Views on these Griffiths for sale

[MikeE]

Having sold my Griff 500 only four months ago I'm missing it so am contemplating getting another.

There's three that have caught my eye in the classifieds:

1 : This early 500 at a competitive price: 1994 500

2 : This 4.3 Pre-Cat at TopCats Racing: 4.3 refurbed chassis

3 : This 4.3 Pre-Cat private sale: 4.3 private

Having never bought a TVR privately I'm not that confident I know what to look for so does anyone have any knowledge or advice on any of these? Anyone been to inspect them?

Thanks
Mike

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

If you've had a 500 anything else might just leave you wanting?

(I've been in this place with a Chimaera..bought a 450 after a 500, big mistake!)

[chj]

YHM

[Pete Mac]

Mike

Four buyers guides for you:
http://www.classicandperformancecar.com/buying/mod...

http://www.pistonheads.com/doc.asp?c=52&i=2347...

http://classics.honestjohn.co.uk/reviews/tvr/griff...

http://www.classicandsportscar.com/guides/buyers-g...

I'm afraid I can't help on these cars and I tend to agree with another that I wouldn't buy anything except for a 500 and I would only buy it with the serpentine engine but there are many who would disagree with me so it's personal choice.

I would only buy privately because I think the dealers seem to be inflating the prices to a huge extent and I would question the value of their guarantees for a 15+ year old car.

If I was in the country I would come and have a look with you but unfortunately not back to UK until 19th September. Good luck, Pete

[Hoover.]

Would love to know how the 430s have been fettled with to get 300bhp ....

[Chuffmeister]

Hoover. said:

Would love to know how the 430s have been fettled with to get 300bhp ....

Apparently, there are several 430BV models around (big valve), which turn out good HP. There are also 430 models that aren't BV models, however, most assume that they're all BV models. So it really is a case of buyer beware. I should imagine, that unless it is on the original TVR documentation, the only real way to find out would be to remove the heads.

The first ad for the purple Griff looks good, but I'd set money aside for a new cam and a good service. I'd also have a damn good inspection of the chassis.

[leerdam23]

Hoover. said:

Would love to know how the 430s have been fettled with to get 300bhp ....

Erm, yours is 250 at the wheels which is about 300 at the fly.....

Sorry, off topic.

Edited by leerdam23 on Saturday 30th August 17:46

[MPoxon]

leerdam23 said:

Hoover. said:

Would love to know how the 430s have been fettled with to get 300bhp ....

Erm, yours is 250 at the wheels which is about 300 at the fly.....

Sorry, off topic.

Yeah I was going to say yours is not far off and it is not a BV?

[ToneyCaroney]

MikeE said:

Having sold my Griff 500 only four months ago I'm missing it so am contemplating getting another.

There's three that have caught my eye in the classifieds:

1 : This early 500 at a competitive price: 1994 500

2 : This 4.3 Pre-Cat at TopCats Racing: 4.3 refurbed chassis

3 : This 4.3 Pre-Cat private sale: 4.3 private

Having never bought a TVR privately I'm not that confident I know what to look for so does anyone have any knowledge or advice on any of these? Anyone been to inspect them?

Thanks
Mike

FFS!

[Hoover.]

leerdam23 said:

Hoover. said:

Would love to know how the 430s have been fettled with to get 300bhp ....

Erm, yours is 250 at the wheels which is about 300 at the fly.....

Sorry, off topic.

Edited by leerdam23 on Saturday 30th August 17:46

I know hat I've done to my car to get there...... just want to know what they have done......

If they are BV then maybe that's what I should be considering next, as mine isn't

[leerdam23]

Hoover. said:

leerdam23 said:

Hoover. said:

Would love to know how the 430s have been fettled with to get 300bhp ....

Erm, yours is 250 at the wheels which is about 300 at the fly.....

Sorry, off topic.

Edited by leerdam23 on Saturday 30th August 17:46

I know hat I've done to my car to get there...... just want to know what they have done......

If they are BV then maybe that's what I should be considering next, as mine isn't

Apparently, cam, some mild porting, valve seat re grinding, map, smooth bore elbow, shorter trumpets

[MikeE]

ToneyCaroney said:

MikeE said:

Having sold my Griff 500 only four months ago I'm missing it so am contemplating getting another.

There's three that have caught my eye in the classifieds:

1 : This early 500 at a competitive price: 1994 500

2 : This 4.3 Pre-Cat at TopCats Racing: 4.3 refurbed chassis

3 : This 4.3 Pre-Cat private sale: 4.3 private

Having never bought a TVR privately I'm not that confident I know what to look for so does anyone have any knowledge or advice on any of these? Anyone been to inspect them?

Thanks
Mike

FFS!

Lol well what did you expect?!?!?!

[citizen smith]

Hi Mike,

I can give you a bit of info about the 4.3 private, previously owned by myself back in 2001 (took me months to find a superb example) then sold to Keith (inspected by Rob Ingleby - Find A Sports Car). The car was featured in The Griffith Story (K666 GRF).

I only sold it to buy a 500 and regretted selling it. My intentions were to buy it back, but my personal health & other half issues have prevented me from doing that.

If I was in your position and liked the car, then contact Rob Ingleby for an Inspection and let ROB tell you if its a worthwhile buy. Going the dealer route is a very expensive option.

The 4.3 Griff is by far the Best Sounding V8, but loads of other Griff owners will shoot me down for saying that.

[ToneyCaroney]

MikeE said:

Lol well what did you expect?!?!?!

Inevitable I suppose! Got to put something in that new double garage....

Looks like citizen smith has some useful info for you. I like the look of that one too....

[PeteGriff]

citizen smith said:

The 4.3 Griff is by far the Best Sounding V8.

of course....

[V8Firm]

Another vote for the private 4.3...biased viewpoint as mine is almost identical ....apart from missing 300cc...boo hoo!

Still the best sounding though!

[Mellow Yellow]

If you can find an extra couple of grand you're in the ballpark for a 500 from one of the specialists further North, Tony Gilbert or TVR MADS. I travelled from Sussex to buy mine from James at TVR-MADS (Bradford) and I'm very pleased with the car, I also spoke to Tony Gilbert who I'd have been happy to buy from if he'd had what I was looking for. Both have been dealing in TVRs for a long time. It's a bit of pain to travel so far but you do have the benefit of giving the car a decent run immediately. When you get it back it's also nice to think you've probably put 10% on the value simply by driving it down South

[JamesK]

BV or breathed on pre-cat. Similar power to a 500 but no cats, much rarer and the origin of the breed. I loved my 500 but as a "keeper" it could only be a pre-cat for me.