TVR 350i FHC

**John Turner** · 24 Mar 2006, 13:07 (Ref:1559544)

I'd always wanted a TVR and, although a straight 6 fan, I also wanted to try a car with a V8 engine, so what better than to combine the two. I also prefer closed cars to open ones, so my choice was limited to the mid to late 60's Griffith or Tuscan, a 350i FHC or a Cerbera. The early cars would have been my first choice with that lovely old Ford 289 block but were too rare and too expensive. The gloriously manic Cerbera was also financially out of my reach and I have not yet quite got over my suspicion about the longevity of the early AJP8 engine, so the 350i FHC it was. So about 3 years ago, I did the worse thing you can possibly do, I bought a car sight unseen and had it delivered to me. I was lucky; apart from having different brand tyres on each corner (not good on any car, let alone a TVR!) and a low and very dirty oil level dipstick reading, the car turned out to be good with a very sound chassis, straight body with a good paint job, decent interior and an engine modified many years ago by Dave Brodie Racing. I've had it gradually fettled and maintained by Austec Racing and upon its latest return from them it now sits on a set of very good second hand Oz wheels and decent tyres from a later 400SE.

One of 52 built between 1983-87 and although the body is based on the Tasmin it is wider and chunkier. It is very heavy on the steering at parking speeds and headaches can become an issue on long motorway journeys! One for fun then, and suitable for a quick blast up to Cadwell and other places that I can reach in less than an hour! Here it is:-

**John Turner** · 31 Mar 2006, 09:05 (Ref:1565916)

Well, I can see this really impressed everybody!

I was hoping that there might be some responses from other wedgie owners or fans. Anyone else here got one? If so what are your experiences?

**Tim Falce** · 31 Mar 2006, 09:22 (Ref:1565929)

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Turner

Well, I can see this really impressed everybody!

The MG in the background looks nice.

**John Turner** · 31 Mar 2006, 11:49 (Ref:1566025)

Quote:

Originally Posted by falcemob

The MG in the background looks nice.

It is! 1969 MGC GT; might start a thread on that sometime, too!

However, back to wedgies!

**John Turner** · 7 Jun 2006, 08:37 (Ref:1629073)

Well, I'm out and about in this quite a bit now; great fun; lovely sound. Like it or not it's classic wedge!

Since it's particularly relevant on this thread, I'm sure that I can get away with saying that members and viewers of Pistonheads are welcome, here, you know!

Dex · 7 Jun 2006, 12:37 (Ref:1629206)

well i love it!

borrowed a mate's S3C a while back for a long weekend - never heard a ford V6 sound so good before or since. Handling wasn't anything great but the noise was unreal - and the roof design v clever.

i imagine the wedge sounds pretty special too

**John Turner** · 7 Jun 2006, 13:15 (Ref:1629232)

Thanks, Dex. Yep, a tweaked Rover V8 usually sounds pretty good, doesn't it? I try not to upset other motorists with it, but sometimes I can't resist changing down and wellying just to hear it!

Dinkel · 26 Jan 2011, 19:31 (Ref:2820991)

Lovely car the early wedges.

The 280i FHC - a red one followed by a dark blue TR6 - was the first wedge I ever saw. On our way to Zandvoort track they passed our Escort Mk2 with a pop and a bang. Never to forget!

I was out in my mate Dans quite a few times. Not the most refined of sportscars but still a blast and an adventure everytime we ate a few miles:

http://pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&t=341608

johnh875 · 3 Feb 2011, 05:19 (Ref:2824884)

Nice car John, don't think I've seen this thread before. There are a 'few' TVR wedges in Australia but no more than that. The closest thing I've driven to one of these would be a Gilbern Invader Mk3 (whole other story lol)

**John Turner** · 21 Mar 2011, 11:30 (Ref:2850506)

Sadly, got rid of this back in 2009 to finance refurbishment of MGC GT and the background to that is a (very personal) story in itself. Miss it, although the electrics drove me crazy!