How long did it take to decide you wanted to buy a wedge?
Discussion
For me it was 3 days.
I was determined I'd own a TVR before I was 25. Nearly made it, bought it a month after my 25 birthday.
Have always wanted a TVR ever since seeing (hearing) a Griff at a service station when I was 14 or so.
Was looking at getting a Griff or Chimaera, but not particulary seriously and saw my wedge come up for sale. Went to look at it and thought, I want this and bought it a few days later.
Considered running it alongside my Type-R for a few days. Trouble is I knew which car I wanted to get in every day, so sold my Type-R which left some money in the pocket. The wedge has had less problems so far than then Swindon built Honda (touching lots of wood).
Really couldn't be happier with it.
I was determined I'd own a TVR before I was 25. Nearly made it, bought it a month after my 25 birthday.
Have always wanted a TVR ever since seeing (hearing) a Griff at a service station when I was 14 or so.
Was looking at getting a Griff or Chimaera, but not particulary seriously and saw my wedge come up for sale. Went to look at it and thought, I want this and bought it a few days later.
Considered running it alongside my Type-R for a few days. Trouble is I knew which car I wanted to get in every day, so sold my Type-R which left some money in the pocket. The wedge has had less problems so far than then Swindon built Honda (touching lots of wood).
Really couldn't be happier with it.
I wanted one from the age of 19,really noticed one not so far away from my home ,I used to go and look at it sat on someone elses drive,it doesn't take long to think about buying a wedge .Finally got one a Tasmin200 when I was 21,(insurance was scary)however it was a very happy but shortlived dream with the car being a fatal victim along with others on that night.
I promised myself I would get another one when the circumstances were right and they were right November 2005,still as good as the first time ,getting your hands on a wedge.
I promised myself I would get another one when the circumstances were right and they were right November 2005,still as good as the first time ,getting your hands on a wedge.
Well I was a 70s kid so it had to be a Lotus Esprit for me 
But I first saw the Tasmin when it was featured in the motoring pages of our local paper (when the DHC was launched, it was the only production car where the convertible was cheaper than the hardtop!) so must have been late '80 or 1981.
Rarely ever saw a TVR wedge up here, then one day in '91 the car alarm place I worked at got a 350 DHC in for the works and I had to deliver it to the client....
Sold!
Five years and a job change later I decided to p155 off my boss by selling my sensible Renault 25 so they'd have to get me a van; I was going to buy another motorbike but the then g/f gave me the evil eye so I went for the next best thing: a 4-wheeled bike
Bought my S1 Tasmin FHC in mid-96; bought the 390SE in August 2000 after an email on the (pre-Pistonheads) TVR car club mailing list. Took a year to sell the Tasmin; several owners later it's now in bits at HHC having been part-converted to a race car
Sadly, I bet its 25th birthday last May was missed...
Finally added the Esprit as a 40th birthday pressie to myself (Holy cr@p! Two years ago last week!)
Whilst the Esprit has some plus points compared to the TVR, it's nothing like as much of an 'occasion' to drive...
But I first saw the Tasmin when it was featured in the motoring pages of our local paper (when the DHC was launched, it was the only production car where the convertible was cheaper than the hardtop!) so must have been late '80 or 1981.
Rarely ever saw a TVR wedge up here, then one day in '91 the car alarm place I worked at got a 350 DHC in for the works and I had to deliver it to the client....
Sold! Five years and a job change later I decided to p155 off my boss by selling my sensible Renault 25 so they'd have to get me a van; I was going to buy another motorbike but the then g/f gave me the evil eye so I went for the next best thing: a 4-wheeled bike
Bought my S1 Tasmin FHC in mid-96; bought the 390SE in August 2000 after an email on the (pre-Pistonheads) TVR car club mailing list. Took a year to sell the Tasmin; several owners later it's now in bits at HHC having been part-converted to a race car
Sadly, I bet its 25th birthday last May was missed... Finally added the Esprit as a 40th birthday pressie to myself
(Holy cr@p! Two years ago last week!) Whilst the Esprit has some plus points compared to the TVR, it's nothing like as much of an 'occasion' to drive...
For me, it was about 5 seconds...
