95 TVR Griffith 500 - Victoria
Discussion
Part 1 In which Mr S hatches a plan.
Many moons ago, as a teenager, I fell in love with a car I saw in a magazine. I suppose it happens to most petrolheads. This car was such a smooth, classy timeless shape, while at the same time looking purposeful and fast. It was roadtested against a Porsche 968 Cabriolet, and a Maserati Spyder. And it won the test. There was one phrase in that piece that triggered my imagination, to whit -
So what must it be like when you're driving it hard?
~~~~~~~~~~ Fast forward to about a year ago, Scooby Doo style ~~~~~~~~~~
Setting the scene.. I'm now 49 1/2 years old, haven't owned a motorbike in 10 years, and have an elderly Eunos Roadster that shortly will need quite a bit of serious work on the rusting sills. Inspired by a colleague who rented an Aston Martin for 3 days for his 50th, I thought about doing similar - until a rogue part of my mind started to think why not BUY a new fun car, something a bit more 'serious' than the Eunos? I'd always just assumed I'd keep the Eunos forever, but now I was thinking that there are so many interesting machines out there it would be rude not to experience more of them..
So, my bucket list had three car related items on it. 1. Own a V8. 2. Own a British car. 3. Own a TVR.
It was a no brainer, it had to be a Griffith.
Many moons ago, as a teenager, I fell in love with a car I saw in a magazine. I suppose it happens to most petrolheads. This car was such a smooth, classy timeless shape, while at the same time looking purposeful and fast. It was roadtested against a Porsche 968 Cabriolet, and a Maserati Spyder. And it won the test. There was one phrase in that piece that triggered my imagination, to whit -
So what must it be like when you're driving it hard?
~~~~~~~~~~ Fast forward to about a year ago, Scooby Doo style ~~~~~~~~~~
Setting the scene.. I'm now 49 1/2 years old, haven't owned a motorbike in 10 years, and have an elderly Eunos Roadster that shortly will need quite a bit of serious work on the rusting sills. Inspired by a colleague who rented an Aston Martin for 3 days for his 50th, I thought about doing similar - until a rogue part of my mind started to think why not BUY a new fun car, something a bit more 'serious' than the Eunos? I'd always just assumed I'd keep the Eunos forever, but now I was thinking that there are so many interesting machines out there it would be rude not to experience more of them..
So, my bucket list had three car related items on it. 1. Own a V8. 2. Own a British car. 3. Own a TVR.
It was a no brainer, it had to be a Griffith.
Part 2 In which Mr S becomes broke yet happy.
Now that I had decided to take the plunge on a Griffith, I had to work out what I wanted. There was a huge range of cars available from show queens to full-on rebuild projects, with similar range of monies wanted. I definitely didn't want a project, otherwise I would have kept the Eunos. I was also weary of buying privately, as I don't have any mechanically minded mates who could help evaluate a car with me. I knew I wanted a 500, and I'd set myself a budget to play with. Basically, I wanted a good, solid drivable car. I started searching all the websites and dealers.
I did see a rather lovely 500 in Lotus Carlton green on multispoke wheels, but it was more than the budget I'd allowed myself. However, I'm really not a fan of the standard 7 spoke alloys that come on a Griff, I think they look very plain. Most of the cars I was looking at would need a little extra monies thrown at them to change the wheels to something I liked, because IMHO wheels choice makes a massive difference to the overall look of a car. Any money spent on wheels would take a car within my budget to nearly the price of the Lotus Carlton green one. I had a harder look at it.
It was basically a one owner car. It had been owned by a fella from new for 28 years, and had been very well looked after. However, after he'd had some work done on the motor he'd suffered a big engine failure, and decided to sell. Enter stage left our second owner, who was going to export it over to the US. This owner had the dealership (St8six) go over the car 100% to ready it for a life stateside. It was waiting at the docks ready to go when the new owner became seriously ill. It was decided to wait a while to see if he'd get better, but soon it was apparent that he wouldn't. The car was sold back to St8six.
I was seriously impressed with the car, but with my logical head on it was over budget. Trouble is, I kept going back to the advert. It was when I realised that if I looked at the advert again and found a 'Sold' notice on it that I'd be seriously pi$$ed. Telling myself that the purchase of exotic, handbuilt supercars is not a thing of logic, but an affair of the heart, I took the plunge and gave St8six a call.
