I want a wedge, but don't understand all the variations
Discussion
By the way, I'm kicking myself a bit. I just missed what could maybe have been a good opportunity. I missed the chance to buy a V8 wedge project for 3K because I was undecided if I wanted a project or not. Interior needed work, but body and chassis didn't. Mechanics were apart though. It looked like restoring the interior and putting the partially disassembled engine etc back together and then assemble the car.
I mentioned little flares/winglets on the top of the ends of the front spoiler (that are part of the shell later) is the earliest I would want to get into and play with, but, it might be simpler to say A frame rear end. A DH, as then there is no rear screens (4) to break and then 40% of the car, is the hood which is only 2 mtrs of material (I changed mine to green to match the paintwork), there is only 3 mtrs of carpet in the car and only 3 pieces edge trimmed IF you stick with OE carpet 2 mtrs wide! Lots of it is SD1 ...I would say running, not in bits. A@
Downshiftup said:
Thanks. Which car is it? The link leads just to a main page with several cars. 
For info,I've managed to get in touch with the person selling the tvr on the classified page.
It's still available how ever there is a list of people who want to go and collect it as it's stored in an old workshop with very very poor access.
The engine is missing as it says in the advert but having seen some pictures its in need of a full restoration. (It's partially stripped and everything has been piled into / on it).
It would be a fully rebuild project that's for sure.
Mike
Hi Mike,
Do you have any of those pictures?
Can't help thinking the original OP is overthinking this a bit, however, all the discussions and the info is very useful.
If it were me and it's obviously not I would consider the following:
Do I want an S1 or S2. S2 will have had some of the lessons learned applied (TVR 1980's style, back of a fag packet down the pub,no doubt, no fancy Japanese terms here), with the front suspension around the right with an A-frame rear. As I read it.
Do I want a basket case for peanuts, a fixer-upper or a sorted one? In other words what is my upper budget, against what is currently on offer
What engine I desire will dictate the general front-end style, these have blatantly changed over time 2l upto large V8 and everything in between. Some are rarer than others.
Location and transportation a factor, although it appears shipping of some form could be in the offing, so this may not come into play.
Colour, this for me is a lesser issue, as I have not seen anything pink (not against that), what I mean is most coulors seem to suit the car.
All in the choices are limited by what is for sale today, wait until tomorrow and another may pop up (how long do you wait?). Look at the market and start viewing is the real option, taking into consideration all of the above and the web/user watchpoints.
Rusty chasis, leaking engine oil (still chasing that one), Gearbox (gear change notchy, Adams fix for that seems to work) door shuts, gel coat, paint and general condition.
I find mine rattles squeaks, leaks oil, and looks a little tired, but I like to think of it as honest. It's the grin factor and thumbs-up, nods of appreciation and chats in the filling station (it's there a lot of filling), that make the hours on my back under the thing worth the sunny drive out.
Happy hunting for the car that suits.
Just my ten penneth.
Do you have any of those pictures?
Can't help thinking the original OP is overthinking this a bit, however, all the discussions and the info is very useful.
If it were me and it's obviously not I would consider the following:
Do I want an S1 or S2. S2 will have had some of the lessons learned applied (TVR 1980's style, back of a fag packet down the pub,no doubt, no fancy Japanese terms here), with the front suspension around the right with an A-frame rear. As I read it.
Do I want a basket case for peanuts, a fixer-upper or a sorted one? In other words what is my upper budget, against what is currently on offer
What engine I desire will dictate the general front-end style, these have blatantly changed over time 2l upto large V8 and everything in between. Some are rarer than others.
Location and transportation a factor, although it appears shipping of some form could be in the offing, so this may not come into play.
Colour, this for me is a lesser issue, as I have not seen anything pink (not against that), what I mean is most coulors seem to suit the car.
All in the choices are limited by what is for sale today, wait until tomorrow and another may pop up (how long do you wait?). Look at the market and start viewing is the real option, taking into consideration all of the above and the web/user watchpoints.
Rusty chasis, leaking engine oil (still chasing that one), Gearbox (gear change notchy, Adams fix for that seems to work) door shuts, gel coat, paint and general condition.
I find mine rattles squeaks, leaks oil, and looks a little tired, but I like to think of it as honest. It's the grin factor and thumbs-up, nods of appreciation and chats in the filling station (it's there a lot of filling), that make the hours on my back under the thing worth the sunny drive out.
Happy hunting for the car that suits.
Just my ten penneth.
Edited by BlueWedgy on Wednesday 8th March 07:36
Once I'd decided I needed a Wedge in my life, the decision process was fairly straightforward. FHC or convertible? It's used more in the summer so has to be wind in the thinning hair, but roof does actually work pretty well in wet weather. Age? I wanted A frame suspension so a S2, plus I prefer the later body shape. Condition? Had to be a runner, with MOT, so I could use immediately but happy if it was a bit tatty so I could improve it. Engine? Had to have that V8 noise. Engine size? Budget was up to £7k so that meant 350i and standard Engine. I also found and bought one in a very wet January so I think prices are a little depressed at that time of year. Mine was a bargain and proved to be reliable and a joy.
Sorry. I don't mean to overthink it or over complicate it. Hope I haven't overstayed my welcome with this notion.
I'm just the type of person who likes to learn as much as possible about things I pursue.
So getting to know wedges is high on the list, independently of which one I buy. Hence my other, seemly unpopular, thread on body styles. I want to have as much knowledge as I can on these interesting cars.
As for deciding what I want, at this point I have pretty much given up on anything not V8. Unless it's extremely nice for an extremely low price. I also want a DH over a FHC. But the right V8 FHC for the right price will definitely get considered.
Budget is always the limitation. If it wasn't for that, I would love me a late wedge with the most powerful V8 possible. But real life is different. So I will most likely buy a 350i. Would much prefer the S2. Although not sure when they came out. This one is a 1985 and still a S1:
So to me it is looking like a 350i DH. Would really love a S2 as I prefer the Fuego rear end and it would be A arm. Haven't found much yet. So I will have to wait. I'm watching all the mentioned channels and quite frankly I'm not in a hurry. As I can't just go down the road and buy one, it needs to be the right car for the right price. I will most likely have to pay to have it shipped, have to pay import taxes on it and go through the trouble of importing. Reason the purchase price can't be all that high.
After all that, I will be driving RHD where I should be driving LHD. So it needs to be right. Mates already tell me I'm crazy. Should just go for something more readily available here and it would buy me more for my money. But I see a lot in a TVR V8 wedge that you can't easily get elsewhere.
I would prefer paying less to sort things like paint etc myself than paying top money for something "finished", for the reasons I mentioned earlier.
I might buy something else as I wait too. Summer is coming.
But I have made the decision. I want a V8 DH wedge in my life.
I'm just the type of person who likes to learn as much as possible about things I pursue.
So getting to know wedges is high on the list, independently of which one I buy. Hence my other, seemly unpopular, thread on body styles. I want to have as much knowledge as I can on these interesting cars.
As for deciding what I want, at this point I have pretty much given up on anything not V8. Unless it's extremely nice for an extremely low price. I also want a DH over a FHC. But the right V8 FHC for the right price will definitely get considered.
Budget is always the limitation. If it wasn't for that, I would love me a late wedge with the most powerful V8 possible. But real life is different. So I will most likely buy a 350i. Would much prefer the S2. Although not sure when they came out. This one is a 1985 and still a S1:
So to me it is looking like a 350i DH. Would really love a S2 as I prefer the Fuego rear end and it would be A arm. Haven't found much yet. So I will have to wait. I'm watching all the mentioned channels and quite frankly I'm not in a hurry. As I can't just go down the road and buy one, it needs to be the right car for the right price. I will most likely have to pay to have it shipped, have to pay import taxes on it and go through the trouble of importing. Reason the purchase price can't be all that high.
After all that, I will be driving RHD where I should be driving LHD. So it needs to be right. Mates already tell me I'm crazy. Should just go for something more readily available here and it would buy me more for my money. But I see a lot in a TVR V8 wedge that you can't easily get elsewhere.
I would prefer paying less to sort things like paint etc myself than paying top money for something "finished", for the reasons I mentioned earlier.
