Lost interest in the Griffith?
Discussion
RichB said:
How tall are you? PW was about 6'4" so TVRs were typically built with good leg room (on the driver's side at least 
).
Slightly taller at 6'4.5"). Although it is drivable, not sure if my back will get used to it or if I'd end up using it only for very short distances, so the dealer would definitely need to sort the seat out for me.
The model I looked at was a V plate and I've noticed newer models have circular rear lights that I prefer. I've also seen one model with "speed 6" front lights which I also prefer. Does anyone know if the current square rear lights can be replaced with the circular lights without hacking up the body work? Any ideas of cost for speed 6 front light conversion?
Willtl said:
Slightly taller at 6'4.5"
Although it is drivable, not sure if my back will get used to it or if I'd end up using it only for very short distances, so the dealer would definitely need to sort the seat out for me.
The model I looked at was a V plate and I've noticed newer models have circular rear lights that I prefer. I've also seen one model with "speed 6" front lights which I also prefer. Does anyone know if the current square rear lights can be replaced with the circular lights without hacking up the body work? Any ideas of cost for speed 6 front light conversion?
The original rear lights are Vauxhall Cavalier - upside down...Although it is drivable, not sure if my back will get used to it or if I'd end up using it only for very short distances, so the dealer would definitely need to sort the seat out for me.
The model I looked at was a V plate and I've noticed newer models have circular rear lights that I prefer. I've also seen one model with "speed 6" front lights which I also prefer. Does anyone know if the current square rear lights can be replaced with the circular lights without hacking up the body work? Any ideas of cost for speed 6 front light conversion?
The circular ones were originally fitted to the last 100 SE runout models, along with slightly larger 7" diameter headlights under the same perspex covers...
http://www.griffith500se.co.uk/
The speed 6 front end conversions were aftermarket add-ons - some love 'em, some don't. People like Sportmotive or Surface and Design could do the conversion but it won't be cheap.
For me, I reckon originality is key, unless body mods can be easily reversed. That doesn't include the mechanical bits though
Re the seat, SE cars had different seats as well - someone may be able to confirm if legroom is different from the standard cars?
Go on, get one
Willtl said:
Aiming to look at one of the last 100 SEs next week. Is 31k a fair price for a good example with 39k on the clock? (This is a 2001 Y plate). Saw a similar mileage model 2000 V plate yesterday for £27k.
Around 30k seems to be the asking price for reasonable mileage SEs - whether or not it's 'fair', only the potential buyer can say...
Willtl said:
Slightly taller at 6'4.5"
Although it is drivable, not sure if my back will get used to it or if I'd end up using it only for very short distances, so the dealer would definitely need to sort the seat out for me.
The model I looked at was a V plate and I've noticed newer models have circular rear lights that I prefer. I've also seen one model with "speed 6" front lights which I also prefer. Does anyone know if the current square rear lights can be replaced with the circular lights without hacking up the body work? Any ideas of cost for speed 6 front light conversion?
You'll pay a big premium for the SE and if you put S6 front lights on it you'll probably take a big hit on value./desireability when its time to sell?Although it is drivable, not sure if my back will get used to it or if I'd end up using it only for very short distances, so the dealer would definitely need to sort the seat out for me.
The model I looked at was a V plate and I've noticed newer models have circular rear lights that I prefer. I've also seen one model with "speed 6" front lights which I also prefer. Does anyone know if the current square rear lights can be replaced with the circular lights without hacking up the body work? Any ideas of cost for speed 6 front light conversion?
The SE also has the inferior Chim dash (
) but does have the same seats as the Cerb however...Best advice I can give is to buy a non SE car (on condition, not age/mileage).
Save the money you'd have spent on the SE getting whatever lights and seats you prefer, (Cerb, Tuscan, T350 seats are all a fairly straightforward swap)
If you're a complete heathen you can put Elise/VX220 seats in it or (God forbid) a pair from an MX5 or Boxster. Someone on PH has managed to fit a pair from a Jag (XJS I think?) but they looked like a tight fit.
Back on thread - still loving my Griff, its the second one I've owned and I can't imagine being without one
ETA - pic of mine with Cerb seats (no idea why the pic is on its side!
Edited by Doc Toad on Sunday 12th April 19:14
Willtl said:
I've noticed newer models have circular rear lights that I prefer...
As most here will know, I'm not a fan. These were an attempt to "update" the looks of the Griffith in line with the, by then current, T cars. As is often the case with run-out updates they don't really work. The original rear lamps were recessed into the tail end of the car to pick up on the recessed leading edge of the doors. This was the only relief on an otherwise bluff rear end. The "pepperpot" lights take away that little feature and make the rear end featureless. RichB said:
As most here will know, I'm not a fan. These were an attempt to "update" the looks of the Griffith in line with the, by then current, T cars. As is often the case with run-out updates they don't really work. The original rear lamps were recessed into the tail end of the car to pick up on the recessed leading edge of the doors. This was the only relief on an otherwise bluff rear end. The "pepperpot" lights take away that little feature and make the rear end featureless.
thank you! Never understood why the originals look better, this explains it...Doc Toad said:
You'll pay a big premium for the SE and if you put S6 front lights on it you'll probably take a big hit on value./desireability when its time to sell?
The SE also has the inferior Chim dash () but does have the same seats as the Cerb however...
Best advice I can give is to buy a non SE car (on condition, not age/mileage).
Save the money you'd have spent on the SE getting whatever lights and seats you prefer, (Cerb, Tuscan, T350 seats are all a fairly straightforward swap)
If you're a complete heathen you can put Elise/VX220 seats in it or (God forbid) a pair from an MX5 or Boxster. Someone on PH has managed to fit a pair from a Jag (XJS I think?) but they looked like a tight fit.
Back on thread - still loving my Griff, its the second one I've owned and I can't imagine being without one
ETA - pic of mine with Cerb seats (no idea why the pic is on its side!
I don't think I'd risk buying a car with uncomfortable seats on the risk I could make it more comfortable. Compared to the non SE I viewed, the SE I'm looking at is about 4k more, but almost 2 years younger. Given it is one of the last 100 I think that if I do get it, it will appreciate faster than the non SEs in time and be something of an investment. That's what I'll be telling the wife anyway....The SE also has the inferior Chim dash (
) but does have the same seats as the Cerb however...Best advice I can give is to buy a non SE car (on condition, not age/mileage).
Save the money you'd have spent on the SE getting whatever lights and seats you prefer, (Cerb, Tuscan, T350 seats are all a fairly straightforward swap)
If you're a complete heathen you can put Elise/VX220 seats in it or (God forbid) a pair from an MX5 or Boxster. Someone on PH has managed to fit a pair from a Jag (XJS I think?) but they looked like a tight fit.
Back on thread - still loving my Griff, its the second one I've owned and I can't imagine being without one
ETA - pic of mine with Cerb seats (no idea why the pic is on its side!
Edited by Doc Toad on Sunday 12th April 19:14
Gassing Station | Griffith | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff