From The Darkside To The Light & Back Again...
Discussion
I went to more of the shadowy side than the darkside and back twice. Years ago when I got in to TVRship. I sold my 9 month old Daytona 955 and bought an S2, 2.9 v6, I was never really happy, always wanted the extra 2 cylinders and that uncurving shape of wedgeness. So I sold that and bought a black 350Se (no.23). Loved every bit of the 9 hour drive home from Devon to Cumbria.
After a spell in hospital, (septicemia, peritonitis, lung infection
) I decided if I got better (and I did obviously, was touch and go for 3-4 days apparently) then I would go back to what I thought was my passion of being on 2 wheels. Bought in order-Yamaha Vmax, new 1200 Bandit, then my ultimate choice, a Ducati 916.
After a couple of years I decided TVR was calling again, my passion bug for 2 wheels had been bitten by the pointy nose of a wedge, so what did I do-- I made the same bloody mistake again--a v6 2.9 S2. Nice car but still not a wedge, so sold that and in April 2010 bought my 400se. Never been happier and can't see me going anywhere else from this.
So WHY a wedge, that I can't explain. I like loads of other cars but don't want to own them. The nearest explanation I can think of is, years ago when I was 20ish, I saw a brand new Tasmin. That image/noise/smell has stuck with me for nearly 30 years. No other car has done that
After a spell in hospital, (septicemia, peritonitis, lung infection
) I decided if I got better (and I did obviously, was touch and go for 3-4 days apparently) then I would go back to what I thought was my passion of being on 2 wheels. Bought in order-Yamaha Vmax, new 1200 Bandit, then my ultimate choice, a Ducati 916. After a couple of years I decided TVR was calling again, my passion bug for 2 wheels had been bitten by the pointy nose of a wedge, so what did I do-- I made the same bloody mistake again--a v6 2.9 S2. Nice car but still not a wedge, so sold that and in April 2010 bought my 400se. Never been happier and can't see me going anywhere else from this.

So WHY a wedge, that I can't explain. I like loads of other cars but don't want to own them. The nearest explanation I can think of is, years ago when I was 20ish, I saw a brand new Tasmin. That image/noise/smell has stuck with me for nearly 30 years. No other car has done that
TOPTON said:
I went to more of the shadowy side than the darkside and back twice. Years ago when I got in to TVRship. I sold my 9 month old Daytona 955 and bought an S2, 2.9 v6, I was never really happy, always wanted the extra 2 cylinders and that uncurving shape of wedgeness. So I sold that and bought a black 350Se (no.23). Loved every bit of the 9 hour drive home from Devon to Cumbria.
After a spell in hospital, (septicemia, peritonitis, lung infection
) I decided if I got better (and I did obviously, was touch and go for 3-4 days apparently) then I would go back to what I thought was my passion of being on 2 wheels. Bought in order-Yamaha Vmax, new 1200 Bandit, then my ultimate choice, a Ducati 916.
After a couple of years I decided TVR was calling again, my passion bug for 2 wheels had been bitten by the pointy nose of a wedge, so what did I do-- I made the same bloody mistake again--a v6 2.9 S2. Nice car but still not a wedge, so sold that and in April 2010 bought my 400se. Never been happier and can't see me going anywhere else from this.
So WHY a wedge, that I can't explain. I like loads of other cars but don't want to own them. The nearest explanation I can think of is, years ago when I was 20ish, I saw a brand new Tasmin. That image/noise/smell has stuck with me for nearly 30 years. No other car has done that
Brilliant...! There must be more stories like these.After a spell in hospital, (septicemia, peritonitis, lung infection
) I decided if I got better (and I did obviously, was touch and go for 3-4 days apparently) then I would go back to what I thought was my passion of being on 2 wheels. Bought in order-Yamaha Vmax, new 1200 Bandit, then my ultimate choice, a Ducati 916. After a couple of years I decided TVR was calling again, my passion bug for 2 wheels had been bitten by the pointy nose of a wedge, so what did I do-- I made the same bloody mistake again--a v6 2.9 S2. Nice car but still not a wedge, so sold that and in April 2010 bought my 400se. Never been happier and can't see me going anywhere else from this.

So WHY a wedge, that I can't explain. I like loads of other cars but don't want to own them. The nearest explanation I can think of is, years ago when I was 20ish, I saw a brand new Tasmin. That image/noise/smell has stuck with me for nearly 30 years. No other car has done that
Well my story is a little less interesting but i'm sure no less meaningful for some of you. My first wedge and first TVR was a 400se that i bought in April 2006. I was never sure about the shape and believed the pub stories about build quality and reliability etc etc. But then i actually saw one in the flesh and was in a position to buy a 'toy'. Well once i'd sat in it, started it up, then test drove it the writing was on the wall. I owned that car for 8 months and sold it only because i was thought i was doing the 'sensible ' thing, what with a third child on the way, house extention needed etc. I sold that car to Rob Ingleby (so i new it was a decent one) and as soon as he drove off down the road in it i knew i'd made a mistake.
What did i do next? Bought a very late SAAB 9000 and spent shed loads on it modifying it. It was actually bloody quick but never more than a modern, everyday car to me.
Well i pined and pined and then back in March/April 2011 the missus said 'oh for God's sake just go and get one!'
So i did. May 2011 i got the 450se you see on my profile. Money's tight with 3 young boys and a mortgage and i can't afford to take it to the garage every time something needs doing......................so i've rolled my sleeves up and am determined to maintain it myself and refurb it on a rolling basis. If you don't do these things now, you never will. It bleeds me dry just on fuel bills but there is nothing else, nothing that offers the combination of drama, noise, performance and exclusivity for the money.
You only live once.
Jimbo
What did i do next? Bought a very late SAAB 9000 and spent shed loads on it modifying it. It was actually bloody quick but never more than a modern, everyday car to me.
Well i pined and pined and then back in March/April 2011 the missus said 'oh for God's sake just go and get one!'
So i did. May 2011 i got the 450se you see on my profile. Money's tight with 3 young boys and a mortgage and i can't afford to take it to the garage every time something needs doing......................so i've rolled my sleeves up and am determined to maintain it myself and refurb it on a rolling basis. If you don't do these things now, you never will. It bleeds me dry just on fuel bills but there is nothing else, nothing that offers the combination of drama, noise, performance and exclusivity for the money.
You only live once.
Jimbo
... And I own Jimbo's old 400SE that was my old 400SE before he bought it from the guy that I sold it to - keep up at the back! Nothing like a wedge -I've loved 400SEs since spotting my first mica-blue one as a teenager and vowed I would own one one day -just didn't expect to own the same one twice!!
Edited by JamieG on Monday 6th February 21:33
Solitude said:
After a spell in hospital, (septicemia, peritonitis, lung infection
)
Proof if ever it were needed....."its grim up north"

tough as old boots up here tha knows
) Proof if ever it were needed....."its grim up north"

3 life threatening things and kicked them into touch. I think it was the petrol in my veins that done itBut ifa lived darn sarff in dat london, Am sure I wud av cort sommat else. Like a speech impediment or strange hair style

Hi
Well I had to join in on this post!
My History with TVRs goes back to 1980 when I purchased a two year old 3000M from an old TVR Dealer called Bridge Motors, in Braintree Essex. He tried to get me interested in at new model called a Tasmin. Very nice I thought, but to rich for me!
Well the M lasted for two years then a women and her two kids meant it had to go. A few years and women later I meet Rose and we both liked sports cars. So after a trip to the Motor Show at NEC in the early 90's she agreed that I could look for a TVR!
I found a V6 S3, but I realy wanted a V8 and a new car, so a new Chimaera was purchased with out Rose knowing! (Thats another story) Followed by three more, then two Cerbi's and folowed by yet another Chimaera. Then due to reasons beyond my control in 2002 my TVR had to go! But my wanting for a TVR was still their!
By 2005 I was able to buy a project car, and my life was changed for ever, I was bit buy the "Wedge" bug. How lucky was I my first wedge was the first production 350i.
Seven years later I have a total of 4 wedge's (Plus a 4.5 Cerbie for comfort?) and I am even whilst laying in Hospital looking at further Wedges!
Now that is realy in the Dark Side.
Andy
Well I had to join in on this post!
My History with TVRs goes back to 1980 when I purchased a two year old 3000M from an old TVR Dealer called Bridge Motors, in Braintree Essex. He tried to get me interested in at new model called a Tasmin. Very nice I thought, but to rich for me!
Well the M lasted for two years then a women and her two kids meant it had to go. A few years and women later I meet Rose and we both liked sports cars. So after a trip to the Motor Show at NEC in the early 90's she agreed that I could look for a TVR!
I found a V6 S3, but I realy wanted a V8 and a new car, so a new Chimaera was purchased with out Rose knowing! (Thats another story) Followed by three more, then two Cerbi's and folowed by yet another Chimaera. Then due to reasons beyond my control in 2002 my TVR had to go! But my wanting for a TVR was still their!
By 2005 I was able to buy a project car, and my life was changed for ever, I was bit buy the "Wedge" bug. How lucky was I my first wedge was the first production 350i.
Seven years later I have a total of 4 wedge's (Plus a 4.5 Cerbie for comfort?) and I am even whilst laying in Hospital looking at further Wedges!
Now that is realy in the Dark Side.
Andy
Edited by Mr Tank on Monday 6th February 23:01
My story shouldn't be posted here, as i didn't leave and come back but i like to think that the spirt of the wedge is in my short story.
About 16 years ago a friend took me out in his griff 4ltr, I was complete sold but taking a trip to Team Central I was won over not by a curve, as they had a couple of wedges, I knew then what i wanted but he took me for 5k through his business, so the wedge had to wait.
Not being very patient I looked for a alternative route, a repair, which turned into a complete resto but i didn't think it would take me 15 years to finish the 350
Thank god for this web site and the help from now friends born from my first post as the 350 would never got it finished and running.
Again not being patient for the resto to be finished, i brought a 400 of ebay, both have given me thousands of miles of absolute smiles and i have never regretted either purchase
About 16 years ago a friend took me out in his griff 4ltr, I was complete sold but taking a trip to Team Central I was won over not by a curve, as they had a couple of wedges, I knew then what i wanted but he took me for 5k through his business, so the wedge had to wait.
Not being very patient I looked for a alternative route, a repair, which turned into a complete resto but i didn't think it would take me 15 years to finish the 350

Thank god for this web site and the help from now friends born from my first post as the 350 would never got it finished and running.
Again not being patient for the resto to be finished, i brought a 400 of ebay, both have given me thousands of miles of absolute smiles and i have never regretted either purchase
Hi Jimbo and Tony
Jimbo another garage is there just got to find a car for the collection!
Tony my slip has been amended it was four!
O! I wish I could have a drink to! Especaly as they have told me its at least another two months before I can put weight on my legs! Then another month at least before I am able to walk if I am lucky!
The good thing is they may send me home for the two months, which is great as with Roses cooking I might put back on some of the 2 1/2 + stone I have lost whilst in here!
Andy
Jimbo another garage is there just got to find a car for the collection!
Tony my slip has been amended it was four!
O! I wish I could have a drink to! Especaly as they have told me its at least another two months before I can put weight on my legs! Then another month at least before I am able to walk if I am lucky!
The good thing is they may send me home for the two months, which is great as with Roses cooking I might put back on some of the 2 1/2 + stone I have lost whilst in here!
Andy
Here's a story for you...... had hair back then too!! (Written in 2005 so needs an update me thinks) 
http://www.tvrwedgepages.co.uk/owners_wyn_350i.htm...

http://www.tvrwedgepages.co.uk/owners_wyn_350i.htm...
Edited by pwd95 on Tuesday 7th February 00:22
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