First impressions. OMFG
Discussion
I finally went and picked my Griff up today and got my first proper drive in her.Now coming from a 911 (boo, hiss, but actually very good) it all feels so different. Turn the starter and it reminds me of a WWII movie when they crank the Merlins over. Everything sounds so mechanical, not in a bad way, oh no, in a very very good way. Things whirr and prime and the whole thing feels like it's coming alive. Ah, that'll be the mysterious "soul" everyone bangs on about. I get it now
Press the clutch and engage first gear. My oh my, that's very direct. I gingerly let the clutch out with the previous owner watching as I moved away and she felt alive and wanted to just get on with it. I'm sure I could see a tear in his eye as we left. Well if I could have seen out of the rear view mirror I might have!
That transmissions pretty direct I thought as I tentatively made my way out of the housing estate, nervous in case she tried to kill me if I let my attention slip. Oof, and the suspension is a little on the firm side.
One mile up the road and I think I'll fill her up. Typical, the petrol station is on the wrong side of the road. I pull up at the wrong side of the pump. And everyone is watching! Great. Somehow I manage to fill her up without spilling a drop and then it's time to start the journey proper.
I need to turn across the stream of traffic and not wanting to make an arse of it I decide to play it cautious but oh no, some bloke on a bike decides to be courteous and let me out. Aargh, the pressure is unbelievable. Fortunately the gods are on my side and I manage to nip out sharpish without pirouetting across the road.
Couple of minutes and the open road beckons. A short dual carriageway and I make it to the relative safety of the M62 and I start to relax a bit. Time to play with the heater controls. Ok, play with them some more.... And a bit more. Oh
it, they might work, they might not but I've no idea how to make them do what I want and I've bigger fish to fry.I finally start to take it all in. The cockpit's cramped, I can't drive with my arm on the window ledge adopting a sloppy posture and then there's the steering wheel
They've only gone and put a pair of Chinese finger prisons on it to hold your hands in place and added those delicious flat bits either side. Yes, now I get it, you have to drive this thing properly. Adopt a correct driving position and suddenly it all fits. Perfectly. As I take in the Moors (top down and raining of course)! and the rain shoots up the Rainex covered screen I start to notice that she's not trying to kill me, she's giving me feedback. Eventually rain stops play and I have to put the top on. Well not just that, my young daughter has turned a funny shade of blue which makes me think perhaps she's a little on the chilly side. Still, she'll always remember her first drive over the moors in a Tiv with her dad.
The car's quieter now and I can hear everything going on inside. Again it's that sensation of a very mechanical machine that can propel me at huge speed if I want her to. And then I notice the smell. It's reminiscent of sitting in a Chesterfield in a Gentlemans Club. I'm starting to relax and appreciate where I'm sat and how it feels. Hell I've even got time to try the heater controls again. hmmm,
it, I'll read the manual when I get home, I don't want to miss out on any of this.Very soon the roads are dry again and I'm feeling more relaxed. Come out of a couple of roundabouts, check everythings pointing straight and the surface is good and press the loud pedal.
That did the trick, I'll be using that particular pedal a lot more in the future 
As the journey progresses I start to relax and understand what she's about. Character. I've only driven mine a couple of hundred miles but already I can see how they lure you in and get totally under your skin.
If you've had yours a while I'm sure I'm telling you nothing new but it sure is good to remember the sensation the first time you get to drive one properly.
Hooked? You could say that
Great quote Rob 
A brilliant story Grifalo, and it brings it all back. The only bit you didn't mention is an affliction called 'TVR grin'! Like this:
Griffs appreciate being driven well and the better you do it, the sweeter and faster they get. However they can and will bite if you get careless, so don't relax too much. Enjoy
The Griffalo said:
Turn the starter and it reminds me of a WWII movie when they crank the Merlins over.
Yes indeed, although my first TVR was an S3, it was still far closer to a Griff than any normal car. I can remember walking towards the garage feeling like Clint Eastwood as he stalks across the hangar to steal the Firefox Griffs appreciate being driven well and the better you do it, the sweeter and faster they get. However they can and will bite if you get careless, so don't relax too much. Enjoy
Edited by Simpo Two on Sunday 27th May 19:22
great photo that says it all,anyone thinking about buying a griff(or any tvr) needs to be shown that photo if they have any doubts.because it is hard to explain the feeling of owning/driving a largev8 engined /light/ agile / roarring/gorgeous /iconic sports/super car
you are a long time dead and i don't think they have tvr's where i am heading
Edited by tbdgriff500 on Monday 28th May 10:17
Great report Rob - and you are right you never forget your loss of your Griffith virginity. Like you, my first drive was in the pouring rain, never having driven one before and just waiting or it to eat me alive but I think respect for the car is key and taking it steady initially.
I sadly sold mine two months ago but I'm now looking for another.
Best wishes
I sadly sold mine two months ago but I'm now looking for another.
Best wishes
Brings back memories, I remember not long after purchasing ours, accelerating hard off a roundabout, peering through a small, rain smeared windscreen over the long bonnet as it reared up with each gearchange, the engine roaring with pleasure. It felt like I in a Spitfire or Hurricane
Edited by apache on Monday 28th May 12:22
Welcome to Griffland, Griffaliarout, or whoever you are ! 
These cars are just a complete riot. I've just got back from an hour spin, just started raining and left a nice lethal coating on the roads.
Get it wrong and there's inevitable trouble. Get it right and the rewards are superb!
Keep it safe !
These cars are just a complete riot. I've just got back from an hour spin, just started raining and left a nice lethal coating on the roads.
Get it wrong and there's inevitable trouble. Get it right and the rewards are superb!
Keep it safe !
Great post. Brought back fantastic memories of the first time I drove mine off the forecourt of Fernhursts.
I can honestly say, nearly 6 years after I sold it, a marriage and 2 lovely daughters later, not a week goes by without me promising to myself I'll have another one day.
Enjoy the moment(s)!
I can honestly say, nearly 6 years after I sold it, a marriage and 2 lovely daughters later, not a week goes by without me promising to myself I'll have another one day.
Enjoy the moment(s)!
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