Finally - light at the end of the tunnel ;-)
Discussion
Thought long and hard about brighter lighting. Decided against it in the end.
Can't help but wonder in years to come flavour of the time will be to have the original lamps. Nothing suits the Griff better really than the small lamps which leads me to believe TVR got it absolutely right at least where looks are concerned.
Sometimes with Griffs especially I can't help but wonder if current owners jump to quick to update upgrade follow the latest fashion and in doing so spoil the looks of the car.
I've yet to see a Griff that suited anything but original wheels. Ok there might be the odd exception but most of the few I've seen always look like bling to me. The Tuscan style lamps which once appealed to me now look like bling too.
The greater fear is what goes on under Griff bonnets. I see there was a storm in the RV8 turbo topic just this weekend. I can't help but feel from an engineering point of view the guy from Blitz Racing has it right.
Lurking around the forums I'm always shocked by how many TVR owners with little to no experience tackle jobs that should be left to those more experienced. It's amusing at times to read the comments of some that say leave it to the professionals yet the very same people can be seen encouraging others to do stuff they shouldn't be doing and even singing the praises when they have no experience of what they are supporting other than reading comments on a forum and viewing a few photographs. All well and good if these cars never change hands. People will suffer their own consequences though I fear the reality is the next owners is the person to suffer. This has certainly been the case with my Griffith. The bodged wiring to some of the dash and instrument controls I'm presently dealing with. Ditto the destruction to the heating and ventilation system I'm in the process of putting right. These are nothing compared to what I've endured over the past few years getting this car back to how it should have been when it left Blackpool. And no I do not mean improve upon what TVR themselves created. As much as it's a glorified kit car and some crudity exists from get go, I understand and embrace TVR back then for doing it the way they did if that is what it took to bring these great cars to market.
Can't help but wonder in years to come flavour of the time will be to have the original lamps. Nothing suits the Griff better really than the small lamps which leads me to believe TVR got it absolutely right at least where looks are concerned.
Sometimes with Griffs especially I can't help but wonder if current owners jump to quick to update upgrade follow the latest fashion and in doing so spoil the looks of the car.
I've yet to see a Griff that suited anything but original wheels. Ok there might be the odd exception but most of the few I've seen always look like bling to me. The Tuscan style lamps which once appealed to me now look like bling too.
The greater fear is what goes on under Griff bonnets. I see there was a storm in the RV8 turbo topic just this weekend. I can't help but feel from an engineering point of view the guy from Blitz Racing has it right.
Lurking around the forums I'm always shocked by how many TVR owners with little to no experience tackle jobs that should be left to those more experienced. It's amusing at times to read the comments of some that say leave it to the professionals yet the very same people can be seen encouraging others to do stuff they shouldn't be doing and even singing the praises when they have no experience of what they are supporting other than reading comments on a forum and viewing a few photographs. All well and good if these cars never change hands. People will suffer their own consequences though I fear the reality is the next owners is the person to suffer. This has certainly been the case with my Griffith. The bodged wiring to some of the dash and instrument controls I'm presently dealing with. Ditto the destruction to the heating and ventilation system I'm in the process of putting right. These are nothing compared to what I've endured over the past few years getting this car back to how it should have been when it left Blackpool. And no I do not mean improve upon what TVR themselves created. As much as it's a glorified kit car and some crudity exists from get go, I understand and embrace TVR back then for doing it the way they did if that is what it took to bring these great cars to market.
500dread said:
Thought long and hard about brighter lighting. Decided against it in the end.
Can't help but wonder in years to come flavour of the time will be to have the original lamps. Nothing suits the Griff better really than the small lamps which leads me to believe TVR got it absolutely right at least where looks are concerned.
I agree with most of what you said in your post about the orginality of Griffiths and them looking mostly right as they came from Blackpool, I agree nothing looks better than the original Estoril or Gotti wheels but I'll have to disagree about the lights. Replacing the 5" standard lights with the later 7" does imo just fill the pod nicely as I can't help thinking the standard lights make the front look a bit weak.Can't help but wonder in years to come flavour of the time will be to have the original lamps. Nothing suits the Griff better really than the small lamps which leads me to believe TVR got it absolutely right at least where looks are concerned.
The positive thing about the upgrade the OP has done is it is reversible by just swapping the pods out while still suiting the needs and taste of the existing owner.
