New to Griffith Ownership
Discussion
I have recently bought a 1997 Griffirth 500 to give me something to tinker with during the winter months. The car came to me very cheaply via the trade and as such has no manuals / history etc. I have over 35 years of hands-on motor trade experience but have never laid a spanner on a Griff although I have built many Rover V8's.
I am looking for any information at all about the 500 model, I asume that TVR used as many off the shelf parts as possible, the rear clusters look like they could be up-sdie-down Cavalier?
So to sum up could some kind person point me in the direction of the following info:
Parts origionation.
Mauals/handbook.
Did the car have a spare wheel / jack / tool kit?
History/Specs.
Known snags/solutions.
Parts stockists.
Or anything you think usefull.
Thanks in advance.
I am looking for any information at all about the 500 model, I asume that TVR used as many off the shelf parts as possible, the rear clusters look like they could be up-sdie-down Cavalier?
So to sum up could some kind person point me in the direction of the following info:
Parts origionation.
Mauals/handbook.
Did the car have a spare wheel / jack / tool kit?
History/Specs.
Known snags/solutions.
Parts stockists.
Or anything you think usefull.
Thanks in advance.
See link below for a wealth of info, and have a good look through the forums here too.
www.thegriffithpages.com
And welcome!
www.thegriffithpages.com
And welcome!
TheGriffithPages is a great place to start as is this forum and Steve Heaths book.
You often see the handbook/service book on eBay so keep an eye out on there.
I would also recommend checking out www.rv8r.co.uk. As you are obviously "hands-on" there is some useful service information here.
The car had a spare wheel but hardly anybody uses it. Get some tyre foam instead.
You often see the handbook/service book on eBay so keep an eye out on there.
I would also recommend checking out www.rv8r.co.uk. As you are obviously "hands-on" there is some useful service information here.
The car had a spare wheel but hardly anybody uses it. Get some tyre foam instead.
Edited by daveb500 on Thursday 26th November 15:40
daveb500 said:
TheGriffithPages is a great place to start as is this forum and Steve Heaths book.
The car had a spare wheel but hardly anybody uses it. Get some tyre foam instead.
Incidentally, if you do want to put the spare back in, they are often sold quite cheaply on here and on eBay because generally, nobody wants them.The car had a spare wheel but hardly anybody uses it. Get some tyre foam instead.
Edited by daveb500 on Thursday 26th November 15:40
Parts origionation.
A fair few external engine bits are V8 Discovery inside they are bit more bespoke. Hubs and brakes are Ford ,steering column is Vauxhall. Easiest way if you need something is to ask on here it is a very active and useful resource.
Mauals/handbook.
For engine stuff the relevant Hanes Landrover book is helpful, it pops up from time to time in charity shops. For everything else you need Steve Heath’s excellent book.
Did the car have a spare wheel / jack / tool kit?
Yes, there should be a black “leatherette” bag with a jack, wheel brace and screwdriver. Also there should be a space saver wheel they both lived in the boot, held in place with a rubber strap. You will find the two hooks if you look. AS said most people carry some tyre weld and / or a plug in compressor
History/Specs.
Probably no two the same, that is a slight exaggeration but there are rather a lot of variants. Basically started off as 4L then 4.3 then 5l. Later ones have the slightly nicer T5 gearbox. Things like the Fuse box seem to be whatever they could find at the time.
Known snags/solutions.
A Fair few small things but not a big deal, if you have a problem ask on here, you will usually get an answer fairly quickly. Main problem is a tendency to make car shaped holes in the hedge, to avoid that don’t engine brake or lift off quickly in a low gear, or in fact any gear.
You may ( or may not) have a light in the passenger foot well, it is easy for it to get switched to permanently on and the battery will be flat in the morning. It will also be flat if you don’t shut the doors properly, or the little plastic bit on the door that presses on the door switch has fallen off. If they have not been done already throw away the rubber suspension bushes and fit some poly ones. While there check the front wishbones they rot very quickly.
Parts stockists.
Loads of people doing parts now , mostly very helpful.
Good choice by the way and noting your previous Hill Climb interest you could have crack at a few hills or sprints in it. Have a look at the TVR car speed championship.
A fair few external engine bits are V8 Discovery inside they are bit more bespoke. Hubs and brakes are Ford ,steering column is Vauxhall. Easiest way if you need something is to ask on here it is a very active and useful resource.
Mauals/handbook.
For engine stuff the relevant Hanes Landrover book is helpful, it pops up from time to time in charity shops. For everything else you need Steve Heath’s excellent book.
Did the car have a spare wheel / jack / tool kit?
Yes, there should be a black “leatherette” bag with a jack, wheel brace and screwdriver. Also there should be a space saver wheel they both lived in the boot, held in place with a rubber strap. You will find the two hooks if you look. AS said most people carry some tyre weld and / or a plug in compressor
History/Specs.
Probably no two the same, that is a slight exaggeration but there are rather a lot of variants. Basically started off as 4L then 4.3 then 5l. Later ones have the slightly nicer T5 gearbox. Things like the Fuse box seem to be whatever they could find at the time.
Known snags/solutions.
A Fair few small things but not a big deal, if you have a problem ask on here, you will usually get an answer fairly quickly. Main problem is a tendency to make car shaped holes in the hedge, to avoid that don’t engine brake or lift off quickly in a low gear, or in fact any gear.
You may ( or may not) have a light in the passenger foot well, it is easy for it to get switched to permanently on and the battery will be flat in the morning. It will also be flat if you don’t shut the doors properly, or the little plastic bit on the door that presses on the door switch has fallen off. If they have not been done already throw away the rubber suspension bushes and fit some poly ones. While there check the front wishbones they rot very quickly.
Parts stockists.
Loads of people doing parts now , mostly very helpful.
Good choice by the way and noting your previous Hill Climb interest you could have crack at a few hills or sprints in it. Have a look at the TVR car speed championship.
Edited by steve-V8s on Thursday 26th November 17:46
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