Anybody Know this Griffith
Discussion
Hi Peeps
Having previously owned a Cerbera and lately looking for a nice Chimaera, i have started warming to maybe getting a Griff :-)
I really like the look of this car and its more in line with my intended spend.
Anybody know its history ?
Pete
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/t...
Having previously owned a Cerbera and lately looking for a nice Chimaera, i have started warming to maybe getting a Griff :-)
I really like the look of this car and its more in line with my intended spend.
Anybody know its history ?
Pete
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/t...
If you were considering upgrading/rebuilding the engine/seats/shocks this car would save you money over buying a standard Griff and then going to town on it, even if it needs chassis work.
Lovely spec with new PAS rack, spot on colours and that interior with the entire leven catalogue and better seats in it is stunning - I bet there's getting on for two grand of parts and trimming work in there - and the engine will have cost thousands on top of that.
It's had some choice mods done by someone who obviously knew what they wanted and from what I've seen of a few Griffs/Chims at dealers over the past few years, most of the chassis' are toast anyway. Or toast with a liberal coating/disguise ofpeanut butter waxoyl over the top.
Outriggers are maybe two grand fitted? - by someone decent eg RT in Sheffield - compared to buying a £15k car and adding that engine and other bits I reckon it's decent value, provided the main chassis is ok.
/devils advocate
Lovely spec with new PAS rack, spot on colours and that interior with the entire leven catalogue and better seats in it is stunning - I bet there's getting on for two grand of parts and trimming work in there - and the engine will have cost thousands on top of that.
It's had some choice mods done by someone who obviously knew what they wanted and from what I've seen of a few Griffs/Chims at dealers over the past few years, most of the chassis' are toast anyway. Or toast with a liberal coating/disguise of
Outriggers are maybe two grand fitted? - by someone decent eg RT in Sheffield - compared to buying a £15k car and adding that engine and other bits I reckon it's decent value, provided the main chassis is ok.
/devils advocate
andy43 said:
If you were considering upgrading/rebuilding the engine/seats/shocks this car would save you money over buying a standard Griff and then going to town on it, even if it needs chassis work.
Lovely spec with new PAS rack, spot on colours and that interior with the entire leven catalogue and better seats in it is stunning - I bet there's getting on for two grand of parts and trimming work in there - and the engine will have cost thousands on top of that.
It's had some choice mods done by someone who obviously knew what they wanted and from what I've seen of a few Griffs/Chims at dealers over the past few years, most of the chassis' are toast anyway. Or toast with a liberal coating/disguise ofpeanut butter waxoyl over the top.
Outriggers are maybe two grand fitted? - by someone decent eg RT in Sheffield - compared to buying a £15k car and adding that engine and other bits I reckon it's decent value, provided the main chassis is ok.
/devils advocate
I agree. Lovely spec with new PAS rack, spot on colours and that interior with the entire leven catalogue and better seats in it is stunning - I bet there's getting on for two grand of parts and trimming work in there - and the engine will have cost thousands on top of that.
It's had some choice mods done by someone who obviously knew what they wanted and from what I've seen of a few Griffs/Chims at dealers over the past few years, most of the chassis' are toast anyway. Or toast with a liberal coating/disguise of
Outriggers are maybe two grand fitted? - by someone decent eg RT in Sheffield - compared to buying a £15k car and adding that engine and other bits I reckon it's decent value, provided the main chassis is ok.
/devils advocate
Strange there are no engine bay pictures though.
Nicely said andy43 :-)
I originally started with a 15k budget for a Chim....... now dont mind spending maybe 17 for the right one.....then thought of 20k for a Griff...!!!!
So 20k for a griff then maybe 2 - 4k on top might take a couple more weeks rattling around my brain before it sounds viable :-) lol
Pete
I originally started with a 15k budget for a Chim....... now dont mind spending maybe 17 for the right one.....then thought of 20k for a Griff...!!!!
