First Wedge

[owl 2]

Well the time has finally come to full-fill a dream and own a wedge. So as a prospective first timer can anyone give me some advise on what to look for( i am interested in a 350)and am i doing the right thing. Thanks in advance.

[stainless_steve]

I have bought my first wedge afew months ago.To be honest i bought it cos i liked the colour and it was a 450 SEAC,not alot to choose from.
Best thing for you to do is go to afew TVR meets,so you can see some good examples,then when you find a good car get it checked out.
I'm sure more advice will come from the rest of the guys soon.
Steve

[350mk2]

That is probably a bit of a daft question to ask here as obviously most contributors have or have had wedges so may be a little biased! But if as you say it a life long dream then of course you should. The main things to remember is that these cars are not the most modern of designs so you have to have some knowledge of how mechanical things work. If I appear to be condescending I don't mean to be! Its just as most people on this site will confirm these cars do need special attention paying to them. You can't use them chuck them in the garage and then use them again (unless you have pots of money and plenty of patience!). If you don't have loads of knowledge then after a short period of wedge ownership you will gain some I am sure. The biggest thing about buying a wedge is buying the best example you can find. All too often people buy the first car they see/drive. This is not good! There are many things that can go wrong with a wedge, but most things are reasonably straight forward. Set yourself a budget and leave a little in erserve for when things go wrong. I personally bought a car that had been fully restored so have had few problems.

The upside to this is travelling with the roof down listening to the fantastic sound of the V8 and the raw driving experience.

The choice is yours...

Also if you haven't already look at Mike Bresingtons site where there is a good buying guide and a few stories www.tvrwedgepages.co.uk

[mild2wild]

Hi
I have my ultimate Wedge up for sale, I have pasted below the ad I'm placing it will give you a good idea of all the things that will need work eventually if you want a perfect Wedge.

Due to leaving the UK my 1984 red 350i will have to be sold. engine: New 4.6 litre V8 Developments special, cross bolted block, pocketed pistons, stage 3 head with the large valves, trumpet base with large trumpets, enlarged plenum. Polished and ported inlet manifold, Jaguar injectors and airflow meter, rising rate fuel regulator, high flow fuel filter, new water pump, recon alternator, new throttle pot, performance air filter, all fuel and coolant hoses replaced, twin rad cooling fans, custom hand built manifolds and exhaust system. Fully rebuilt 2.88 Power Lock Diff and new rear wheel bearings fitted.

New battery, starter motor and steering shaft UJ’s. All suspension bushes replaced with urethane, wheel bearings, top and bottom king pins, upgraded springs, AVO shocks. All rear suspension bushes, drive shaft UJ’s (greasable), wheel bearings replaced. All brakes replaced. Recon gearbox and performance clutch fitted, all chassis undersealed.

Arbet six spoke alloys fitted, Yokahama tyresA510 225x50x16. all exterior paint in very good condition, interior re-carpeted and re-leathered, hood re-trimmed. Satellite navigation, remote central locking, alarm and radio. Aluminium kick plates and every receipt from 1986. Recent Mark Adams rolling road tune and Tornado upgraded ECU fitted. £7,500.

Phill

[jmorgan]

Ditto above.
Ask if anyone is near you with one so you can have a look and natter about the pros and pros. I would go for a later A frame rather than a trailing arm (I had a trailing arm and nothing wrong with it if it is sorted but A frame better).
I would get it inspected by an indipendant garage (if you are not sure), there are a good few around again ask here for recomendations. Also get the engine checked if you are like me and know not a great deal about them.
Best thing is Pistonheads for asking questions.

[jmorgan]

PS 400 Sir?

[Bobfrance]

Plug time again!

I've got mine for sale.
www.pistonheads.net/ads/detail.asp?i=10235&sc=RC8M&s=5

I don't know where you are or what your budget is. But you're more than welcome to come and take a look and have a chat.

Bob.

[bhardy]

I bought my first TVR (a 350i from 1988) last november in England (i'm from the Netherlands) and it will have a dutch license plate within 2 weeks ! The looks, sound and power of a 350 are just great! Go and have a look at several cars before buying one and have a good look at the chassis be sure it's in good condition. Good luck with the searching!

[Pettsie]

I am considering selling my red 350i. If you don't find what you are looking for you may consider it.

I agree about the chassis - its gotta be good - make a point to check the outriggers as best you can.

>> Edited by Pettsie on Monday 2nd June 19:54

[Terence]

On reading the spec on Phil's 4.6 I am very tempted to sell my 1988 350i and buy his 4.6, I could do with a little extra grunt under the bonnet. Any Idea of power output Phil?

[jamesk]

If only it was a later bodied model 400 that car would be my dreamboat

[Nacnud]

I was at mild2wild's Mark Adams session and his car is seriously worth looking at.

You can see what I said at the time, but essentially it went like this...

I'm not usually a great fan of the early Wedges, they just don't do it for me. However, Phils looks fantastic. It's not just that it's painted in a bright bold red, but he has changed some details such as the mirrors and alloys. It all hangs together as a package in a way the the original car never achieved. I really liked it. Phil has had the mother of engine upgrades; he now has a stage 3 tuned 460 HC with all the goodies

[mild2wild]

Hi....If you would like to see some pics go here
www.pistonheads.com/ads/detail.asp?i=10645&sc=I7C2

[mild2wild]

Thanks Nacnud.......for the kind words.
Hows your beast now days...Phill

[Nacnud]

mild2wild said: Thanks Nacnud.......for the kind words.
Hows your beast now days...Phill

It was an utterly shagged cam. New 404 cam now fitted and going rather quickly now thank you.

Not quite finished yet as loads more power should be available at the top end. However, I've got some relatively simple changes planned to try and free them horses.

[Nacnud]

My SEAC was my first TVR and I completely agree with the chassis comments. I had my TVR goggles on when I bought the SEAC. I head the noise, loved it's character and had to have it.

I was so smitten I never checked the chassis; which almost inevitably meant that after only one year of ownership I went through this.......

[TaSmania]

Garry,
See also the topic on here called "pitfalls of buying a Wedge" - Nice to see there is someone else who spells there name correctly.
Garry (GB)

[mild2wild]

Oooops wrong link try this www.pistonheads.com/ads/adverts.asp?s=5

[owl 2]

Great! Thanks for all the replies. Interested mild2wild in the car aswell as all the others who have put up possibilities, i will be in touch. I live in Gloucester so would be keen to hear from those near! I also travel a fair bit across the South. Hope to purchase a wedge pretty soon, got to enjoy some of our British summer. Just need to read as much as possible and hopefully talk to some of you wedge owners before i part with the cash. Thanks to all in advance.

[jmorgan]

I am hoping to go to Shelsey Walsh hill climb next weekend with the local club. Glad to show you a 400 (not selling by the way) if you are tempted, not far from you.