TVR 420 SEAC 1998

Details

TVR 420 SEAC, which was built between 1986 and 1988. Those older readers amongst you will remember the significance of the SEAC. Offically the initials stood for Special Equipment Aramid Composite, in reference to its highly advanced Kevlar bodywork (a world first in a production road car) that saved 90kg over the regular TVR 390 SE’s glassfibre bodywork. However within the factory the SEAC was known as the Sausage Egg And Chips!

Powered by a special 4.2-litre version of the Rover V8 the 420 SEAC’s motor was good for a solid 300bhp; enough to propel it to 60mph from rest in under 5sec and on to a top speed of 165mph. Those were serious figures in 1986. Just as impressive was the SEAC’s truly sensational soundtrack, which was more than a match for its arresting looks.

This particular example – one of the first four to be built in a run totally just 37 cars - was made for 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.

Advertised by self-confessed TVR nut Amos Roney, the asking price for this very special wedge of TVR history is ‘on application’. Suffice to say having spoken to Roney about the car it’s clear it’ll take a very serious offer for him to part with it. Quite right too, for this is one very special sports car.

If you want to look for your own dream performance car then check out Motormutt here, or click on the 'Cars for Sale' tab anywhere on the site. You can see the original listing for the 420 SEAC here.

SEACs are two inches wider and seven inches shorter than a 390SE

Not all SEAC's were Aramid Composite as the name suggests: the first 8-10 cars were full Kevlar, they probably all still exist.

The early cars were 200lbs lighter than the GRP equivalent, for example a 390 body is twice as thick.

Kevlar proved to be very difficult to cut and work with and TVR were struggling to make any profit even at the initial price of £29,500 as it was. The labour involved in laying up was much higher and the finish tended to be ripplely which resulted in cars being re bodied.

Cars built after had a mix of kevlar & glass (Aramat is the trade name) there were also 4 or 5 carbon fibre & glass 420SEAC's.

The first 3 had 350 style dashes (and 2 part rear bodywork) changing to a new style with four gauges in top centre with no bulky box of switches arid radio etc. Later 450's had the dash with five gauges in top centre and turned slightly towards the driver. I believe that there are 1 maybe 2 stainless chassis cars about, one probably was Peter Wheeler's own SEAC.

Chris Schirle confirmed the latter saying that of the Stainless chassis built for the racer 1 or 2 disappeared into road cars. He also added that on several chassis CDS (Cold drawn seamless) tubing rather than Electric resistance welding tube was used.

Engines

Chris Schirle:

Peter Wheeler always wanted to build an engine shop within the factory but it was too complex - we didn't have the room or the budget for all the machinery.

So he then set the task to find an engine builder - John Eales initially (3.9's) then Graham Nash at NCK who built the SEAC engines after an inital batch of 6 in the factory. Both fell by the wayside

The 4.2 evolved from the purchase of cranks from Rover destined for the failed alloy diesel engine by Perkins. TVR bought the lot, about 300 for a 4.2 stroke.

The SEAC specification included:

Bore: 93.5mm and stroke 77mm (420) or 80mm (450)
Cosworth forged pistons No.PM0209
Forged rods
Tufrided crank, I think with standard bearings
Heads were fully ported (in fact over-ported for road use)
TVR Stainless Steel big valves (as Griffith 500 etc) 42.8mm inlet & 36.8mm exhaust
TVR grind or H234 Kent cam with hydraulic lifters and standard rocker gear. A few had solid lifters
Lightened and balanced

Jaguar AFM and injectors
Weber adjustable FPR set to 45psi

Standard trumpets on a partially ported manifold
Throttle was normally 70mm