I have previously had a few triumphs (Spitfires and alike). I sold the last one in August and had just shy of £4k burning a hole in my pocket. A flick through autotrader, dreaming / fanticising about various "toys" from Supras, 944s, MR2s, Stags, 928s, M5s and finially, I thought..."How much could I get a TVR for"? A quick look revealed I could get one.
At that very moment, I just knew it would be a matter of time. About a month later following a great deal of research and looking at about 5, I bought mine and have been
ever since.
L33
I have previously had a few triumphs (Spitfires and alike). I sold the last one in August and had just shy of £4k burning a hole in my pocket. A flick through autotrader, dreaming / fanticising about various "toys" from Supras, 944s, MR2s, Stags, 928s, M5s and finially, I thought..."How much could I get a TVR for"? A quick look revealed I could get one.
At that very moment, I just knew it would be a matter of time. About a month later following a great deal of research and looking at about 5, I bought mine and have been
ever since. L33
Ive wanted one for quite a while and recently with my new job ive been given a company car which is great but didnt have the same 'fun factor' as my little clio 16v used to (i miss that car-such a hoot!)
so i decided to look about, the usual suspects came up....supra....200sx..had to be rear wheel drive..considered building a kit car but then thought to myself 'TVR....Possible?'
I knew insurance was going to be a nightmare at 21 but i though 'what the hell' and got a few quotes. Saw a few S series, and luckily for me i drove a lemon so decided to broaden my horizons....Another quote later, and surprisingly only £150 more on the insurance, i thought 'yey yey yey! TVR V8!!!
Plenty of time looking, and a few cars viewed, i found my baby two weeks ago today! Picked it up that weekend and been tinkering with/smiling profusely ever since!
One VERY happy wedger!!!!
so i decided to look about, the usual suspects came up....supra....200sx..had to be rear wheel drive..considered building a kit car but then thought to myself 'TVR....Possible?'
I knew insurance was going to be a nightmare at 21 but i though 'what the hell' and got a few quotes. Saw a few S series, and luckily for me i drove a lemon so decided to broaden my horizons....Another quote later, and surprisingly only £150 more on the insurance, i thought 'yey yey yey! TVR V8!!!
Plenty of time looking, and a few cars viewed, i found my baby two weeks ago today! Picked it up that weekend and been tinkering with/smiling profusely ever since!
One VERY happy wedger!!!!
Basically bought mine without even seeing it and with no real Wedge knowledge at all. I'd been researching the old M series cars as I wanted a cheap restoration project whilst I was at college. I spoke to the Factory and they told me they had an old 350i laying around which needed some restoration, so I said I would most likely buy it. Went to see it, saw it stuffed in the corner of their yard, looked in one piece from a distance so done the deal.
Added some fuel, connected a battery and away it went. They even drove it onto a ramp (with 4 flat tyres!) so I could have a look underneath. It had 130,000 miles on it and looked a real state, but I bought it anyway and then set about learning about the Wedges. Still got it 9 years later and its only cost me about 200 quid in parts + usual service stuff (well, apart from a slight mishap with a crash barrier - not the cars fault though). So yeah, in my case it took about 15 minutes to buy the first Wedge I looked at!
Added some fuel, connected a battery and away it went. They even drove it onto a ramp (with 4 flat tyres!) so I could have a look underneath. It had 130,000 miles on it and looked a real state, but I bought it anyway and then set about learning about the Wedges. Still got it 9 years later and its only cost me about 200 quid in parts + usual service stuff (well, apart from a slight mishap with a crash barrier - not the cars fault though). So yeah, in my case it took about 15 minutes to buy the first Wedge I looked at!
For me, I grew up near Blackpool and I saw my first Tasmin 280 convertible at the Fleetwood carnival where it was used in the parade to take "miss Fleetwood" (sat on the folded roof section)around the town. I remember asking my mum what car it was and she said a TVR which was made in Blackpool. I had no idea at the time that cars were ever made in Blackpool, only Rock and kiss me quick hats etc. I was too young to have any interest in Miss Fleetwood, though the car took my fancy straight away.
I then saw the Tasmin Turbo at the next NEC Motorshow I went to and was blown away by it. I still have the photo I took of it on my parents instamatic camera !! The shape just caught my eye and it was so different from anything else at the show.
Roll on a few years when I went to college in London a red 390SE used to arrive around the same time as I did at Stanmore Tube station car park, the sound was awesome and I promised myself I had to have one of those one day.
