Surviving 350SE's
Discussion
There were 25 built originally and I have one of them, which is No.20. There is also an identical clone to mine for sale at the moment with the wrong wheels. I know it's a clone because mine has the original sale invoice amongst it's history.
Mr. Tank also owns one which I think is No.21. and also did a survey a while back to find out how many still exists, but I'm not sure of the outcome. There is another which used to be No.12 but is now a Sebring, so it's here in spirit but not in body.
Then there is No.9 which I used to own several years ago but is still in existence. Then there is another guy who owns one I met at a Rushton but I can't recall his name or the number of his car. That brings the total to about five. So, where are the rest? I'm sure there are a few I've left out but it would be interesting to know how many actually still exists. So if anyone I haven't mentioned owns one, do make yourselves known.
The 350SE is very similar to the 390SE in many ways except it's much rarer of course, as not so many were actually built. They both have a 3.9 engine and a similar dash. Some body mouldings are different as are the wheels.
Tony. TCB.
Mr. Tank also owns one which I think is No.21. and also did a survey a while back to find out how many still exists, but I'm not sure of the outcome. There is another which used to be No.12 but is now a Sebring, so it's here in spirit but not in body.
Then there is No.9 which I used to own several years ago but is still in existence. Then there is another guy who owns one I met at a Rushton but I can't recall his name or the number of his car. That brings the total to about five. So, where are the rest? I'm sure there are a few I've left out but it would be interesting to know how many actually still exists. So if anyone I haven't mentioned owns one, do make yourselves known.
The 350SE is very similar to the 390SE in many ways except it's much rarer of course, as not so many were actually built. They both have a 3.9 engine and a similar dash. Some body mouldings are different as are the wheels.
Tony. TCB.
I have owned two 350SE's and both have been very reliable. I believe the 3.9 in the 350SE pushes out power equal to the 390SE. If anything more so, as its fitted with later and revised technology. I also believe that the 350SE is fitted with a big valve engine. I know this because my one has had the heads overhauled and the invoice refers to replacement of big valve heads. So far on this thread only six 350SE's have been accounted for.
Tony. TCB.
Tony. TCB.
jimburr said:
350SE No 24 is still alive, but in a coma at the moment. dizzy sitting right next to me. Any ho, wedge fest 2013 Me No24. Mr Tanks No21, The black No23 (young lad). and another blue one and it was a beaut, will look at the pics on the laptop and find out what number it is.
That was me at Rushden you had the Black 400SE then,then at wedgefest13,then BHP, and then wedgefest14,and im sure we'll meet again.
long live the Wedge
Yes,Jim, I remember now. In fact we have met on several occasions. Sorry, I was getting confused. I think I'm going dizzy with all this info. Yours is of course No 24. With No. 23 accounted for and another blue one, that brings the figure to 8 if I'm not mistaken. We are still missing 17, unless they have all gone to heaven.That was me at Rushden you had the Black 400SE then,then at wedgefest13,then BHP, and then wedgefest14,and im sure we'll meet again.
long live the Wedge
Tony. TCB.
Skyedriver said:
How does one recognise a 350SE a opposed to a 350i?
Just curious as my log book just states "TVR" no model listed.
You can never go by what it says in the log book when it comes to early TVR's, especially wedges.Just curious as my log book just states "TVR" no model listed.
The 350SE was the last of the 350i being produced so it's a commemorative edition. These were numbered from 1 to 25 with the exception of 13 which was produced as 26. So 350SE's are always late cars in the production line and will have later chassis numbers.
Visual differences are the wheels and badging and they were fitted with a 3.9 big valve engine as opposed to the 350i with an ordinary 3.5 engine.
As the differences were not too far apart, there were attempts at cloning some of the 350SE's in the early years as they had done mine. My 350SE was copied but some details were incorrect, like the wheels for example, and of course the chassis number on that would be an early one indicating that 350SE's were not yet in production as the 350i was still being built. So like any other copy, it can be identified if you know where to look.
Tony. TCB.
The cylinder heads on my 350SE was rebuilt just before the last owner bought the car. He owned it for three years and I've owned it just over a year. So the rebuild was about four years ago. On the invoice it states that it was fitted with big valve heads. I'll look up the invoice and see if there is any other information. One thing I know though, it's got plenty of power and has what seems like endless revs.
Tony.TCB.
Tony.TCB.
Lemonentry said:
Hi Ive number 12 (sebring Bodied)
The quick way of telling, you have the last of the 25, is that the engine number must be of course an original 3.9
Stamping on the engine block will be:
Rover original s/n number = 47A000 (then the number specific to your engine)
CR9.35.1 (compression Details)
A40 (stands for TVR 4.0ltr)
N.C.K (then the number specific to your engine) HS
The diff must be a LSD
The dials must be back to front Griffith (as they run out of 350I dials on the last 25 cars)
The wheels are all the same as seen on other cars above
It should have Power steering
the log book will say its a 350, but they all do
Power output on mine, which is in good condition, but had a new cam (unknown type and make on receipt, but fitted by RC Racing) some 10k ago. Tuned with the ingnition backed off, (because i like it smooth running in 5th from 25mph) run on straight unleaded, was proved this year to be 214bhp @ 5500 rpm, which disproves the original TVR figure of 279bhp
There was a red scrapped 350se on ebay being sold for parts, but cant remember the number.
Hope this helps
We had a little chat about your superb No 12 Sebring at the BBWF 2014 and I have to say you've done a stunning job. Yours has already been accounted for, and now No 18 has surfaced that brings the 350SE count to 9. Still 16 missing. The one that was broken up at the breakers recently was I believe a red 350SE No1.The quick way of telling, you have the last of the 25, is that the engine number must be of course an original 3.9
Stamping on the engine block will be:
Rover original s/n number = 47A000 (then the number specific to your engine)
CR9.35.1 (compression Details)
A40 (stands for TVR 4.0ltr)
N.C.K (then the number specific to your engine) HS
The diff must be a LSD
The dials must be back to front Griffith (as they run out of 350I dials on the last 25 cars)
The wheels are all the same as seen on other cars above
It should have Power steering
the log book will say its a 350, but they all do
Power output on mine, which is in good condition, but had a new cam (unknown type and make on receipt, but fitted by RC Racing) some 10k ago. Tuned with the ingnition backed off, (because i like it smooth running in 5th from 25mph) run on straight unleaded, was proved this year to be 214bhp @ 5500 rpm, which disproves the original TVR figure of 279bhp
There was a red scrapped 350se on ebay being sold for parts, but cant remember the number.
Hope this helps
Tony. TCB.
StonetheCrows said:
What number is the one is the classifieds, its the same as Tonys, although Tonys seems to have a lighter colour front bumper.
The one in the classifieds on PH is a fake. It's the clone car made to look similar to mine presumably in the hope of fetching a higher price. I hold the original purchase invoice for my car and my chassis numbers and manufacture dates match and coincide unlike the clone. The owner is aware of this and I hope that he will make the potential buyer aware of the facts. Tony. TCB.
I have just received information from a reliable source that 18 of the 350SE's are still in existance. That includes the Sebring built on the No 12 chassis. Two had been scrapped and five are still missing. That is probably as close as we'll get on the figures unless another of the missing five turn up at some point.
PS. Three were actually scraped initially but one was returned back to service.
Tony. TCB.
PS. Three were actually scraped initially but one was returned back to service.
Tony. TCB.
Edited by ElvisWedgely on Tuesday 22 July 10:30
Edited by ElvisWedgely on Tuesday 22 July 10:32
Edited by ElvisWedgely on Tuesday 22 July 10:35
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