Worth a gamble or not?
Discussion
So, here's the last update for a while. It's been a great project and time to draw it to a close.
The fan is now running so final preparations today before the drive to the paint shop. The bonnet bobbins were seized and with the standard bonnet support having been modified and now useless we figured we may as well just sort that out as well.
What followed was the usual mix of disbelief and carnage. It's like they made every carvaaca prototype! Long story short, seized bolts, snapped etc.
New bonnet support designed and will be fitted next week. I was following the car today and it looks really good on the road, less so the grip it was reported
Anyway, she's gone for paint and the next post here will be when it's complete.
Thanks for all the help and positive comments over the last few months, it's been great sharing this.
The fan is now running so final preparations today before the drive to the paint shop. The bonnet bobbins were seized and with the standard bonnet support having been modified and now useless we figured we may as well just sort that out as well.
What followed was the usual mix of disbelief and carnage. It's like they made every carvaaca prototype! Long story short, seized bolts, snapped etc.
New bonnet support designed and will be fitted next week. I was following the car today and it looks really good on the road, less so the grip it was reported
Anyway, she's gone for paint and the next post here will be when it's complete.
Thanks for all the help and positive comments over the last few months, it's been great sharing this.
Went over to the paint shop yesterday pm, they have made good progress and the car is looking quite different now. Hoping to sell the lights that came out, if anyone wants them or knows of somebody else......
The plan is to go back at the weekend again, at which point the back will be at a similar stage to the front and I would think in the coming week the car will see some primer
The plan is to go back at the weekend again, at which point the back will be at a similar stage to the front and I would think in the coming week the car will see some primer
pb450 said:
Excellent thread. I really can’t see you selling this when all the work is finally done. You have personalised it to your own requirements (nothing wrong with that) and I’m sure your friend would be delighted if you now kept it. Looking forward to pics after paint is complete. Lovely looking Griff!
Thank you, it's definitely given me more than I expected. As I said before the people I've met along the way have been great and the car will be stunning. The new dash is nearing completion, it's, let's not beat around the bush here, a significant investment. There are cheaper options but I know what I'd prefer to look at, and that's where the value is.
The bodyshop is getting busy and he's on a roll with TVR's now. I'm not surprised, the quality of his work soon gets around.
I'm writing an article on the car so trying to keep pictures back for that. Give it another few weeks and I think it'll be ready for some arty pictures.
As for keeping it, no, I just want to make as much money for Rogers widow as i can. It'll be a good one and with the JE engjne, new...lots of things and alignment sorted be about as good as I can make it. It should be a Griff that someone can just buy and not worry about the major usual issues as they've all been properly sorted. Net result, the car lives on for many years and a nice surprise for the family. Win, win.
The hardest thing is knowing where to stop. I really fancy a Clive F Y piece but I'm hesitating. History tells me I'll buy one anyway as I trust what I would like is also what would make it desireable for others? Other bits and bobs include the ACT trumpets, the JE engjne will take a lot more power and just needs better breathing. I'm genuinely missing the car and having my fix of noise and fettling.
Perhaps a T350 or Cerbera is next?
Edited by anonymous-user on Saturday 20th January 17:29
Argent said:
I agree, keep it!
Out of interest where did you send it for the respray?
Will you be posting pics when it comes back?
A
Hi, ah, we’ll have to see about that. Right now it’s going to be sold this spring.Out of interest where did you send it for the respray?
Will you be posting pics when it comes back?
A
I looked at all the usual suspects and had a few quotes before stumbling upon a place that not only gave me the right vibes but seemed very reasonable. After seeing his work on a few TVR’s I was sold. He’s actually doing work for a local specialist and they don’t mess around with quality.
I’ll be writing an article for Sprint on the car, hence why I’m saving pictures etc for now. But. The plan is to get some decent pics done and before that I’d love to share how it looks on here. I’ve seen it flatted down now and it’s going to be good. It’s a few days now until the dashboard arrives and we’ll be taking the clocks out and cleaning everything thoroughly. The dash lights are all new as is the acrylic panel, it’ll be nice to look at for sure.
Hood screen and some carpet retrimming will follow as soon as we’re out of the paint shop. Whether the wheels stay as they are or go shadow chrome is yet to be decided. The bonnnet stay is sorted, we made our own way with that one! Then it’s a case of a very deep interior clean.
I’m getting itchy not hearing it rumble now and again, it’s definitely a ‘thing’. I’d imagine sunset on a summers night with the top down being pretty spectacular.
Argent said:
I agree, keep it!
Out of interest where did you send it for the respray?
Will you be posting pics when it comes back?
A
Hi, ah, we’ll have to see about that. Right now it’s going to be sold this spring.Out of interest where did you send it for the respray?
Will you be posting pics when it comes back?
A
I looked at all the usual suspects and had a few quotes before stumbling upon a place that not only gave me the right vibes but seemed very reasonable. After seeing his work on a few TVR’s I was sold. He’s actually doing work for a local specialist and they don’t mess around with quality.
I’ll be writing an article for Sprint on the car, hence why I’m saving pictures etc for now. But. The plan is to get some decent pics done and before that I’d love to share how it looks on here. I’ve seen it flatted down now and it’s going to be good. It’s a few days now until the dashboard arrives and we’ll be taking the clocks out and cleaning everything thoroughly. The dash lights are all new as is the acrylic panel, it’ll be nice to look at for sure.
Hood screen and some carpet retrimming will follow as soon as we’re out of the paint shop. Whether the wheels stay as they are or go shadow chrome is yet to be decided. The bonnnet stay is sorted, we made our own way with that one! Then it’s a case of a very deep interior clean.
I’m getting itchy not hearing it rumble now and again, it’s definitely a ‘thing’. I’d imagine sunset on a summers night with the top down being pretty spectacular.
Visit to the body shop today. The car is in primer and looks absolutely stunning. The rear light fit is perfect now, I am absolutely blown away by what they have done. Taking a standard Vauxhall rear light, it is apparent that a 'lot' of trimming is required, makes me wonder why TVR back in the day didn't do more with the moulds to incorporate the standard unit, I guess that's a TVR thing
The engine bay looks good, all the knocks and scrapes are sorted, when it's 'blacked' it will be great. Had word that the dash will be ready in three weeks which should all fit in.
The engine bay looks good, all the knocks and scrapes are sorted, when it's 'blacked' it will be great. Had word that the dash will be ready in three weeks which should all fit in.
Gav147 said:
Been following this from the start and have to say its looking fantastic op, can't wait to see the finished pictures
Thanks. It does look very good now, only the hood really spoils the party. Seeing the rear lights in particular in the flesh is quite something, the guy did an amazing job. Colour wise it’s nice, you wouldn’t think it’s a Mercedes colour, very much like an Aston colour and it’s bright enough without being too fussy. It’s also making a proper noise now, I’ve added something else. All will be revealed in a few more weeks. As will the final numbers and how much I’ve eaten into the target. I’m hoping for £30+, the minimum I want to pass on to the family is £5K, even if it means topping up! 
Still a bit excited over the end result. Last one until the decent pictures are put together and the article is completed. It's booked in for alignment and a fettle in 3 weeks and over to Dave the Trimmer a week after to sort the hood out. Had a chat to a guy today about values, as long as don't get too carried away from this point I think we're in good shape.
Yes, I know the mirrors are missing. We are making parts to replace the plastic piece that is unavailable, if there is interest will make a batch.
The pictures don't really do it justice.
[url=https://flic.kr/p/25912WX]
Yes, I know the mirrors are missing. We are making parts to replace the plastic piece that is unavailable, if there is interest will make a batch.
The pictures don't really do it justice.
[url=https://flic.kr/p/25912WX]Picked up the car today.
It’s off somewhere to get looked over tomorrow and then finish a couple of things. Nice to get back behind the wheel again. It sounds great. The brakes have woken up, everything seems to be getting slicker mechanically. Water temps are rock solid with the new radiator etc, no issues to speak of. There’s an abundance of torque, no shunting anymore and the vocals between 2500 and 3500 are genuinely amazing.
The highlight will be picking up my daughter from school. Can’t wait to see her face! It’s no Atom substitute, but it doesn’t make me want to behave in the same way. Anyone thinking about the sport bilstein setup I can say it’s very good, still quite soft overall, but a good road setup.
The tyres will have to go after the geo setup.
It’s off somewhere to get looked over tomorrow and then finish a couple of things. Nice to get back behind the wheel again. It sounds great. The brakes have woken up, everything seems to be getting slicker mechanically. Water temps are rock solid with the new radiator etc, no issues to speak of. There’s an abundance of torque, no shunting anymore and the vocals between 2500 and 3500 are genuinely amazing.
The highlight will be picking up my daughter from school. Can’t wait to see her face! It’s no Atom substitute, but it doesn’t make me want to behave in the same way. Anyone thinking about the sport bilstein setup I can say it’s very good, still quite soft overall, but a good road setup.
The tyres will have to go after the geo setup.
So, it's been a while. The Griffith has taken a bit of a back seat lately, this is due to change. The brief run down on where we are is;
And how it sits at the mo..
- went to get a new hood and on the way there was a very bizarre puff of white smoke in the passenger footwell. This made me turn around and head back to base. It was traced to a bit of insulation on the manifold, to be fair the car was sat in traffic on one of the hottest days of the year. Seems fine now
- fitted a tap to the heater supply. No matter how we adjust the valve there is some soak. Not any more
- new hood and carpets now booked
- new dashboard has arrived and it looks gorgeous.
And how it sits at the mo..
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