Discussion
Hi all.i have been a fan of tvr wedges .My question is hopefully will they rise in price in the furture .i have owned a few Lotus Esprits.Lotus prices seem to be on the up .Older TVR models seem to command good prices .With the low numbers the wedges were made they are very rare cars .But you already know that lol.Cheers all Mike and 350i s2
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Doing a rebuild on her underbody sir(you know how fussy i am)would be nice for you to come down and see her in bits,will arrange a day over the crimbo brake bud,would be nice to catch up 
I boughtmy 2.8 Tasmin for a shade over 2 grand. Four years, many hours and an £800 respray later I sold it for... a shade over 2 grand. How much is a 280 now? I bet you could get one for less, not more.
My 390SE cost me six and a bit thousand in 2000: it'd have to be a bloody immaculate 390SE to fetch that nowadays.
However my S3 Esprit, that cost me a shade over 2 grand (funnily enough) in 2004 was last seen offered for sale at a shade (and I mean a fiver) under EIGHT grand, and I haven't seen any Esprit in any condition fetch less than three for years.
With later Chims, Griffs and Cerbs coming down to three-year bank loan territory, I think it'll only be the really special wedges that maintain, let alone accrue value.
My 390SE cost me six and a bit thousand in 2000: it'd have to be a bloody immaculate 390SE to fetch that nowadays.
However my S3 Esprit, that cost me a shade over 2 grand (funnily enough) in 2004 was last seen offered for sale at a shade (and I mean a fiver) under EIGHT grand, and I haven't seen any Esprit in any condition fetch less than three for years.
With later Chims, Griffs and Cerbs coming down to three-year bank loan territory, I think it'll only be the really special wedges that maintain, let alone accrue value.
Let's not think negative gentlemen. Name just one other sports car other than the Wedge that is a V8 and a manual under 10K. I don't even think there is one. So what does that tell you, it's only a matter of time. The buyers of classic cars have conquered most other models in the muscle range but now they are turning to the Wedge as it's the only muscle classic left that's value for money. Mike Brewer has a point in asking the question on the value of the Wedge because soon more and more buyers will be asking the same question. Trust me on this one. Hang onto your Wedge's and look after them. Your money is safer than in the bank.
Tony. TCB.
Tony. TCB.
Lean Machine said:
Let's not think negative gentlemen. Name just one other sports car other than the Wedge that is a V8 and a manual under 10K. I don't even think there is one. So what does that tell you, it's only a matter of time. The buyers of classic cars have conquered most other models in the muscle range but now they are turning to the Wedge as it's the only muscle classic left that's value for money. Mike Brewer has a point in asking the question on the value of the Wedge because soon more and more buyers will be asking the same question. Trust me on this one. Hang onto your Wedge's and look after them. Your money is safer than in the bank.
Tony. TCB.
THIS.Tony. TCB.
There is absolutely NOTHING at this price bracket which offers the spec of a wedge. I.e. V8, manual, fully independant suspension, cracking drive train. Convertible (generally).
As some on here know the story of how I found my wedge, I got jilted out of a deal on a Triumph Spitfire. It was a good thing in the end as it forced my to look around harder and couldn't believe how affordable wedges were.
I think the lack of an obvious, instant supply of parts puts many people off. It's not like calling Rimmer Bros. with a spitifre and getting any part you want off the shelf and in the post. It takes some detective work, but then for me, that's all part of the fun.
If prices go up, then that's just great, but I bought my wedge because I love it for what it is. I love the styling, and can't understand why 'S' series cars seem to fetch so much more, purely it seems because they are curvier!
Viva la Wedge!
well even though my wedge is one of the rare ones i recon Ive paid more over the odds for it than any wedger.... but still worth every single cent......I`m like a pig in s
t me!!!!
as the prices are now they are just fantastic value for money,weather the value will go up,I`d like to think so because they are worth it, time will tell!
t me!!!!as the prices are now they are just fantastic value for money,weather the value will go up,I`d like to think so because they are worth it, time will tell!
Im soooo glad that they are affordable..Ive wanted one forever and couldnt afford them in the eighties and kinda gave on the idea!!..Until now..And as far as restoration..I have a friend who used to restore classic cars and he used to spend in excess of £30,000-40,000 on one car!!..Mine has been a running restoration and so far has cost around £3,500..(Including purchase price)..which spread over a year isnt bad at all..It would need around another £5,000 to bring it up to concourse..Which at the end of the day still isnt bad in the great scheme of things..Theres a lot of stigma surrounding these cars but after owning one i think its all a load of bks..I have had modern cars that have cost more to fix and been more of a nightmare..My heart is wedge shaped..Ziga
ks..I have had modern cars that have cost more to fix and been more of a nightmare..My heart is wedge shaped..ZigaI bought my 350 over 5 years ago, for a shade over £3K.
Although I've spent a little bit of money improving it, it's probably worth what I paid for it still.
As said above, I didn't buy it as an investment, I bought it because I love it; the noise; the sense of occasion EVERY time I drive it; the smell of it.
I'd only part with it for a bigger, badder Wedge.
PS At the time I bought it I was also looking at MX5's and MGF's for the same amount of money... most of which would be worth about a grand today.
Although I've spent a little bit of money improving it, it's probably worth what I paid for it still.
As said above, I didn't buy it as an investment, I bought it because I love it; the noise; the sense of occasion EVERY time I drive it; the smell of it.
I'd only part with it for a bigger, badder Wedge.
PS At the time I bought it I was also looking at MX5's and MGF's for the same amount of money... most of which would be worth about a grand today.
Lean Machine said:
Let's not think negative gentlemen. Name just one other sports car other than the Wedge that is a V8 and a manual under 10K. I don't even think there is one. So what does that tell you, it's only a matter of time. The buyers of classic cars have conquered most other models in the muscle range but now they are turning to the Wedge as it's the only muscle classic left that's value for money. Mike Brewer has a point in asking the question on the value of the Wedge because soon more and more buyers will be asking the same question. Trust me on this one. Hang onto your Wedge's and look after them. Your money is safer than in the bank.
Tony. TCB.
It's not negative, it's realistic. How many people have the spare wonga to buy a toy car (of whatever make, not just TVR) and then run it at c.20 to the gallon with petrol costing what it does? Mostly middle-aged divorcees with receding hairlines and beer guts, and then they're kidding themselves that it'll be 'for life'. Look at how many people have popped up on PH over the years, just bought a Wedge (or other TVR), full of enthusiasm and ideas, then quietly sell-up when life gets a grip of them.Tony. TCB.
Then you factor in the average family saloon that is just about as fast as a Wedge but carries four people, doesn't leak, doesn't break... every chav and his step-bro has a Subaru Impreza WRX these days: most people want their image to be an all-week thing, not just summer weekends. That's why cars like the MX5 are so popular.
As I said, I've been hearing this 'Wedges are on the up' for 15 years and it hasn't happened yet. Fair play if you like and can afford one; as Tony says, hang onto it... but I wouldn't be under any illusions that it'll be the next Bugatti Royale.
Wedg1e. I understand where you are coming from with the cost of running and so on. Are you telling me that the buyers of thirsty Mustangs and Cobras or Jaguar E-types use them on a daily basis, or are they any cheaper to run?. No. The fact is they are getting rarer and harder to find. The owners love them and cherish them and there is a demand. Its true the Wedge prices haven't changed much over the years and it has been disappointing but believe me things are about to change. Almost all of these muscle classics have been conquered and prices have gone through the roof, now people are turning to see what else is available and more affordable. Running cost doesn't come into it, or even come close. If you love your classic you cherish it and look after it. Remember 'love is blind'. If people want to spend their money on a Jap biscuit tin that's likely to fall apart with everyday use and be worth nothing in the years to come, then that's fine. As for the recession, what recession, people around here seem to be spending money as though there is no tomorrow.
Tony. TCB.
Tony. TCB.
I admire your optimism 
Those tin boxes don't rot quite as badly as they used to: around the time I bought my TVR in 2000, a mate bought a '93 Impreza. He sold it recently to buy a 911; he got about half his money back on the Subaru after 10 years - and the car was way tidier than my Wedge and he used it daily even in the winter. Try that in your E-type, XJS, Morgan or TVR and see if it maintains its value and/or condition.
Granted the concours and very low production examples of Wedges (eg SEACs) will command more money but the cars appeal to too narrow a sector of the market - most people won't drive a car they don't like looking at and see how often people still criticise the Wedge look. On the other hand every man on the planet loves the E-type and Morgan style... I think if the muscle car market was as booming as you say, we'd have people coming on the forum looking to buy cars: wake me up when it happens
Those tin boxes don't rot quite as badly as they used to: around the time I bought my TVR in 2000, a mate bought a '93 Impreza. He sold it recently to buy a 911; he got about half his money back on the Subaru after 10 years - and the car was way tidier than my Wedge and he used it daily even in the winter. Try that in your E-type, XJS, Morgan or TVR and see if it maintains its value and/or condition.
Granted the concours and very low production examples of Wedges (eg SEACs) will command more money but the cars appeal to too narrow a sector of the market - most people won't drive a car they don't like looking at and see how often people still criticise the Wedge look. On the other hand every man on the planet loves the E-type and Morgan style... I think if the muscle car market was as booming as you say, we'd have people coming on the forum looking to buy cars: wake me up when it happens
When I was eighteen my older brother had bought a two year old V12 E type. We both loved that car and cherished it . A little while later my brother wanted to sell the car as we fancied a change. (Part of being young I guess.) We just couldn't give it away let alone sell it. Everyone kept saying, who wants an undesirable, ugly looking two seater gas guzzler. In the end he crashed it and we lost the car as he was too young for full comp insurance and was on a third party. What I'm trying to say is this. Look at peoples opinions then and look at the E type now. All of a sudden it's beautiful and desirable, and worth a fortune. The same could happen with the Wedge. Now it's ugly and undesirable to some, but I think it's beautiful and sexy, or it will be when its worth 50k.
Tony TCB.
Tony TCB.
Like Convert I bought mine about 5 years ago for just over 3K. I've resprayed it, done the outriggers, re-veneered
the dash and a few minor mechanical things for the MOT but nothing serious. I expect it's worth what I paid for it.
I looked around the market at what I could afford to buy and nothing came close in terms of value for money.
Nothing has the presence on the road that a TVR has, and no other car pops and bangs like it when you're slowing down.
Despite what people say, I don't think they're high maintenance either. You've got a rust free body and a 2mm thick
tubular steel chassis which is easy to get to and simple to fix. I could have spent double on a TR6/Vitesse/Spitfire
/MGB/Stag etc etc and I would be constantly spending money on welding it's rusty old steel body. Now that's what I call
high maintenance. Those cars are as common as muck at car shows, but everyone turns round when the Wedge arrives and
everyone wonders what it is.
I feel like I change occasionally, I expect we all do, but there's nothing out there to compare with it. There wasn't
5 years ago and there isn't now.
the dash and a few minor mechanical things for the MOT but nothing serious. I expect it's worth what I paid for it.
I looked around the market at what I could afford to buy and nothing came close in terms of value for money.
Nothing has the presence on the road that a TVR has, and no other car pops and bangs like it when you're slowing down.
Despite what people say, I don't think they're high maintenance either. You've got a rust free body and a 2mm thick
tubular steel chassis which is easy to get to and simple to fix. I could have spent double on a TR6/Vitesse/Spitfire
/MGB/Stag etc etc and I would be constantly spending money on welding it's rusty old steel body. Now that's what I call
high maintenance. Those cars are as common as muck at car shows, but everyone turns round when the Wedge arrives and
everyone wonders what it is.
I feel like I change occasionally, I expect we all do, but there's nothing out there to compare with it. There wasn't
5 years ago and there isn't now.
Iagree with the above comments.Idid not buy my car as a investemt.I do think that in later years 390s and the bigger engined cars will become collectable.....Must say the 390 is my favorite wedge............Maybe one day .Thanks for all your input.Ian if you wish to sell the 390 let me know .Wish i could have bought your Esprit.Cheers ALL Mike
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