Worth saving my Griff?
Discussion
I have owned a 1992 4.0 precat Griff in Cooper green with magnolia half hide for 20 years. The car has been one of my most treasured material posessions but over the past two years I was unable to use it due to ankle surgery and being fairly immobile over a long period. It also ended up living outside for the first time in its life and suffering cosmetically due to a water leak that nobody could trace. Armed with a modest redundancy cheque and back driving again after a couple of terrible years with health I decided to send her to APM Automotive who are very local to me for restoration.
I've just had a call from Andy there to say that the cost of restoration may exceed the value of the car (a good precat being worth around £15k)
In short from a preliminary inspection the car requires
New battery
New fuel pump
Poss new fuel lines
Chassis outrigger replacement and probably shot blasting and recoating of rest of chassis - he's not got it on a ramp yet to check state of rest of chassis
It looks like some of the coolant has crystallised and that will require engine to be taken out and high pressure flushed with poss new radiator etc
Two new tyres
Many (but not all) of the body panels have suffered bubbling of the lacquer in places so extensive respray work required
Pretty much a full interior retrim required although personally I could live with just getting the drivers seats, window surrounding ambla and ambla on the doors replaced plus a bit of green Wilton behind driver's seat.
New veneer dash required.
So the news is really upsetting and I need to try and think what to do next. Andy has indicated that he doesn't really have the time to set aside to get this work done in a reasonable timeframe either and so I'm curious what those of you in my position would do and where you would go from here...
I have struggled through all sorts of health and financial crises to hang on to this car and the thought of letting it go for spares or repair is very sad...
saxon
I've just had a call from Andy there to say that the cost of restoration may exceed the value of the car (a good precat being worth around £15k)
In short from a preliminary inspection the car requires
New battery
New fuel pump
Poss new fuel lines
Chassis outrigger replacement and probably shot blasting and recoating of rest of chassis - he's not got it on a ramp yet to check state of rest of chassis
It looks like some of the coolant has crystallised and that will require engine to be taken out and high pressure flushed with poss new radiator etc
Two new tyres
Many (but not all) of the body panels have suffered bubbling of the lacquer in places so extensive respray work required
Pretty much a full interior retrim required although personally I could live with just getting the drivers seats, window surrounding ambla and ambla on the doors replaced plus a bit of green Wilton behind driver's seat.
New veneer dash required.
So the news is really upsetting and I need to try and think what to do next. Andy has indicated that he doesn't really have the time to set aside to get this work done in a reasonable timeframe either and so I'm curious what those of you in my position would do and where you would go from here...
I have struggled through all sorts of health and financial crises to hang on to this car and the thought of letting it go for spares or repair is very sad...
saxon
Thanks guys,
Just spoken to Central TVR and thinking this might be the way to go - seemed very helpful and familiar with the issues as well as having the manpower and resources to do it all as a one stop shop...
To be honest I knew I was in for say £10k and can afford that but it was a bit of a shock to hear I might have to write it off as beyond economic repair.
I really appreciate your supportive posts and I think you're right - this is a car and a relationship worth saving! I never planned to sell the car as it makes me feel alive and excited even when I just look at it never mind driving it!
Any experiences with Central TVR would be welcome either on here or via PM.
Thanks again,
Saxon
Just spoken to Central TVR and thinking this might be the way to go - seemed very helpful and familiar with the issues as well as having the manpower and resources to do it all as a one stop shop...
To be honest I knew I was in for say £10k and can afford that but it was a bit of a shock to hear I might have to write it off as beyond economic repair.
I really appreciate your supportive posts and I think you're right - this is a car and a relationship worth saving! I never planned to sell the car as it makes me feel alive and excited even when I just look at it never mind driving it!
Any experiences with Central TVR would be welcome either on here or via PM.
Thanks again,
Saxon
Many many thanks to all of you for your very kind replies on here - they are truly appreciated as it's been a traumatic week!
I really do want to go the route of getting the Griff sorted rather than selling it even if that will be costly. The main issue I have is finding people to do the work who won't rip me off so with that in mind the best help you can offer is recommendations of where to go for:
1. Economic transporters to move it to a location who can get it running/road legal
2. Sensibly priced but decent chassis restoration/outrigger replacement
3. Sensibly priced service/MOT/engine/battery work
4. Sensibly priced trim work
CentralTVR are a hugely attractive proposition because on the face of it their £14000 one stop shop option for complete new chassis, full retrim and full respray looks very attractive and they will even collect the car for free if they're fixing it but given they have had some mixed reviews I would really welcome some recommendations.
