What's this car!

[Mr Tank]

Hi

I am at present looking for a Auto "Wedge" for the wife as she is disabled.

I have found a nice one I am trying to look at at present.
But this one just came up on E-bay *130376309176 (Sorry dont know how to do link)

It looks a nice car, but and a big but it's got different bumpers lights etc any ideas! I think it's must be a USA spec car?

Andy.

[alex290568]

Heres the linky http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...

The car looks to have series 1 rear end, series 2 front end and the dash a 400se?? Someone with more knowledge than me will be along shortly!!

Cheers Alex

[Wedg1e]

It is a US-spec car. Similar to the one SteC sold last year with rubber bumper inserts, big-vented bonnet and de-seamed shell. I think the other one had the 'flat' centre panel as opposed to the tilted 400SE version... it was an '86 car IIRC.

Edit: this one...

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/profile.asp?mem...

Edited by Wedg1e on Monday 22 March 10:46

[Grady]

Not completely US spec as it's missing the 3rd stop light that should be in the trunk (boot?) lid. Grady

[grahamw48]

According to my Johnny Tipler TVR book, the very last UK 280s were built like that.

Looks a lovely motor.

[ihouston]

£2000 for the exhaust - some exhaust that must be ???

[HOTTY]

Andy
That's a great looking car, love the colour and the spec is very good.
On the surface it looks a bargin.
The whole dash is from a SEAC can you believe it (just organized Waynester dash veneers,they were the same)
Stephen

[Adrian@]

As mentioned (US spec minus that high brake light) one of the very last 280i made, I sure that that theses were listed as Series 4 (which means that it is likely to have A frame suspension) these had upside down Rover SD1 rear lights as standard. Adrian@

Edited by Adrian@ on Tuesday 23 March 07:00

[Mr Tank]

Hi

Had a look at the car this afternoon, It's not a bad car needs a lot of TLC, with a few things which I am not certain about. It has not been on the road for a while, it has no MOT and off course no tax!

1. What's its worth.
2. I did not notice this till I looked at the pics I took.
Were's the hand brake.

Help

Andy

[Mr Tank]

Adam

Yes you are correct it has A-frame suspension and as you can see the interior is like a SEAC! With out the wood but I am certain Hotty can help there!

Andy

Edited by Mr Tank on Tuesday 23 March 23:00

[grahamw48]

Mr Tank said:

Hi

Had a look at the car this afternoon, It's not a bad car needs a lot of TLC, with a few things which I am not certain about. It has not been on the road for a while, it has no MOT and off course no tax!

1. What's its worth.
2. I did not notice this till I looked at the pics I took.
Were's the hand brake.

Help

Andy

Maybe it has the umbrella type, cos of different gearbox (space?)

Must be rare.

[Mr Tank]

Graham

It appears this style of dash (SEAC etc) manual or auto the handbrake is in another place, but were!

Andy

Edited by Mr Tank on Tuesday 23 March 23:03

[grahamw48]

Looking at the auto stick, it would get tangled up with a 'normal' handbrake.

I remember in a friend's Pontiac Transam, it had a really neat little foot operated on-off handbrake in the driver's footwell...course the footwell IS about 3 feet wide in those.

Hopefully one of the SEAC guys will be along to explain.

[Grady]

grahamw48 said:

I remember in a friend's Pontiac Transam, it had a really neat little foot operated on-off handbrake in the driver's footwell...course the footwell IS about 3 feet wide in those.

Err - don't snap now... but other than the occasional Jag and other LBCs, don't most cars have foot brakes?

Actually I'm not sure about the modern Asians, IIRC the Supras of my mis-spent youth had lever brakes but then they too were harking back to LBCs cars of yore.

Never mind - it's probably just the cars over here.

Edited by Grady on Wednesday 24th March 01:28

[Mr Tank]

Hi

Thanks for all the comments ref the Handbrake, hopefully the correct answer will come along soon!

Funny nobody has mentioned what they think the value is!

Andy

[redwedge5]

The SEAC umbrella style handbrake ( which is from an old Jaguar model ) is under the dash to the left of the steering wheel - where your left leg goes. You probably can't see it on the photo because it's too dark in that area.

[Comadis]

as your wife is disabled have you ever thought that maybe a power-steering would be helpfull too?

Non PAS cars are really hard to drive!!

but a PAS on a 280 tasmin is very rare. retrofitting would be a possibility. but you should calculate this to your budget.

i´m missing the PAS pump but i can see a black fluid reservoir in the front corner of the enginebay...anybody knows what it is for?

Edited by Comadis on Wednesday 24th March 10:31

[Mr Tank]

Comadis

The car has powered steering, auto and powered steering were the first item's on any car I have been looking at for the wife, now found two! The 280i and a very nice 350i

Which one to have is still debatable!

Andy

Edited by Mr Tank on Wednesday 24th March 19:16

[Mr Tank]

Hi

Just been doing some back ground checks on this car.

If my info is correct its a series 3.

I also took a pic of the data plate.



This has turned up something!

If you look in the "Bible" on page 9 (Milestones in the Wedge History 1980-1987)

Under 1987 last entry

May DH239FI (Chassis num) New wraparound USA dashboard in the UK 280i cars.

Yep that's the Blue one the car is a milestone in History! Now that's two lucky finds in "Wedge" history I personaly have located.

Andy

[Mr Tank]

Comadis

Ref your comments on powered steering. See pic below shows you the pump more clearly.



The car also has air con.



Andy.