TVR 390 Review: Generations, Specs and Which One to Buy
Overview of the TVR 390 roadster (1984–1989): its single generation, the 272 hp 4.0 MT version, and which variant makes sense to buy used.
The TVR 390 is a rear-wheel-drive roadster built from 1984 to 1989 with 272 hp across the range. With a 3947 cc engine, a manual gearbox and 0–100 km/h in 5.6 seconds, it suits drivers who want a raw, analogue open-top sports car from the 1980s rather than a comfortable cruiser.
TVR 390 generations
1 generation (1984–1989)
The first and only generation of the TVR 390 was produced from 1984 to 1989 exclusively as a roadster. Every TVR 390 of this generation delivers 272 hp from a 3947 cc engine, paired with a manual transmission and rear-wheel drive. The lineup is remarkably simple: just one modification was offered. The notable version is the TVR 390 4.0 MT (1 generation), which accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.6 seconds — a serious figure for a 1980s roadster and quick even by later standards.
This single-version structure means there are no engine, gearbox or drivetrain choices to weigh within the generation: the TVR 390 4.0 MT (1 generation) defines the model entirely. The 272 hp output stayed constant through the whole 1984–1989 production run, so early and late cars are mechanically the same specification on paper.
Which TVR 390 to buy
- 4.0 MT (1 generation): the only modification of the TVR 390, with 272 hp, a 3947 cc engine and 0–100 km/h in 5.6 seconds — the choice comes down to the condition of the individual car, not the specification.
Buying a used TVR 390 is straightforward in one specific sense: with a single generation (1984–1989) and a single modification, there is no risk of overpaying for the "wrong" version — every car left the factory with the same 272 hp engine, manual gearbox and rear-wheel drive. The main variable between examples is age and history, since even the newest TVR 390 dates from 1989.
TVR 390 at a glance
The TVR 390 occupies a clear niche: a compact British roadster with a large 3947 cc engine, 272 hp and a manual-only, rear-wheel-drive layout. The 5.6-second sprint to 100 km/h puts the TVR 390 4.0 MT (1 generation) firmly in sports-car territory for its era. Production ran for five years, from 1984 to 1989, without power changes or additional body styles — the roadster was the only configuration ever offered. For a buyer, that consistency makes research simple: understand one version, and you understand the whole model.