Surviving 350i FHC's

[earlybay]

Now that I own a 350 FHC I am interested in digging into the history of the cars, and also getting an idea of how many still survive (probably not that many ...)

If anyone has any interesting history on 350 FHC's, or knows of any survivors are, post here ...

I'll start with mine ...turns out that according to factory records, my car is in fact the one in this ad from June 1984, as no other black cars where built until well after this ad came out...built in Nov '83, reg March '84



This is the original factory 350 FHC demonstrator, built Oct 83 ...from 2 road tests in 1984..on SORN so doubtful its survived ...





Next up, the 350i FHC prototype reg July '83, with bodywork similar to the Tasmin Turbo and as we know sold on ebay recently and recently re-surfaced ...



And the late-registered car given as a prize in the Lynx competition, now in Germany ...

Edited by earlybay on Tuesday 8th April 10:37

Edited by earlybay on Tuesday 15th April 13:40

[db800]

I HAVE BEEN TOLD MINE'S THE LAST ONE BUILT BEFORE THEY DID THE LYNX PROMOTIONAL ONE. BUILT IN JANUARY 1988

[earlybay]

I hope my engine bay will look like that one day !

Interestingly the Lynx car was built in June 87 but not registered until March '89 ! Yours was reg in Jan 1988 but I think built few months earlier, probably May/June 87 also ...

Any know how long it actually took to build a wedge from start to finish ??

Edited by earlybay on Tuesday 8th April 15:36

[earlybay]

Build numbers by year - 350i FHC

1983 - 10
1984 - 11
1985 - 9
1986 - 11
1987 - 11

Total - 52

[Wedg1e]

earlybay said:

Any know how long it actually took to build a wedge from start to finish ??

I have seen it quoted, usually with reference to the S series cars that followed, showing how much simpler the S was... IIRC something like 140 man-hours for the Wedge and 100 for the S.

[Wedg1e]

db800 said:

Nice variation on the usual cross-spoke lattice pattern, they look to be 'diamond cut' (i.e. skimmed in a lathe) rather than 'as-cast'.

[haighy]

db800 said:

I HAVE BEEN TOLD MINE'S THE LAST ONE BUILT BEFORE THEY DID THE LYNX PROMOTIONAL ONE. BUILT IN JANUARY 1988

That is absolutely stunning !!!! Think the cerb saturn alloys suit it superb too

[db800]

In reply to EARLYBAY on build dates I remember seeing these dates on the inside of the doors so last night I removed one so it would seem my car was in fact still being built in Jan 88


Also in reply to WEDG1E the wheels are originals power coated black an then diamond cut back and lacquered.

Also thanks for nice comments

[earlybay]

..Looks like the ebay turbo-bodied 350i FHC prototype has been saved - new owner is looking to restore it, just posted on TVRCC, hope he posts here too ...

[Podie]

I went to see a 350FHC back in 2002. It was dark blue with a blue and green interior and located in Chelmsford, Essex. Sadly it was a bit of a shed, so I passed and ended up buying an S instead.

Wonder what happened to it?

[Astacus]

earlybay said:

And the late-registered car given as a prize in the Lynx competition, now in Germany ...

Edited by earlybay on Tuesday 8th April 10:37

Wow that is lovely isn't it. Deep gloss black really sets of the lines

[Wedg1e]

Astacus said:

Wow that is lovely isn't it. Deep gloss black really sets of the lines

It was, I saw it at one of the 'Fests a few years back. It was for sale then, looks like it found a home...

[earlybay]

A few more from around the web - anyone know any of them ?

[simonwedge]

Steve, the TVRCC RO for Warks & West Mids has got a white 350i 2+2, was at Wedgefest with it last year where it won Loudest Wedge I think.

[hallsie]

The light blue one above is mine, and its also a 350i 2+2.

Currently being 'sorted' in my garage!

Stu

[earlybay]

hallsie said:

The light blue one above is mine, and its also a 350i 2+2.

Currently being 'sorted' in my garage!

Stu

Oops sorry Stu should have noticed that ! Looks great though - Im really keen to see how it differs from a standard FHC ...

[hallsie]

earlybay said:

hallsie said:

The light blue one above is mine, and its also a 350i 2+2.

Currently being 'sorted' in my garage!

Stu

Oops sorry Stu should have noticed that ! Looks great though - Im really keen to see how it differs from a standard FHC ...

Another two small and high;y impractical seats mostly!

But there are a few bits that are different, youre welcome to come and have a look round!

Stu

Edited by hallsie on Tuesday 22 April 11:20

[earlybay]

Also noticed that the grey car above (A 608 GFF) is a 2+2 aswell - together with the dutch car that makes 4 out of the 6 ...

[hallsie]

If you have a look at my BBWF photos from 2012 you will see 3 of the 6 all in one place!

The white one is Stainless Steves, the Grey one belongs to Ralph from the TVRCC, and the Blue one is mine!

There is a red one in Scotland, and the one I know thats sat overseas somwhere that has just come up for sale.



Stu

http://s860.photobucket.com/user/hallsie/library/#...

[adam quantrill]

I remember seeing one in the lot of the TVR Centre Arkley, in around 1995, looking in the back and thinking how small the rear seats were.

Given there were so few of them made I wonder if the one I saw is in the photos above? I am trying to remember what colour it was.... could have been Stu's one.