Bodyshell removal 92 Griff
Discussion
Hello to all. Am in the process of restoring my Griff and would dearly like to remove the bodyshell completely to get at the chassis. Has anybody ever done this before and if so what was involved? (Grifter I think you were looking at this??)
Also what wheels should the car have on it? I have been told that the wheels on it are from a Chim, does anyone have a photo of what they should look like?
Final question (honest) does anyone know what make the original number plate lights were? The bible does not seem to refer to these.
Thanks in advance.
Chris
Also what wheels should the car have on it? I have been told that the wheels on it are from a Chim, does anyone have a photo of what they should look like?
Final question (honest) does anyone know what make the original number plate lights were? The bible does not seem to refer to these.
Thanks in advance.
Chris
No idea about the body removal (ouch!) but the number plate lights are hidden behind the back-lit number plate, accessible from the boot below the boot lock - they are just two interior light-bulb holders with little cylindrical bulbs in - should be fairly straightforward to match up in a scrapyard - f*rd/v@uxhall?
Gralegriff said:
Hello to all. Am in the process of restoring my Griff and would dearly like to remove the bodyshell completely to get at the chassis. Has anybody ever done this before and if so what was involved? (Grifter I think you were looking at this??)
Also what wheels should the car have on it? I have been told that the wheels on it are from a Chim, does anyone have a photo of what they should look like?
Final question (honest) does anyone know what make the original number plate lights were? The bible does not seem to refer to these.
Thanks in advance.
Chris
Wasn't me - is there a single 'f'ed Grifter out there?
I am however undertaking as much of a full chassis resto as possible with the body ON. Access to the areas susceptible to rust is of course limited, but with perseverance you can do an amazing amount with a collection of screwdrivers, scrapers and duct tape to create custom made rust removal devices...
Warning however, I started in November and am just past halfway there!
I have recently finished a total rebuild with my Griff.The simplist way to do the job is to remove the engine and box first.(I assume you have already done this)Take all the suspension off including the wishbones,very straight forward.Systematically take off any part that would stop the chassis parting with the shell,wiring,brake pipes,fuel pipes etc.Support the body shell on axle stands,I used a piece of 4x2 front and rear to spread the weight.I then removed all the bolts holding the chassis to the shell and gently lowered the chassis to the floor using 2 trolley jacks.As long as you go steady and don't rush,and especially keep looking for any wires etc you forgot,it's a very easy process.Once on the floor,you can slide the chassis out.No lifting or lugging heavy items about.Also safe as far as damaging paint work.I then shot blasted,zinc primed and repowdered the chassis in satin black.Cost £275 all in.A lovely job once done,looks so much more professional than the silver/grey/rust it was before.If you went to MPH03,it was there for all to see.I'm getting me friend to set up a web site with all my cars on shortly,and also the Griff build pics.
If you want to chat to me about the chassis removal,email me and I will send you my contact details.Good luck with the project.
Mike P
If you want to chat to me about the chassis removal,email me and I will send you my contact details.Good luck with the project.
Mike P
andy43 said:
No idea about the body removal (ouch!) but the number plate lights are hidden behind the back-lit number plate, accessible from the boot below the boot lock - they are just two interior light-bulb holders with little cylindrical bulbs in - should be fairly straightforward to match up in a scrapyard - f*rd/v@uxhall?
Have managed to get the lights out, just wondered if anyone knew what they were to save me trudging through the scrapyard. Thanks anyway.
C
griffter said:
Hello to all. Am in the process of restoring my Griff and would dearly like to remove the bodyshell completely to get at the chassis. Has anybody ever done this before and if so what was involved? (Grifter I think you were looking at this??)
Also what wheels should the car have on it? I have been told that the wheels on it are from a Chim, does anyone have a photo of what they should look like?
Final question (honest) does anyone know what make the original number plate lights were? The bible does not seem to refer to these.
Thanks in advance.
Chris
Wasn't me - is there a single 'f'ed Grifter out there?
I am however undertaking as much of a full chassis resto as possible with the body ON. Access to the areas susceptible to rust is of course limited, but with perseverance you can do an amazing amount with a collection of screwdrivers, scrapers and duct tape to create custom made rust removal devices...
Warning however, I started in November and am just past halfway there!
Ooops my mistake!
mickypee said:
I have recently finished a total rebuild with my Griff.The simplist way to do the job is to remove the engine and box first.(I assume you have already done this)Take all the suspension off including the wishbones,very straight forward.Systematically take off any part that would stop the chassis parting with the shell,wiring,brake pipes,fuel pipes etc.Support the body shell on axle stands,I used a piece of 4x2 front and rear to spread the weight.I then removed all the bolts holding the chassis to the shell and gently lowered the chassis to the floor using 2 trolley jacks.As long as you go steady and don't rush,and especially keep looking for any wires etc you forgot,it's a very easy process.Once on the floor,you can slide the chassis out.No lifting or lugging heavy items about.Also safe as far as damaging paint work.I then shot blasted,zinc primed and repowdered the chassis in satin black.Cost £275 all in.A lovely job once done,looks so much more professional than the silver/grey/rust it was before.If you went to MPH03,it was there for all to see.I'm getting me friend to set up a web site with all my cars on shortly,and also the Griff build pics.
If you want to chat to me about the chassis removal,email me and I will send you my contact details.Good luck with the project.
Mike P
Hi Mike, thanks for that I will email this afternoon.
Regards
C
griffter said:
Gralegriff on your profile it says purchase price £2000!! - Surely not?
Afraid so!!!! Happened to be in the right place at the right time when this company car came up for sale. It has full service history but being a London based car and owned by a "media creative" was not very well looked after. We put the car into Gatwick TVR for some quotes to make 100% and then used this to off set the purchase price. It does need a full retrim, respray etc but I am gradually working my way through the issues, the engine is sweet though as it has only done 46K miles.
Managed to drive it a bit before I took it of the road and it was certainly great fun, not as quick as I would have thought though!
Regards
C
burriana500 said:
jam1et said:
Check out pic on my profile. My car has the original 5 spoke wheels. There was a multi-spoke option too although these are very difficult to get hold of.
And a lovely looking car it is Jamie - nice colour
Cheers. It'll look even better when I've had the front end resprayed. Its just a Toyota colour, Starfire Mica Red or something, I think it was quite common on the early Griffs. Annoyingly I've recently seen a 500 a few times in my town town in the same colour
Hope he doesnt drive like a tw@t, people will think its me! Thread hijack - Incidently, I saw K80 TVR in same colour in Peninsula at the same time mine was there. Is it anyone on here? I thought someone had nicked my car when I first saw it!
>> Edited by jam1et on Monday 12th January 17:00
Gralegriff said:
Gralegriff on your profile it says purchase price £2000!! - Surely not?
Afraid so!!!! Happened to be in the right place at the right time when this company car came up for sale. It has full service history but being a London based car and owned by a "media creative" was not very well looked after. We put the car into Gatwick TVR for some quotes to make 100% and then used this to off set the purchase price. It does need a full retrim, respray etc but I am gradually working my way through the issues, the engine is sweet though as it has only done 46K miles.
Managed to drive it a bit before I took it of the road and it was certainly great fun, not as quick as I would have thought though!
Regards
C
Well I think you win the prize for bargain of the year...
What's wrong with it?!
And what on earth was wrong with the owner?!
? griffter said:
griffter said:
Gralegriff on your profile it says purchase price £2000!! - Surely not?
Afraid so!!!! Happened to be in the right place at the right time when this company car came up for sale. It has full service history but being a London based car and owned by a "media creative" was not very well looked after. We put the car into Gatwick TVR for some quotes to make 100% and then used this to off set the purchase price. It does need a full retrim, respray etc but I am gradually working my way through the issues, the engine is sweet though as it has only done 46K miles.
Managed to drive it a bit before I took it of the road and it was certainly great fun, not as quick as I would have thought though!
Regards
C
Well I think you win the prize for bargain of the year...
What's wrong with it?!
And what on earth was wrong with the owner?!
It had stood outside for quite some time with the hood leaking so the interior carpets etc were in a bit of mess. The dashboard had fallen out! Enginewise it was pretty good and just needed some leaks from the rocker gasket sorting out, one fan replacing and a good service that was 1.5K overdue. The worst aspect was really the body that has many scrapes and dings. This will be the most expensive bit as i am getting a full respray done after I have done the chassis, will keep it silver as original though! The diff needs some new seals and it requires a windscreen. The heater requires sorting together with other items like the alarm etc but all in all nothing that can't be done. I estimate the total costs to restore, service and MOT will be about £6K including a £1K contingency so all in all not too bad. Don't intend to sell it though as my wife has already laid claim to it! In fact she has actually driven it more than me!!!
Regards
Chris
BogBeast said:
Hmm.. As the supplies of nice Griffs runs down (attrition due to write offs/neglect etc) this sort of exercise may become more common..
Think you could look in the S forum and would be looking into the future loosely of what the Griffith forum will be Chatting about in a few years, Body offs will be rife, along with whats that of whats this off typos
I'm working on it. I've seen it done by Tower View but you need a vehicle lift to do it which rules out the method they use. Biggest problem is tipping the body to miss the engine which is where the lift comes in. I've got a whole sequence of photos of where the bolts are. There are loads of them. Just haven't had time to sort it all out.
I agree that taking the engine out/ removing suspension etc is probably a good idea and it does help with access but even so, you need space and some friends.
I agree that taking the engine out/ removing suspension etc is probably a good idea and it does help with access but even so, you need space and some friends.
shpub said:That's were my information came from about how to remove the body from when they did my chassis refurb.
I'm working on it. I've seen it done by Tower View but you need a vehicle lift to do it which rules out the method they use. Biggest problem is tipping the body to miss the engine which is where the lift comes in. I've got a whole sequence of photos of where the bolts are. There are loads of them. Just haven't had time to sort it all out.
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