TVR in French trip
Discussion
Hi all
I have just come back from my holiday in the South of France near Spain.
I rented a house down there and took my Griff 500 as my transport.
Before leaving I looked at all the topics on using TVR's in France and some were good and some were bad.
So when I left I thought this could go either way.
The Griff was 100% fine all the time didnot over heat once didnot let me down in any way throughout the trip.
I covered over 2000 miles in the griff and all I can say is it was a total pleaseure driving her.
I would also like to point out that the French people loved the car they would all ask what it was and when we were driving up to toll roads they would all point at the car whilst going past even moreso than in this country.
Anyway got home last night to rainy North Wales, things dont change in Wales.
Would love to hear of any other experiances
Mathew
I have just come back from my holiday in the South of France near Spain.
I rented a house down there and took my Griff 500 as my transport.
Before leaving I looked at all the topics on using TVR's in France and some were good and some were bad.
So when I left I thought this could go either way.
The Griff was 100% fine all the time didnot over heat once didnot let me down in any way throughout the trip.
I covered over 2000 miles in the griff and all I can say is it was a total pleaseure driving her.
I would also like to point out that the French people loved the car they would all ask what it was and when we were driving up to toll roads they would all point at the car whilst going past even moreso than in this country.
Anyway got home last night to rainy North Wales, things dont change in Wales.
Would love to hear of any other experiances
Mathew
Hi Matthew,
Great stuff. The best driving experience of my life was a similar mileage trek down to The Riviera and then back up through Les Alpes Maritimmes, Switzerland, Germany and back through France to Calais in 1999, courtesy of a then new TVR 4.5 Cerbera.
Despite finishing the final leg of the trip on the back of a transporter (fuel leak), and experiencing an exhaust that fell off just north of Cannes and a unshuttable boot that nearly got me arrested by the Swiss guards, it was a phenomenal drive.
Most of the time was spent cruising the various m-ways of Europe at 140 - 150 with constant lunges to 170 and 180 whenever things were straight enough and on one run an indicated 190; truly life-enhancing stuff.
And I'll never forget the shop assisstants in Monte Carlo straining to figure the car's origin as it popped and banged it's way through that extraordinary principality. My fondest memory was flying towards Lake Annecy on the French/Swiss border (paradise on earth, IMHO) on some of the best, deserted roads on the planet and holding 160-170 for sustained periods and it feeling quite normal.
The French generally loved the thing too, which was nice because it got us decent service where normally we'd be getting the usual response, seemingly reserved for the heathens from across the channel...
Nothing but nothing beats a grand European tour and I should imagine your Griff pilgrimage was quite mouth watering. What speeds did you attain?
Doesn't it make you feel hard done to in Blighty?
Great stuff. The best driving experience of my life was a similar mileage trek down to The Riviera and then back up through Les Alpes Maritimmes, Switzerland, Germany and back through France to Calais in 1999, courtesy of a then new TVR 4.5 Cerbera.
Despite finishing the final leg of the trip on the back of a transporter (fuel leak), and experiencing an exhaust that fell off just north of Cannes and a unshuttable boot that nearly got me arrested by the Swiss guards, it was a phenomenal drive.
Most of the time was spent cruising the various m-ways of Europe at 140 - 150 with constant lunges to 170 and 180 whenever things were straight enough and on one run an indicated 190; truly life-enhancing stuff.
And I'll never forget the shop assisstants in Monte Carlo straining to figure the car's origin as it popped and banged it's way through that extraordinary principality. My fondest memory was flying towards Lake Annecy on the French/Swiss border (paradise on earth, IMHO) on some of the best, deserted roads on the planet and holding 160-170 for sustained periods and it feeling quite normal.
The French generally loved the thing too, which was nice because it got us decent service where normally we'd be getting the usual response, seemingly reserved for the heathens from across the channel...
Nothing but nothing beats a grand European tour and I should imagine your Griff pilgrimage was quite mouth watering. What speeds did you attain?
Doesn't it make you feel hard done to in Blighty?
A couple of years ago we followed a trip down to Le Mans with 2 weeks in Southern France in the Chimaera, and it was great. No problem stowing enough gear in the Chim's cavernous boot, and constant good weather meant no need to unpack everything just to put the roof on!
We stayed in a static caravan, and really enjoyed it. The car did get a lot of looks - particularly when we went down to the seaside and trundled up and down the promenade a few times.
The car was no problem at all, except on the way back when he had a 2 day stopover in Paris. It was incredibly hot when we left, and I think the very steep exit from the underground car park must have dislodged some air somewhere and caused an airlock; temp guage swung past 100 as we hit the Champs D'Elysee. My excuse for crossing that famous landmark sideways - needed some airflow! One out of the city and on the move it was fine.
Highlights of the trip included being passed by a fully laden Golf DIESEL while crusing at 130mph on the way back to Calais, and eating fresh bread and local butter for breakfast every day.
Now we have little Alex we won't be repeating the trip, at least not in the Chim. Shame, it was an idyllic holiday in many respects.
We stayed in a static caravan, and really enjoyed it. The car did get a lot of looks - particularly when we went down to the seaside and trundled up and down the promenade a few times.
The car was no problem at all, except on the way back when he had a 2 day stopover in Paris. It was incredibly hot when we left, and I think the very steep exit from the underground car park must have dislodged some air somewhere and caused an airlock; temp guage swung past 100 as we hit the Champs D'Elysee. My excuse for crossing that famous landmark sideways - needed some airflow! One out of the city and on the move it was fine.
Highlights of the trip included being passed by a fully laden Golf DIESEL while crusing at 130mph on the way back to Calais, and eating fresh bread and local butter for breakfast every day.
Now we have little Alex we won't be repeating the trip, at least not in the Chim. Shame, it was an idyllic holiday in many respects.
Looks like you have had the same sort of fun as me then.
My speed on the toll roads did not drop below 120 av speed.
I did get the griff upto 160mph and backed off as the girlfriend had a baby at this speed and its quite hard to have a fall out at 160mph.
One of the best things that I found was how the car handled around corners the SO2 worked well and we could easily out corner most BMW and Audi's that the Germans and Dutch were driving.
Going back to the Germans I must admit i loved flooring it when they did there up you arse style to try and get you to move in so they can pass.
The look on their faces was top class as I pulled away at 120mph leaving them looking a bit shocked.
All I need to do now is to give my griff a good clean and put her away in the garage ready for the weekend.
Mathew
My speed on the toll roads did not drop below 120 av speed.
I did get the griff upto 160mph and backed off as the girlfriend had a baby at this speed and its quite hard to have a fall out at 160mph.
One of the best things that I found was how the car handled around corners the SO2 worked well and we could easily out corner most BMW and Audi's that the Germans and Dutch were driving.
Going back to the Germans I must admit i loved flooring it when they did there up you arse style to try and get you to move in so they can pass.
The look on their faces was top class as I pulled away at 120mph leaving them looking a bit shocked.
All I need to do now is to give my griff a good clean and put her away in the garage ready for the weekend.
Mathew
great fun! last year i went to the central massif in central france in my MG Midget,even that got a lot of attention.this year a group of us are going down to the alps,myself in my 350i wedge,on the 8th sept we are doing the Tour Du Mont Blanc starting from Chamonix,via Italy,Switzerland and back to Chamonix via 7 alpine passes,400km in one day including wine stops!.let you know how we got on.
I haven't done any long trips in a TVR in France but I have been to Le Touquet and northern France in a Cerber a and a Griffith several times. The cars' certainly caused a stir wherever I went with people wanting to know what it is, etc., but the best bit is the driving experience on those superb empty French roads. Once you exit the Shuttle within five or ten minutes you're in motoring heaven, as long as you avoid the cities.
When you get back to the UK it's normally five minutes and you're in a traffic jam.
When you get back to the UK it's normally five minutes and you're in a traffic jam.
I did nearly a couple of thousand miles driving around northern France about 3 weeks ago in the 350i. Our destination was the Shlumpf Bugatti musean in Mulhouse.
Loved every minute. We got adopted by a French crowd who were showing their cars in the local classic car rally (about 500 cars) and they blagged us in to the parade! We were in the only British registered car and the only TVR!!
A minor fuse problem on the return home was the only problem
Danny
Loved every minute. We got adopted by a French crowd who were showing their cars in the local classic car rally (about 500 cars) and they blagged us in to the parade! We were in the only British registered car and the only TVR!!
A minor fuse problem on the return home was the only problem
Danny
Matthew
We've also just come back from a similar journey to a the south of France, though we took 4 days there and 4 back and stayed off the autoroute. The roads through France are excellent, mostly smooth and empty! During the whole 2 weeks we only came across 3 sets (they're always in 2's) of plod. Our Chim 500 performed superbly with 100% reliability though given how hot it was the fan overide switch was well used!
The French people are very interested in the car, who makes it, how fast etc. It would always draw admirer's where ever it was parked.
Can't wait for next years trip!
Mick
We've also just come back from a similar journey to a the south of France, though we took 4 days there and 4 back and stayed off the autoroute. The roads through France are excellent, mostly smooth and empty! During the whole 2 weeks we only came across 3 sets (they're always in 2's) of plod. Our Chim 500 performed superbly with 100% reliability though given how hot it was the fan overide switch was well used!
The French people are very interested in the car, who makes it, how fast etc. It would always draw admirer's where ever it was parked.
Can't wait for next years trip!
Mick
quote:
My fondest memory was flying towards Lake Annecy on the French/Swiss border (paradise on earth, IMHO) on some of the best, deserted roads on the planet and holding 160-170 for sustained periods and it feeling quite normal.
Funny
, that's where I am from. Would agree with you. I love this place and will go back! Unfortunately, if I had a job down there, all I could afford would be a Laguna... Surely, there must be a way to enjoy great cars and great quality of life? Oh yes, that's called the Lottery!
Back at work today and am feeling quite down in the dumps.
Came to work in a euro box desk covered in mail and invoices.
TVR in the garage feeling sorry for its self.
God the world has ended.
Will take her out tonight though for a spin.
Do you feel that owning a TVR is like a drug very hard to give up.
Came to work in a euro box desk covered in mail and invoices.
TVR in the garage feeling sorry for its self.
God the world has ended.
Will take her out tonight though for a spin.
Do you feel that owning a TVR is like a drug very hard to give up.
Hey Thierry - great to hear from you! I LOVE that place! It's just SO removed from the miserable congestion we suffer in England I could cry.
It's one of those places that PHers should go when they die - a sort of automotive Valhalla.
There's a lovely little hotel on it's banks facing right over the lake with the snow capped mountains dominant accross the mirror calm water, descending down into a postcard perfect Alpine paradise, gorgeous chalets dotted hither and thither as the verdent greenery touches the shoreline...can't remember the name of the place but sitting there on a warm, late summer's eve, the Cerbera still pinging behind me, the only thing breaking the silence is the sound of a delightfully chilled Grolsch bottle's stop popping forth...
And then I wake up and remember that I'm not some Tony Curtis or Roger Moore mid-70s Euro playboy but a sad mug destined to slavishly finance a left wing regime hell bent on cutting off my...aaaaaaaAAAARGH!!!
It's one of those places that PHers should go when they die - a sort of automotive Valhalla.
There's a lovely little hotel on it's banks facing right over the lake with the snow capped mountains dominant accross the mirror calm water, descending down into a postcard perfect Alpine paradise, gorgeous chalets dotted hither and thither as the verdent greenery touches the shoreline...can't remember the name of the place but sitting there on a warm, late summer's eve, the Cerbera still pinging behind me, the only thing breaking the silence is the sound of a delightfully chilled Grolsch bottle's stop popping forth...
And then I wake up and remember that I'm not some Tony Curtis or Roger Moore mid-70s Euro playboy but a sad mug destined to slavishly finance a left wing regime hell bent on cutting off my...aaaaaaaAAAARGH!!!
Like all good places Annecy is attracting more and more people, and the limit where houses stop to give way to fields is getting further and further. The area around Annecy has had one of the highest population increase over the past few years, and driving around at the week-end can be very tricky. Still, it is a great place and there is some really really nice walks/hikes/climb around.
Unfortunately, it'll be a couple of years before I go back. France is a great place to live, but a shite place to work and pay taxes
Otherwise I wouldn't be here!
Unfortunately, it'll be a couple of years before I go back. France is a great place to live, but a shite place to work and pay taxes
Otherwise I wouldn't be here!Took the Tuscan above the artic circle in norway this summer coming back through Sweden, car performed perfectly covering nearly 2000 miles in 5 days. Average speed in both contries was likely in excess of the national speed limits and only got stopped once!
Earlier year did 1750 in 5 days through belgium,luzombourg, germany, austria and switzerland fantastic especially the alps, no problems.
Earlier year did 1750 in 5 days through belgium,luzombourg, germany, austria and switzerland fantastic especially the alps, no problems.
I have just come back from 3600 mile jaunt from Northern Ireland to Umbria (via Dublin,Zurich and Milan.The car behaved faultlessly (dispite the grief I got from my Porsche friends)I just wish that it had A/C as the outside temp was in the 30's.
We came back up to Monaco in convoy with a +8 Morgan and then back to calais with a Marcos
We came back up to Monaco in convoy with a +8 Morgan and then back to calais with a Marcos
I've just done 2,500 miles around France in my Griff. No problems at all. The French really have no idea what the car is and the number of people who got whiplash watching me go past was huge. One gut came into the cafe where we were having lunch, asked the guy at the bar who's the blue car was, and he pointed at me. The guy immediately turns round and in his best broken English screams "BLACKPOOOOOLLLL at the top of his voice at me and immediately starts to babble on in French for about 5 minutes. I ended up showing the entire cafe around the car and giving him a quick blast up and down the road.
One small village outside Orleans, the locals actually queued up to have therir picture taken with it. Tremendous.
You can actually get in excess of 90 bottles of wine in the boot, if you pack it correctly. Who said they are not practical?
Unfortunately, it now has to go, so is anybody interested in a reliable Imperial Blue Griff 500?
One small village outside Orleans, the locals actually queued up to have therir picture taken with it. Tremendous.
You can actually get in excess of 90 bottles of wine in the boot, if you pack it correctly. Who said they are not practical?
Unfortunately, it now has to go, so is anybody interested in a reliable Imperial Blue Griff 500?
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