RE: Driven: The Last-Ever TVR Griffith
Discussion
Compomotive MO6's, 1" larger than standard.I remember when the Griff was unveiled in the early 90s; it looked soooooo right and sparked a long-term ambition to own a TVR at all cost. I ended-up with a Chim, and there are certain aspects to the Chimaera styling that I prefer over the Griff. The more sculpted rear, with the rounded boot overhang, the Chim bonnet which (on my later car) curves and rises at the rear edge to meet the windscreen in a more pronounced fashion. I love the Spitfire-influenced bonnet strakes as well. But the Griff is a cleaner design, it's still a classic.
The 'manhandling' aspect mentioned in the article is one of the biggest attractions for me: you have to actually drive the cars 100% of the time, and be so deliberate with inputs. My car is non-PAS, and so it feels even more like grappling with a 200bhp/tonne+ steamroller while catapulting out of roundabouts accompanied by the Santa Pod V8 soundtrack.
I also traded my S2000 for the TVR. The Honda was a great sports car, almost as quick as my Chim 400, but the TVR is an event to even start-up. The S2K was ultimately too clinical and 'Japanese' to be a weekend toy.
The 'manhandling' aspect mentioned in the article is one of the biggest attractions for me: you have to actually drive the cars 100% of the time, and be so deliberate with inputs. My car is non-PAS, and so it feels even more like grappling with a 200bhp/tonne+ steamroller while catapulting out of roundabouts accompanied by the Santa Pod V8 soundtrack.
I also traded my S2000 for the TVR. The Honda was a great sports car, almost as quick as my Chim 400, but the TVR is an event to even start-up. The S2K was ultimately too clinical and 'Japanese' to be a weekend toy.
speedtwelve said:
The 'manhandling' aspect mentioned in the article is one of the biggest attractions for me: you have to actually drive the cars 100% of the time, and be so deliberate with inputs.
I'm not 'powerfully built' (sorry 
) but the non-PAS Chim just feels natural to me in its weighting and feedback of the controls where others are either plain numb, or require a rather more delicate touch. The TVR always makes you feel you are driving the car rather than just sitting in it.
Riggers said:
I believe the appropriate term would be 'offers considered...' 
When I spoke to the owner at Goodwood FOS (was on the Fernhurst stand), the car was definitely not for sale at that point. He did say that he had turned down some very significant offers though. It wont be cheap!!A great Brit roadster success - after heaps of s
t like the later mgb, the Jensen healey and triumph tr7 this showed everyone what a Brit roadster was all about - jaw droppingly attractive, luxury wood and hide interior and a thumping, lazy v8 under the bonnet - I always have and always will lust after a griff 500
t like the later mgb, the Jensen healey and triumph tr7 this showed everyone what a Brit roadster was all about - jaw droppingly attractive, luxury wood and hide interior and a thumping, lazy v8 under the bonnet - I always have and always will lust after a griff 500rico23 said:
Japcarnut said:
Proper motoring!
Have my eye on a tvr as next possible car - or should I be sensible and buy an s2000, heart vs head this one!
I traded my S2000 for a TVR! I loved the S2000, a fantastic car and would recommend to anyone. I owned two as traded my first for a brand new one. Have my eye on a tvr as next possible car - or should I be sensible and buy an s2000, heart vs head this one!
However once you drive a TVR you realise how much more of an event it is and just how flawed i found the driving position in the S2000. Once i drove a TVR i realised the S2000's seat was too high and the steering wheel too low.
A TVR is so much more exciting to drive and the S2000 just can't compete with the fantastic noise of these cars
Edited by rico23 on Tuesday 6th September 11:56
Before i forget, i ran a Sagaris for 7 months without any issues from the car. Now that was a fun car!
Edited by thewheelman on Tuesday 6th September 18:15
I love that Griff. I ran an S1 for three years and it was always my intention to replace it with a Griff, it seemed the natural stepping stone.
Karting got in the way and I needed something more suited to long motorway trips and something that could carry my kart gear and passengers plus their gear. I kind of got a bit lost but found my way with an Elise.
Karting got in the way and I needed something more suited to long motorway trips and something that could carry my kart gear and passengers plus their gear. I kind of got a bit lost but found my way with an Elise.
Podie said:
Funny, I prefer the Griff front end and the Chimaera rear end (although together they wouldn't work!). I find the rear of the Griff a bit slab sided, compared with the Chimaera's curvy "hips"....
Have to agree with the LE lights
I agree to be honest. The Chimaera 'bottom' especially with the later lights is very pretty. Griff front end is timeless.Have to agree with the LE lights
I know it's hard to keep moving forward but the Tuscan etc seem a bit Yeeee Haaa by comparison. T350 is quite pretty though.
Garlick said:
I'm not so sure.
After reading a few TVR books, and the rather lovely intro in my owners handbook from Mr Wheeler, I think the lack of these functions was very deliberate.
Agreed. Unnecessary weight, unnecessary function. Why bother with compromises like these in a proper sports car?After reading a few TVR books, and the rather lovely intro in my owners handbook from Mr Wheeler, I think the lack of these functions was very deliberate.
rudecherub said:
Riggers said:
Johnboy Mac said:
I'm no TVR fanboy, but if there was one on my shopping list this is it. Great looking car, maybe the best looking ever TVR.
As for this comment in the artical:
''Wheeler was famously scathing of nannying, controlling driver aids - not even seeing the point of fitting ABS''
I think there's a bit bull there. I reckon the lack of ABS & a T/C system was down to costs.
Still a cracking car.
Probably a fair point - but it's a neat marketing side-step isn't it?As for this comment in the artical:
''Wheeler was famously scathing of nannying, controlling driver aids - not even seeing the point of fitting ABS''
I think there's a bit bull there. I reckon the lack of ABS & a T/C system was down to costs.
Still a cracking car.
I'm not saying I agree with the opinion that ABS is nannying, but I don't think cost was an issue with the F1.
(Not on the last 100 though - they had Corrado mirrors).
Sad aren't I?
TheOrangePeril said:
Garlick said:
I'm not so sure.
After reading a few TVR books, and the rather lovely intro in my owners handbook from Mr Wheeler, I think the lack of these functions was very deliberate.
Agreed. Unnecessary weight, unnecessary function. Why bother with compromises like these in a proper sports car?After reading a few TVR books, and the rather lovely intro in my owners handbook from Mr Wheeler, I think the lack of these functions was very deliberate.
Wheeler clearly had his own way of doing things and IMO especially during the Griff / Chim and early Cerbera years, it was this vision that gave these cars a clear simple identity.
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