TVR Wedges is a commonly used name for a series of wedge-shaped sports cars built by British specialist sports car manufacturer TVR between 1980 and 1991. There were 2-seat convertibles and 2-seater or 2+2 liftback coupés, with four-, six- and eight-cylinder engines from a variety of manufacturers. The name refers to their sharp-nosed angular shape, particular to the late seventies when they were designed. (wikipedia)
TVR 420 SEAC (1986-88)
The TVR 420 SEAC is an open sports car designed and built by TVR between 1986 and 1988. It is considered as the ultimate "wedge" TVR and is the final of TVR wedge family. Unlike the other wedges the 420 SEAC was different. The acronym SEAC stands for Special Equipment Aramid Composite, that means that more than 20% of the body was kevlar unlike the others wedges full fibreglass construction. The use of kevlar made the car more than 100 kg (220 lb) lighter without compromising the body rigidity. That, in addition to the highly tuned 4.2L Rover V8 engine made the car extremely quick but had its effect on price which was twice as much as a standard TVR 350i. Five speed manual. Power output: 300 bhp (224 kW; 304 PS). Acceleration 0-60 mph (97 km/h): 4.7 seconds. Top speed: 165 mph (266 km/h). In addition the SEAC models can be distinguished by the large rear spoiler and the rounder nose. By 1988 when the 420 SEAC was replaced by the even more powerful 450 SEAC (photos below). A total of 37 units were built. (wikipedia & sportscar2.com)
The model was produced with racing in mind. TVR had already been racing with the Tasmin series with some success but with the SEAC they had created a real monster with a power to weight ratio greater than that of a Porsche turbo. In fact the only production car that could match its off the line acceleration was the Lamborghini. (theseacpages.co.uk)
This particular example – one of the first four to be built in a run totally just 37 cars - was made for TVR Managing Director Peter Wheeler himself. Production difficulties with the hi-tech bodywork meant only the first 8 or 10 cars were clad in full Kevlar panels, so together with the significant first owner this car is rightly regarded as the ultimate SEAC.
The one-off TVR 420 SEAC Racer
A one off special - TVR built a yellow 420 SEAC racer in late 1985/ early 1986.
TVR 450 SEAC (1988-89)
The TVR 450 SEAC is a sports car designed and built by TVR in a one year only run. It used the same fibreglass and kevlar body as the 420 SEAC and the same chassis. The only difference was the Rover EFI V8 engine which grew to 4.5 L and about 325 bhp (242 kW) and 435 Nm torque. Acceleration 0-60 mph (97 km/h): 4.5 seconds. Top speed: 175 mph (282 km/h). As a consequence though the 450 SEAC was even more expensive to build and buy than the already expensive 420 SEAC. by the time production ended in 1989, only 17 units had been built. (wikipedia & sportscar2.com)
TVR 660 SEAC
The mysterious TVR 660 SEAC (one-off?). Despite the common TVR SEAC shape you can recognize a sportier design with the large wind on the tail.
(Photos from theseacpages.co.uk, commons.wikimedia.org, flickr.com,
autogespot.com,evo.co.uk, mickkleijwegt.com, pistonheads.com, 777aa77.ru,
acroney.com, classiccarauctions.co.uk & tvrblog.com)
autogespot.com,evo.co.uk, mickkleijwegt.com, pistonheads.com, 777aa77.ru,
acroney.com, classiccarauctions.co.uk & tvrblog.com)