Urge for another TVR - Thoughts on this Griff ?

[PGNSagaris]

Hi gents.

Feeling the urge for another TVR and with the M3 going tomorrow I have an empty space to fill.

Having had a Tuscan, Cerb and Sag, I’d love to try a Griff. For me their styling is timeless and I miss having a convertible in the garage.

So..what are your thoughts on this car? I know almost nothing about Griff’s, pre-cat, post cat, engine sizes, bhp etc. All Greek to me.

http://www.str8six.co.uk/car_sales/tvr_griffith/40...

Thanks in advance.

[5.0ltr]

Whilst appreciating the work that has gone into this car I would suggest that this is strong money. For £2K more you could buy a 2001 SE 5.0ltr. Anyway that apart my head would not go anywhere near a roll over bar without a crash helmet.

[cs174]

Whilst a pre-cat is desirable, as you've had TVR's previously, I'd recommend going for a Griffith 500. You're almost in SE money there.

[citizen smith]

As nice as it is, the 400 is the slowest member of the 90's Griff's family. A later 500 would be a better place to invest your money.

You would probably end up wanting more oomph if you bought it!

Horses for courses though.

[PGNSagaris]

Thanks all. Might have to head down and drive it to see. I’m not expecting a furious pace but would hate for it to feel slow

[ThePrisoner]

PGNSagaris said:

Thanks all. Might have to head down and drive it to see. I’m not expecting a furious pace but would hate for it to feel slow

PM me if you want the low down on that one. It was a 14 month drive in drive out Restoration .

TBH : You would be hard pushed to get anywhere near the Calibre of the quality that Jason lavished on this Griff for the price.

[phazed]

I am not disputing the quality of that particular car but a 400 by today’s standards is pretty slow.

A 450 is quicker as you’d expect and the 500 has loads more torque that can be used effectively on today’s roads for overtaking. The 400 by comparison does feel a bit breathless.

If you just want a nice car to cruise around with the top down then this will be fine. It depends what you are looking for.

I went from my 5.5 L Chimaera at 400 BHP to a 303 BHP Boxster S which fills the bill power wise but I would not like to settle for less.

That car does look very nice but I’d suggest it is top money even considering what has been done to it.

[citizen smith]

ThePrisoner said:

PM me if you want the low down on that one. It was a 14 month drive in drive out Restoration .

TBH : You would be hard pushed to get anywhere near the Calibre of the quality that Jason lavished on this Griff for the price.

pm'd

[Englishman]

Looks like a great restoration, but like others above, I would recommend a good, late. 500 as the pinnacle of Griffith development. As for an SE, that was just a slight restyling exercise at the end of the Griffith production run. At the time dealers struggled to shift them as the revised styling was not to everyone's taste, but they do command a premium these days.

[SFTWend]

I think a test drive will give you the answer. Most say buy the best maintained example and I doubt there is a better condition Grif out there for the money.

I drove a 4.3 just before lockdown and loved it. For me the lack of PAS suited the car and the pre cat noise is sensational.

[PGNSagaris]

Thanks all. A major plus for me is that Str8six have done all the work. I trust them implicitly from experience.

My ideal spec is navy blue with cream interior so if anyone has one they’d consider selling, pls pm me.

[spitfire4v8]

I think the earliest precats are the best of the bunch, and history shows that the very first of the line usually command a premium in years to come, even though they are usually the most flawed.

I'm a nit-picker, but for that money things like the wrong size jubilee clips, missing plenum badge and red spade connectors on the wiper motor, would really grate ... it's a top-dollar car so you'd expect top-dollar visuals. It's also wearing nitrons whereas the advert says bilsteins / eibachs, not that that matters too much. The aftermarket tubular front wishbones are a nice touch too.

It does, however, look absolutely beautiful and would be well worth a look. The sensible heads all say go for the 500 / 500SE and they are all nearly correct. I would have a precat over a late 500 any time. They are just so much more Griffith, before they started making them slightly more appealling / ruining their character ..

[gordon1955]

I would buy another car from Jason, but not from that old salesman they have,

[PGNSagaris]

Unnecessary comment. Chas has been first class every time I’ve bought from him.

[AndrewD]

My wife also selling her 1999 Griff 500, coming soon on collecting cars:

https://collectingcars.com/for-sale/1999-tvr-griff...

[geeman237]

The blue one has been for sale for at least a year I'd say. I think they were thinking of the US market, but that has never happened. There is a similarly priced "concours" 4.0 at Fernhurst for comparison. As others have said, its top money for any variant of Griffith.
OP, what are you wanting to get out of the Griffith experience? Are you into modifying, just driving, showing, track days etc? Identifying this may help you find the Griffith to suit you.
There is what looks to be a very nice and rare 4.3BV at Amore in Glos for sale. All the pre-cat rawness with near 500 performance?
Parts wise I think the 500 versions are slightly better catered for, notably around some detail parts. Gauges, speedo transducer, shocks, heat/ventilation controls are that little bit trickier to find on the pre-cats.
My advise in the price range you are looking at would be to check everything works properly and the attention to detail in how well its been "screwed together", wiring, fit and finish etc.

[PGNSagaris]

Yes, spoke to Chas and it was aimed at the US market when first put on sale.

With regards usage, no track work - just general driving, weekend fun, road trips etc and no mods. I have other toys for racing/track days/daily use.

The joy for me is that even at 30mph, a TVR is an event. The burble, the noise, the looks

AndrewD, lovely Griff. Will pm you

[geeman237]

PGNSagaris said:

Yes, spoke to Chas and it was aimed at the US market when first put on sale.

With regards usage, no track work - just general driving, weekend fun, road trips etc and no mods. I have other toys for racing/track days/daily use.

The joy for me is that even at 30mph, a TVR is an event. The burble, the noise, the looks

AndrewD, lovely Griff. Will pm you

With that being the case, then perhaps you simply buy the car that feels 'right' for you and take your time finding the exact colour and trim combination you desire. At your price range, it should open a nice wide field. Although, I have read best to avoid the pre-serp 5.0 engines, but stand to be corrected. Also, I've read comments about the alloy/metal dash panels reflecting in the sun. These catch my eye.

https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1035087
https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1244625
https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1051681

Happy hunting.

[robsco]

I believe that car has been advertised at 45k for some time, crazy money and quite rightly adjusted. I loved my late Griff 500, 11 TVRs owned and I must say it was probably in the top 3.

[mk1fan]

Nice looking 4.3 on evilbay at the moment for £19k.