The old TVR 450 SEAC
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The old TVR 450 SEAC
..remember the old wedgie.. if they are cheap enough now I think they could make a great second/project car.. convertible.. V8 rumble and a well known engine.. only problem seems that the body mouldings seem to fit like an eppy on a tightrope..
has anyone got recent experience of the car/engine ??
has anyone got recent experience of the car/engine ??
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Originally Posted by what would scooby do
only problem seems that the body mouldings seem to fit like an eppy on a tightrope..
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nearly bought a 420 SEAC back in about 1992, my old man took me down as I intended to buy it and drive it back.
when he saw it and heard it there was no way that I could have bought it, as both parents would have been nervous wrecks with me out driving it.
phenominal bits of machinery though. I drove a 400SE a few months back and was surprised at how well it still drove- having said that it really was on a knife-edge where handling was concerned.
you need to be 100% committed all the time- jump out of an Impreza in to a wedge and lose concentration for just one second, and it will give you a bite on the **** that you won't forget in a hurry.
i think I'd still buy one if I had the money and the space- just for the sake of nostalgia
when he saw it and heard it there was no way that I could have bought it, as both parents would have been nervous wrecks with me out driving it.
phenominal bits of machinery though. I drove a 400SE a few months back and was surprised at how well it still drove- having said that it really was on a knife-edge where handling was concerned.
you need to be 100% committed all the time- jump out of an Impreza in to a wedge and lose concentration for just one second, and it will give you a bite on the **** that you won't forget in a hurry.
i think I'd still buy one if I had the money and the space- just for the sake of nostalgia
#4
I think you'll find that a proper SEAC is more expensive than an early Griffith. Although I am led to believe that none of them have the special bodies any more
The 'AC' bit of SEAC was 'Aramid Composite' -- another name for Kevlar. But I think they've all been replaced with fibreglass now
OTOH you can get a decent 350i for sub-£4k
Look in the Pistonheads classifieds: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/list.asp?p=1&s=5
Edit: actually they seem to have a 420 SEAC which is only £11.5k. And it allegedly still has the Kevlar bodywork
The 'AC' bit of SEAC was 'Aramid Composite' -- another name for Kevlar. But I think they've all been replaced with fibreglass now
OTOH you can get a decent 350i for sub-£4k
Look in the Pistonheads classifieds: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/list.asp?p=1&s=5
Edit: actually they seem to have a 420 SEAC which is only £11.5k. And it allegedly still has the Kevlar bodywork
Last edited by carl; 27 July 2004 at 10:17 PM.
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yup - I could plump for a 350 and build a big motor for it..
p.s. I'm used to wayward wedgies.. ran a 4.2 litre TR7 v8 that used to go sideways leaving the petrol station LOL
p.s. I'm used to wayward wedgies.. ran a 4.2 litre TR7 v8 that used to go sideways leaving the petrol station LOL
#6
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I half own a brand new 420 SEAC crankshaft...rare as rocking horse excretment...I'm just waiting for some poor sod to blow his engine
Happened to do a head gasket on a wedgie 400i recently - I was very disappointed by the exhaust note, sounded a bit like a old mini with a big bore. Not the tuneful howl like the Chimeras make - which I was expecting
Happened to do a head gasket on a wedgie 400i recently - I was very disappointed by the exhaust note, sounded a bit like a old mini with a big bore. Not the tuneful howl like the Chimeras make - which I was expecting
Last edited by ALi-B; 27 July 2004 at 10:30 PM.
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ALI, if they are using rover/buick V8's then surely any blown motor can be replaced with a boggo/tuned etc V8 from a well known engine builder.. ??
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#8
Originally Posted by what would scooby do
yup - I could plump for a 350 and build a big motor for it..
If you're really interested (as opposed to just idly interested) I could dig out the latest TVRCC Sprint magazine and see what's for sale in there. I always think with these types of cars it's better to buy from an enthusiast. IIRC there was a '93 Griff for sale in there with about 30k miles, dry use only, garaged and recent body-off restoration
Some people are fanatical, and it can only be a good thing for the second-hand buyer
#9
Originally Posted by what would scooby do
ALI, if they are using rover/buick V8's then surely any blown motor can be replaced with a boggo/tuned etc V8 from a well known engine builder.. ??
I think TVR Power are one of the most respected Rover V8 tuners in the country. BTW the TVR test mule for the Holden V8 has just been sold and is being restored:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/t...12&h=&t=112218
#10
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Originally Posted by what would scooby do
ALI, if they are using rover/buick V8's then surely any blown motor can be replaced with a boggo/tuned etc V8 from a well known engine builder.. ??
The TVR versions - definetly the odd sized ones (420, 450, 500). Tend to have different oil ways - especially on the crankshafts. So if you want a 4.0 4.2, 4.5 or 5.0 you'll need the TVR crank
Although nothing stopping you swapping the rest. A cross bolted Range Rover 4.6 block, Old style front timing cover, TVR/fast road camshaft+lifters and big valve heads. Would put you back to TVR ish horse power
Last edited by ALi-B; 27 July 2004 at 10:51 PM.
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Originally Posted by ALi-B
The TVR versions - definetly the odd sized ones (420, 450, 500). Tend to have different oil ways - especially on the crankshafts. So if you want a 4.0 4.2, 4.5 or 5.0 you'll need the TVR crank
Although nothing stopping you swapping the rest. A cross bolted Range Rover 4.6 block, Old style front timing cover, TVR/fast road camshaft+lifters and big valve heads. Would put you back to TVR ish horse power
Although nothing stopping you swapping the rest. A cross bolted Range Rover 4.6 block, Old style front timing cover, TVR/fast road camshaft+lifters and big valve heads. Would put you back to TVR ish horse power
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I had a 390se for two years. Suberb motor, classic v8 noise, classic TVR cooling probs!!! but fast a f **k. No really it only cost £150 fully comp, turned heads everywhere it went and to be honest never let me down on the road. I lusted after an SEAC but they were way to much dosh. And as a motoring correspondant once said "happiness is a deserted roundabout and a 390se on a damp day"
dave
dave
#14
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A guy on one of these new housing developments down the road from us has one of these, he'sabout half a mile away, and you can here him start the ****** in his garage One of my all time favourite cars
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