So 20k for a griff then maybe 2 - 4k on top might take a couple more weeks rattling around my brain before it sounds viable :-) lol
Pete
the seats although comfortable raised the driving position too much, couldn't see any spacers so would assume thats almost as low as you could get it, also they detract from originality. The edges would need a retrim to tidy it up aswell. I would also probably look to change the cam, engine seems to be set up as a low end torque 4x4 type set up, smooth but car didn't want to rev particularly well and didn't feel in sync with the character of the car.
Assuming 2k for outriggers ( possibly more for other parts of the chassis), 1k for cam, 1k+ for trimming, plus anything else, I've seen some nicer ones for that sort of money.
Assuming 2k for outriggers ( possibly more for other parts of the chassis), 1k for cam, 1k+ for trimming, plus anything else, I've seen some nicer ones for that sort of money.
andy43 said:
SMB has seen and driven it - if it isn't pulling like it should, AND needs re trimming AND outriggers, hmmmm, maybe I should retract my first statement!
the main thing that appealed to me was the fact the engine work was done, and it's a nice looking car, compared to a 4 litre it didn't excite, if anything it felt slower as a result, hence my comments.. others might be able to live with the interior but I would retrim the sides of the seats for sure.
These cars Are seriously £ undervalued, air cooled 911s ( the SC 3.2 Carrera and the 964 ) are now £ stupid money, but the poor Griff is lagging a long way behind.
I'm with Andys original thoughts on this one....a superb color combo, it's an HC model, PAS ( essential ) those seats are way way better than the awful originals, re built engine, Leven parts are a plus and what bits you don't like ( stalks ) will soon sell.
I would change the shocks. De Cat it ( if it hasn't already ) And I would prefer a wood dash.
They are All at some point, going to need out riggers / chassis work.
The dealer is possibly ? open to a sensible offer.
I'm with Andys original thoughts on this one....a superb color combo, it's an HC model, PAS ( essential ) those seats are way way better than the awful originals, re built engine, Leven parts are a plus and what bits you don't like ( stalks ) will soon sell.
I would change the shocks. De Cat it ( if it hasn't already ) And I would prefer a wood dash.
They are All at some point, going to need out riggers / chassis work.
The dealer is possibly ? open to a sensible offer.
I too have seen the car. Didn't get as far as driving it though.
Agree with SMB. Outriggers are certainly have the paint crumbling off them along their lengths - both sides.
Buttons had pushed into the dash.
Seats were poorly repaired 'buffalo' hide or whatever that rubbish non-leather finish was. The texture had been snaded out and then recoloured. Really noticeable.
Paint work was honest - a few marks - but in keeping with a used TVR. Some people expect / want perfect paint, I don't.
Engine bay is scruffy, CATs etc still in situ - well the pipe work is they may have been knocked through.
One of the doors was loose. Could be a loose nut or the bobbin needs replacing.
Overall too much tidying for my liking. Engine is a huge draw though.
Agree with SMB. Outriggers are certainly have the paint crumbling off them along their lengths - both sides.
Buttons had pushed into the dash.
Seats were poorly repaired 'buffalo' hide or whatever that rubbish non-leather finish was. The texture had been snaded out and then recoloured. Really noticeable.
Paint work was honest - a few marks - but in keeping with a used TVR. Some people expect / want perfect paint, I don't.
Engine bay is scruffy, CATs etc still in situ - well the pipe work is they may have been knocked through.
One of the doors was loose. Could be a loose nut or the bobbin needs replacing.
Overall too much tidying for my liking. Engine is a huge draw though.
SMB said:
the main thing that appealed to me was the fact the engine work was done, and it's a nice looking car, compared to a 4 litre it didn't excite, if anything it felt slower as a result, hence my comments..
others might be able to live with the interior but I would retrim the sides of the seats for sure.
A mate of mine asked me about this car, so I will point him to this thread. others might be able to live with the interior but I would retrim the sides of the seats for sure.
Re performance, when I first bought my 5.3 I test drove it on a very wet day and could make any sort of assessment about. Power. After a couple of weeks of ownership, it was clear that whilst it had lots more torque than my previous 400 (admittedly a full fat one) it didn't feel any faster. That was confirmed after putting it on the rolling road as the ECU and a couple of other areas couldn't keep up with the new engine. To rich at the bottom and ultra lean at the top.