A couple of years later a mate got a series 1.5 TVR S 2.9. It was the first TVR I drove and was very impressed with the ride, power and the sound of it. As much as I like the S it was not wedgie enough for my tastes.
I had a look at the Sports and Specialist car company in Boroughbridge (run at the time by Tony from Hexham HC). He had a very early series 1 FHC on the forecourt for sale at just under 4K. I liked it but I decided to do some research on the cars as I did not know too much about them. I bought Graham Robsons book TVR Tasmin to Chimaera. When I saw the piccys of the series 2 FHC it looked a better balanced car than the series one. So I then knew I had to get a series 2 car.
Some time later one appeared out of no where in the local Autotrader. I went to look at the car at the local TVR meet. It was sat next to Stainless Steves SEAC who's owner at the time was the RO. How I wanted that car !!!
Anyway I had a ride in the Tasmin and a deal was struck. I owned that car for five years and loved every minute of it. I only sold it as I needed the money for a house move. I sold the car for £50 more than I paid for it !! Not bad at all. That car was bought by Steve Lewis who raced the car in the Tasmin Challenge and won the championship twice with it (If I remember correctly).
Two years later I was in a position to buy another TVR. I had a look at a 400SE in London which was a shed, though it sounded fabulous on start up.
I bumped into Tony from HHC at a Tuscan Challenge meeting at Croft and asked if he had any wedges in. He said he had a 450SE that he sold originally from Harrogate HC. Later that week I found myself looking at the car in the show room. It was stunning. It was a bit out of my price range and I cheekily asked for a test drive with no intention of buying it. Trouble was, it was a sunny day, the car was moved out of the show room and the roof came off. Simon, the sales guy tok me for a gentle spin and then let me drive on the way back. I was quite intimidated by the car initially as this was the most powerful car I had ever driven, but even pootling along was a thrill. The thing that got me was driving down a narrow street on the way back to the dealership with the sound of the V8 thundering off the walls. I had to sell the wife !!
A deal was struck with Tony and I have owned the 450 for nearly five years. It's a thrill everytime I drive it and I have fulfilled two lifetime ambitions
1/ to own a TVR wedge (my first 280)
2/ to own a 450SE ('cos it is the ultimate non seac wedge)
I suppose the answer to the question, now that I have diverged so much, I wanted one from my early teens, bought my first in my late twenties, got my dream wedge in my early thirties, god knows what I will get when I get a mid life crisis !!!
Nige'
I then saw the Tasmin Turbo at the next NEC Motorshow I went to and was blown away by it. I still have the photo I took of it on my parents instamatic camera !! The shape just caught my eye and it was so different from anything else at the show.
Roll on a few years when I went to college in London a red 390SE used to arrive around the same time as I did at Stanmore Tube station car park, the sound was awesome and I promised myself I had to have one of those one day.
A couple of years later a mate got a series 1.5 TVR S 2.9. It was the first TVR I drove and was very impressed with the ride, power and the sound of it. As much as I like the S it was not wedgie enough for my tastes.
I had a look at the Sports and Specialist car company in Boroughbridge (run at the time by Tony from Hexham HC). He had a very early series 1 FHC on the forecourt for sale at just under 4K. I liked it but I decided to do some research on the cars as I did not know too much about them. I bought Graham Robsons book TVR Tasmin to Chimaera. When I saw the piccys of the series 2 FHC it looked a better balanced car than the series one. So I then knew I had to get a series 2 car.
Some time later one appeared out of no where in the local Autotrader. I went to look at the car at the local TVR meet. It was sat next to Stainless Steves SEAC who's owner at the time was the RO. How I wanted that car !!!
Anyway I had a ride in the Tasmin and a deal was struck. I owned that car for five years and loved every minute of it. I only sold it as I needed the money for a house move. I sold the car for £50 more than I paid for it !! Not bad at all. That car was bought by Steve Lewis who raced the car in the Tasmin Challenge and won the championship twice with it (If I remember correctly).
Two years later I was in a position to buy another TVR. I had a look at a 400SE in London which was a shed, though it sounded fabulous on start up.
