TVR 450 Test Drive USA Style!

By Marshall Moore

Recently, after Mike Bressington informed everyone that he had sold his beloved 350i, and was, at least momentarily, considering something of the non-wedge TVR variety, I, like many of you no doubt, immediately began "encouraging" him to not stray from the wedges and that what he really needed was a nice 450SE. My encouragement was based on the fact that the 450SE has always been my "dream wedge", even though they were never officially available here in the US. So, after I heard that Mike had gotten a drive in a 450SE and then actually bought one, I felt all was right with the world.
 
As a veteran wedge owner of 15 years before parting with my beloved Tasmin last summer, I had never actually driven such a beast as the 450 but would have relished the opportunity. That, however, changed at this year's "Out of the Woodwork" 2004 event sponsored by the TVR Car Club North America in New Jersey, USA.

After arriving at the hotel with my 5-litre Taimar, I greeted my friend, septugenarian Walter Chippendale of Ontario, Canada who had already arrived in his white 450SE with tan leather and black top. This soft-spoken white-haired "big wedge" owner had his usual smile on his face and I casually asked him..."If I sweet talk you, would you let me drive your car?". He said...."sure!" I went on to other things, making sure all of the arrangements for the annual weekend were in place and to try to take care of some of the "road dust" with a couple of cold pints.
 
The next morning, I was out in the hotel parking lot and Walter came up to me, handed me the keys to his 450, and said, here, go take a drive!  Well, you don't have to say it twice!  However, I DID have to insist that he came with me just for peace of mind.

Me and the beastie (2004)		Walter Chippendale's 450SE (2002)

Now, because of the nearby interstate highway that was clogged with traffic, I chose to stay on the local roads so I didn't get to really wring out the car. But it didn't take much driving to realize what an incredible beast this car is. It had much of the familiar feel of my former wedge, but you instantly feel that wonderful surge of power, somewhat like what I experience in my 5-litre Taimar when I punch the throttle.

The feel of running through the gears on the 5 speed box and the nice feel of the power assisted steering was a pleasant change from the manual steering and 4-speed box of my 280i Tasmin. But combine the throttle response with the wonderful rumble from the exhaust and it is absolutely addictive!!! It would be really easy to open this thing up on a long straight stretch of road just to see how fast it would go. Then, I'd want to find the nicest twisty country road to wring it out on as well.
 
This is a car I could get in and drive across country! I am going to have a real hard time getting out of this car!!!
 
After about 15 minutes, I wound back through town to the hotel, with a sizeable smile on my face, not really wanting to give Walter the keys back to his car. However, I knew the ride was over but Walter consented to taking a photo of me standing beside this beautiful car so I would have that memory. OK, now, I know there is that green 450 SE currently for sale in Florida so, if I can scrape up enough extra cash........and my wife doesn't divorce me........OK, back to reality.

Thanks Walter, for a great drive! Enjoy your new 450 Mike.

Marshall Moore
TVR Car Club North America