20K - Early or late Griff?
Discussion
One of the cars on my list at the moment is the Griffith.
I have a budget of 20-25K, possibly more at a push.
What's the general consensus about early VS late cars?
I'm not very well informed about Griffs at the moment, but I think my ideal would currently be:
A nice 4.3 Pre Cat but with an upgraded dash and retrimmed interior.....
I like the idea of having the best sound and something that spins up through the rev range nicely.
I've noticed a trend that maybe the smaller capacity Rover V8's sound nicest, certainly the 3.5 and 4.0 sound good in other cars.
But is the chassis and running gear that much worse than the later cars?
I want a fun weekend car and I'm quite prepared o get my hands dirty.
Chassis rot does scare the life out of me though...
I have a budget of 20-25K, possibly more at a push.
What's the general consensus about early VS late cars?
I'm not very well informed about Griffs at the moment, but I think my ideal would currently be:
A nice 4.3 Pre Cat but with an upgraded dash and retrimmed interior.....
I like the idea of having the best sound and something that spins up through the rev range nicely.
I've noticed a trend that maybe the smaller capacity Rover V8's sound nicest, certainly the 3.5 and 4.0 sound good in other cars.
But is the chassis and running gear that much worse than the later cars?
I want a fun weekend car and I'm quite prepared o get my hands dirty.
Chassis rot does scare the life out of me though...
I wouldn't worry that much about chassis condition, just factor in the cost of repair, many places do a drive in drive out repair/ replacement service now. By all means be sure you know the condition and what is likely to be needed but don't let it put you off.
All cars are old enough to need chassis work now, whether it does depends on how it's been kept.
Late 500s will be more likely to have power steering, and suspension that was tweaked over time, the 430s are relatively rare, and you then have the older gearbox, engine front end and lack of rear anti roll bar etc. Have a drive of both types see what you like, noise wise many have had exhaust modifications so you can adjust to taste.
All cars are old enough to need chassis work now, whether it does depends on how it's been kept.
Late 500s will be more likely to have power steering, and suspension that was tweaked over time, the 430s are relatively rare, and you then have the older gearbox, engine front end and lack of rear anti roll bar etc. Have a drive of both types see what you like, noise wise many have had exhaust modifications so you can adjust to taste.
urquattroGus said:
What's the general consensus about early VS late cars?
People will argue this until the end of time!Horses for courses really. Some like the performance gains of the 500 and praise the power steering.
Others, like me, love the period O.Z. split rims and the noise; thus dictating a pre-cat.
Early or late, they are all 'old' now anyways, both will have the same problems.
urquattroGus said:
Chassis rot does scare the life out of me though...
Chill, its only metal tubes that might need welding. Its annoying more than scary. Trust me, there is nothing scary on a Griff when you compare it to other more modern exotica. Just go and read all the horror stories of todays second hand Porsches. I scan the classifieds occasionally for a 997 (one day) and every other says "engine rebuild". Now that scares me.....urquattroGus said:
I want a fun weekend car and I'm quite prepared o get my hands dirty.
I can guarantee both 
I'd say buy the best you can, with the body colour / leather colour / wheel design that you love the most, and I don't think the rest matters.
Others will say get a 500 at all costs and you can paint it any colour you like...
Get to a TVR meet. Speak to some people, listen to some cars, drive them if you can, see what does it for you...
Good luck!
Thanks guys.
Went to look at my first griff today.
It was a 1996 500.
It seemed a pretty straight car, but I don't have anything to compare it to.
There were some mild oil leaks, and surface corrosion to wishbones but that's about it. Would need to see up on a ramp if I was to pull the trigger.
I didnt get to drive but was a passenger in it which was fun.
Really I was surprised by how quiet it was... Standard exhaust, sleeved at the back I think.
I really want that outrageous naughty sound that seems to be associated with the earlier cars, although I'm sure a different exhaust would make the 500 sound different.
You may laugh at me, but what are the clutches like on 500's compared to earlier cars weight wise.
This car had the T5 box and it did feel very heavy, not that I expected it to be light, but I have a slightly dodgy left knee!
Is the Lt77 or others lighter or any different in feel?
Went to look at my first griff today.
It was a 1996 500.
It seemed a pretty straight car, but I don't have anything to compare it to.
There were some mild oil leaks, and surface corrosion to wishbones but that's about it. Would need to see up on a ramp if I was to pull the trigger.
I didnt get to drive but was a passenger in it which was fun.
Really I was surprised by how quiet it was... Standard exhaust, sleeved at the back I think.
I really want that outrageous naughty sound that seems to be associated with the earlier cars, although I'm sure a different exhaust would make the 500 sound different.
You may laugh at me, but what are the clutches like on 500's compared to earlier cars weight wise.
This car had the T5 box and it did feel very heavy, not that I expected it to be light, but I have a slightly dodgy left knee!
Is the Lt77 or others lighter or any different in feel?
Yes I have thought about it, but there don't seem to be any about.
My best hope is to get a 4.3, or just a nice 4.0 and maybe upgrade the engine if I really thought it was necessary.
There is only one 4.3 advertised at the moment, let alone a factory BV car....
I'm not really going for outright performance, just something that sounds great and I can enjoy driving.
Having said that, I do have 500bhp at my disposal on a daily basis, but I'm sure even the smaller engines cars aren't slow.
If anyone is selling their 4.3 or 4.0 then please do get in touch. I already have one person who has kindly been in touch
My best hope is to get a 4.3, or just a nice 4.0 and maybe upgrade the engine if I really thought it was necessary.
