Yellow SEAC @ Barons - sold £6,600!
Discussion
dmsims said:Very hard to tell on a SEAC as many (like mine) were GRP from new. Sprint reported in Aug 1994 that "Not all SEACs were Aramid Composite as the name suggests as most are GRP or a mixture of the two. Only the first dozen or so cars were built with Kevlar of which just three are left; the remainder had panels changed or repaired in smoother GRP. At least one has had a total body change to GRP".
Only thing I can suggest is examining the inwards faces of the body
SEAC stands for Special Equipment Aramid Composite, I don't know whether/how you can tell this from normal GRP
And on the subject of rose joints; "Only two cars came with full rose jointed suspension; some were partial rose jointed and some had none at all.".
campbell said:
What numbers do i need to get from my SEAC to find out its a proper aramid boady ??
Dose any one know?
Cheers
Cambelt BIG BAD WEDGE :grrr:
What do you want to know and why? The best that you can do with numbers is to identify whether it ever left the factory with an aramid body but given that many were replaced even this does not guarantee it. I cannot think of any paperwork that would convince me that the body was not fibreglass. Best to look at a genuine one and find differences to the normal SEAC body, then find out which yours is.
stainless_steve said:
Mine's a part Aramid body and not just the nose cone,been told its the only 450 with Aramid in the body by afew people ,but so what GRP is good 
>> Edited by stainless_steve on Saturday 13th December 20:01
Interesting. Judging by the pronounced ripplying effect down the front wings and the criss/cross pattern to the boot panel (which feels alot lighter than my previous wedge) I don't think my 450 is all GRP.It was first registered in 1/1/1989 so must have been built in 1988. I tried getting the original build spec. from TVR but they can't now locate pre computerisation 1988 records.
redwedge5 said:
stainless_steve said:
Mine's a part Aramid body and not just the nose cone,been told its the only 450 with Aramid in the body by afew people ,but so what GRP is good
>> Edited by stainless_steve on Saturday 13th December 20:01
Interesting. Judging by the pronounced ripplying effect down the front wings and the criss/cross pattern to the boot panel (which feels alot lighter than my previous wedge) I don't think my 450 is all GRP.It was first registered in 1/1/1989 so must have been built in 1988. I tried getting the original build spec. from TVR but they can't now locate pre computerisation 1988 records.
I'm not saying its the only one ,just what people have told me ,as you know it's my first TVR and learning about these cars all the time
Edited to add i also tried to get the original build spec,told me it was £30ish waited afew weeks rang them up then they told me they had no records
At least they didn't cash my money
>> Edited by stainless_steve on Saturday 13th December 20:46
The first 10 SEACs were constructed with pure kevlar,from Aug 86-summer 87, this gave a pliable body with very clear square weave visible through the paintwork, cars thereafter had a mix of kevlar & grp and in some areas carbon fibre. about 5 SEACs had extensive use of carbon fibre.
The later the car the less kevlar / carbon used.
Tim
The later the car the less kevlar / carbon used.
Tim
UPDATE / CORRECTION
After parking yesterday with full lock on, I caught sight of the front o/s lower wishbone and this looked like a proprietary pressed unit, contrary to what my engineer had said. I'll have to get it checked out, and this may take a while as he won't be having it in his workshops again most likely for a few weeks.
To the person in the silver Wedge who turned up at Great Totham yesterday (Sunday) to see my car I am sorry I wasn't there when you came. I had earlier sort of cried off saying I was unwell - but I come from one of those families that say that you must make an effort even when at your worst! So of course I drove over there - hood down all the way there naturally! After deciding I would make the effort I had to fix wiper, pick up booster pack from Jag left at the pub the night before along with tools and emergency light, so I didn't get there until 14:00 hours.
Whoever you are, thanks for coming along, and I hope we get to meet in due course.
firefox.
After parking yesterday with full lock on, I caught sight of the front o/s lower wishbone and this looked like a proprietary pressed unit, contrary to what my engineer had said. I'll have to get it checked out, and this may take a while as he won't be having it in his workshops again most likely for a few weeks.
To the person in the silver Wedge who turned up at Great Totham yesterday (Sunday) to see my car I am sorry I wasn't there when you came. I had earlier sort of cried off saying I was unwell - but I come from one of those families that say that you must make an effort even when at your worst! So of course I drove over there - hood down all the way there naturally! After deciding I would make the effort I had to fix wiper, pick up booster pack from Jag left at the pub the night before along with tools and emergency light, so I didn't get there until 14:00 hours.
Whoever you are, thanks for coming along, and I hope we get to meet in due course.
firefox.
Hi chaps!
UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE
Curiouser and curiouser. I now have the documents relating to the car from first registration. The first registration document merely refers to the car as a TVR Tasmin Sports Drophead, metallic black with the same chassis and engine numbers as already discussed.
The weight is interestingly given as 1056 kg. I have had the car weighed on a weighbridge and it came out as 1200kg (possibly minus 20kg so said the weighmaster)with all fluids and just about a full tank of fuel.
I have also managed to track down the bank which originally purchased the car, who have since been bought by someone else and then merged with another bank! I have asked if they have any information and whether they may be able to put me in touch with the original driver of the car.
vroom!
firefox
UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE
Curiouser and curiouser. I now have the documents relating to the car from first registration. The first registration document merely refers to the car as a TVR Tasmin Sports Drophead, metallic black with the same chassis and engine numbers as already discussed.
The weight is interestingly given as 1056 kg. I have had the car weighed on a weighbridge and it came out as 1200kg (possibly minus 20kg so said the weighmaster)with all fluids and just about a full tank of fuel.
I have also managed to track down the bank which originally purchased the car, who have since been bought by someone else and then merged with another bank! I have asked if they have any information and whether they may be able to put me in touch with the original driver of the car.
vroom!
firefox
Firefox
regarding only being ale to get 30ltrs of fuel in then this is quite normal, the tanks aren't as big as the handbooh says ( about 55 ltrs) and the fuel gauge is best used as friendly advice typically you should get around 200 miles out of a tankful depending on how you drive engine spec etc.
On my wedge I can continue to drive for another 30 miles with the needle resting on empty....
Nice motor by the way, its starting to sound like a bit of a bargin
regarding only being ale to get 30ltrs of fuel in then this is quite normal, the tanks aren't as big as the handbooh says ( about 55 ltrs) and the fuel gauge is best used as friendly advice typically you should get around 200 miles out of a tankful depending on how you drive engine spec etc.
On my wedge I can continue to drive for another 30 miles with the needle resting on empty....
Nice motor by the way, its starting to sound like a bit of a bargin
Seriously interesting thread. The variations in thoughts/comments on numbers built, crashed, etc, etc and the specs - just goes to show the SEAC's like Wedges are shrowded in mystery and thus in time MUST become a serious collectors piece.
As for mine - SEAC No. 14. I thought it was part Aramid until I saw it in low 'yellow' winter sunlight and could see the weave on most of the car. The lady who came with the chap interested in buying it said it looked like it had cellulite. The car also has rose jointed suspension - ARB, TCA, lower wishbone and adjustable spring platforms with coil over shock on the front as well as the back - these bits were available fron the factory recently when I bought new shocks and the various bits to convert the rally Wedge chassis.
Firefox I can post piccies for comparison if it'd be of any use.
GB
As for mine - SEAC No. 14. I thought it was part Aramid until I saw it in low 'yellow' winter sunlight and could see the weave on most of the car. The lady who came with the chap interested in buying it said it looked like it had cellulite. The car also has rose jointed suspension - ARB, TCA, lower wishbone and adjustable spring platforms with coil over shock on the front as well as the back - these bits were available fron the factory recently when I bought new shocks and the various bits to convert the rally Wedge chassis.
Firefox I can post piccies for comparison if it'd be of any use.
GB
Tas -
Please feel free to post photos - it is clear you are one of the experts on here! Next time the car goes to the workshop, or when I can arrange a particular time, I'll get my brother to take some photos of the underside / suspension etc.. I hear not all SEACs had bespoke upper and lower wishbones at the front.
ARB? TCA? Whassat? Any other suspension details or other matters I should know about?
Mine I am told is adjustable all round - coil overs front and back which I thought was standard anyway. Comments are interesting - some are open minded, some just don't want it to be an SEAC, some just like it as a car - most people.
From what I have been able to find out so far it is an SEAC with a different body - that of a 420 SE (this differs slightly from the 390). Maybe it was changed after an 'escapade' or changed for aesthetic reasons - I do not know at the moment. 1986 would be OK for a year when people still liked sharp styling. The softer edges and curves of the proper SEAC bodywork have aged well - whereas the sharper, aggressive styling hasn't! But it is still god fun nonetheless.
Was your oil pressure a simple problem to fix - valve?
A local TVR nut just came by as I was parking the Ferrari last night, and he left saying he might just buy them both! Just joking I'm sure - fine chap though!
The Wedge tends to attract attention when parked - I think one or two cameras came out the other day. I'm sure we all experience this.
cheers
firefox
Please feel free to post photos - it is clear you are one of the experts on here! Next time the car goes to the workshop, or when I can arrange a particular time, I'll get my brother to take some photos of the underside / suspension etc.. I hear not all SEACs had bespoke upper and lower wishbones at the front.
ARB? TCA? Whassat? Any other suspension details or other matters I should know about?
Mine I am told is adjustable all round - coil overs front and back which I thought was standard anyway. Comments are interesting - some are open minded, some just don't want it to be an SEAC, some just like it as a car - most people.
From what I have been able to find out so far it is an SEAC with a different body - that of a 420 SE (this differs slightly from the 390). Maybe it was changed after an 'escapade' or changed for aesthetic reasons - I do not know at the moment. 1986 would be OK for a year when people still liked sharp styling. The softer edges and curves of the proper SEAC bodywork have aged well - whereas the sharper, aggressive styling hasn't! But it is still god fun nonetheless.
Was your oil pressure a simple problem to fix - valve?
A local TVR nut just came by as I was parking the Ferrari last night, and he left saying he might just buy them both! Just joking I'm sure - fine chap though!
The Wedge tends to attract attention when parked - I think one or two cameras came out the other day. I'm sure we all experience this.
cheers
firefox
firefox1712 said:
From what I have been able to find out so far it is an SEAC with a different body - that of a 420 SE (this differs slightly from the 390). Maybe it was changed after an 'escapade' or changed for aesthetic reasons - I do not know at the moment. 1986 would be OK for a year when people still liked sharp styling.
How do you think that the 420 SE body differs FF? Your's looks like a 390 body but with a different detail at the front of the rear wheel arch. I don't think that this is usual for a 420. The wheels don't appear to be consistant; what size and offset are they. It could well have had an escapade needing a new body and wheels (easy to do with wedges :-( ) The suspension arms may also have been renewed.
How are you getting on with the bushes? Poly bushes will theoretically make the ride harsher but in reality on wedges you can't notice any difference if you use the Superflex type. If your present bushes are worn you'll notice an improvement.
Whatever the history of your car it certainly seems to be a) a good car and b) unique.
Gassing Station | Wedges | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff