The Last SEACs
Discussion
I’ve been doing some more research into ‘The Last of the SEACs’.
I know that TVR’s factory records are far from comprehensive, but perhaps others can help corroborate the following as the definitive picture...
It seems that there were three late 450 SEACs, all built to special order: H5 EAC, J15 EAC and J5 EAC.
Established thinking (including that of previous owners) had placed them in that chronological order: H5 EAC, J15 EAC then J5 EAC.
But my research now shows that J15 EAC was the last, and J5 EAC the penultimate SEAC. With thanks to Marhsall Moore (Club Historian of the TVR Car Club in North America) and others for their help in finally piecing this together…
Details as follows:
H5 EAC
Crystal Blue, chassis number SDLDEN5PXML011101, Works Order number #91/0101, build date of November 1990, first registered in January 1991
J5 EAC
Cureton Green, chassis number SDLDEN5P7MF011443, Works Order number #91/0443, build date of June 1991, first registered in August 1991
J15 EAC
Monza Red, chassis number SDLDEN5P6MH011549, Works Order #91/0549, build date of August 1991, first registered in November 1991.
I know the full story of J5 EAC (which I own) – it was told in the January issue of Classic Cars magazine, starting with a picture of it being completed at the TVR factory in June 1991. But it seems there was one last hurrah still to come – J15 EAC! Do we know who supplied this car or its first owner?
I know that TVR’s factory records are far from comprehensive, but perhaps others can help corroborate the following as the definitive picture...
It seems that there were three late 450 SEACs, all built to special order: H5 EAC, J15 EAC and J5 EAC.
Established thinking (including that of previous owners) had placed them in that chronological order: H5 EAC, J15 EAC then J5 EAC.
But my research now shows that J15 EAC was the last, and J5 EAC the penultimate SEAC. With thanks to Marhsall Moore (Club Historian of the TVR Car Club in North America) and others for their help in finally piecing this together…
Details as follows:
H5 EAC
Crystal Blue, chassis number SDLDEN5PXML011101, Works Order number #91/0101, build date of November 1990, first registered in January 1991
J5 EAC
Cureton Green, chassis number SDLDEN5P7MF011443, Works Order number #91/0443, build date of June 1991, first registered in August 1991
J15 EAC
Monza Red, chassis number SDLDEN5P6MH011549, Works Order #91/0549, build date of August 1991, first registered in November 1991.
I know the full story of J5 EAC (which I own) – it was told in the January issue of Classic Cars magazine, starting with a picture of it being completed at the TVR factory in June 1991. But it seems there was one last hurrah still to come – J15 EAC! Do we know who supplied this car or its first owner?
Oliver Edwards has unearthed this great photo of J15 EAC (owned by Jack Carr at the time) returning to the paddock area after having sprinted up Blackpool promenade in May 1997:
I also rediscovered this SEAC get-together photo (12 in all) taken at the 2004 Big Bad Wedge Fest. Mine, now the penultimate 450 SEAC, is peeping in at the right-hand side of the second row. (You can just see the J5 of its plate, J5 EAC.):
I also rediscovered this SEAC get-together photo (12 in all) taken at the 2004 Big Bad Wedge Fest. Mine, now the penultimate 450 SEAC, is peeping in at the right-hand side of the second row. (You can just see the J5 of its plate, J5 EAC.):
Help yourself, that is the original size I think. It was a paltry camera by todays standards. When I have time, I will see if I have any more of those SEAC's mentioned by the OP, especially the last one.
Looking at my shots front on, on that line up, the sun is reflecting off the screens something awful.
Looking at my shots front on, on that line up, the sun is reflecting off the screens something awful.
Hi Paul,
Just sent you a message.
I'm completing a follow-up article for the next issue of Sprint that, I hope, will establish the definitive chronology of the final SEACs once and for all.
Most accounts suggest that SEAC production ended, after 18 examples of the 450, in 1989. I think we now know that there were three more - all registered in 1991, making 21 in total.
The final picture came to light after the current issue went to print but better late than never.
Geoff
Just sent you a message.
I'm completing a follow-up article for the next issue of Sprint that, I hope, will establish the definitive chronology of the final SEACs once and for all.
Most accounts suggest that SEAC production ended, after 18 examples of the 450, in 1989. I think we now know that there were three more - all registered in 1991, making 21 in total.
The final picture came to light after the current issue went to print but better late than never.
Geoff
rev-erend said:
stainless_steve said:
Number 7 said:
Now you've done it, with the ex Firefox "SEAC" in the picture!
420 se 
Edited by eesbad on Monday 30th January 18:12
One of the white cars in the pic was TVR 420X, now Transmitter Man's car. At that 'Fest I asked the then-owner, Patrick, that if he ever wanted to sell he might give me first refusal.
In 2006, when I was being a bit disillusioned with things (life, the universe and everything) and had just sold my Esprit, I was getting the 390SE ready for sale when Patrick emailed and offered me his car. I declined and of course then changed my mind about selling the 390; used the Esprit fund to get back into bikes instead
Ironically, Esprits have shot up in value in the last ten years whilst TVR wedges, surprise surprise, haven't (despite some people claiming they will, any minute now, every year).
Incidentally, Patrick put his pint down on the rear wing of his car; I saw the dark frothy beer against the sunlit white wing and remarked that it'd make a good photograph...
In 2006, when I was being a bit disillusioned with things (life, the universe and everything) and had just sold my Esprit, I was getting the 390SE ready for sale when Patrick emailed and offered me his car. I declined and of course then changed my mind about selling the 390; used the Esprit fund to get back into bikes instead
Ironically, Esprits have shot up in value in the last ten years whilst TVR wedges, surprise surprise, haven't (despite some people claiming they will, any minute now, every year
).Incidentally, Patrick put his pint down on the rear wing of his car; I saw the dark frothy beer against the sunlit white wing and remarked that it'd make a good photograph...
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