4.5RV8 Griffiths?
Discussion
I'm trying to settle a disagreement here. I distinctly remember seeing a TVR Griffith 4.5 for sale a while ago, and thought it was interesting, but nothing more. I then mentioned this to the owner of a TVR garage, whose attitude was 'what are you on about you stupid kid'. I then asked my friend about it and he said none were made. So after this I thought perhaps I'd misread the ad. HOWEVER, I since started reading the Steve Heath bible, and he mentions 10-12 4.5BV Griffiths being made, and that 'they were the most powerful Griffiths available until the Griffith 500'. However, my friend thinks these were not production cars and modified by people after they had bought them. Anyone care to clear this up?
There's an estimated 10 pre serp 4.5 factory built Griffiths . .
There is also one 4.5 serp Griffith factory built, made special order for friends of Peter Wheeler in Ireland.
They'd had every car the factory ever built and their early 500 suffered with shunting and she wanted a 4.5 as it she found them more pleasant to drive and asked PW if he'd build it for her, which he did. It's blak with a blak portland grey interior.
I know this as the factory bought it back and then had it for at least 2yrs. I test drove it and nearly bought it off them, but wanted a 500 really and it needed a little tlc.
There is also one 4.5 serp Griffith factory built, made special order for friends of Peter Wheeler in Ireland.
They'd had every car the factory ever built and their early 500 suffered with shunting and she wanted a 4.5 as it she found them more pleasant to drive and asked PW if he'd build it for her, which he did. It's blak with a blak portland grey interior.
I know this as the factory bought it back and then had it for at least 2yrs. I test drove it and nearly bought it off them, but wanted a 500 really and it needed a little tlc.
my factory press car J524MHG has a 4.5BV fitted by Neill A when he prepped the car for the Sprint Championship in 1995 IIRC - at the Growl rolling road session in 2008 it produced a nice set of curves (roughly similar to a good 4.3 and better than many 500s) - and it is said that it provides the best compromise in terms of power,torque and smoothness. I certainly like it very much and it pulls like a train! 
oh, and Neill won the championship in it two years running!
oh, and Neill won the championship in it two years running!There were indeed about 10 to 12 4.5 pre cat big valve Griffs made. These were factory built cars and the engines supplied from new. They were basically the same engine as supplied for the Tuscan Challenge cars i.e Cross bolted blocks, steel crank and Rods,Cosworth pistons and big valve heads. Some Chimeras also have 4.5 engines but they are not the same spec by far.
I have one of the factory built cars and it is one of the best cars I've ever had (and I've had quite a few). It sounds absolutely glorious and has real character. I'm not aware of any others that exist but would like to get in touch with anyone that has one.
If the one that you are refering to was being advertised for sale at around May time, that's my car.
Hope that helps you win your argument and gets you at least one free beer from your mate!
Mike
I have one of the factory built cars and it is one of the best cars I've ever had (and I've had quite a few). It sounds absolutely glorious and has real character. I'm not aware of any others that exist but would like to get in touch with anyone that has one.
If the one that you are refering to was being advertised for sale at around May time, that's my car.
Hope that helps you win your argument and gets you at least one free beer from your mate!
Mike
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