I might buy something else as I wait too. Summer is coming.
But I have made the decision. I want a V8 DH wedge in my life.
mike various said:
Downshiftup said:
Thanks. Which car is it? The link leads just to a main page with several cars.
For info,I've managed to get in touch with the person selling the tvr on the classified page.
It's still available how ever there is a list of people who want to go and collect it as it's stored in an old workshop with very very poor access.
The engine is missing as it says in the advert but having seen some pictures its in need of a full restoration. (It's partially stripped and everything has been piled into / on it).
It would be a fully rebuild project that's for sure.
Mike
TrotCanterGallopCharge said:
Downshiftup said:
I'm interested in buying a wedge. But they made quite a few variations of it.
Basically;-SEAC = 'The Daddy' Bear
V8's = Mummy Bear
V6 & other smaller engines = Baby Bear
'The White Elephant' = SEAC's 'cousin' (only one prototype made)
Downshiftup said:
This was one of the most efficient bonnet designs...that was from talking with the late Oliver Winterbottom... If you like the S2 shape then go for something 1986-7, there was no real definition of change from S1-S2, more of a gradual change, and there were as you have seen more noticeable changes to all Wedges, like: rubber bumpers, bip spoilers, under rear spoiler, air ducts, larger A pillars, flared arches, rear window shape, different lights...personally I love the classic S1 shape but would prefer it with a 5.0 small block
Good luck with your decision....
you looking for a red Wedge you say?? haha this is mine
theres been a lot of sensible advice mine is just do it - ive done 2800miles in this now - not had any issues really odd time the tickover drops when its hot but its sporadic other than that its been hassle free havent really touched it apart from to upgrade the stereo and steering wheel
i know you asked about fuel ive been keeping track of mine on an app
avg 19mpg over the 2800
been on 2 long runs where i got 31mpg
lowest ive seen was 13mpg
honestly though i hope you're not shy because ive never owned a car that gets more attention than this
This is mine. I stumbled across it by accident and wasn't really looking for a wedge but I love it now. It had loads of issues such as dash wood, Engine, gearbox and diff oil leaks, door hinges, split driver's seat, gearlever support bushes, blowing exhaust knackered hood, old tyres, leaking clutch and brake master cylinders, very knackered battery, etc, etc, but nothing you wouldn't expect for a car that had been in a garage since 2009! I have had it for a year now and spent most of that refurbishing it. The chassis was rust free but had loads of flaking powder coat. (The oil leaks had saved it) so I spent a few months lying under it scraping painting and waxoyling! They are great to work on as it is just a kit of parts!!
keynsham said:
This is mine. I stumbled across it by accident and wasn't really looking for a wedge but I love it now. It had loads of issues such as dash wood, Engine, gearbox and diff oil leaks, door hinges, split driver's seat, gearlever support bushes, blowing exhaust knackered hood, old tyres, leaking clutch and brake master cylinders, very knackered battery, etc, etc, but nothing you wouldn't expect for a car that had been in a garage since 2009! I have had it for a year now and spent most of that refurbishing it. The chassis was rust free but had loads of flaking powder coat. (The oil leaks had saved it) so I spent a few months lying under it scraping painting and waxoyling! They are great to work on as it is just a kit of parts!!
It is a credit to you, looks spanking..I think (for the moment at least), I'm looking towards an FHC over a convertible, but I'm struggling to get an idea of how much they go for given they seem to pop up less often? I saw there was one on eBay that ended up going for just over £6k the other week, but I'm not sure if that is the usual sort of ballpark for them, or whether they are more likely to end up being higher due to being less common (or lower because the v8 seems more popular)?
KKson said:
BananaFama said:
No mention yet for the budget model ,the 200 ,with a Ford Cortina , Sierra etc ,"Pinto" engine .
I was after one of these about 30 years ago but made zero effort to find one and lost interest , went back to owning rubbish Fords again .
Good point, must be the rarest of the Wedges. I've only ever seen one in the flesh. I was after one of these about 30 years ago but made zero effort to find one and lost interest , went back to owning rubbish Fords again .
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