" You'll take a deposit and hold the car for a month until I can come down and see it? Splendid!"
Now that I had decided to take the plunge on a Griffith, I had to work out what I wanted. There was a huge range of cars available from show queens to full-on rebuild projects, with similar range of monies wanted. I definitely didn't want a project, otherwise I would have kept the Eunos. I was also weary of buying privately, as I don't have any mechanically minded mates who could help evaluate a car with me. I knew I wanted a 500, and I'd set myself a budget to play with. Basically, I wanted a good, solid drivable car. I started searching all the websites and dealers.
I did see a rather lovely 500 in Lotus Carlton green on multispoke wheels, but it was more than the budget I'd allowed myself. However, I'm really not a fan of the standard 7 spoke alloys that come on a Griff, I think they look very plain. Most of the cars I was looking at would need a little extra monies thrown at them to change the wheels to something I liked, because IMHO wheels choice makes a massive difference to the overall look of a car. Any money spent on wheels would take a car within my budget to nearly the price of the Lotus Carlton green one. I had a harder look at it.
It was basically a one owner car. It had been owned by a fella from new for 28 years, and had been very well looked after. However, after he'd had some work done on the motor he'd suffered a big engine failure, and decided to sell. Enter stage left our second owner, who was going to export it over to the US. This owner had the dealership (St8six) go over the car 100% to ready it for a life stateside. It was waiting at the docks ready to go when the new owner became seriously ill. It was decided to wait a while to see if he'd get better, but soon it was apparent that he wouldn't. The car was sold back to St8six.
I was seriously impressed with the car, but with my logical head on it was over budget. Trouble is, I kept going back to the advert. It was when I realised that if I looked at the advert again and found a 'Sold' notice on it that I'd be seriously pi$$ed. Telling myself that the purchase of exotic, handbuilt supercars is not a thing of logic, but an affair of the heart, I took the plunge and gave St8six a call.
" You'll take a deposit and hold the car for a month until I can come down and see it? Splendid!"
Stunning car OP love a griff, I bet this is a delight on a sunny afternoon, roof down listening to some V8 noises.
I’d say you’ve made the right decision spending a bit more now and a known sorted car (str8six are one of the best in the TVR world?) then take a gamble on something cheaper that could pop up with some major work needed down the road.
I’d say you’ve made the right decision spending a bit more now and a known sorted car (str8six are one of the best in the TVR world?) then take a gamble on something cheaper that could pop up with some major work needed down the road.
I seriously considered this car when I was looking for mine, ultimately I decided to buy something cheaper and in more 'workmanlike' condition as I planned to use it all year round.
Yours is a beautiful car and I love the colours.
Gratuitous shot of mine, as you can't have too many Griffith pictures on a thread.
Yours is a beautiful car and I love the colours.
Gratuitous shot of mine, as you can't have too many Griffith pictures on a thread.
v8notbrave said:
Wow, the colour and wheel choice is sublime. I too grew up drooling over 90s car magazines and the Griff remains a dream. Look forward to more details of your ownership experience. Given it's provenance hopefully niggles are sorted. Video of exhaust would be nice!
The original owner spec'd this car so well. If I'd ever been given the chance to get one custom built from factory, I'd hope that I would have had the taste to do it like this one! That was one of the factors that had me looking repeatedly at the advert, it was just ^so^ well done. I know TVRs do loud and in-yer-face so very well, but this particular one was almost the opposite, understated and somewhat hiding it's light under a bushel. Until you start the motor, of course! 
Stick Legs said:
Yours is a beautiful car and I love the colours.
Thank you! I couldn't agree more, she's a thing of beauty..Stick Legs also said:
Absolutely, and as Mr jwwbowe and Mr baptistsan have already requested, there are (many!) more pictures inbound! Part 3 In which a nervous Mr S travels the length of the country to collect his new car.
So here's a thing. I live oop North, and Str8six where the Griff is is just south of Oxford. Cue a train South, an overnight stay at a nearby hotel, from which Jason collected me in the morning.
Thing is, I'm nervous. Although I've done my research on both the Griffith and Str8six, I've never even sat in a Griff, let alone driven one. I'd only actually seen a couple of them with my own eyes.. And they say never meet your heros.
And then I walk into the garage with Mr Jason and see this..
Even though I know she's pretty much exactly the same size as my Eunos Roadster, she seems tiny. And beautiful. Even though I've not even sat in her yet I know I've done the right thing...
Being backed of the ramp
Str8six at Lewknor is only 20 miles from where my sister lives, so I had to go see her! 15 miles of motorway, but then 5 miles of stop-start traffic. I'd imagined having to be He-Man on the controls, and while they are weighty, they are not as bad as I thought they might be.
So, a 300 mile journey back home, in a car I've never driven before that has a widow-maker reputation, in the rain. What could possibly go wrong!!
Safely home! It didn't rain all the way - at Tebay I was able to stop and take the targa off, then went the remainder of the way back on the A6 instead of the M6, much more fun.
So, my first impressions. Even though it was mainly motorway miles, and not what I call 'proper' driving, it let me see that this machine is very much a driver's car. I can also see that I have a s
tload to learn. But one of my biggest worries was that thing about never meet your heros. And the drive home has allayed those fears, she is more involved, more fun, more satisfying than I could have hoped for. And fast. Woo boy is she fast! And that's without even scratching the surface....
So here's a thing. I live oop North, and Str8six where the Griff is is just south of Oxford. Cue a train South, an overnight stay at a nearby hotel, from which Jason collected me in the morning.
Thing is, I'm nervous. Although I've done my research on both the Griffith and Str8six, I've never even sat in a Griff, let alone driven one. I'd only actually seen a couple of them with my own eyes.. And they say never meet your heros.
And then I walk into the garage with Mr Jason and see this..
Even though I know she's pretty much exactly the same size as my Eunos Roadster, she seems tiny. And beautiful. Even though I've not even sat in her yet I know I've done the right thing...
Being backed of the ramp
Str8six at Lewknor is only 20 miles from where my sister lives, so I had to go see her! 15 miles of motorway, but then 5 miles of stop-start traffic. I'd imagined having to be He-Man on the controls, and while they are weighty, they are not as bad as I thought they might be.
So, a 300 mile journey back home, in a car I've never driven before that has a widow-maker reputation, in the rain. What could possibly go wrong!!
Safely home! It didn't rain all the way - at Tebay I was able to stop and take the targa off, then went the remainder of the way back on the A6 instead of the M6, much more fun.
So, my first impressions. Even though it was mainly motorway miles, and not what I call 'proper' driving, it let me see that this machine is very much a driver's car. I can also see that I have a s
tload to learn. But one of my biggest worries was that thing about never meet your heros. And the drive home has allayed those fears, she is more involved, more fun, more satisfying than I could have hoped for. And fast. Woo boy is she fast! And that's without even scratching the surface.... Well done. I bought my Griff from near Dundee in 2021. A drive 360 miles home after a train journey up, a VERY long day. It was July, epic on a warm summer evening near Biggar on the A roads, and there was torrential rain coming over Shap on the M6. It was my 5th TVR though, but if it had been my 1st, I'd have been more nervous! 
Part 4 In which Mr S has an awesome summer!
All this happened back in January. In the 8 months I've owned Victoria I've put 6,000miles under her wheels. And it's been sublime. Acknowledging the 'through-a-hedge-backwards' thing, I was very careful at the start to take it steady and learn how she behaves. Slow in, fast out is definitely the key!
One of the first things I did, which is something I've done on practically every machine I've owned, was to change the exhaust. I know the standard exhaust sounds great, but one of my biggest loves about engines is the way they sound, a good exhaust note is a massive part of my enjoyment. I went for the ACT sports, which I'd heard good things about; it was Jason at Str8six who first mentioned it.
My local garage fitted it for just £70, and they couldn't wait to hear what it sounded like! It's a great upgrade, really not much louder than standard, but with loads of 'character' on the overrun, all those little pops and burps that are so much fun, whilst being a world away from those daft and annoying 'Pops and Bangs' tunes.. I will get a video next time I'm out and away from residential areas!
I've just realised I've not mentioned the name yet. In all the cars and bikes I've owned, I've never felt a need to name a vehicle. Never really crossed my mind. But there's something special about this one. She's an exotic, handbuilt sportscar. It was her numberplate that suggested the name...
My plan for the summer was to get out on as many drives, shows and meets as possible. Previously, I'd joined Eden Valley MX5s, and they were very happy for me to continue with them, with Victoria being deemed an honorary MX5!
Then there was Drive It Day, with a great turn out. Met up in Penrith for a convoy out to Dalemain.
Four Griffs and a rogue S!
A young lad who is learning photography contacted the MX5 group, asking for a ride in exchange for photos. He may be new to it, but he's pretty damn good already.
On the way back down the hill from Hartside, Steve of BikerPhoto Ltd got this shot of us..
..and it triggered an old memory. I was sure that somewhere there was a photo of me as a kid in a very similar 'pose'. I went to Mum's house a spent an age searching through all the old photo albums. And found this!
There's over 40 years between these photos, but I guess some things never change.
And as I always say, you have to grow old, but you don't have to grow up!!
I am very lucky to live where I do, in every direction there is amazing scenery - and as I say, where there's great scenery, there's great roads. Many a fun solo drive out has been had over the summer as well.
Even just popping to the shops is an event..
When I first decided to take the plunge and get a Griff, there was a small nagging doubt in the back of my mind, never meet your heros.
But this car has disproved that, and exceeded all expectations. She is a wonderful machine, and has given me many joyful memories already.
All this happened back in January. In the 8 months I've owned Victoria I've put 6,000miles under her wheels. And it's been sublime. Acknowledging the 'through-a-hedge-backwards' thing, I was very careful at the start to take it steady and learn how she behaves. Slow in, fast out is definitely the key!
One of the first things I did, which is something I've done on practically every machine I've owned, was to change the exhaust. I know the standard exhaust sounds great, but one of my biggest loves about engines is the way they sound, a good exhaust note is a massive part of my enjoyment. I went for the ACT sports, which I'd heard good things about; it was Jason at Str8six who first mentioned it.
My local garage fitted it for just £70, and they couldn't wait to hear what it sounded like! It's a great upgrade, really not much louder than standard, but with loads of 'character' on the overrun, all those little pops and burps that are so much fun, whilst being a world away from those daft and annoying 'Pops and Bangs' tunes.. I will get a video next time I'm out and away from residential areas!
I've just realised I've not mentioned the name yet. In all the cars and bikes I've owned, I've never felt a need to name a vehicle. Never really crossed my mind. But there's something special about this one. She's an exotic, handbuilt sportscar. It was her numberplate that suggested the name...
My plan for the summer was to get out on as many drives, shows and meets as possible. Previously, I'd joined Eden Valley MX5s, and they were very happy for me to continue with them, with Victoria being deemed an honorary MX5!
Then there was Drive It Day, with a great turn out. Met up in Penrith for a convoy out to Dalemain.
Four Griffs and a rogue S!
A young lad who is learning photography contacted the MX5 group, asking for a ride in exchange for photos. He may be new to it, but he's pretty damn good already.
On the way back down the hill from Hartside, Steve of BikerPhoto Ltd got this shot of us..
..and it triggered an old memory. I was sure that somewhere there was a photo of me as a kid in a very similar 'pose'. I went to Mum's house a spent an age searching through all the old photo albums. And found this!
There's over 40 years between these photos, but I guess some things never change.
And as I always say, you have to grow old, but you don't have to grow up!!
I am very lucky to live where I do, in every direction there is amazing scenery - and as I say, where there's great scenery, there's great roads. Many a fun solo drive out has been had over the summer as well.
Even just popping to the shops is an event..
When I first decided to take the plunge and get a Griff, there was a small nagging doubt in the back of my mind, never meet your heros.
But this car has disproved that, and exceeded all expectations. She is a wonderful machine, and has given me many joyful memories already.
Schmeeky said:
I've never even sat in a Griff, let alone driven one. I'd only actually seen a couple of them with my own eyes.. And they say never meet your heros.
At least I’d got as far as sitting in a couple before I went out and bought the first one I enquired about.
Top TVR buying tip : do all the negotiating and contemplation before the seller starts the engine.
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff