One-of-three TVR Wedge 430SE | PH Auction Block
London show car's rescue from ruin reads like a fairy tale. Now it's looking for its happily ever after
Goodness, there are some cracking rarities up for auction at the moment. There’s a Vauxhall Astra VXR Nurburgring Edition that’s been bumped up to 300hp, a stunning one-of-50 BMW M3 E46 Silverstone Edition and a really very tidy Ford Sierra 4x4 that probably looks better than it did new some 31 years ago. And while the brace of Porsche 928s isn't especially hard to find, the fact this one was once owned by TG legend Richard Hammond and this S4 is a former Brunei royal family car gives them a unique twist.
However, what we have here puts big fat ticks in all the rarity boxes. This, folks, is a 430SE, one of only three examples produced and the very car TVR put on display at the 1991 Earl's Court Motor Show. The 430SE was intended to sit right in the middle of the 400 and 450 but, according to this old forum thread, demand for the old Wedge vanished the moment TVR took the covers off the newer, sleeker Griffith right next to it on stage. The trio swiftly fell into private hands and faded into obscurity, though two of them - one maroon and the other blue - have emerged in recent years. Now we have the final piece of the puzzle with this white show car.
So what’s special about the 430SE? The big change is the 4.3-litre Rover V8 lifted from the Griffith, developing 280hp and 305lb ft of torque. Performance details are scarce given that TVR never properly marketed the car (leading some to question whether it existed in the first place) but it’s estimated the car could reach 60mph from a standstill in 5.3 seconds, putting it just a tenth behind the range-topping 450 despite a 40hp deficit. Some have also reported it sounding noticeably louder than the rest of the 400 range, which might (or might not) have been due to a reworked exhaust manifold. True or not, more Rover V8 rumble can only ever be a good thing.
Like other SE models, the ‘Special Equipment’ package on all three 430s pertained to a sportier aero kit that made the standard Wedge look positively curvaceous. The kit is comprised of a deeper air dam at the front, a small boot spoiler and even a diffuser. Whether any of the changes had any impact on downforce is anyone’s guess, although it’s hard to think of any sports cars in the late '80s and early ‘90s that were playing around with underbody aerodynamics.
A remarkable slice of TVR history, then, and one that appears as fresh as the day it rolled into the Earl's Court Motor Show. Only, there’s a bit more to it than that. At some point in the car’s life, it had been left ‘languishing’ outside in the elements for 12 years. Fortunately, the car has since been treated to a meticulous restoration that involved rebuilding the engine, gearbox and rear axle, all of which has been documented with photographs and invoices. The paintwork has been spruced up, too, while all the original stickers look to be present and scuff-free.
It’s a proper feel-good story seeing an ultra-rare TVR get the restoration treatment it deserves, and you could be its happily ever after by landing the winning bid. It’s guided at £23,000 to £24,000, which is naturally a bit more expensive than other Wedges (this 450SE is going for £17,995), but that’s to be expected given its incredible origins and the vast amounts of time and money that’s been sunk into its restoration. Besides, there’s another one-of-three TVR for sale here on PH and it’s going for nearly quarter of a million quid. Here you get just as much exclusivity for a tenth of the price. Unless it beats reserve, of course...
I’m sure this is one TVR that will only appeal to a real TVR fans whereas a Griffith onwards would legitimately attract people who might otherwise choose a different marque.
Many years ago one of my dad’s customers offered me his 450SE for a long weekend, at a time I was driving a Sierra XR4x4.
I think I managed 5 miles before I realised that adrenaline was brown and runny, scared the thing scared the bejesus out of me exiting a fast roundabout with more than ‘a dab of oppo’ and I decided that discretion was the better part of valour and took it back to him.
Would I pull the trigger on this?
Good question, I love TVRs and am a previous TVR owner but these aren’t really my cup of Darjeeling..
I quite like the styling across all the variations, including these, but if/when I take the wedge plunge it would have to be an SEAC.
Enormous amount of fun.
They and the S bought the company time to develop the Chimp and Griff for Peter Wheeler. And the final iteration of 400/430 and 450 SE were pretty resolved cars. My first was an ‘86 C reg 350i, which myself and a friend picked up from near Heathrow. Toured round France in it with my now wife in the early 90’s.
The last was the best, a 400SE in mica red, which did multiple Le Mans trips. Used to set off car alarms and sounded like thunder.
Had a few cars since, many of which are better but would love a late Wedge, but not in white, alongside the current garage. Still find myself on the usual sites looking, Amore TVR would be the place to go for a good one or advice.
They are very colour and wheel dependant I think and I always considered the original 15 inch OZs a tad too small.
They can be 'enhanced'. This is my third and latest acquisition. Hopefully collect it beginning of May.......
433610460_1178269093334046_5837871767585035969_n by James Fawcett, on Flickr
IMG_2271 by James Fawcett, on Flickr
IMG_2294 by James Fawcett, on Flickr
433508658_1343757706286614_1725770824430823927_n by James Fawcett, on Flickr
430943035_3683485325231271_2202824279735720264_n by James Fawcett, on FlickrThey are very colour and wheel dependant I think and I always considered the original 15 inch OZs a tad too small.
They can be 'enhanced'. This is my third and latest acquisition. Hopefully collect it beginning of May.......
433610460_1178269093334046_5837871767585035969_n by James Fawcett, on FlickrIMG_2271 by James Fawcett, on FlickrIMG_2294 by James Fawcett, on Flickr433508658_1343757706286614_1725770824430823927_n by James Fawcett, on Flickr430943035_3683485325231271_2202824279735720264_n by James Fawcett, on FlickrThe press pics ended up stuck up around my desk, there with my commodore Amiga and stuff.
I know time has passed, but need to remember these in the context of their time, yes they look a little less impressive these days but these are from the eighties, made by a small British manufacturer, still think they look good in their own way but they are from over 40 years ago, built using methods that probably werent especially advanced even for the time, pretty good effort I think and still would be a fun car (even more so ? nowadays) seems kind of mean to call them kit cars and whatever even though they sort of were better finished factory kit cars in essence.
I remember seeing one as a youth near where I lived. Being a Performance Car magazine buyer I knew what it was instantly, but was not prepared for the thunder when it started up.
At that point I fell in love.
Would love to know if the stories of the torque twisting the chassis were true!
I loved it, but mostly because it was cheap (£5k) and fun, so could forgive its many kit car foibles. My wife always complained about the fibreglass smell and the roof was antiquated.
Although they have gone up since, I wouldn’t be paying the premium for this “rare” one, particularly as a decent Griffith is about the same price. There’s a reason why they only made three, and it wasn’t to be exclusive.
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