Replacement Aluminuim Petrol Cap

Leven Technology

Every time I opened the petrol flap to put some fuel in, I had to look at the original painted steel TVR filler cap. The unit is not only ugly to look at, but over the years the cap has become very corroded and the original black finish had started to come off the outside (see pics below).

Original TVR petrol cap		Inside rust!

I tried painting the cap with some black spray paint, which worked for a while, but this started to come off with time as well. Although the GRP flap effectively hid the cap from view - I knew it was there!, every time I filled with fuel I was reminded of it and decided to look around for an alternative.

I discovered a company based in South Wales called Leven Technology which is now quite well known for producing quality machined aluminium accessories for later model Griffith's and other newer TVR's. After a quick phone call, to my suprise I discovered they also produce an array of 'shiney bits' for wedges as well.

I purchased the wedge petrol cap and tried it for size. The cap really is a nice piece of engineering, apparently its machined by a computer controlled 4-axis CNC machine from a solid bar of aluminium and then hand polished to a high mirror finish. It has a black synthetic type squashy pad (for want of a better word) on the inside to ensure a tight, snug fit against the filler neck.

Click to enlarge		Inside shot

To fit you simply line up the aluminium lugs on the inside of the cap to the filler neck, push on and rotate quarter of a turn. Being knurled at the edges it is also easier to unscrew and tighten than the original unit, once fitted it also clears the inside of the fibreglass flap to avoid any rubbing.

The only minor quibble we have is that the cap is not lockable in anyway, but neither was the old one so nothing lost there. In my opinion, the cap is a vast improvement over the original unit as you can see if you compare the pic below with the one at the top of the page.

	The fitted cap

Leven advise us that the cap will fit the following wedges: 350i, 350 SE, 350 SX, 390 SE, 400 SE 450 SE and the SEAC models. The test car was a 1989 TVR 350i and it fitted perfectly. If you have the black painted filler cap on your wedge earlier that a 350i then please check with Leven as it may fit as well.

The cap can be purchased mail order from Leven Technology direct or through the TVRCC. The cost of the cap is £45.00 (at the time of review). This includes vat and P&P.