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 ??

nothing that a hundred weight of plastic padding can't put right. :)

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 arse 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;)

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 :eek:

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 :D

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 :(

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

:D

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.. ??

There's a 500SE for sale on there too. One of only two (built by TVR Power).

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 :eek:
Some people are fanatical, and it can only be a good thing for the second-hand buyer :D

Yes, but think of all the heat you have to get rid of :eek:
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

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 :)

sounds good to me :D

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":D:D
dave

I believe it was Andy Rouse who developed the 390SE.

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 fecker in his garage:cool: One of my all time favourite cars:D