Yellow SEAC @ Barons - sold £6,600!
Discussion
1986 TVR 420SEAC Convertible-Quite rare 4.2 litre-Sold £6,600+Premium
www.barons-auctions.com/lots/D659YLP.htm
Doesn't quite seem the bargain it could have been but suppose it depends on whether authenticity can be proven.
Either a dealer and we will see it being punted once more to the faithful - or could it have been someone on here?
www.barons-auctions.com/lots/D659YLP.htm
Doesn't quite seem the bargain it could have been but suppose it depends on whether authenticity can be proven.
Either a dealer and we will see it being punted once more to the faithful - or could it have been someone on here?
It does seem odd - although this letter from the factory that's quoted makes this even more interesting - according to the chassis no. the car was made in Feb 86 - would this make it one of the first SEACs made? - perhaps the first owner didn't like the SEAC look (mad thought) and requested a 390 body - not completely beyond the realms of possibility. Would be interesting to see original photos. In relation to the scoop - I've seen at least 5 non SEAC wedges with the spoiler, including a 400 for sale on Exchange and Mart at the moment - curious-er and curious-er
Get up on the wrong side of bed mungo? - would of thought with the extra hour you'd be more relaxed. 
In retrospect I would think Steves initial guess was the closest - either way I wouldn't mind a refurbished 4.2 engined wedge for that money, it is a nice looking car and will no doubt have the right soundtrack - as for badging it incorrectly - naughty, but if you really wanted an SEAC (correct in body and engine) then it would be hoped you would know what you were looking at. 
In retrospect I would think Steves initial guess was the closest - either way I wouldn't mind a refurbished 4.2 engined wedge for that money, it is a nice looking car and will no doubt have the right soundtrack - as for badging it incorrectly - naughty, but if you really wanted an SEAC (correct in body and engine) then it would be hoped you would know what you were looking at. mungo said:
The thing is just an embarrasment to the TVR marque Seamus - The SEAC is a pretty special TVR model. There is no shame in modifying a 350i and putting in a 4.2 but to call it a SEAC is sacrilidge!
If it had 420i written on the side it would be acceptable.
Not disagreeing mungo -: purely making a suggestion that we are asuming all without anything but a few pictures (book by its cover and all that) - Let's say the buyer in 1986 ordered a 420SEAC and decided they prefered the 390 body on it (given TVRs ability to provide bespoke builds), TVR then gave it an SEAC badge and due to the order cocked up the chassis number. Only closer inspection of car/factory history/speaking to the original owner would tell for which none of us have that advantage at this time - just thinking latterally.. IMHO and for the record I agree this is likely a 420 SE but badged as SEAC which as previous stated IS naughty for which no-one would disagree. Still a fab car for the money.
as the new owner is gonna be if he buys it before finding this site.
poor sod. Probably already found it and is in hiding - wonder why - 
Just thought I'd add a note to avoid others duplicating requests to either party and also to help the new owner save some time if they ever wanted to know:
I have been in touch with the factory and also Carol @ the club - they are aware of this car (come up a few times over the years) and I hope to have some more info as soon as possible for those interested. At present Mervyn has stood down so there is no club registrar so please be patient, in the meantime if the new owner is out there and feeling sceptical at joining, please don't be - the more wedges the better.
I have been in touch with the factory and also Carol @ the club - they are aware of this car (come up a few times over the years) and I hope to have some more info as soon as possible for those interested. At present Mervyn has stood down so there is no club registrar so please be patient, in the meantime if the new owner is out there and feeling sceptical at joining, please don't be - the more wedges the better.
Hi Firefox,
Welcome aboard.
Just to confirm although you may have already found this out: when I spoke with the factory they advised the records for the "GB" chassis are now kept offsite and were at the time therefore unable to confirm/deny information - this would suggest that the documentation is still available (they were reluctant to delve further as I have no direct involvement with the car).
As per Daves' suggestion, the easiest way to prove what the car is: as the current keeper you can get information about any earlier keepers on previous V5s which you can then also tell if any colour/registration number changes have been made and of course what the car was initially registered as - use it myself everytime I buy a car:
Vehicle Record Enquiries,
Vehicle Customer Services,
DVLA,
Swansea
SA99 1AJ
Quote the registration number of the vehicle and give the reasons for your request. A fee of £5 is payable to DVLA.
Best of luck and of course hope this all works out ok - in the meantime enjoy the car for what it is - a stunning 4.2 rocket with a truly fantastic soundtrack
Welcome aboard.
Just to confirm although you may have already found this out: when I spoke with the factory they advised the records for the "GB" chassis are now kept offsite and were at the time therefore unable to confirm/deny information - this would suggest that the documentation is still available (they were reluctant to delve further as I have no direct involvement with the car).
As per Daves' suggestion, the easiest way to prove what the car is: as the current keeper you can get information about any earlier keepers on previous V5s which you can then also tell if any colour/registration number changes have been made and of course what the car was initially registered as - use it myself everytime I buy a car:
Vehicle Record Enquiries,
Vehicle Customer Services,
DVLA,
Swansea
SA99 1AJ
Quote the registration number of the vehicle and give the reasons for your request. A fee of £5 is payable to DVLA.
Best of luck and of course hope this all works out ok - in the meantime enjoy the car for what it is - a stunning 4.2 rocket with a truly fantastic soundtrack
Hi Firefox,
It was determined via a previous thred which decoded wedge chassis numbers - the information from that thred was given by the TVR CC registrar at the time, when braking down your chassis number Feb 86 was how it came out - I believe the car was actually registered in Sept 86 which throws query onto the other thred. Apologies if the original statement confused the issue further.
Cheers
Seamus
>> Edited by Seamus on Saturday 1st November 17:05
It was determined via a previous thred which decoded wedge chassis numbers - the information from that thred was given by the TVR CC registrar at the time, when braking down your chassis number Feb 86 was how it came out - I believe the car was actually registered in Sept 86 which throws query onto the other thred. Apologies if the original statement confused the issue further.
Cheers
Seamus
>> Edited by Seamus on Saturday 1st November 17:05
Firefox - Thred used for chassis details:
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=3682&f=12&h=0&hw=chassis
At the time the G was taken as 1986 and the B taken as Feb as per the above.
Unfortunately Mervyn has now stood down as car club registrar hence why he may not be responding.
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=3682&f=12&h=0&hw=chassis
At the time the G was taken as 1986 and the B taken as Feb as per the above.
Unfortunately Mervyn has now stood down as car club registrar hence why he may not be responding.
Hi 19560,
Thanks for the update - the thred isn't necessarily incorrect, the one I quoted was supplied word for word from Mervyn the TVR Car Club Registrar at the time (who definitely knows his stuff). It certainly works for my 400 - I would suggest the other thred you mention works better for earlier cars.
Seamus
Thanks for the update - the thred isn't necessarily incorrect, the one I quoted was supplied word for word from Mervyn the TVR Car Club Registrar at the time (who definitely knows his stuff). It certainly works for my 400 - I would suggest the other thred you mention works better for earlier cars.
Seamus
BBW - the more wedges the better.. 
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