What wedges came with this front end?

[Downshiftup]

Please see post bellow.

Edited by Downshiftup on Monday 6th March 11:16

[Downshiftup]

So based on my research and trying to understand the progression and difference in style with the wedge TVRs, this is where I'm at so far.


FHC

Made: 1980 -? (1984?)
Versions: available as a 200i, 280i and 350i only.
Body: 2 different body styles. S1 (red car) and S2 (blue car):



There was also different bodies for 2 seats and 2+2. The 2+2 is visibly longer:



But I can only find the shorter body as in the red car, with the S1 front style. But apparently 2+2 cars were very few made and are very rare. Does it mean S2 FHC cars have the 2+2 longer body shell regardless if they are 2+2 or only 2 seats? All S2 FHC cars I can find have the longer body shell.

I also gather that the FHC body style never came out with the Renault Fuego taillight rear style or wider wheel arches?

350i DH

Made: 1983-1989?
Body: There seems to be 2 body styles:


Most 350i DH I see are in the style of the red car above. But that seems to be the S2 of the 350i DH? Because I found the white car, which looks older and similar to the FHC S1. So is the white car the S1 of the 350i DH? Interestingly, I could only find that style in white cars. There is a promo shot with the white car. Then I found 2 for sale. At first I thought they were the same car, as both are white with wine colour interiors. But one has red lettering for the 350i badging and the other has black lettering. Plus one has a wing. Still could be the same car, which was modified over the years. Was the white car a prototype of did 350i DH came out in the style? If so, it must be pretty rare. There is also a 350SE apparently, I guess in DH only, although as far as I can tell, it uses the same body styles as the "S2" 350i DH.



390SE DH only

Made: 1984-1988?
Body: There seems to be 2 different body styles for the 390SE:



Is the car to the left the S1? It doesn't have the wider wheel arches and the chin spoiler looks closer to the "S2" 350i DH. But both styles were only available as 390SE then? I have not find any other wedges with these 2 front styles. And what is a 390i? I have seen this model number thrown around. Is it the same as a 390SE?


U.S. Export versions DH only

Made: ?
Body: As far as I could find, and based on also reports of members here in my other thread, the white car was a S2 for U.S. export. With the golden car being a S1 for export. The S1 being more obvious as normally federal bumpers tend to be larger than European versions. Which is why I was surprised when I found out the white car was also for export.


The SEAC cars (420 and 450) DH only

Made: 1986-1989?
Body: There seems to be only a single body style for the SEAC cars. Only in DH as far as I could find:




400 series non SEAC cars (400SE, 420SE, 430SE, 450SE) DH only

Made: 1986-1991?
Body: They seem to all have the same body style:




This is where my research has lead me so far. Still a few questions to solve though.

Edited by Downshiftup on Monday 6th March 11:06

[pwd95]

The 420SE was a 390SE with a 4.2 engine. Only 6 or 7 were ever ordered.....
The 400SE was produced after the 390 finished 88 onward.

I currenty own the Red 400SE in the pic...

[Downshiftup]

This is great to know, about the 420SE. Thanks.

So they will look like a 390SE.

Your car is lovely.

[keynsham]

On the subject of front ends, which cars came with square headlights? I think they look much better than the round ones!!

[KKson]

keynsham said:

On the subject of front ends, which cars came with square headlights? I think they look much better than the round ones!!

I think it's the 400SE, 420SE, 450SE etc and the SEACs only. Certainly for the SEACs, I believe these high quality headlamps come from the exotic Triumph Toledo......., but others may put me straight on that.

[Englishman]

Downshiftup said:

The SEAC cars (420 and 450) DH only

Made: 1986-1989?
Body: There seems to be only a single body style for the SEAC cars. Only in DH as far as I could find:

Rather than duplicate info, worth looking at https://www.theseacpages.co.uk/ if you want to know more about SEAC's as, certainly the 420's, were very bespoke/unique.

[KKson]

Englishman said:

Rather than duplicate info, worth looking at https://www.theseacpages.co.uk/ if you want to know more about SEAC's as, certainly the 420's, were very bespoke/unique.

Good shout David. You heading to the BBWF this year? Glen should be there with his superbly rebuilt SEAC, and hopefully Paul King with his yellow one, and Campbell, and maybe Martin also? There's a new SEAC owner Christian near me, also with a blue 450 SEAC. I'll see if he's also thinking of coming. Cheers Keith

[mrzigazaga]

KKson said:

I believe these high quality headlamps come from the exotic Triumph Toledo......., but others may put me straight on that.

Hi Keith
I may be wrong but I thought they were Austin Maestro?...I think they are handed as well.

[KKson]

mrzigazaga said:

Hi Keith
I may be wrong but I thought they were Austin Maestro?...I think they are handed as well.

Hi Mark, they may well be for the 400SE's but the SEAC are more square in profile, whereas the Maestro one looks too long and thin. I know Glen Wilson would probably know the answer, as no doubt he's bought some shiny new posh things for his SEAC. Cheers.

[keynsham]

Here is a better picture!



There are Hella ones on eBay advertised for a Jeep Wrangler which I think are the same as above. They come with no mounting cage though. My interest is because I have a spare set of pop-up pods and I plan to modify then to fit rectangular lights as I think they look so moch better.

[KKson]

Certainly my headlamps are more rounded on the corners and not square like those. Suppose its what was in the parts bin on that day.......

[mrzigazaga]

KKson said:

Hi Mark, they may well be for the 400SE's but the SEAC are more square in profile, whereas the Maestro one looks too long and thin. I know Glen Wilson would probably know the answer, as no doubt he's bought some shiny new posh things for his SEAC. Cheers.

New...shiny...