I need the car to be moved because I can't leave it stuck where it is.
Many thanks in anticipation,
Saxon
I really do want to go the route of getting the Griff sorted rather than selling it even if that will be costly. The main issue I have is finding people to do the work who won't rip me off so with that in mind the best help you can offer is recommendations of where to go for:
1. Economic transporters to move it to a location who can get it running/road legal
2. Sensibly priced but decent chassis restoration/outrigger replacement
3. Sensibly priced service/MOT/engine/battery work
4. Sensibly priced trim work
CentralTVR are a hugely attractive proposition because on the face of it their £14000 one stop shop option for complete new chassis, full retrim and full respray looks very attractive and they will even collect the car for free if they're fixing it but given they have had some mixed reviews I would really welcome some recommendations.
I need the car to be moved because I can't leave it stuck where it is.
Many thanks in anticipation,
Saxon
Thanks everyone - especially Speed3 for the offer of the trailer - I will keep that in mind if I need it.
Right just had a call from Andy Rouse from APM and things are looking better than feared after he got it up on a ramp.
Fuel pump OK - was out of fuel!
Chassis OK, outriggers need doing and will get his chassis man to tidy up the rest of the chassis so outriggers £1500+VAT fitted and then maybe £500 on chassi refurb, maybe take wishbones off for shot blast and repowder coat
He's run the car briefly but needs coollant flush and he will be attempting that with engine in place
2 new front tyres required
Full service required
New battery
All fluids to be replaced including gearbox etc
Replace all brake and fuel lines with braided hoses
Replace brake pads and maybe discs
MOT
Given he comes well thought of on here, seems a fair guy, he's 4 miles from my house and the car is there I've told him to go ahead and get her road legal and MOT'd
He's getting his bodyshop to quote for the respray work.
I will need to organise trimming too. APM use somebody called Rawles motorsport near Alton but there's dave the Trimmer etc and also the option of sending it North to Blackpool etc. When the trimming commences then I can get the dash replaced by London Carriagecraft.
After getting it road legal again one question - respray or trim first?
if any of you have had good trim work done I'd appreciate some ballpark quotes...
Thanks again Saxon
PS I'm not really Surrey anymore - more West Sussex in the Fernhurst direction. I'd have taken it there but I'm guessing their labour rate would be high - anybody know?
Right just had a call from Andy Rouse from APM and things are looking better than feared after he got it up on a ramp.
Fuel pump OK - was out of fuel!
Chassis OK, outriggers need doing and will get his chassis man to tidy up the rest of the chassis so outriggers £1500+VAT fitted and then maybe £500 on chassi refurb, maybe take wishbones off for shot blast and repowder coat
He's run the car briefly but needs coollant flush and he will be attempting that with engine in place
2 new front tyres required
Full service required
New battery
All fluids to be replaced including gearbox etc
Replace all brake and fuel lines with braided hoses
Replace brake pads and maybe discs
MOT
Given he comes well thought of on here, seems a fair guy, he's 4 miles from my house and the car is there I've told him to go ahead and get her road legal and MOT'd
He's getting his bodyshop to quote for the respray work.
I will need to organise trimming too. APM use somebody called Rawles motorsport near Alton but there's dave the Trimmer etc and also the option of sending it North to Blackpool etc. When the trimming commences then I can get the dash replaced by London Carriagecraft.
After getting it road legal again one question - respray or trim first?
if any of you have had good trim work done I'd appreciate some ballpark quotes...
Thanks again Saxon
PS I'm not really Surrey anymore - more West Sussex in the Fernhurst direction. I'd have taken it there but I'm guessing their labour rate would be high - anybody know?
Just an update! I'm off to see the car today as Andy at APM has completed the mechanical work on it and next it's going to have the chassis work done. I plan to try to clean up as much of the interior as possible and just replace the bits that need doing which are:
1. Dash - just placed deposit on a lovely Peter Wiggins one! Will get APM automotive to fit when it comes in at the end of July. While that's being done I will add some rear speakers and have new front speakers fitted and an aux in cable adapter put on my existing Alpine head unit.
2. Recover two seats and possibly the odd bit of magnolia vinyl/ambla on the doors.
3. Replace carpet behind rear drivers seat and make new floor mats. Question: If I cut a small sample of the original carpet off and hawk it around some carpet stores I reckon I should be able to get a very close match to the original green Wilton and can then get the trimmer to make some mats and cut the carpet to fit behind the driver's seat. Is there any reason why this won't work? What backing should I look for on the carpet as I imagine most good quality carpet will be on hessian and I'm unclear if that's suitable for automotive use?
4. I need to clean up the rather grubby magnolia vinyl on the center tunnel and dash. Can anyone recommend the best product for getting the vinyl/ambla really clean??? I've tried Autoglym vinyl and rubber care but to be honest didn't think it was as good as CIF or barkeepers friend!
5. I am getting quotes for respray work and plan to get that done last. APM have recommended their respray guy and I am awaiting aquote from him.
6. APM have a wheel refurb place they use and are getting a quote for that work.
So hopefully the car will be running and road legal within a fortnight so at least usable for the Summer. I'm hoping that Andy has taken a good look for points of water entry to seal them and we've talked about some possible hood mods that might help as well as spraying with the obligatory fabsil. The water is getting in down the sidewall behind the drivers seat so I have my suspicions that it is to do with where the hood joins the bodywork aft of the door opening plunger. I'm going to see what the trimmer thinks too. It's important that the car is as watertight as possible if I'm having all this done even though it will be in a garage from now on...
I've rejoined the TVR car club and am very excited and enthused by seeing her running again! Going to take some pictures tomorrow!
Many many thanks to everyone on here for advice and recommendations - rest assured I will be following up with quotes from your recommended people. The Peter Wiggins dash for example was a brilliant find and I can't wait to see what the car looks, drives and feels like when all this has been done.
saxon
1. Dash - just placed deposit on a lovely Peter Wiggins one! Will get APM automotive to fit when it comes in at the end of July. While that's being done I will add some rear speakers and have new front speakers fitted and an aux in cable adapter put on my existing Alpine head unit.
2. Recover two seats and possibly the odd bit of magnolia vinyl/ambla on the doors.
3. Replace carpet behind rear drivers seat and make new floor mats. Question: If I cut a small sample of the original carpet off and hawk it around some carpet stores I reckon I should be able to get a very close match to the original green Wilton and can then get the trimmer to make some mats and cut the carpet to fit behind the driver's seat. Is there any reason why this won't work? What backing should I look for on the carpet as I imagine most good quality carpet will be on hessian and I'm unclear if that's suitable for automotive use?
4. I need to clean up the rather grubby magnolia vinyl on the center tunnel and dash. Can anyone recommend the best product for getting the vinyl/ambla really clean??? I've tried Autoglym vinyl and rubber care but to be honest didn't think it was as good as CIF or barkeepers friend!
5. I am getting quotes for respray work and plan to get that done last. APM have recommended their respray guy and I am awaiting aquote from him.
6. APM have a wheel refurb place they use and are getting a quote for that work.
So hopefully the car will be running and road legal within a fortnight so at least usable for the Summer. I'm hoping that Andy has taken a good look for points of water entry to seal them and we've talked about some possible hood mods that might help as well as spraying with the obligatory fabsil. The water is getting in down the sidewall behind the drivers seat so I have my suspicions that it is to do with where the hood joins the bodywork aft of the door opening plunger. I'm going to see what the trimmer thinks too. It's important that the car is as watertight as possible if I'm having all this done even though it will be in a garage from now on...
I've rejoined the TVR car club and am very excited and enthused by seeing her running again! Going to take some pictures tomorrow!
Many many thanks to everyone on here for advice and recommendations - rest assured I will be following up with quotes from your recommended people. The Peter Wiggins dash for example was a brilliant find and I can't wait to see what the car looks, drives and feels like when all this has been done.
saxon
Flip flop Griff - I don't have one on either side - in fact the replacement hood which was done by the main agent in Farnham probably ten years ago never had them - just the velcro. For some reason the pas side has never leaked but the drivers side does so I will certainly do as you say and give it a go - it will be great if that cures the problem!! If anyone can take a pic of theirs so I can get the shape right that would be brilliant!!
Many many thanks,
saxon
Many many thanks,
saxon
Thanks storm guy for the pics and also for the thinners suggestion!
Given that the servicing, parts replacement, new steering rack, electrical work, the chassis refurb and outriggers has cost me more than planned I need to salvage as much as poss of the interior and get competitive quotes for respray work to try and stay within my budget of £10k.
I had hoped that the 'putting her back on the road and servicing mechanicals' would run to say £2000 but sadly it was waaaay more than that due to amount of time spent fault finding electrical issues etc. Still it was a huge thrill to see her running well again thanks to Andy at APM automotive and I now have a car that 'goes like stink and looks like s
t...' LOL!
I have an old mate who owns a well known Aston Martin specialist who has offered me his trimmer and respray people at a discount which could be a great help.
Will keep you guys posted and thanks for all the help and encouragement so far.
saxon
Given that the servicing, parts replacement, new steering rack, electrical work, the chassis refurb and outriggers has cost me more than planned I need to salvage as much as poss of the interior and get competitive quotes for respray work to try and stay within my budget of £10k.
I had hoped that the 'putting her back on the road and servicing mechanicals' would run to say £2000 but sadly it was waaaay more than that due to amount of time spent fault finding electrical issues etc. Still it was a huge thrill to see her running well again thanks to Andy at APM automotive and I now have a car that 'goes like stink and looks like s
t...' LOL!I have an old mate who owns a well known Aston Martin specialist who has offered me his trimmer and respray people at a discount which could be a great help.
Will keep you guys posted and thanks for all the help and encouragement so far.
saxon
Just an update for you guys after all the help I had on the forum! Well I collected the Griff yesterday and we spent the morning today with the missus cleaning the insides and me cleaning the engine bay. I started using some Autoglym metal polish with rags on the header tank and it's starting to shine but I can see this will be a long job. Should I use something more abrasive than old T shirts? Is it worth using a dremel or something with polishing pads?
Anyway the best news is that Andy at APM has done a fab job. The car is running great and I so loved driving her around today (although sadly in the rain!!) The bill was more than I had hoped of course but I gather Andy had to do a lot of work - much of which is hidden and I now have rather fabulous vented discs all around, a new steering rack, some new suspension components and of course new outriggers and a chassis that has been sanded, painted with Hammerite type stuff and then treated with underseal/waxoil.
I'm actually quite amazed how tight and sorted she feels on the road - seemingly less crashing over potholes than I remember - indeed none at all. Not sure if that's the outriggers or the suspension droplinks etc that were replaced but it feels good. I haven't been able to use much of the performance as Andy has advised me to run it back in on mineral oil for a while as it's been out of commission for so long so I'm being gentle and anyway the roads around here were wet!
Next plans are to upgrade the speakers to some Audison 6.5 front and rear and fit an Aux in cable to my existing Alpine head unit - oh and probably a powered aerial in the boot. 10 days lead time on that with the installer.
I'm taking her into a local respray place for a quote on Monday that is the same one used by APM and Fernhurst and also hoping to whizz her over to a trimmer or two for some quotes this week as I have a week off work. Looks like there's about a 3 week wait for the respray and the car will be with them for 2 weeks which takes us to early Aug. Some of that will be hopefully paid by the insurer owing to the fact some scratches were caused by a bicycle scraping it in the garage.
The big lead time is the trimmers and some were quoting Nov!! As I'm quite keen to tart it up sooner than that and enjoy it in a tidy state over the Summer the resprayer suggested whipping the seats out while it's in for respray work and sending them off for recovering which I think is a good idea. I'm going to chat to Fernhurst about their trimmer doing the carpets and maybe the seats so would welcome any reports on who they use - is it in house? Also has anyone used Central TVR as I notice they offer a seat retrimming service for £890 a pair which doesn't seem too bad??
The OZ wheels will be refurbed while the car is in for respray and then the final bit of the jigsaw will be having the new dash fitted by APM which I've ordered from Peter Wiggins and which should be ready by end August.
I can't tell you how much delight I felt getting behind the wheel again for the first time in so many years. It's so lovely I've been able to save my Griff!!
Big thanks to Andy at APM Automotive for all his efforts and hard work...
saxon
Anyway the best news is that Andy at APM has done a fab job. The car is running great and I so loved driving her around today (although sadly in the rain!!) The bill was more than I had hoped of course but I gather Andy had to do a lot of work - much of which is hidden and I now have rather fabulous vented discs all around, a new steering rack, some new suspension components and of course new outriggers and a chassis that has been sanded, painted with Hammerite type stuff and then treated with underseal/waxoil.
I'm actually quite amazed how tight and sorted she feels on the road - seemingly less crashing over potholes than I remember - indeed none at all. Not sure if that's the outriggers or the suspension droplinks etc that were replaced but it feels good. I haven't been able to use much of the performance as Andy has advised me to run it back in on mineral oil for a while as it's been out of commission for so long so I'm being gentle and anyway the roads around here were wet!
Next plans are to upgrade the speakers to some Audison 6.5 front and rear and fit an Aux in cable to my existing Alpine head unit - oh and probably a powered aerial in the boot. 10 days lead time on that with the installer.
I'm taking her into a local respray place for a quote on Monday that is the same one used by APM and Fernhurst and also hoping to whizz her over to a trimmer or two for some quotes this week as I have a week off work. Looks like there's about a 3 week wait for the respray and the car will be with them for 2 weeks which takes us to early Aug. Some of that will be hopefully paid by the insurer owing to the fact some scratches were caused by a bicycle scraping it in the garage.
The big lead time is the trimmers and some were quoting Nov!! As I'm quite keen to tart it up sooner than that and enjoy it in a tidy state over the Summer the resprayer suggested whipping the seats out while it's in for respray work and sending them off for recovering which I think is a good idea. I'm going to chat to Fernhurst about their trimmer doing the carpets and maybe the seats so would welcome any reports on who they use - is it in house? Also has anyone used Central TVR as I notice they offer a seat retrimming service for £890 a pair which doesn't seem too bad??
The OZ wheels will be refurbed while the car is in for respray and then the final bit of the jigsaw will be having the new dash fitted by APM which I've ordered from Peter Wiggins and which should be ready by end August.
I can't tell you how much delight I felt getting behind the wheel again for the first time in so many years. It's so lovely I've been able to save my Griff!!
Big thanks to Andy at APM Automotive for all his efforts and hard work...
saxon
New radiator required???
Just looking for advice. Been running around in my Griff the past couple of days.
Temps are stable/nromal toodling around town but at motorway speeds of 70mph or so the fans are basically permanently on and the temp has briefly climbed above the white hot line but not made it into the red - and this even with heater on hot...
Wondering if my standard fit radiator has just furred up over the past decade or so despite Andy's best efforts to collant flush it.
The fact that the problem occurs at high speed when the engine is working hard makes me think the cooling ability of the rad isn't adequate - am I on the right lines here???? Presumably sitting in traffic the engine generates less heat and so the cooling fans and rad are up to the task.
A mechanically minded friend had a bash at getting a bit of trapped air out of the system which helped a bit but it's still running hotter than I remember (it never ran hot before).
I have a chance to get an Aaron alloy rad delivered tomorrow and am attracted to the idea because they're supposedly better at cooling anyway than copper. Need to decide overnight whether to spring for a new rad.
Any views/advice gratefully received as I'm not overly mechanical!!
Saxon
Just looking for advice. Been running around in my Griff the past couple of days.
Temps are stable/nromal toodling around town but at motorway speeds of 70mph or so the fans are basically permanently on and the temp has briefly climbed above the white hot line but not made it into the red - and this even with heater on hot...
Wondering if my standard fit radiator has just furred up over the past decade or so despite Andy's best efforts to collant flush it.
The fact that the problem occurs at high speed when the engine is working hard makes me think the cooling ability of the rad isn't adequate - am I on the right lines here???? Presumably sitting in traffic the engine generates less heat and so the cooling fans and rad are up to the task.
A mechanically minded friend had a bash at getting a bit of trapped air out of the system which helped a bit but it's still running hotter than I remember (it never ran hot before).
I have a chance to get an Aaron alloy rad delivered tomorrow and am attracted to the idea because they're supposedly better at cooling anyway than copper. Need to decide overnight whether to spring for a new rad.
Any views/advice gratefully received as I'm not overly mechanical!!
Saxon
So radiator re-cored and car now running noticeably cooler. I think the years standing did the old rad no favours.
Car is now booked in for a full respray in the existing Cooper green colour and I'm toying with going the whole hog and having a full interior retrim done - Central TVR are looking like a good bet. If I do that I would be interested in a whole new colour scheme inside as my magnolia trim does seem a bit too yellow for my taste - maybe it's just aged and goes like that because in the catalogues of the period magnolia looks less yellow to me.
I'm definitely putting in green carpets. The question is whether to trim the seats and other bits in cream, portland grey, magnolia or parchment. Can anybody post some photos of their car with any of these interior colours to help me to decide!! Were there any other light colours other than those I've mentioned?
Grateful for any input!
Saxon
Car is now booked in for a full respray in the existing Cooper green colour and I'm toying with going the whole hog and having a full interior retrim done - Central TVR are looking like a good bet. If I do that I would be interested in a whole new colour scheme inside as my magnolia trim does seem a bit too yellow for my taste - maybe it's just aged and goes like that because in the catalogues of the period magnolia looks less yellow to me.
I'm definitely putting in green carpets. The question is whether to trim the seats and other bits in cream, portland grey, magnolia or parchment. Can anybody post some photos of their car with any of these interior colours to help me to decide!! Were there any other light colours other than those I've mentioned?
Grateful for any input!
Saxon
Thanks bluebottle - that's a very nice contemporary interior colour and certainly brings the Griff bang up to date so thanks for posting. I think the cream actually looks very like magnolia to me. By the way I bloody love reflex charcoal - just can't afford it!!
Keep the interior pics coming...
Saxon
Keep the interior pics coming...
Saxon
The seats look great - nothing at all to complain about with those! Do you know if they can do the TVR logo with the horizontal lines through it as it is on the corporate logo?
Interestingly after we gave the interior a good clean a couple of weeks back with autoglym etc I thought it was looking a lot better but this morning I went out with one of those magic sponge things and my goodness did that make a difference!! By far the very best cleaner I have ever used - truly incredible how much filth it lifts off - you can see a line between where you've used it and not used it.
Having done that and also received some samples from the trimmer I'm planning to use I am now thinking I will stick with magnolia and if I do that I may not need a full retrim. Trimmer has quoted about £1600-£1700 to do seats and carpets or £3700 for full retrim. There are one or two other bits that will need cleaning up over and above seats and carpets so I expect I will end up spending £2000 for a part retrim but thanks to magic sponge I think that will work out OK.
Anyway having spent close to £7000 on the mechanicals and outriggers and expecting to have to find £2000 of the respray cost (some of the rest is insurance claimable) I think the whole exercise of putting her back on the road will have cost around £12000 all in which isn't too wide of my original budget of £10k I suppose. The thing is though it will then be a well sorted Griff with lots of new mechanical bits, new outriggers, a Peter Wiggins dash, a good professionally installed sound system, a full respray and a fair bit of trim work and refurbed OZ multispoke alloys.
From here on in she will be garaged constantly, kept under a car cover and cosseted!
At least she's back on the road and we're enjoying her in the meantime.
Saxon
Interestingly after we gave the interior a good clean a couple of weeks back with autoglym etc I thought it was looking a lot better but this morning I went out with one of those magic sponge things and my goodness did that make a difference!! By far the very best cleaner I have ever used - truly incredible how much filth it lifts off - you can see a line between where you've used it and not used it.
Having done that and also received some samples from the trimmer I'm planning to use I am now thinking I will stick with magnolia and if I do that I may not need a full retrim. Trimmer has quoted about £1600-£1700 to do seats and carpets or £3700 for full retrim. There are one or two other bits that will need cleaning up over and above seats and carpets so I expect I will end up spending £2000 for a part retrim but thanks to magic sponge I think that will work out OK.
Anyway having spent close to £7000 on the mechanicals and outriggers and expecting to have to find £2000 of the respray cost (some of the rest is insurance claimable) I think the whole exercise of putting her back on the road will have cost around £12000 all in which isn't too wide of my original budget of £10k I suppose. The thing is though it will then be a well sorted Griff with lots of new mechanical bits, new outriggers, a Peter Wiggins dash, a good professionally installed sound system, a full respray and a fair bit of trim work and refurbed OZ multispoke alloys.
From here on in she will be garaged constantly, kept under a car cover and cosseted!
At least she's back on the road and we're enjoying her in the meantime.
Saxon
Thought you guys may be inrested to hear an update on the resurrection of my Griff!
After all the work by APM I had the respray done by Andy House of Liphook (who incidentally Fernhurst use). The thing that was really impressive about them was the fact that they seemed to really care about my car and took a real pride in the job to a greater degree than any dealer I have ever used for anything. Sure it cost money, sure they have to make a profit but I really got the feeling they were primarily doing it because they absolutely love seeing a car come back to life due to their skills. Evidence of this came when they got the wheels back from the refurbishers and sent me a text with photographs of them saying "WOW - look at these!!" Apparently they had put them out in the workshop and the guys had never seen a better wheel refurb job and had been standing around admiring them! They also got my rear number plate replaced at zero cost because they didn't want the tatty old one to let the car down after their respray. Andy is an absolutely top bloke as are all the guys there. I saw them doing a full restoration on a Stag when I was in and I've never seen anything like it - they paid more attention to detail than NASA do when they build spacecraft!
Wheels were done by Lepson's although they won't split split rim wheels anymore and so they go via somebody else who does that bit and then re-assembles them. I don't have his details but Lepsons know him.
I decided to stick with the original Cooper green colour in the end because even after owning the car for 21 years I still love it!
New Audison speakers installed front and rear by Sextons Portsmouth (very neat and very good sound), also uprated powered aerial fitted (although need to get it back to them as it still crackles when engine running)
Peter Wiggins dash has just arrived and it looks gorgeous! I can't wait to have it fitted but does anybody know how many hours labour this is likely to cost at a TVR dealer?
Anyway some pics:
(I have repeatedly tried to insert the BB URL correctly but they don't show so just cleck on where the picture symbol is and it takes you to the pic - is there a size limit restriction on pics on Pistonheads?)
Remaining issues that need addressing:
Either part or full retrim - can't decide whether to stick with all magnolia with green carpets or to get the dash surround and door surrounds done in green leather to eliminate the windscreen reflection from the magnolia dash top. How much gets done depends on costs but seats and carpets is the minimum. Wife has recently been made redundant which has delayed plans to retrim until I came up with the idea of dumping it on a credit card on zero % anyway!
Fuel gauge still reads empty all the time
Side view mirrors - pax side doesn't move at all, drivers side only moves outwards.
Peter Wiggins dash requires fitting - if it's a smallish job might get this done before retrim.
Crackling radio
Obtain invoice from APM - still not received this despite repeated chasing (occasionally) for months and I really want to know what was done for £6500...
Anyway - I'm so enjoying the car again and gradually building confidence in her. I suspected I might be having problems with the new heavy duty battery that APM fitted as despite being on a Ctek conditioner all winter in the garage the battery went flat in 2 days on the drive when off the Ctek. I since discovered the door proximity switch was playing up and replaced it (although the interior light wasn't on) so that may have been a factor. Andy at APM was too busy to check it so I had the local garage drop test it and it passed and certainly the readings on the battery terminals seem fine with and without engine running.
Terminals measured while CTEK connected 12.3V
Batt no Ctek 12.1V
Running engine 13.98V (Which I presume indicates a healthy alternator)
Battery is now reading a bit higher than that after some regular driving.
Off for another drive today with a pub lunch as the destination. Big thanks to all of you for support and suggestions.
Saxon
After all the work by APM I had the respray done by Andy House of Liphook (who incidentally Fernhurst use). The thing that was really impressive about them was the fact that they seemed to really care about my car and took a real pride in the job to a greater degree than any dealer I have ever used for anything. Sure it cost money, sure they have to make a profit but I really got the feeling they were primarily doing it because they absolutely love seeing a car come back to life due to their skills. Evidence of this came when they got the wheels back from the refurbishers and sent me a text with photographs of them saying "WOW - look at these!!" Apparently they had put them out in the workshop and the guys had never seen a better wheel refurb job and had been standing around admiring them! They also got my rear number plate replaced at zero cost because they didn't want the tatty old one to let the car down after their respray. Andy is an absolutely top bloke as are all the guys there. I saw them doing a full restoration on a Stag when I was in and I've never seen anything like it - they paid more attention to detail than NASA do when they build spacecraft!
Wheels were done by Lepson's although they won't split split rim wheels anymore and so they go via somebody else who does that bit and then re-assembles them. I don't have his details but Lepsons know him.
I decided to stick with the original Cooper green colour in the end because even after owning the car for 21 years I still love it!
New Audison speakers installed front and rear by Sextons Portsmouth (very neat and very good sound), also uprated powered aerial fitted (although need to get it back to them as it still crackles when engine running)
Peter Wiggins dash has just arrived and it looks gorgeous! I can't wait to have it fitted but does anybody know how many hours labour this is likely to cost at a TVR dealer?
Anyway some pics:
(I have repeatedly tried to insert the BB URL correctly but they don't show so just cleck on where the picture symbol is and it takes you to the pic - is there a size limit restriction on pics on Pistonheads?)
Remaining issues that need addressing:
Either part or full retrim - can't decide whether to stick with all magnolia with green carpets or to get the dash surround and door surrounds done in green leather to eliminate the windscreen reflection from the magnolia dash top. How much gets done depends on costs but seats and carpets is the minimum. Wife has recently been made redundant which has delayed plans to retrim until I came up with the idea of dumping it on a credit card on zero % anyway!
Fuel gauge still reads empty all the time
Side view mirrors - pax side doesn't move at all, drivers side only moves outwards.
Peter Wiggins dash requires fitting - if it's a smallish job might get this done before retrim.
Crackling radio
Obtain invoice from APM - still not received this despite repeated chasing (occasionally) for months and I really want to know what was done for £6500...
Anyway - I'm so enjoying the car again and gradually building confidence in her. I suspected I might be having problems with the new heavy duty battery that APM fitted as despite being on a Ctek conditioner all winter in the garage the battery went flat in 2 days on the drive when off the Ctek. I since discovered the door proximity switch was playing up and replaced it (although the interior light wasn't on) so that may have been a factor. Andy at APM was too busy to check it so I had the local garage drop test it and it passed and certainly the readings on the battery terminals seem fine with and without engine running.
Terminals measured while CTEK connected 12.3V
Batt no Ctek 12.1V
Running engine 13.98V (Which I presume indicates a healthy alternator)
Battery is now reading a bit higher than that after some regular driving.
Off for another drive today with a pub lunch as the destination. Big thanks to all of you for support and suggestions.
Saxon
Edited by saxon on Sunday 9th April 09:32
Edited by saxon on Sunday 9th April 09:35
Edited by saxon on Sunday 9th April 09:39
Edited by saxon on Sunday 9th April 09:43
ou sont les biscuits said:
A fully charged battery should be reading more than 12.1v - 12.7 volts after being disconnected from the charger for a good few hours would be normal. The CTEK connected should be 14.4 or 14.8 volts depending on the program selected when charging - the float voltage when the battery is fully charged is around 13.5v.
Are you sure that your meter is reading correctly? If it is, then it sounds like your CTEK needs checking out.
The meter is brand new and actually tallies with the reading on the voltmeter gauge - you might be right about the Ctek - it's very old and maybe it is putting out less than it should be...Are you sure that your meter is reading correctly? If it is, then it sounds like your CTEK needs checking out.
I will investigate further so thanks for the tip. Maybe it's time to buy a new charger so grateful for any recommendations - the current one is a ctek3600 I think.
saxon
Just fitted the superb Peter Wiggins dash with the help of a mate and have some questions:
1. What does the little switch at the rear of the dash do? I only ask cos guess who snapped the solder connections on to it!
2. My clock doesn't illuminate anymore (I think it was like that before the dash swap) - does anyone know who makes it or how to fix - could it be caused by me not connecting it properly (clock is powered up and works)
3. Some of the dash instruments have dim lighting - I understand that as standard they are fitted with 3W bulbs - would it be safe to replace with 5W bulbs for brighter lighting - can anyone recommend a way of getting brighter lighting?
4. Has anybody managed to replace the black heater control panel on a precat without taking the center tunnel out? We couldn't feel the bolts holding it in while the dash was off. I'm not sure if I prefer to keep the original panel anyway with its lights...
Grateful for any input!
Saxon
1. What does the little switch at the rear of the dash do? I only ask cos guess who snapped the solder connections on to it!
2. My clock doesn't illuminate anymore (I think it was like that before the dash swap) - does anyone know who makes it or how to fix - could it be caused by me not connecting it properly (clock is powered up and works)
3. Some of the dash instruments have dim lighting - I understand that as standard they are fitted with 3W bulbs - would it be safe to replace with 5W bulbs for brighter lighting - can anyone recommend a way of getting brighter lighting?
4. Has anybody managed to replace the black heater control panel on a precat without taking the center tunnel out? We couldn't feel the bolts holding it in while the dash was off. I'm not sure if I prefer to keep the original panel anyway with its lights...
Grateful for any input!
Saxon
Finally managed to get some decent pics of the Griff as photography is my sideline. The first pics were just pics taken on a random day at the national trust - these are a deliberate shoot:
Saxon
Saxon
Edited by saxon on Thursday 4th May 14:47
Edited by saxon on Thursday 4th May 14:49
Edited by saxon on Thursday 4th May 14:50
CHIMV8 500 said:
You could make some brass out of taking photos like that of other TVRs.......like mine!!
ChimV8,The thought has occured to me since that shoot actually as I really enjoyed doing it. I'm going to be doing a friend's Chim shortly and also know someone in the village with a Lambo so will see how they go and then come back to you if you're interested in a shoot. I normally do portrait and event photography but car photography would enable me to combine my love of cars with my love of photography.
saxon
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