaps this S2 convertible finally deserves a chance to make a
first impression in the U.S. of A. Come see it today!
