Should I buy a wedge?

[OverSteery]

Hi all,
I'm hoping for some guidance/thoughts on whether to look to buy a wedge.

Currently I have a 4 door Holden GTS. it runs a 5.7l Chevy v8 with a supercharger. It's manual, Rear wheel drive, has 6 pot AP brakes and uprated suspension. It should be everything I want, except.....

I bought a cheap 1.6l MX5 mk1, to do some track days with my son.

Whilst I still love the rumbling V8 and 500 odd bhp, in many ways I prefer the Mx5. Nimble, intimate and my bum is only a few inches from the rear axle which just feels right. Despite the HSV's spec its still a big 4 door saloon and it's not the same.

I don't really need a 4 door, 4 seater anymore, so options seem to be:

a) sell the Holden and turbo-charge the MX5 (or possibly buy one done already)
b) sell both and buy a TVR. whilst I might consider a Chimaera my heart says Wedge.

I currently do about 1500 miles a year, but the garage is full of motorbikes, so it'll live on the drive.

I previously owned a 1970 Tuscan (Alas the V6 rather than the V8), and I have maintained all my own cars for 30 years, so I appreciate its may require some investment of effort to get the best from it.

Any thoughts, hint tips etc. Or indeed if you want swap your 420 SEAC for a mighty Aussy saloon, then let me know

[rev-erend]

Sadly my SEAC stays with me but I would suggest you blag a ride in a wedge to get some impressions as they all vary a lot.

[anonymous-user]

A nice well rebuilt series II 390SE should fit the bill.

Best looking wedge made IMHO and will be more than quick enough.

Front brakes not too clever when used enthusiastically on track unless a previous owner has already sorted.

It's pad knock back related - not a huge issue to sort.

Hope you find what you're looking for

[mk1fan]

Have you seen the V6 conversion for the MX-5?

You'll be disappointed with a Wedge in comparrison to an MX-5.

Keeping a TVR outside is a chore - I know as I have five outside.

I think a Chim would better suit for a track/road car - compared to a Wedge.

A well sorted 4.0 would be a good starting point. Get it sorted then add a turbo. 300+bhp and around 1150kgs.

[OverSteery]

mk1fan said:

Have you seen the V6 conversion for the MX-5?

You'll be disappointed with a Wedge in comparrison to an MX-5.

Keeping a TVR outside is a chore - I know as I have five outside.

I think a Chim would better suit for a track/road car - compared to a Wedge.

A well sorted 4.0 would be a good starting point. Get it sorted then add a turbo. 300+bhp and around 1150kgs.

Cheers,
I have looked at the Rocketeer V6 conversion. I haven't ruled it out, out the conversion will be £10k and that's a lot to spend on a mk1 mx5 and doesn't include brake suspension. LSD, wheels etc

Why will a wedge disappoint?

Edited by OverSteery on Friday 5th January 17:06

[mrzigazaga]

Hi

You have come on a Wedge forum asking if you should buy a Wedge......Its a yes from me...Try to buy a known fettled Wedge but they all will need a regular fettle...
They are a hard ride with old school braking...They leak in the wet...(Well most do)..The heater and de-mister is pants..The targa panel can lift off at 70mph...as I found out but its a love affair...

This forum and other social media sites will be beneficial to you...There are lots of well knowledge people at hand.


Cheers


Ziga

[KKson]

Likewise I agree with Mark. For value and "smiles per miles" there's little competition. Suspension and brakes can be upgraded to a reasonable standard. Space wise a Wedge is cavernous compared to the inside of a MX5. The 390SE and larger engined Wedges are extremely fast. The noise from the V8 is intoxicating and generally parts are relatively cheap once you know where the buggers come from. They turn heads, and are relatively rare certainly when compared to Chimaeras.

If however you are expecting pin sharp handling and MX5 reliability then you may be dissapointed.

There is the very last SEAC for sale at the moment..........

[billynobrakes]

I would suggest driving one, they are great fun. If you like the look and sound of them as you obviously do just by the fact of asking “should I buy a Wedge” try and decide on what flavour you want 350i, 400 etc then depending on budget either buy the best you can or buy one with a view to upgrading brakes if you don’t like them.

[Engineer1949]

mr. steery
do come up to norfolk and have a go in my orange wedge it is only the lowly 350i but i have spent 3 years rebuilding it and completely changing the suspension which is now mainly rose jointed and adjustable every which way it has adjustable electric power steering and uprated brakes with the all essentialsl for track work full harness and roll bar the thread on its rebuild journey is here
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=12...

give me a call on 07765596575 if you fancy a visit kettles allways on


john

[mk1fan]

OverSteery said:

Why will a wedge disappoint?

Disappoint is not the right word. Personally, my 350i is the softest, most GT like of my TVRs.

I do trackdays in her - booked on to Brands on the 16th Feb - but I find the S and the T cars 'better' on the track.

The Chim has a better chassis than the Wedge. No question. If you want something that is a step ahead of the MX-5 then the Chimp / Grief is where you should start to look.

That said the Wedge is a laugh. Wendy makes 190bhp at the fly and over 200lb tourque. Not too shabby for a 3.5 but I suspect a previous owner has been fettling.

The windscreen is stupidly close and the electrics, even by TVR standards, are unnecessarily complicated.

Suspension is Cortina / Jaguar mix.

That said they are / were popular in the DTEC series in FHC guise.

[adam quantrill]

Jim, as you are not Dutch, it's a yes from me ;^)

[KelWedge]

I Would say yes, I have a MX-5 series 2 which is my normal day car, so know what they are like and agree its fun, My Big bad wedge is like nothing else and gives you a big smile every time, had it over 10 years 4.6 ltr plus a few bits, like you also have a big saloon V8 4.6 MG ZT yes its a nice and good fun, but nothing comes close to a good wedge.

Ask on here when you find a car most likely someone will know the car

[Englishman]

Horses for courses really.

Wedges, in their time, particularly the 390 upwards, were great cars in terms of performance per £ and a significant step up from what had gone before. As an owner of 4 wedges in the past, it hurts me to say it, but all of the subsequent Peter Wheeler cars were far better in every dynamic respect. Personally I’ve never liked the Chimaera styling, but you will find one better on track than any wedge. If you want the wedge styling though, go for as late a model (i.e. in the PW era) as you can find. Try not too jack one end up though as you will notice the door shut lines closing (chassis bending!).

[mk1fan]

Engineer1949 said:

mr. steery
do come up to norfolk and have a go in my orange wedge it is only the lowly 350i but i have spent 3 years rebuilding it and completely changing the suspension which is now mainly rose jointed and adjustable every which way it has adjustable electric power steering and uprated brakes with the all essentialsl for track work full harness and roll bar the thread on its rebuild journey is here
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=12...

give me a call on 07765596575 if you fancy a visit kettles allways on


john

I'd second that. Go and have a look. John has done a great job. A deal could be done for the car.

[jon haines]

A wedge is the cheapest V8 convertible on the market, value verses smiles per miles is unbeatable. Yes they have faults, yes they need fettling but it is a car over 30 years old now so what do you expect. Get a ride in one the noise is the best feature of any V8 and a wedge is up there with the best. Be warned they can be addictive as most of us owners have found out but they are great fun and i wouldnt hesitate to buy one.

[brownspeed]

I've ran both wedge 390SE series 2 and mx-5 (NA). the mx is a nimble sweet ride & balanced handling. the wedge didn't feel as sorted; maybe that's due to chassis shortcomings or the sheer bhp of the v8. but the noise of that v8 ; no contest;- wedge every time!!

[Solitude]

brownspeed said:

I've ran both wedge 390SE series 2 and mx-5 (NA). the mx is a nimble sweet ride & balanced handling. the wedge didn't feel as sorted; maybe that's due to chassis shortcomings or the sheer bhp of the v8. but the noise of that v8 ; no contest;- wedge every time!!

Nicely recovered

[eesbad]

Having owned Series 1 and Series 2 350i's, I would heartily recommend the latter. The later rear suspension is far superior and almost feels like a different car.

[brownspeed]

Solitude said:

brownspeed said:

I've ran both wedge 390SE series 2 and mx-5 (NA). the mx is a nimble sweet ride & balanced handling. the wedge didn't feel as sorted; maybe that's due to chassis shortcomings or the sheer bhp of the v8. but the noise of that v8 ; no contest;- wedge every time!!

Nicely recovered

Recovered??;- I was never going to lose control of it!!

Mx5 a very capable car, will get you fuss free from a to b. TVR also gets you from a to b, makes a statement when it does it and is genuinely exciting to own and drive.

I only parted with the wedge because Mrs B was pregnant. if I had room i'd have another.

did I mention they sound good?

[OverSteery]

Engineer1949 said:

mr. steery
do come up to norfolk and have a go in my orange wedge it is only the lowly 350i but i have spent 3 years rebuilding it and completely changing the suspension which is now mainly rose jointed and adjustable every which way it has adjustable electric power steering and uprated brakes with the all essentialsl for track work full harness and roll bar the thread on its rebuild journey is here
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=12...

give me a call on 07765596575 if you fancy a visit kettles allways on


john

A generous offer, Thank you.

I shan't take you up at this moment, but I may well in the not to distant future.

Cheers.