The TVR S range was introduced at the 1986 Motor Show at Earls Court in London, as a retro-styled low priced model to act as an introduction to TVR ownership.
S1 - known as 2.8S or 280S at the time, fitted with Ford 2.8i engine. Disk brakes at front, drums at back.
S2 - announced in 1989, and also known as 2.9S or 290S, the S2 was an improved model with lots of minor trim improvements, further refinement and different wheels (OZ 7 spoke alloys). The engine was changed to the 2.9i Ford engine, taken from the Sierra.
S3 - available from mid 89 onwards, the major difference for the S3 was the width of the doors, this was increased to improve access to the cabin. This change necessitated a modification to the chassis, the dashboard was also changed. Suspension was uprated significantly giving a much better ride, and minor trim details like the boot stay and door mirrors (electric) were improved.
S3C - sold alongside the S3, this model had the catalysed version of the 2.9i engine (with an increase in torque and no loss of power). Also standard on the S3C was a limited slip differential, justifying the extra £1500 purchase price.
S4C - the last evolution of the car, other than the V8S. Sold from 92 through to 94, now has disk brakes all round, with improvements again in trim levels and refinement. Quite a rare car, examples are difficult to value due to their scarcity. Few models were sold, as by this time (late '93' onwards) the Griffith was in full production, with only a £5000 or so price difference.
V8S - a V6 S series not loud enough for you? 0-60 in 6.8 just not fast enough? Well here's the real monster S, with 4 litre (and in some cases 4.3) V8 power and an exhaust note to match. 0-60 comes up in 4.7 secs (according to some magazines anyway) and disk brakes are standard all round. These cars can be identified by the large bulge in the bonnet, actually designed to make space for a supercharger for V6 models exported to Italy, but subsequently used on the V8S (the normal bonnet would fit).
As always with TVR's, these are guidelines only. As somebody famous once said, no two TVR's are the same - except they always break down.
Some of the S2 cars were fitted with S3 parts, e.g. door mirrors, dashboards. There were apparently some S2C's, with short doors and cats. Some S3's are more like S2's with longer doors and S2 mirrors, etc etc.
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