Wedge TVR? Worth it? Fun? Trouble?
Discussion
I must confess I never saw much in the wedge TVRs. Probably because they are such a rare sight. But lately I find myself in a sharp wedge spree and looking at things from Esprits, to Excels to even TR8s. It was when I came across a wedge TVR coupe. It's one of the V6s. Interesting price, so I looked into it a bit closer and started liking the idea somehow. I think it's way nicer looking than a Excel. I actually quite like the looks of them. Quite purposeful.
But I have no idea how they are, if they are worth it or just too much trouble. I guess they are a bit fun? Good steers? Competent spots cars? TVR I always heard rumors of trouble and ruinous bills. But maybe it's all just a cliche? I heard the speed-6 is very expensive to maintain. But these old cars use a Ford V6 or Rover 8 and mainstream parts. So maybe not too troublesome to run and find parts?
Would be great to hear experiences and impressions. Couldn't find any reviews on YT by the usual car people. And the coupes seems way more rare than the convertibles too. So even hard to find just a video of a coupe driving.
But I have no idea how they are, if they are worth it or just too much trouble. I guess they are a bit fun? Good steers? Competent spots cars? TVR I always heard rumors of trouble and ruinous bills. But maybe it's all just a cliche? I heard the speed-6 is very expensive to maintain. But these old cars use a Ford V6 or Rover 8 and mainstream parts. So maybe not too troublesome to run and find parts?
Would be great to hear experiences and impressions. Couldn't find any reviews on YT by the usual car people. And the coupes seems way more rare than the convertibles too. So even hard to find just a video of a coupe driving.
Edited by Downshiftup on Wednesday 1st March 22:42
I found this thread quite enlightening https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&... just about what they're made out of, common issues etc.
There's a lot of TVR stuff around PH, including Wedges, although much of it is from >10 years ago so some info may be less relevant.
Most Tvrs have been enthusiast owned so have had all the issues sorted.
That’s not to say some things may still go wrong now and again, it’s the nature of owning a classic.
The Wedge specific forum is probably for you.
It may be a bit of a shock for you if you have never owned or driven a car like a Tvr before but they are total events.
That’s not to say some things may still go wrong now and again, it’s the nature of owning a classic.
The Wedge specific forum is probably for you.
It may be a bit of a shock for you if you have never owned or driven a car like a Tvr before but they are total events.
samoht said:
I found this thread quite enlightening https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&... just about what they're made out of, common issues etc.
There's a lot of TVR stuff around PH, including Wedges, although much of it is from >10 years ago so some info may be less relevant.
Yes, I did find some old threads, but as with you, I wasn't sure how relevant they still are. Specially concerning maintenance and keeping the cars on the road today. But I will have a look on the thread you posted. Thanks. There's a lot of TVR stuff around PH, including Wedges, although much of it is from >10 years ago so some info may be less relevant.
Belle427 said:
Most Tvrs have been enthusiast owned so have had all the issues sorted.
That’s not to say some things may still go wrong now and again, it’s the nature of owning a classic.
The Wedge specific forum is probably for you.
It may be a bit of a shock for you if you have never owned or driven a car like a Tvr before but they are total events.
I didn't realize there was an wedge specific forum. I will have a look. Thanks. That’s not to say some things may still go wrong now and again, it’s the nature of owning a classic.
The Wedge specific forum is probably for you.
It may be a bit of a shock for you if you have never owned or driven a car like a Tvr before but they are total events.
Although it's always useful to get feedback from people who don't own the cars now but have driven them or owned them before too. To get a more general feeling for the cars and how they compare to others. This is what I was hoping with this thread. But maybe the wedges are just too rare or not mainstream enough of a TVR to get general opinions?
To me they always somehow reminded me of the Corvette. At least the wedges and pre speed6 cars. Same basically formula. But how does a wedge drives and handles compared to a C4? I guess the C5 wouldn't be a fair comparison.
The part of TVRs being enthusiast cars is indeed a good thing. But what about projects? You see wedge projects for sale sometimes. Things like the person started the restoration but didn't finish it. Sometimes very cheap too in comparison to finished cars. Crazy idea to buy as a project to put it together?
Downshiftup said:
Belle427 said:
Most Tvrs have been enthusiast owned so have had all the issues sorted.
That’s not to say some things may still go wrong now and again, it’s the nature of owning a classic.
The Wedge specific forum is probably for you.
It may be a bit of a shock for you if you have never owned or driven a car like a Tvr before but they are total events.
