Project in the PH classifieds.
Project in the PH classifieds.
Author
Discussion

Yatesy350i

Original Poster:

1,016 posts

158 months

Monday 17th October 2016
quotequote all
Hi All

Does anyone know anything about his the history of this car?

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/t...

Ade390se and I went to have a look at it this evening with the idea of a winter project bit of fun. It does need a lot of work but this didn't particularly put us off.

However the history seems a bit lacking. It looks like an S2 body with an earlier chassis as it has trailing arm rear suspension. Not sure if this is unusual or not as I'm sure I've read this before on other S2 cars?

The only thing that has me worried is the details plate under the bonnet. It's just a blank piece of Alloy plate with a number stamped in it.

Looks like it spent it's early life in another country and was then bought back in at some time hence the date of registration.

All thoughts on the car would be appreciated.

Cheers Karl.

mrzigazaga

18,740 posts

187 months

Monday 17th October 2016
quotequote all
Hi Karl

I believe Ian's 390SE is 1987 and has TA....So it is possible I guess...It might surprise us if we could find out all of the goings on from the factory as regards to cars having bigger engines than recorded with..Or certain models in the change over period from 280i to 350i to S2 etc as it most certainly seems a smooth graduation of change rather than an abrupt one...I know of cars that are 350i's that left the factory with 3.9 engines..And ones fitted with bigger brakes and bigger driveshafts..I guess these were on the cusp...


Ziga

gmw9666

2,739 posts

222 months

Monday 17th October 2016
quotequote all
Twin exhausts = trailing arm

Simples :-)

adam quantrill

11,625 posts

264 months

Monday 17th October 2016
quotequote all
Trailing arm seemed to mix and match with the body styles around 86/87. No, it's not unusual.

Wedg1e

27,002 posts

287 months

Monday 17th October 2016
quotequote all
mrzigazaga said:
Hi Karl

I believe Ian's 390SE is 1987 and has TA....

Ziga
Mine? No, it's A-frame. It was, after all, introduced originally for the 390... 1984?

gmw9666

2,739 posts

222 months

mrzigazaga

18,740 posts

187 months

Monday 17th October 2016
quotequote all
Wedg1e said:
Mine? No, it's A-frame. It was, after all, introduced originally for the 390... 1984?
Ah yeah sorry I was confused...wobble

Wedg1e

27,002 posts

287 months

Monday 17th October 2016
quotequote all
From the DVLA...



First reg. 1994, no MOT details, no export marker. No wing indicator repeaters either. Bit odd that the original data plate would be missing, it's not as though the requirement isn't there abroad.

Looks like a good start if you wanted a wedge as a rolling resto but I'm not sure about sorting it out and selling at a profit.

Edited by Wedg1e on Monday 17th October 21:54

The Hatter

988 posts

192 months

Monday 17th October 2016
quotequote all
It looks like an early '86 car to me except that the accelerator linkage and TPS suggest an earlier engine. Trailing arm suspension would be correct for early '86, I think the exhaust configuration is an imbetweenie too. I am of the opinion that TVR made things up as they went along so anything is possible...

I would also be worried about the VIN number and plate; has it got the same number stamped on the chassis upright on the front suspension (not that you can check easily)? It seems odd to have a chassis/VIN number with 'TVR' in the number, unless folk with earlier cars can confirm that was once a possibility.

Yatesy350i

Original Poster:

1,016 posts

158 months

Monday 17th October 2016
quotequote all
Thanks Guys

I don't think I can get past the VIN plate thing. So it looks like this one is still available to be saved.

Wedg1e

27,002 posts

287 months

Monday 17th October 2016
quotequote all
The Hatter said:
I would also be worried about the VIN number and plate; has it got the same number stamped on the chassis upright on the front suspension (not that you can check easily)? It seems odd to have a chassis/VIN number with 'TVR' in the number, unless folk with earlier cars can confirm that was once a possibility.
I thought mine was something like 'SA9**TV9R.....' but I'm back at my place now and the car's file of all knowledge is down at Nursy's.

Best guess is that if it was an export (or maybe a reshell?) then (in those days) the Local Vehicle Licencing Office would issue a chassis number following a visit from an inspector to verify the car was kosher... that's how kit cars used to be dealt with as well. Said number would have to be affixed to the car in a manner that was not easily removable (although two rivets are hardly hard work). When we did a kit car the number was engraved into the firewall of the GRP shell with the tip of a twist drill redface

colin mee

1,207 posts

142 months

Monday 17th October 2016
quotequote all
A very cheap car.needs saving

Wedg1e

27,002 posts

287 months

Monday 17th October 2016
quotequote all
The Hatter said:
I think the exhaust configuration is an imbetweenie too. I am of the opinion that TVR made things up as they went along so anything is possible...
...and not forgetting 30 years of owners, often skint ones or those using back-street garages who make it up even more as they go along... wink

mrzigazaga

18,740 posts

187 months

Monday 17th October 2016
quotequote all
I think what Glen did with the White Wedge was a brilliant turn around..Not sure of cost but I should imagine this Wedge advertised could be a viable project for someone..Even if you had to spend 3.5K on it to bring it up to scratch it is still viable.

A good example here courtesy of Glen:

Before:




After:




Looks totally transformed...Thats dedication right there..Well done that man...clap

So come on save another Wedge somebody....

Ziga

General Zod

334 posts

153 months

Tuesday 18th October 2016
quotequote all
gmw9666 said:
Twin exhausts = trailing arm

Simples :-)
Single exhaust + trailing arm on mine