Is my Griff the safest car I've ever driven?
Discussion
I've recently started a new job that has required me to drive a wide variety of vehicles including family cars, vans and pick-ups, and spend less time in my Griff. That in itself is not unusual I'm sure, but what I am surprised at is the fact that I can't don't feel as safe in any of these cars as I do in the Griff, particularly on motorways.
When I first bought the TVR, I was shocked by the awesome power delivery and felt quite vulnerable being so small and insignificant when compared to other, bigger vehicles on the road. But now, I really miss the knowledge that I can brake without fear of losing control, I can steer sharply without fear of a spin and I can accelerate in a hurry if I need to.
Has anyone else ever noticed this, or is it just me?
When I first bought the TVR, I was shocked by the awesome power delivery and felt quite vulnerable being so small and insignificant when compared to other, bigger vehicles on the road. But now, I really miss the knowledge that I can brake without fear of losing control, I can steer sharply without fear of a spin and I can accelerate in a hurry if I need to.
Has anyone else ever noticed this, or is it just me?
and a very fine one too. Enjoy.
Have read about the early Griffs being a bit frisky down the lanes, I now know the feeling. Its all very communicative at the wheel but I tend to sit and wait for it to sort itself out, in the main.
So replacement manifolds, tyres, shockers, insurance due
I thought my BMW was a pricey car to run! Good job its 5 x the fun in the Griff.
So replacement manifolds, tyres, shockers, insurance due
I thought my BMW was a pricey car to run! Good job its 5 x the fun in the Griff.simpo two said:Simpo - you don't really believe the TVR propaganda machine, do you?
As for the safety aspect, why do you think they stopped making them?!
'Cos they wanted to drop the RV8 and concentrate on S6 models? I've never heard of a safety angle - unless it came from a Noble salesperson of course!
What I hear (and no, it's not from a Noble sales person - but it is from someone in the car industry) is that the Griff didn't meet new crash legislation; in particular a convertible has to withstand something like 1.5 times its own weight when upside down (i.e. without squishing the occupants). Try that in your Griff and (apparently) see what happens... No, I'm not sure what the difference with the Chimaera is either - but that's the reason I've been given. May turn out to be complete bollocks of course!
No rollover bar, no side impact protection whatsoever....I can tell you at least ten absolute horror stories of accidents in Griffiths and Chimaeras.
Driven with care and with even more care in the wet they are fine, but the thought of even comparing them with a modern TVR is ridiculous safety wise, let alone a eurobox.
Driven with care and with even more care in the wet they are fine, but the thought of even comparing them with a modern TVR is ridiculous safety wise, let alone a eurobox.
Marlon said:
the Griff didn't meet new crash legislation; in particular a convertible has to withstand something like 1.5 times its own weight when upside down (i.e. without squishing the occupants). Try that in your Griff and (apparently) see what happens...
Ah well, I've managed for 20 years without turning a car upside down so I'll take the risk. Come to that, my ancestors survived from the dawn of time without lethal accidents or EC bollox so I guess I come from a lucky line
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