A few new bits on the induction side and a remap by Jools and it most definitely feels a lot faster!
mk1fan said:
I too have seen the car. Didn't get as far as driving it though.
Agree with SMB. Outriggers are certainly have the paint crumbling off them along their lengths - both sides.
Buttons had pushed into the dash.
Seats were poorly repaired 'buffalo' hide or whatever that rubbish non-leather finish was. The texture had been snaded out and then recoloured. Really noticeable.
Paint work was honest - a few marks - but in keeping with a used TVR. Some people expect / want perfect paint, I don't.
Engine bay is scruffy, CATs etc still in situ - well the pipe work is they may have been knocked through.
One of the doors was loose. Could be a loose nut or the bobbin needs replacing.
Overall too much tidying for my liking. Engine is a huge draw though.
thanks, nice to see I wasn't far off the mark, Agree with SMB. Outriggers are certainly have the paint crumbling off them along their lengths - both sides.
Buttons had pushed into the dash.
Seats were poorly repaired 'buffalo' hide or whatever that rubbish non-leather finish was. The texture had been snaded out and then recoloured. Really noticeable.
Paint work was honest - a few marks - but in keeping with a used TVR. Some people expect / want perfect paint, I don't.
Engine bay is scruffy, CATs etc still in situ - well the pipe work is they may have been knocked through.
One of the doors was loose. Could be a loose nut or the bobbin needs replacing.
Overall too much tidying for my liking. Engine is a huge draw though.
Overall impression was that it was a car that had been well used, engine was fitted following what i guess was a liner slippage ( overheating iirc) it wasn't the last owner,
there are list of jobs to be done on it.
I may aswell include the following i spotted
- steering column adjustment seemed loose, steering slightly knotchy
- 8 owners
- speedo not registering below 40 ish( so no idea how many miles it's really done
- clutch sticky and very very heavy
- condensation within the light pods
I'd say it was maintained when it broke or needed it, rather than proactively managed.
neutral 3 said:
These cars Are seriously £ undervalued, air cooled 911s ( the SC 3.2 Carrera and the 964 ) are now £ stupid money, but the poor Griff is lagging a long way behind.
Agree entirely - first Wheeler era car, won a design award from the Design Council, looks 'right' - not been bettered since imho - not til 2017 anyway?, and it's an event to drive or even to just open the garage and look at. Cheap bits, can be fixed anywhere, makes a 911 sound like a hairdryer in comparison and punches well above its weight for performance.Completely totally underrated and undervalued. What else can you get for twenty grand or less that does what a tvr v8 does? 'Tis a bargain!
Re speed / performance JUST one of the attractions of the Griff ( 500 ) for me is the performance.......I've had some fast bikes and fast cars / been in some fast cars ( a pals modified 69 big block 427 Stingray and my Late Dads 426 Hemi Challenger stand head and shoulders above the rest, but a standing start sprint in my Griff Still makes me mutter to myself " F.... after 5 years ownership, this thing Still feels shatteringly quick to 100....."
If you're after Blue/Magnolia there are a couple of others within £1,500 of that one that seem better value, 98/99 cars with half the mileage. '99 one being offered with a service at that price too. Bit further to drive but surely that's a bonus when you bring it home
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/t...
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/t...
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/t...
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/t...
The S reg Imperial blue one with the TVR plate says Sold. It was on at £20,995. Wonder what it made. I prefer a darker blue, but it looked a clean one.
The other one is also Imperial blue, a 99 car located in Essex, with low miles. It looks better than the S reg one as well. Think it's on @ £21,995, seems to £ cheap to me !!
If anyone wants me to take a look at it for them, pm me as it's not far from me.
The other one is also Imperial blue, a 99 car located in Essex, with low miles. It looks better than the S reg one as well. Think it's on @ £21,995, seems to £ cheap to me !!
If anyone wants me to take a look at it for them, pm me as it's not far from me.
Edited by neutral 3 on Friday 7th August 18:54
Gassing Station | Griffith | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff