The TVR 450SE and 450SEAC Sports Car

1989 TVR 450SEAC

from Classic to Modern

The TVR 450SE

In 1989, the TVR 450SE sports car was introduced, powered by the 4.5 litre, Rover EFI V8 engine.

It developed 325 bhp at 5700 rpm, and 310 ft/lbs of torque at 4000 rpm, with a top speed of 150 mph, and a 0-60 mph time of 5.2 secs.

Production ended a year later after 35 units had been built.

In terms of external appearance, there was little to distinguish between this variant and the 400SE, both being two seater convertibles.

It was, in effect, a less expensive and lightweight fibreglass version of the SEAC variant.

The interior underwent improvement, with better seats and uprated materials.

Technical Data 400 SE 420 SE        430SE   450SE
Production                        1988-1991     1986-1987       1991     1989-1990
Engine, cc 3948 4228 4280 4441
Cylinders, bhp 8, 275 8, 300 8, 280         8, 325
Top Speed mph 145 146 - 150
0-60 mph, secs 5.6 5.3 - 5.2
Torque ft/lbs 270 290 305 310

1989 TVR 450SE Powered by a 4.5 litre, Rover EFI V8 engine, it had a top of 150 mph and 0-60 in 5.2 secs Very desirable

1989 TVR 450SE

1989 TVR 450SE at Sphere Hill Climb

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The TVR 450SEAC

In 1986, the TVR 420SEAC was introduced and was, at that time, one of the world's fastest production cars, with a top speed of 165 mph.

In 1988, its larger derivative, the TVR 450SEAC, was launched and used the same body composition of fibreglass and kevlar as the 420SEAC, as well as the same chassis.

It was powered by the 4.5 litre, Rover EFI V8 engine, which developed 325 bhp at 6800 rpm, and 320 ft/lbs of torque at 4000 rpm.

This produced a top speed of 175 mph, a 0-60 mph time of 4.5 secs, and a 0-100 mph time of 10.8 secs.

As it turned out, the cost of production of the 450SEAC was higher than that of the 420SEAC, which was reflected in the selling price.

Consequently, by the time production ended in 1989, only 17 units had been built.

One interesting characteristic of this variant was that many wedge shaped models were subsequently updated, using the specification of the 450SEAC.

The racing version of this car was so fast that it was actaually banned from the track.

Each of these variants was based on a fibreglass (SE model), or fibreglass/kevlar composite (SEAC model) body fitted to a space frame chassis.

They were, in fact, two seater convertibles using a five speed Borg Warner T5 gearbox, and with four wheel independent suspension.

The high performance 400-Series, with their distinctive wedge shape, was ultimately to give way to the flowing lines of the TVR Griffith in the early 1990's, and which introduced a new chapter in the marketing concept of the company.

It was a change that was well received by the market.

Technical Data 450SE 450SEAC 420SEAC
Production 1989-1990 1988-1989 1986-1988
Engine, cc 4441 4441 4228
Cylinders, bhp 8, 325 8, 325 8, 300
Top Speed mph 150 175 165
0-60 mph secs 5.2 4.5 4.7
Torque ft/lbs 310 320 290
0-100 mph, secs - 10.8 -