There is only one 4.3 advertised at the moment, let alone a factory BV car....
I'm not really going for outright performance, just something that sounds great and I can enjoy driving.
Having said that, I do have 500bhp at my disposal on a daily basis, but I'm sure even the smaller engines cars aren't slow.
If anyone is selling their 4.3 or 4.0 then please do get in touch. I already have one person who has kindly been in touch
urquattroGus said:
Yes I have thought about it, but there don't seem to be any about.
My best hope is to get a 4.3, or just a nice 4.0 and maybe upgrade the engine if I really thought it was necessary.
There is only one 4.3 advertised at the moment, let alone a factory BV car....
I'm not really going for outright performance, just something that sounds great and I can enjoy driving.
Having said that, I do have 500bhp at my disposal on a daily basis, but I'm sure even the smaller engines cars aren't slow.
If anyone is selling their 4.3 or 4.0 then please do get in touch. I already have one person who has kindly been in touch
"The one person who kindly got in touch" Would that be a 4.3 in Cureton green with beige interior?My best hope is to get a 4.3, or just a nice 4.0 and maybe upgrade the engine if I really thought it was necessary.
There is only one 4.3 advertised at the moment, let alone a factory BV car....
I'm not really going for outright performance, just something that sounds great and I can enjoy driving.
Having said that, I do have 500bhp at my disposal on a daily basis, but I'm sure even the smaller engines cars aren't slow.
If anyone is selling their 4.3 or 4.0 then please do get in touch. I already have one person who has kindly been in touch
urquattroGus said:
Thanks, trying to keep my options open, but I am pretty well set on trying to get a tidy 4.3, especially a BV version be it from the factory and or upgraded.
I think that's the one for me
Dont get too hung up on it having to be a BV. There may be a few gains on paper, and this will only be at the very top end. In the real world on the road driving you will be hard pushed to notice any difference. I think that's the one for me
I agree, I own a 4.0 litre pre-cat with gas flowed heads and it goes like s
t off a shovel. The limitations of a Griff point ot point on real roads is far more about the handling and the driver than any difference in engine capacity and how often do you want to drive at ten tenths anyway on the public road? They're all light, overpowered and slightly skittish. Find a nice one in a colour you like and worry less about the engine fitted.
saxon
t off a shovel. The limitations of a Griff point ot point on real roads is far more about the handling and the driver than any difference in engine capacity and how often do you want to drive at ten tenths anyway on the public road? They're all light, overpowered and slightly skittish. Find a nice one in a colour you like and worry less about the engine fitted. saxon
Edited by saxon on Tuesday 20th June 08:39
Well, I'm pleased to say that I put a deposit down on a 1996 500 after looking at 6 cars.
It's dark blue and has recently had a full respray, hood, and interior trim replacement, recent camshaft and followers replaced. Manual steering rack etc.
It's a silver chassis car and looks to be in very good shape.
I just couldn't resist it, the condition spoke for itself.
It's also having a de-cat pipe and nitron dampers fitted to get it to my preferred spec.
I really wanted to like the 4.3 and BV etc, but i failed to manage to drive one, apart from one at a storage facility that was not registered, and another that unfortunately broke the day before I was to view.
Also weirdly the two 4.3 cars I did see in the flesh sounded pretty different, one was awesome, the other was actually a bit dissapointing.
I doubt a de-catted 500 will be a shrinking violet sound wise, we shall see...
Another deciding factor is that the 500 seems to be just that little bit more usable with the T5 box and different (faster?) steering rack, i.e cruise and hoon.
It was also the car of my dreams as a teenager.
So, now for the honeymoon period, but i look forward to collecting her soon and making subtle improvements here and there.
Oh, and the rear tyres were 10 years old, be careful out there guys! I will have them changed asap.
It's dark blue and has recently had a full respray, hood, and interior trim replacement, recent camshaft and followers replaced. Manual steering rack etc.
It's a silver chassis car and looks to be in very good shape.
I just couldn't resist it, the condition spoke for itself.
It's also having a de-cat pipe and nitron dampers fitted to get it to my preferred spec.
I really wanted to like the 4.3 and BV etc, but i failed to manage to drive one, apart from one at a storage facility that was not registered, and another that unfortunately broke the day before I was to view.
Also weirdly the two 4.3 cars I did see in the flesh sounded pretty different, one was awesome, the other was actually a bit dissapointing.
I doubt a de-catted 500 will be a shrinking violet sound wise, we shall see...
Another deciding factor is that the 500 seems to be just that little bit more usable with the T5 box and different (faster?) steering rack, i.e cruise and hoon.
It was also the car of my dreams as a teenager.
So, now for the honeymoon period, but i look forward to collecting her soon and making subtle improvements here and there.
Oh, and the rear tyres were 10 years old, be careful out there guys! I will have them changed asap.
Edited by urquattroGus on Tuesday 20th June 18:22
Thanks, only just under a week with the car so far, but loving it and getting used to it's foibles.
Have just had fresh tyres fitted to the rear so now feel a little more confident, although I don't think I will be setting the world alight in either straight line performance or handling.
I ended up spending a fair bit more than 25K, but it was worth it for the right car.
It feels like driving a car maybe 20-30 years older than it is, which is a good thing in my book.
Have just had fresh tyres fitted to the rear so now feel a little more confident, although I don't think I will be setting the world alight in either straight line performance or handling.
I ended up spending a fair bit more than 25K, but it was worth it for the right car.
It feels like driving a car maybe 20-30 years older than it is, which is a good thing in my book.
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