What a lot of Wedge for not a lot of Wedge
Discussion
Your thoughts ladies and gentleman about how much this car is worth, the sum of the parts FAR exceeds the value of the whole.TVR 350i Fixed head coupe so one of only 36 cars made. Not a lot I hear the cry (although one has just been put on TVRCC website classifieds for £4995) but wait, this has "value added". Very tidy body in BRG (slight peeling of lacquer on rear wings ?? jet wash) Full tan hide and pale green wilton carpets. Faultless dashboard . Air con though not currently working (I will explain later). The best looking electric and heated door mirrors I have seen on a wedge or most TVR's for that matter. Sunroof ??. Electric windows. New headlight motor (poorly adjusted). Newish Redline fully adjustable rear shock/springs. New Spax front dampers. polybushed suspension including antiroll bar. 350SE alloys with almost new Dunlop SP sports tyres. New stainless steel sports exhaust system. Oil cooler. Oh nearly forgot, the aircon was disconnected when the 4.0 litre Griff/Chimaera engine was fitted which is in absolutely excellent condition.
Yes you,ve guessed there is a downside, its just failed its mot on a VERY small hole in the chassis which could very easily be fixed with body in situ. The mot tester must have been on a mission to find this hole but find it he did. Dipped headlights not working (faulty switch but new switch supplied) and aim on 1 headlight needs adjusting (the badly adjusted motor ) and thats it. Interior is ok but driver's seat looks its age but I can't see it when I'm sitting on it and the drivers side door frame needs a little tidying but is certainly seviceable. Was driving superbly before test and still drives the same now.
Your comments please positive if possible!! sTeVeR
Yes you,ve guessed there is a downside, its just failed its mot on a VERY small hole in the chassis which could very easily be fixed with body in situ. The mot tester must have been on a mission to find this hole but find it he did. Dipped headlights not working (faulty switch but new switch supplied) and aim on 1 headlight needs adjusting (the badly adjusted motor ) and thats it. Interior is ok but driver's seat looks its age but I can't see it when I'm sitting on it and the drivers side door frame needs a little tidying but is certainly seviceable. Was driving superbly before test and still drives the same now.
Your comments please positive if possible!! sTeVeR
I think Wedges are are an absolute bargain when compared to what else you can get for the money, either modern or classic.
A tired MGF maybe, or a gutless (and very common) MGB/Spitfire ready for a rebuild ?
I think it's accepted that FHCs aren't as popular, though they are great cars in their own right, and I had one myself up to last year.
I also believe that expecting to recoup what has been invested in a Wedge is a pointless exercise. Most cars that are regularly DRIVEN, and correctly maintained, are moneypits.
Besides which, a Wedge is much more exciting to own and drive when it is not just seen as a mobile building society account. Life is too short, and the average person is doing nicely with their umpteen thousands already tied up in bricks and mortar. We are very lucky people.
Mmmmm... well if there are good 350i FHCs out there that can't get £4000 even on ebay then I'd be surprised if this would be worth £2000 considering non original engine and chassis/other mentioned issues, aircon is pretty irrelevant in my opinion as for a car that old it was a bonus, obviously if sorted and running then £3500 might be achievable but ultimately have to find a buyer, echo sentiments that they are under-rated cars but doesn't help if no one puts there hands in pockets for them.. just being realistic (after a few gins).. 
It's a shame but as you say Steve it's worth more in parts than as a whole.
It's a shame but as you say Steve it's worth more in parts than as a whole.Its a FHC, its been messed with, its got no MOT (one little hole in chassis this year.... what will you be looking at next year or the year after? ) Whats the golden rule when buying a Wedge ? Chassis !! Chassis !! Chassis !! its worn inside, Its far too much money at teh momment. Sad but true.
Sounds like a good car for teh Race series though .. sell any good bits to keep other owners happy .. there's no V8 wedges competing which is a shame ..
I know the V8 FHCs are rare .. but it'd be rarer if it was just left to rot away.
Are you *sure* you don't want to go racing Steve?
I know the V8 FHCs are rare .. but it'd be rarer if it was just left to rot away.
Are you *sure* you don't want to go racing Steve?
I think some people are missing the point, i am not saying it is worth anything I am merely canvassing opinion. I am not convinced that all TVR's have to be convertible,( Cerbera, Sagaris, T350 etc ) Some people dont like convertibles and some would find security an issue.If someone gave me £4995 I would have a very big hangover tomorrow. Luckily I have paid the scrap man £80 to collect it today, you all obviously feel that is the right decision.
I think Jools has the right idea, it would make an excellent basis for a trackday car but with very little money would make a cheap entry level TVR for someone not as well heeled. I would be very happy to race the thing Jools if you could generously agree to prepare it and sponsor me. ps Jools your fuel tank is being pressure tested today so you should have it early next week. sTeVeR
I think Jools has the right idea, it would make an excellent basis for a trackday car but with very little money would make a cheap entry level TVR for someone not as well heeled. I would be very happy to race the thing Jools if you could generously agree to prepare it and sponsor me. ps Jools your fuel tank is being pressure tested today so you should have it early next week. sTeVeR
just sort it out, get it on the road and be content in the knowledge that you have one of the few v8 FHC in existence. the material value of the car imo is irrelevant as you cant replace them and they still have good performance and imho look better than the DHC (no offence to anyone else intended). 
hang on a min, just realised that you will be wanting to sell this car for the maximum £ possible (cant see you driving it instead of your lovely grantura). in which case (and as the owner of 2 v8 FHC) i can only commiserate with you as i think £3500 would be a top end price for the car.
Regards
Nick
Regards
Nick
but the shells would be ok
As an FHC v8 owner, I have to say the chassis condition would put me off, even if the car was given to me free. (The reason is it would be a very expensive time consuming body-off job, by the time you get the car back you'll be down several £k and summer would be gone.) However, I do love the FHC, and I didn't realise how much better it suited me until I test drove the red 400se in the classifieds yesterday (BTW £7.30 for fully comp insurance for 1 day with direct line - BARGAIN. ) That car is stupid fast , VERY loud and is a track day missile (IMHO). I do love the 400se dash.
I'd rather spend the cash getting my car sorted, but I can't find anyone with half a brain where I live willing to work on a TVR, so I have to do it myself. If I could find someone in Cambridge who could sort mine out I'd be very happy. I've spent over £1000 on exhaust parts, and it is still not right. I can see why people who can't use spanners stay away from wedges. There are loads of bits I want for mine, and I'm prepared to pay, but they are simply not available anywhere.
-Jim
I'd rather spend the cash getting my car sorted, but I can't find anyone with half a brain where I live willing to work on a TVR, so I have to do it myself. If I could find someone in Cambridge who could sort mine out I'd be very happy. I've spent over £1000 on exhaust parts, and it is still not right. I can see why people who can't use spanners stay away from wedges. There are loads of bits I want for mine, and I'm prepared to pay, but they are simply not available anywhere.
-Jim
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