I bumped into Tony from HHC at a Tuscan Challenge meeting at Croft and asked if he had any wedges in. He said he had a 450SE that he sold originally from Harrogate HC. Later that week I found myself looking at the car in the show room. It was stunning. It was a bit out of my price range and I cheekily asked for a test drive with no intention of buying it. Trouble was, it was a sunny day, the car was moved out of the show room and the roof came off. Simon, the sales guy tok me for a gentle spin and then let me drive on the way back. I was quite intimidated by the car initially as this was the most powerful car I had ever driven, but even pootling along was a thrill. The thing that got me was driving down a narrow street on the way back to the dealership with the sound of the V8 thundering off the walls. I had to sell the wife !!
A deal was struck with Tony and I have owned the 450 for nearly five years. It's a thrill everytime I drive it and I have fulfilled two lifetime ambitions
1/ to own a TVR wedge (my first 280)
2/ to own a 450SE ('cos it is the ultimate non seac wedge)
I suppose the answer to the question, now that I have diverged so much, I wanted one from my early teens, bought my first in my late twenties, got my dream wedge in my early thirties, god knows what I will get when I get a mid life crisis !!!
Nige'
A couple of years ago this wedge came rummbling through my sleepy village and I was in awe buy its noise and looks.4 years ago after a divorce I thought I would cheer myself up and get a wedge.That was my first 350i,then about 2years later I had to sell her to finance a house move but I promised myself one day I would buy another one.Last year I bought another 350i and now I enjoy my 400se. great cars simon
simon My father, my brother and me have always been crazy about classic cars and races and we built up a nice collection. My father used to dream about a Vixen and when he finally got one, he became a real TVR nut. A few years later, he bought a Griff (kept the vixen) and became chairman of the dutch tvr club.
Being good sons, we followed his example and we got more and more interested in TVR. My first car was a 1973 Alfa Romeo GTJ and I still love it, but after some good thought we decided it had to make place for a TVR. But it had to be available at the about the same price...
The choice would be between an S and a V8 wedge as I wanted a convertible. For ones in my live i made the right decision
and bought a 1988 350i near Birmingham. She was a real beast and i loved her to bits, but when Gun Metal offered me his 400SE half a year ago, I became madly in love . Fortunately I got my father crazy enough to sponsor the difference and that is how i ended up with my pride and joy the 400se !
As you can imagine, we never sold the Alfa
..........
>> Edited by bhardy on Saturday 18th February 21:49
Being good sons, we followed his example and we got more and more interested in TVR. My first car was a 1973 Alfa Romeo GTJ and I still love it, but after some good thought we decided it had to make place for a TVR. But it had to be available at the about the same price...
The choice would be between an S and a V8 wedge as I wanted a convertible. For ones in my live i made the right decision
and bought a 1988 350i near Birmingham. She was a real beast and i loved her to bits, but when Gun Metal offered me his 400SE half a year ago, I became madly in love . Fortunately I got my father crazy enough to sponsor the difference and that is how i ended up with my pride and joy the 400se ! As you can imagine, we never sold the Alfa
.......... >> Edited by bhardy on Saturday 18th February 21:49
Didn't take long to want one, but it took a while when I saw my first wedge (beginning of the eighties) in Holland to find out what it was a TVR of the wedge variety. Always planning to have something with a Rover V8, so first focussed on Rover SD1s. In the '80s read several articles on TVRs and wedges. Found out that it had been a TVR that I spotted in the past, and then discovering it is available with the Rover Vitesse engine = hooked. Even had a TVR (as a student) for a weekend from the Dutch importer, but was a bit disappointed as it was an S (2c - which seems to be special....) and not a wedge. Had a great weekend, as it is a better weekend when you can drive a TVR. In the end it took about 10 years to be able to afford a wedge. Started the search and within a year a good wedge was found in Holland via a specialist! Was already anticipating on getting one from the UK as on average 6 TVRs per year are sold in Holland, and at least double/tripple the price in the UK. Secondhand prices reflect this of course. When the appointment was made to have a look a this Dutch TVR from a first owner. The garage opened, it was BRG and sold, and sold again when the engine started. Ok, went for a test drive, friend organised a garage on the spot to inspect it technically as much as possible - but a deal was struck the same afternoon. Intend not to ever part with my wedge, and planning on other TVRs but those will be added to the collection - and he dreams on.
Rob
Rob
Gassing Station | Wedges | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff