TVR 400SE
Encyclopedia
The TVR 400/450SE was a series of open sports cars designed and built by TVR
in the late eighties and early nineties. The 400SE was introduced in 1988, the 450SE a year later. The 400SE was the last of the Wedges
built, with the last cars being produced in late 1991 and registered in 1992. There were also special versions built, with two Sprintex supercharged
400SX built by dealer 'Northern TVR Centre' in 1989, and three Griffith
engined 430SEs were constructed in 1991.
, but still large). The appearance was considerably more mature than the wild SEAC, but both suffered from the large transmission tunnel which cramped the footwell and serious heatsink from the large engines. On the plus side was the "phenomenal noise" and "exhilarating acceleration".
Ventilated front disc brakes and fifteen inch wheels were standard fitment, with power steering available and later made standard. In 1989 the even bigger engined 450SE appeared, with an extra 45 bhp but otherwise hard to distinguish from the 400. Production of the 450SE ended in 1990 after 35 had been built.
There was also the 1989 400SX, a supercharged version developed by "Northern TVR Centre" in Barrow-in-Furness. Along with DPR Forced Induction Systems Sprintex supercharger units were fitted, and while power and torque outputs are unknown the smaller engined 350SX
showed increases of over thirty percent, which would mean ample power for most. The supercharged versions provided superrb mid-range punch, compared to the peakier naturally aspirated models.
The last development of the SE was the 430SE, three of which were built in 1991. They used the 4.3 litre V8 engine also seen in the recently introduced TVR Griffith
; one of them was shown at the 1991 Birmingham Motor Show.
TVR
thumb|right|240px|TVR No.2, the oldest surviving TVR, located at [[Lakeland Motor Museum, Newby Bridge, Cumbria]]TVR was an independent British manufacturer of sports cars. Until 2006 it was based in the English seaside town of Blackpool, Lancashire, but has since split up into several smaller...
in the late eighties and early nineties. The 400SE was introduced in 1988, the 450SE a year later. The 400SE was the last of the Wedges
TVR Wedges
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...
built, with the last cars being produced in late 1991 and registered in 1992. There were also special versions built, with two Sprintex supercharged
Supercharger
A supercharger is an air compressor used for forced induction of an internal combustion engine.The greater mass flow-rate provides more oxygen to support combustion than would be available in a naturally aspirated engine, which allows more fuel to be burned and more work to be done per cycle,...
400SX built by dealer 'Northern TVR Centre' in 1989, and three Griffith
TVR Griffith
The TVR Griffith, later models being referred to as the Griffith 500, was a sports car designed and built by TVR starting in 1991 and ending in 2002....
engined 430SEs were constructed in 1991.
History
The 400SE was largely similar to late 390SEs, but featured marginally larger displacement - 3,948 versus 3,905 cc. The body was as for Series 2 390SEs, with the more rounded nose and a large rear underbody aerofoil. An asymmetrically vented bonnet hinted at what was underneath, and there was a large rear spoiler (smaller than the 'bathtray' style used on the SEACTVR 420 SEAC
The TVR 420 SEAC is a 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...
, but still large). The appearance was considerably more mature than the wild SEAC, but both suffered from the large transmission tunnel which cramped the footwell and serious heatsink from the large engines. On the plus side was the "phenomenal noise" and "exhilarating acceleration".
Ventilated front disc brakes and fifteen inch wheels were standard fitment, with power steering available and later made standard. In 1989 the even bigger engined 450SE appeared, with an extra 45 bhp but otherwise hard to distinguish from the 400. Production of the 450SE ended in 1990 after 35 had been built.
There was also the 1989 400SX, a supercharged version developed by "Northern TVR Centre" in Barrow-in-Furness. Along with DPR Forced Induction Systems Sprintex supercharger units were fitted, and while power and torque outputs are unknown the smaller engined 350SX
TVR 350i
In 1982 TVR's then new owner Peter Wheeler found himself wanting more power than the Cologne V6-equipped Tasmin 280i could offer. Thus, based on the existing car the Tasmin 350i appeared in August 1983. Using the same chassis and body , a 3.5-litre Rover V8 was installed...
showed increases of over thirty percent, which would mean ample power for most. The supercharged versions provided superrb mid-range punch, compared to the peakier naturally aspirated models.
The last development of the SE was the 430SE, three of which were built in 1991. They used the 4.3 litre V8 engine also seen in the recently introduced TVR Griffith
TVR Griffith
The TVR Griffith, later models being referred to as the Griffith 500, was a sports car designed and built by TVR starting in 1991 and ending in 2002....
; one of them was shown at the 1991 Birmingham Motor Show.
Specifications
| Version | 400SE | 450SE | 430SE |
| Production | 1988-1991 | 1989-1990 | 1991 |
| Engine | TVR Power Rover V8, EFi Fuel injection Fuel injection is a system for admitting fuel into an internal combustion engine. It has become the primary fuel delivery system used in automotive petrol engines, having almost completely replaced carburetors in the late 1980s.... OHV |
||
| Displacement | 3,948 cc | 4,441 cc | 4,280 cc |
| 94.0 x 71.12 mm | 94.0 x 80.0 mm | 94.0 x 77.1 mm | |
| Power | 275 bhp at 5,500 rpm | 320 bhp at 5,700 rpm | 280 bhp at 5,500 rpm |
| Torque | 270 lbft at 3,500 rpm | 310 lbft at 4,000 rpm | 305 lbft at 4,000 rpm |
| Top Speed | 145 mph (233 km/h) | 150 mph (241 km/h) | n/a |
| Acceleration (0–60 mph) | 5.6 sec | 5.2 sec | n/a |
| Acceleration (0–100 mph) | 14.8 sec | n/a | n/a |
| Chassis | Tubular spaceframe, rear-wheel drive | ||
| Body | Fibreglass, 2-seater convertible | ||
| Weight | 1160 kg (2,557 lb) | 1216 kg (2,681 lb) | |
| Transmission | Five speed gearbox (LT77) | ||
| Wheels | 225/50 VR15, 8J x 15 rims | ||
| Wheelbase | 2387 mm (94 in) | ||
| Track (F/R) | 1,450 / 1,480 mm (57.1 / 58.3 in) | ||
| Length/Width/ Height | 4,013 / 1,728 / 1,205 mm (158.0 / 68.0 / 47.5 in) |
||