I studied as I'm sure most have who've considered it but in the end I thought the 7 inch lamps looked to imposing simply because you see to much of them once you recognise the difference. The small lamps look cool and understated and fit the pod rather nicely.
I guess time will tell
V8 GRF said:
The positive thing about the upgrade the OP has done is it is reversible by just swapping the pods out while still suiting the needs and taste of the existing owner.
Does this mean the pod be modified to suit the larger lamp? One day there might be a market for new pods made to the original size!I guess time will tell
V8 GRF said:
I agree with most of what you said in your post about the orginality of Griffiths and them looking mostly right as they came from Blackpool, I agree nothing looks better than the original Estoril or Gotti wheels but I'll have to disagree about the lights. Replacing the 5" standard lights with the later 7" does imo just fill the pod nicely as I can't help thinking the standard lights make the front look a bit weak.
The positive thing about the upgrade the OP has done is it is reversible by just swapping the pods out while still suiting the needs and taste of the existing owner.
Got to agree with you again Dave! Anyone who has pushed thier Griff hard down a country lane at night will know just how poor the lights are and how much they benefit from an upgrade!The positive thing about the upgrade the OP has done is it is reversible by just swapping the pods out while still suiting the needs and taste of the existing owner.
You don't need to go all bling! I have the 7" sportmotive upgrade and unless i point it out most people are none the wiser! That could be because they are working out what i've done to the rest of the nose though
If a mod improves your personal driving experience and enhances your ownership do it!
Everything is reversable and its your car and your money! each to there own
500dread said:
Thought long and hard about brighter lighting. Decided against it in the end.
Can't help but wonder in years to come flavour of the time will be to have the original lamps. Nothing suits the Griff better really than the small lamps which leads me to believe TVR got it absolutely right at least where looks are concerned.
Sometimes with Griffs especially I can't help but wonder if current owners jump to quick to update upgrade follow the latest fashion and in doing so spoil the looks of the car.
I've yet to see a Griff that suited anything but original wheels. Ok there might be the odd exception but most of the few I've seen always look like bling to me. The Tuscan style lamps which once appealed to me now look like bling too.
The greater fear is what goes on under Griff bonnets. I see there was a storm in the RV8 turbo topic just this weekend. I can't help but feel from an engineering point of view the guy from Blitz Racing has it right.
Lurking around the forums I'm always shocked by how many TVR owners with little to no experience tackle jobs that should be left to those more experienced. It's amusing at times to read the comments of some that say leave it to the professionals yet the very same people can be seen encouraging others to do stuff they shouldn't be doing and even singing the praises when they have no experience of what they are supporting other than reading comments on a forum and viewing a few photographs. All well and good if these cars never change hands. People will suffer their own consequences though I fear the reality is the next owners is the person to suffer. This has certainly been the case with my Griffith. The bodged wiring to some of the dash and instrument controls I'm presently dealing with. Ditto the destruction to the heating and ventilation system I'm in the process of putting right. These are nothing compared to what I've endured over the past few years getting this car back to how it should have been when it left Blackpool. And no I do not mean improve upon what TVR themselves created. As much as it's a glorified kit car and some crudity exists from get go, I understand and embrace TVR back then for doing it the way they did if that is what it took to bring these great cars to market.
Mine are standard lamp units (4.3 Pre-Cat), I just fitted a set of the latest +90% Ultra Bright Osram bulbs! Transformed the light output without having to pull the pods out. I am happy with it so at the end of the day that's what matters. Done the main beam lamps as well while I was at it, all for about £14 a pair! Rgds, PeteCan't help but wonder in years to come flavour of the time will be to have the original lamps. Nothing suits the Griff better really than the small lamps which leads me to believe TVR got it absolutely right at least where looks are concerned.
Sometimes with Griffs especially I can't help but wonder if current owners jump to quick to update upgrade follow the latest fashion and in doing so spoil the looks of the car.
I've yet to see a Griff that suited anything but original wheels. Ok there might be the odd exception but most of the few I've seen always look like bling to me. The Tuscan style lamps which once appealed to me now look like bling too.
The greater fear is what goes on under Griff bonnets. I see there was a storm in the RV8 turbo topic just this weekend. I can't help but feel from an engineering point of view the guy from Blitz Racing has it right.
Lurking around the forums I'm always shocked by how many TVR owners with little to no experience tackle jobs that should be left to those more experienced. It's amusing at times to read the comments of some that say leave it to the professionals yet the very same people can be seen encouraging others to do stuff they shouldn't be doing and even singing the praises when they have no experience of what they are supporting other than reading comments on a forum and viewing a few photographs. All well and good if these cars never change hands. People will suffer their own consequences though I fear the reality is the next owners is the person to suffer. This has certainly been the case with my Griffith. The bodged wiring to some of the dash and instrument controls I'm presently dealing with. Ditto the destruction to the heating and ventilation system I'm in the process of putting right. These are nothing compared to what I've endured over the past few years getting this car back to how it should have been when it left Blackpool. And no I do not mean improve upon what TVR themselves created. As much as it's a glorified kit car and some crudity exists from get go, I understand and embrace TVR back then for doing it the way they did if that is what it took to bring these great cars to market.
7 TVR said:
Edited by EGB on Saturday 23 June 20:52
my250gt said:
finally out of the garage after a 14 month rebuild !! Got to drive it for the first time today, WOW! LOVE IT!! MoT booked..then..
Pictures of the headlight mod, in the day light.....
Dont think you have ruined the Griffs good looks at all there MoT booked..then..Pictures of the headlight mod, in the day light.....
Edited by my250gt on Saturday 23 June 18:08
nice car Hi, having built a cobra replica previously and witnessed how the heat builds up under a fibreglass bonnet, i was sure a decent sized front grill would be beneficial , particularly for the trackdays i'm planning to do. I know the lower grill opening works but to some extent must rely on the fans pulling the air through. I was thinking a decent sized splitter would help, but then not very practical for speed bumps as its a road car.
When the 500 style front end went on my car (thanks Plasticman) i could appreciate why the grill opening was enlarged for the 500, it was a development after all, but also thought it detracted from the originality of the pre-cat style too much, i didnt want my car to look too much like the later version griff, rather how a pre-cat might look without main beams and number plate in its grill.
My other influence was the fact that i personally didnt favour the grill mounted main beams, so i knew i was not going to fill the vent with headlight and number plate too, hence the pod-mod.
So, i reduced the opening to a size i thought looked better for the earlier model car. It is only a fibreglass detail that can always be returned to standard pretty easily, as are the headlight mods.
I simply built up from the 500 grill, after removing the number plate bar and lamp mountings. I have build photos i can put up if anyone is interested how i did it.
Im happy with how its turned out visually, a little unique design change, but whether or not it helps under bonnet temperatures on the track, i will have to report back on that one!
When the 500 style front end went on my car (thanks Plasticman) i could appreciate why the grill opening was enlarged for the 500, it was a development after all, but also thought it detracted from the originality of the pre-cat style too much, i didnt want my car to look too much like the later version griff, rather how a pre-cat might look without main beams and number plate in its grill.
My other influence was the fact that i personally didnt favour the grill mounted main beams, so i knew i was not going to fill the vent with headlight and number plate too, hence the pod-mod.
So, i reduced the opening to a size i thought looked better for the earlier model car. It is only a fibreglass detail that can always be returned to standard pretty easily, as are the headlight mods.
I simply built up from the 500 grill, after removing the number plate bar and lamp mountings. I have build photos i can put up if anyone is interested how i did it.
Im happy with how its turned out visually, a little unique design change, but whether or not it helps under bonnet temperatures on the track, i will have to report back on that one!
my250gt said:
finally out of the garage after a 14 month rebuild !! Got to drive it for the first time today, WOW! LOVE IT!! MoT booked..then..
Pictures of the headlight mod, in the day light.....
Lovely job on the lights, it retains the lines and looks of the original Griff concept (need those faired in lights), with a more modern lighting set up. Just what the Griff might have had if developed further. Nice one my250gt on the total front end job. Rgds, Pete MoT booked..then..Pictures of the headlight mod, in the day light.....
Edited by my250gt on Saturday 23 June 18:08
yes, great news! The griff passed its MoT first go yesterday, after a 6k service and a little fettling by Mat Smith @ http://www.matsmithsportscars.com/
a great guy who is so enthusiastic about TVR's. I went to him after recommendations on here, thanks guys!!
Collecting car saturday and get to drive it properly for the very first time....cant wait!!
a great guy who is so enthusiastic about TVR's. I went to him after recommendations on here, thanks guys!!
Collecting car saturday and get to drive it properly for the very first time....cant wait!!
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