Griff is going after 30 years - suggest some final drives...
Discussion
Sadly I have made the decision to part with my beloved Griff after 30 years ownership. This is due to a combination of factors, but primarily:
1. I'm not using her enough due to single garage/too much stuff in the way/MX5 is just easier for similar thrills
2. Daughter's Uni is costing us an arm and a leg in rent etc
3. I'm maybe 2-3 years from retirement and I'm not sure I'm really going to have the money to keep her up to scratch the way I have been able to when working
Many will remember her as she featured in a very long article detailing my decades with the car in Sprint around 4 years ago and she made the front cover lol - pic attached!
So she's going into Amore on Sat, I'm down in Hereford for the next few days and I would like to take some epic drives and make some memories before she goes. I would welcome some suggestions - the Black Mountain Road seems to be an obvious choice but I bet there are other roads worth driving!
So lets hear them and give her the send-off she deserves!!
1. I'm not using her enough due to single garage/too much stuff in the way/MX5 is just easier for similar thrills
2. Daughter's Uni is costing us an arm and a leg in rent etc
3. I'm maybe 2-3 years from retirement and I'm not sure I'm really going to have the money to keep her up to scratch the way I have been able to when working
Many will remember her as she featured in a very long article detailing my decades with the car in Sprint around 4 years ago and she made the front cover lol - pic attached!
So she's going into Amore on Sat, I'm down in Hereford for the next few days and I would like to take some epic drives and make some memories before she goes. I would welcome some suggestions - the Black Mountain Road seems to be an obvious choice but I bet there are other roads worth driving!
So lets hear them and give her the send-off she deserves!!
Thanks guys, some good driving tips there! I didn't know Mark was the RO!
I think my plan is to take her from my accomodation near Hereford to A4069 black mountain road between Llangadog and Brynamman, then turn left for Abercraf and visit Henryd Falls (National Trust) before taking A4067 North to from Abercraf to Sennybridge. That plus lots of stops to take pics and grabbing lunch somewhere should keep us busy for the day!
I must say Mark does seem a really good guy to deal with. I was going to bring the car in last weekend, however it seemed mad to do that when we are on holiday this week with the Brecon Beacons on our doorstep and he was very nice about me delaying its arrival until Saturday so I could enjoy her for a few final drives and make my peace with the decision to sell her.
It's been an incredibly hard decision to part with the car, but I'm gradually making peace with it and the MX5 which I bought last summer is helping as it gives me some of the same thrills but in a more economical to run package. At the end of the day all of us have to juggle cost/benefit and with retirement approaching I'd rather she goes to someone who will love her as I have for 30 years and can keep her up to scratch. What makes it hard is that she is by far the best she has ever been mechanically and cosmetically. Finding Peter Croft to look after her a few years ago has been a big part of that (as well as chucking serious money at getting her resprayed and retrimmed, outriggers, chassis treated and a host of other mods to things like lighting and heating/ventilation).
I've enjoyed over 30 years of TVR motoring between my S3 and the Griff, so maybe it's time to hand the baton on to a new owner to write her next chapter with their own adventures...
Saxon
I think my plan is to take her from my accomodation near Hereford to A4069 black mountain road between Llangadog and Brynamman, then turn left for Abercraf and visit Henryd Falls (National Trust) before taking A4067 North to from Abercraf to Sennybridge. That plus lots of stops to take pics and grabbing lunch somewhere should keep us busy for the day!
I must say Mark does seem a really good guy to deal with. I was going to bring the car in last weekend, however it seemed mad to do that when we are on holiday this week with the Brecon Beacons on our doorstep and he was very nice about me delaying its arrival until Saturday so I could enjoy her for a few final drives and make my peace with the decision to sell her.
It's been an incredibly hard decision to part with the car, but I'm gradually making peace with it and the MX5 which I bought last summer is helping as it gives me some of the same thrills but in a more economical to run package. At the end of the day all of us have to juggle cost/benefit and with retirement approaching I'd rather she goes to someone who will love her as I have for 30 years and can keep her up to scratch. What makes it hard is that she is by far the best she has ever been mechanically and cosmetically. Finding Peter Croft to look after her a few years ago has been a big part of that (as well as chucking serious money at getting her resprayed and retrimmed, outriggers, chassis treated and a host of other mods to things like lighting and heating/ventilation).
I've enjoyed over 30 years of TVR motoring between my S3 and the Griff, so maybe it's time to hand the baton on to a new owner to write her next chapter with their own adventures...
Saxon
I can sympathise - I sold my beloved S2 three years ago, after 26 years of ownership and upgrades, for similar reasons. The previous service & MoT cost over £2200, and the local specialist had advised that a body-off chassis restoration would soon be needed, costing almost as much as the car was worth. As I approached retirement and reduction of income, I didn't want it to deteriorate in my ownership ; and like you, wanted it to go to someone who would keep it long-term and be able to justify the expense.
I found that it took away some of the hurt by staying in touch with the new owner, passing on information, advice and tips etc. His son-in-law has already said he wants the car when the new owner is ready to sell, so it went to the right family. It also helps to see the car continue to pass its MoTs and add mileage, on the DVLA website.
But it will always leave a hole in your heart ...
I found that it took away some of the hurt by staying in touch with the new owner, passing on information, advice and tips etc. His son-in-law has already said he wants the car when the new owner is ready to sell, so it went to the right family. It also helps to see the car continue to pass its MoTs and add mileage, on the DVLA website.
But it will always leave a hole in your heart ...
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