I didn't realize there was an wedge specific forum. I will have a look. Thanks. That’s not to say some things may still go wrong now and again, it’s the nature of owning a classic.
The Wedge specific forum is probably for you.
It may be a bit of a shock for you if you have never owned or driven a car like a Tvr before but they are total events.
Although it's always useful to get feedback from people who don't own the cars now but have driven them or owned them before too. To get a more general feeling for the cars and how they compare to others. This is what I was hoping with this thread. But maybe the wedges are just too rare or not mainstream enough of a TVR to get general opinions?
To me they always somehow reminded me of the Corvette. At least the wedges and pre speed6 cars. Same basically formula. But how does a wedge drives and handles compared to a C4? I guess the C5 wouldn't be a fair comparison.
The part of TVRs being enthusiast cars is indeed a good thing. But what about projects? You see wedge projects for sale sometimes. Things like the person started the restoration but didn't finish it. Sometimes very cheap too in comparison to finished cars. Crazy idea to buy as a project to put it together?
I guess it depends on how handy you are with a spanner.
I've never had a wedge, but had a Griffith 430. As I'm totally inept and useless it cost a small fortune to keep on top of it by a TVR specialist. Plenty of other owners who had skills, time and experience enjoyed a cheap fun weekend car.
My guess is, wedges will be similar.
I've never had a wedge, but had a Griffith 430. As I'm totally inept and useless it cost a small fortune to keep on top of it by a TVR specialist. Plenty of other owners who had skills, time and experience enjoyed a cheap fun weekend car.
My guess is, wedges will be similar.
LordGrover said:
I guess it depends on how handy you are with a spanner.
I've never had a wedge, but had a Griffith 430. As I'm totally inept and useless it cost a small fortune to keep on top of it by a TVR specialist. Plenty of other owners who had skills, time and experience enjoyed a cheap fun weekend car.
My guess is, wedges will be similar.
But aren't wedges a bit simpler than the later TVRs? I've never had a wedge, but had a Griffith 430. As I'm totally inept and useless it cost a small fortune to keep on top of it by a TVR specialist. Plenty of other owners who had skills, time and experience enjoyed a cheap fun weekend car.
My guess is, wedges will be similar.
Xcore said:
Watch for the outriggers. Also a wedge needs a v8.
Because of the noise? I heard a couple of V6s and they sounded nice too. Because for power, the 350i V8 seems to have about 30bhp more than the V6. So not sure I would pass on a nice V6 because it wasn't a V8. But I must drive one first. Never did. I think the only V8 ever made as a coupe was the 350i?Had 3 previously, 350i, 350se and a 400se. And a Griff, Chimaera and v8s. Definitely worth the trouble. Yes they are a bit rough and ready but I think we forget how poorly put together cars were back then and earlier, even mainstream stuff.
Mechanically they are very simple and easy to work on. They are not so tightly packaged than the later Griff and Chimaera so access is simpler. Running cost wise, no more expensive than any classic of that era with good parts availability and lots of knowledge. Can be maintained by a competent home mechanic or and local garage if they are old school able to fix stuff not just plug in a laptop.
They do feel of their time to drive but sound great. The fibreglass bodies are surprisingly thick and solid, I think they weigh more than the later cars. The only area that can be a pain is the chassis rails as a previous poster stated. However, from memory and unlike the Griff and Chimaera cars, the sill covers can be removed separately to the body so there is limited access to the outriggers without lifting the body.
Any anything with pop up headlights is automatically cool.
Mechanically they are very simple and easy to work on. They are not so tightly packaged than the later Griff and Chimaera so access is simpler. Running cost wise, no more expensive than any classic of that era with good parts availability and lots of knowledge. Can be maintained by a competent home mechanic or and local garage if they are old school able to fix stuff not just plug in a laptop.
They do feel of their time to drive but sound great. The fibreglass bodies are surprisingly thick and solid, I think they weigh more than the later cars. The only area that can be a pain is the chassis rails as a previous poster stated. However, from memory and unlike the Griff and Chimaera cars, the sill covers can be removed separately to the body so there is limited access to the outriggers without lifting the body.
Any anything with pop up headlights is automatically cool.
ric p said:
Had 3 previously, 350i, 350se and a 400se. And a Griff, Chimaera and v8s. Definitely worth the trouble. Yes they are a bit rough and ready but I think we forget how poorly put together cars were back then and earlier, even mainstream stuff.
Mechanically they are very simple and easy to work on. They are not so tightly packaged than the later Griff and Chimaera so access is simpler. Running cost wise, no more expensive than any classic of that era with good parts availability and lots of knowledge. Can be maintained by a competent home mechanic or and local garage if they are old school able to fix stuff not just plug in a laptop.
They do feel of their time to drive but sound great. The fibreglass bodies are surprisingly thick and solid, I think they weigh more than the later cars. The only area that can be a pain is the chassis rails as a previous poster stated. However, from memory and unlike the Griff and Chimaera cars, the sill covers can be removed separately to the body so there is limited access to the outriggers without lifting the body.
Any anything with pop up headlights is automatically cool.
Sounds all good and fair.Mechanically they are very simple and easy to work on. They are not so tightly packaged than the later Griff and Chimaera so access is simpler. Running cost wise, no more expensive than any classic of that era with good parts availability and lots of knowledge. Can be maintained by a competent home mechanic or and local garage if they are old school able to fix stuff not just plug in a laptop.
They do feel of their time to drive but sound great. The fibreglass bodies are surprisingly thick and solid, I think they weigh more than the later cars. The only area that can be a pain is the chassis rails as a previous poster stated. However, from memory and unlike the Griff and Chimaera cars, the sill covers can be removed separately to the body so there is limited access to the outriggers without lifting the body.
Any anything with pop up headlights is automatically cool.
Agree on the pop up headlights.
Anybody has driven a wedge and a C4 Corvette? Wedge is way cooler in my opinion. Way more special and rare as well, even if vettes are not common here either. But just by what TVRs are. Since they share so many similarities and are from the same era, I wonder how they compare in driving. I think a C4 is the closest V8 sports car of the same era to a wedge.
Downshiftup said:
Sounds all good and fair.
Agree on the pop up headlights.
Anybody has driven a wedge and a C4 Corvette?
I wonder how they compare in driving. I think a C4 is the closest V8 sports car of the same era to a wedge.
Yes - I'm not a fan of either but they aren't comparableAgree on the pop up headlights.
Anybody has driven a wedge and a C4 Corvette?
I wonder how they compare in driving. I think a C4 is the closest V8 sports car of the same era to a wedge.
The C4 you could happily use as a daily, far better built etc personally I find them a bit slow and dull but it was an auto
Wedge is a sunny weekend car unless you're a masochist
KTMsm said:
Downshiftup said:
Sounds all good and fair.
Agree on the pop up headlights.
Anybody has driven a wedge and a C4 Corvette?
I wonder how they compare in driving. I think a C4 is the closest V8 sports car of the same era to a wedge.
Yes - I'm not a fan of either but they aren't comparableAgree on the pop up headlights.
Anybody has driven a wedge and a C4 Corvette?
I wonder how they compare in driving. I think a C4 is the closest V8 sports car of the same era to a wedge.
The C4 you could happily use as a daily, far better built etc personally I find them a bit slow and dull but it was an auto
Wedge is a sunny weekend car unless you're a masochist
The comparison I was after was about the driving, handling and so on.
Downshiftup said:
Thanks. I think at this point using either as a daily would not make much sense. In any case, a sunny weekend car is exactly what I'm looking for. I have zero intentions of using the TVR as a daily or near that.
The comparison I was after was about the driving, handling and so on.
The TVR shakes, squeaks, rattles and feels like it was made by an amateur the Corvette hasn't got great build but it's a mile ahead of the TVRThe comparison I was after was about the driving, handling and so on.
Handling again Corvette
It's like comparing the C4 to a C6
I'd just add, unless you know what you are looking at in some detail, take an expert to view.
Otherwise you are in grave danger of buying a shiny lemon. The chassis is by far the most important thing, especially the outriggers along each sill (but moreover at each corner behind the front wheels and before the rear wheels). Any chassis work is a body off job to do properly and isn't a five minute affair. Or cheap! Because you won't just do the chassis, you'll do the bushes, brake pipes, etc whilst the body is off.
Mechanically they're just Ford V6. Of which, spares are plentiful.
Otherwise you are in grave danger of buying a shiny lemon. The chassis is by far the most important thing, especially the outriggers along each sill (but moreover at each corner behind the front wheels and before the rear wheels). Any chassis work is a body off job to do properly and isn't a five minute affair. Or cheap! Because you won't just do the chassis, you'll do the bushes, brake pipes, etc whilst the body is off.
Mechanically they're just Ford V6. Of which, spares are plentiful.
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