Questions from a new owner
Discussion
There are naive questions, tedious questions, ill-phrased questions, questions put after inadequate self-criticism. But every question is a cry to understand the Griffith. There is no such thing as a dumb question......apparently.
1 How do I get a colour code for my car it is a 1995 5 litre and a metallic black
2 Is the rear number plate anything special to allow the light through as I need to replace it.
3 My gear knob is 180 degrees out i.e. the numbers are upside down I thought is would just be a matter of unscrewing it 180 degrees but it is very tight and I dont want to snap anything.
4 Is it possible to put the targa top in the boot with the space saver tyre in place.
Regards
Nick
1 How do I get a colour code for my car it is a 1995 5 litre and a metallic black
2 Is the rear number plate anything special to allow the light through as I need to replace it.
3 My gear knob is 180 degrees out i.e. the numbers are upside down I thought is would just be a matter of unscrewing it 180 degrees but it is very tight and I dont want to snap anything.
4 Is it possible to put the targa top in the boot with the space saver tyre in place.
Regards
Nick
1 - Colour code should be in the plate under the bonnet
2 - Yes it's semi transparent. Fancyplates (and I think craigs plates) have a TVR option online for a new one.
3 - The knobs are threaded on.
4 - yes it should fit. With the wheel stowed to the right corner against the tank( should have a tie in there to hold it in), put in the left corner of the top and then rotate the right corner in. Just got to watch the edge rubbing on the boot hinges.
2 - Yes it's semi transparent. Fancyplates (and I think craigs plates) have a TVR option online for a new one.
3 - The knobs are threaded on.
4 - yes it should fit. With the wheel stowed to the right corner against the tank( should have a tie in there to hold it in), put in the left corner of the top and then rotate the right corner in. Just got to watch the edge rubbing on the boot hinges.
Nick Brough said:
There are naive questions, tedious questions, ill-phrased questions, questions put after inadequate self-criticism. But every question is a cry to understand the Griffith. There is no such thing as a dumb question......apparently.
1 How do I get a colour code for my car it is a 1995 5 litre and a metallic black
2 Is the rear number plate anything special to allow the light through as I need to replace it.
3 My gear knob is 180 degrees out i.e. the numbers are upside down I thought is would just be a matter of unscrewing it 180 degrees but it is very tight and I dont want to snap anything.
4 Is it possible to put the targa top in the boot with the space saver tyre in place.
Regards
Nick
1 How do I get a colour code for my car it is a 1995 5 litre and a metallic black
2 Is the rear number plate anything special to allow the light through as I need to replace it.
3 My gear knob is 180 degrees out i.e. the numbers are upside down I thought is would just be a matter of unscrewing it 180 degrees but it is very tight and I dont want to snap anything.
4 Is it possible to put the targa top in the boot with the space saver tyre in place.
Regards
Nick
Hi Nick - well done on your purchase and the fastest ones are black!
1. Sounds like Moonraker Black list here:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gAssing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
2. Available from clever trevor (honeycomb letting light through)
3.Unscrew and rethread to correct position.
4. Yes - but consider 'surrey roof' or a hacksaw....
Regards, Paul.
1. Sounds like Moonraker Black list here:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gAssing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
2. Available from clever trevor (honeycomb letting light through)
3.Unscrew and rethread to correct position.
4. Yes - but consider 'surrey roof' or a hacksaw....
Regards, Paul.
First two answered to death...
3. Use a strap wrench to undo the gear knob. It'll not break. There's a lock nut thingy underneath it - at least there is on mine - yours might vary
this can be wound up or down to get the alignment.
4. A different take on an answer - Why do you want to carry the spare? If you need to use it, then you have to do something with the wheel you took off. This is more trouble than you might imagine... (Besides, on my car the space saver doesn't fit over the front brakes.)
3. Use a strap wrench to undo the gear knob. It'll not break. There's a lock nut thingy underneath it - at least there is on mine - yours might vary
this can be wound up or down to get the alignment.4. A different take on an answer - Why do you want to carry the spare? If you need to use it, then you have to do something with the wheel you took off. This is more trouble than you might imagine... (Besides, on my car the space saver doesn't fit over the front brakes.)
1. 'Potato Muncher' here on PH may help you identify the colour. My car's colour code was written in the owners handbook.
2. When you fit your new translucent number plate consider lining the recess behind it with foil tape, and use LED type festoon bulbs. Also be prepared to educate your MOT tester that back lit number plates ARE legal on pre-2001 cars!
3. You'll probably need to loosen the locknut before trying to adjust the gear knob.
4. I've never succeeded in getting the targa panel in with the spare wheel in place. I found a spare tobe very useful when I buckled a front wheel in a pot hole - the original front fitted in the boot OK without the roof panel in. As suggested by others, a split roof or a folding roof is a good option.
2. When you fit your new translucent number plate consider lining the recess behind it with foil tape, and use LED type festoon bulbs. Also be prepared to educate your MOT tester that back lit number plates ARE legal on pre-2001 cars!
3. You'll probably need to loosen the locknut before trying to adjust the gear knob.
4. I've never succeeded in getting the targa panel in with the spare wheel in place. I found a spare tobe very useful when I buckled a front wheel in a pot hole - the original front fitted in the boot OK without the roof panel in. As suggested by others, a split roof or a folding roof is a good option.
Nick Brough said:
There are naive questions, tedious questions, ill-phrased questions, questions put after inadequate self-criticism. But every question is a cry to understand the Griffith. There is no such thing as a dumb question......apparently.
1 How do I get a colour code for my car it is a 1995 5 litre and a metallic black
2 Is the rear number plate anything special to allow the light through as I need to replace it.
3 My gear knob is 180 degrees out i.e. the numbers are upside down I thought is would just be a matter of unscrewing it 180 degrees but it is very tight and I dont want to snap anything.
4 Is it possible to put the targa top in the boot with the space saver tyre in place.
Regards
Nick
Hi Nick, I know the first two have been answered to death, but here is my 'two penneth' as they say:1 How do I get a colour code for my car it is a 1995 5 litre and a metallic black
2 Is the rear number plate anything special to allow the light through as I need to replace it.
3 My gear knob is 180 degrees out i.e. the numbers are upside down I thought is would just be a matter of unscrewing it 180 degrees but it is very tight and I dont want to snap anything.
4 Is it possible to put the targa top in the boot with the space saver tyre in place.
Regards
Nick
1. Paint colour - have you looked on the first page of your handbook (assume you got one), my colour and code is written on there.
2. Rear number plate - got a set for my Griff from Fancyplates, the rear is a special TVR translucent, use drop down menu on their website for the rear plate only (do not choose honeycomb) - http://www.fancyplates.com/step2.php?front=Standar...
3. Your gear knob will either be a plain screw on, or screw on with locking ring. If the latter loosen locking ring first. If the former, you may find taking it completely off and wrapping some PTFE plumbing tape onto the stick thread, then winding it back on until tight and the correct orientation.
4. Yes, it is easy by requires patience and care.
Hope that is helpful, regards, Pete
The roof panel will fit in with the spare wheel in the boot.
As has been said position the spare wheel to the right hand side of the tank but not all the way to the right. Take everything else out of the boot.
The panel needs to be held with the curve going away from you so that inside of the panel is facing away from you.
Then lift the panel up and insert the left hand side into the left hand end of the boot. It needs to go in with a downward angle. Let the left hand end move into the area below the left hand wing and bring the right hand end down. With the left hand end moved into the under wing area, the right hand end should now be able to clear the right hand lip of the boot and slip down into the boot.
At this point you can shift the panel over to the right slightly.
As has been said position the spare wheel to the right hand side of the tank but not all the way to the right. Take everything else out of the boot.
The panel needs to be held with the curve going away from you so that inside of the panel is facing away from you.
Then lift the panel up and insert the left hand side into the left hand end of the boot. It needs to go in with a downward angle. Let the left hand end move into the area below the left hand wing and bring the right hand end down. With the left hand end moved into the under wing area, the right hand end should now be able to clear the right hand lip of the boot and slip down into the boot.
At this point you can shift the panel over to the right slightly.
4. A picture (video) is worth a thousand words.... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZW38ZtrC0Pc
Take care with the spacesaver. I've driven about 30 miles with one on the front without issue but I've heard they are lethal on the back, not surprising if you think about it.
I guess the approach to a blow rear is move one of the fronts to the rear and put the spacesaver on the front - will be a very poorly matched setup but probably get you home if driven with care. Anyone had to do this?
I guess the approach to a blow rear is move one of the fronts to the rear and put the spacesaver on the front - will be a very poorly matched setup but probably get you home if driven with care. Anyone had to do this?
Hi
Thanks for all the advice should have said I got the roof panel in the boot but had to take the spare out first, the car was supplied new to it's one previous lady registered owner, by H.R. Owen Tradition of Excellence the renowned Rolls Royce dealers performance and sports car section Hythe Road London. Appears the tradition did not extend to writing the colour in the handbook.
The knob has no locknut but is on really really tight
Thanks again
Nick
Thanks for all the advice should have said I got the roof panel in the boot but had to take the spare out first, the car was supplied new to it's one previous lady registered owner, by H.R. Owen Tradition of Excellence the renowned Rolls Royce dealers performance and sports car section Hythe Road London. Appears the tradition did not extend to writing the colour in the handbook.
The knob has no locknut but is on really really tight
Thanks again
Nick
Edited by Nick Brough on Tuesday 27th May 17:46
Nick Brough said:
There are naive questions, tedious questions, ill-phrased questions, questions put after inadequate self-criticism. But every question is a cry to understand the Griffith. There is no such thing as a dumb question......apparently.
1 3 My gear knob is 180 degrees out i.e. the numbers are upside down I thought is would just be a matter of unscrewing it 180 degrees but it is very tight and I dont want to snap anything.
4 Is it possible to put the targa top in the boot with the space saver tyre in place.
Regards
Nick
Nick1 3 My gear knob is 180 degrees out i.e. the numbers are upside down I thought is would just be a matter of unscrewing it 180 degrees but it is very tight and I dont want to snap anything.
4 Is it possible to put the targa top in the boot with the space saver tyre in place.
Regards
Nick
3 My gear knob also has no lock nut or lock ring. The adjustment comes from slacking off the nut, reached from underneath the car, through the chassis. Sounds a pain but not so much if the car is on a lift.
4 I've never managed it. I take everything out of the boot, put the targa top (curved away from you, front side top, drop corner into nearside well as far as it will go and then put and then drop corner into offside) in and then put everything back in. I now don't carry the spare anymore, I carry a can of TyreWeld and an electric pump that fits in the lighter socket.
I hope this helps.
Pete
Hi Nick,
All covered really, but just to reiterate on a couple.
The back lit rear number plate can be a problem to get through an MOT, so make sure the light works well and be prepared to convince the garage doing the job, it is legal. Once educated they should be fine.
The roof and spare will fit, used mine like that for ages till the penny dropped. My interior is cream and there was no way I was going to put a wheel straight off the car into the cabin. So by a can of tyre foam and join the AA.
Cheers,
Simon.
All covered really, but just to reiterate on a couple.
The back lit rear number plate can be a problem to get through an MOT, so make sure the light works well and be prepared to convince the garage doing the job, it is legal. Once educated they should be fine.
The roof and spare will fit, used mine like that for ages till the penny dropped. My interior is cream and there was no way I was going to put a wheel straight off the car into the cabin. So by a can of tyre foam and join the AA.
Cheers,
Simon.
Simon.b said:
Hi Nick,
All covered really, but just to reiterate on a couple.
The back lit rear number plate can be a problem to get through an MOT, so make sure the light works well and be prepared to convince the garage doing the job, it is legal. Once educated they should be fine.
The roof and spare will fit, used mine like that for ages till the penny dropped. My interior is cream and there was no way I was going to put a wheel straight off the car into the cabin. So by a can of tyre foam and join the AA.
Cheers,
Simon.
Hi Simon,All covered really, but just to reiterate on a couple.
The back lit rear number plate can be a problem to get through an MOT, so make sure the light works well and be prepared to convince the garage doing the job, it is legal. Once educated they should be fine.
The roof and spare will fit, used mine like that for ages till the penny dropped. My interior is cream and there was no way I was going to put a wheel straight off the car into the cabin. So by a can of tyre foam and join the AA.
Cheers,
Simon.
Thanks for the reply, MOT should not be a problem as I am not far from X works. I have a cream interior on my pre war car so understand your predicament. I always find placing a passenger under the wheel helps
I now have a new problem soaked carpets / foot-wells, water is soaking through the sill carpet. I think it is running down the door rubber from the top. Any ideas on how to stop it.
Regards
Nick
Nick Brough said:
Simon.b said:
Hi Nick,
All covered really, but just to reiterate on a couple.
The back lit rear number plate can be a problem to get through an MOT, so make sure the light works well and be prepared to convince the garage doing the job, it is legal. Once educated they should be fine.
The roof and spare will fit, used mine like that for ages till the penny dropped. My interior is cream and there was no way I was going to put a wheel straight off the car into the cabin. So by a can of tyre foam and join the AA.
Cheers,
Simon.
Hi Simon,All covered really, but just to reiterate on a couple.
The back lit rear number plate can be a problem to get through an MOT, so make sure the light works well and be prepared to convince the garage doing the job, it is legal. Once educated they should be fine.
The roof and spare will fit, used mine like that for ages till the penny dropped. My interior is cream and there was no way I was going to put a wheel straight off the car into the cabin. So by a can of tyre foam and join the AA.
Cheers,
Simon.
Thanks for the reply, MOT should not be a problem as I am not far from X works. I have a cream interior on my pre war car so understand your predicament. I always find placing a passenger under the wheel helps
I now have a new problem soaked carpets / foot-wells, water is soaking through the sill carpet. I think it is running down the door seal from the top. Any ideas on how to stop it.
Regards
Nick
Your leaks could be the door seal but mine was actually soaking through the hard- top material and running down the B post.
Reproofed it with "Renevo" and it has been bone dry now for 4 years in quite torrential downpours.
Worth reproofing in any case as it smartens up the appearance of the top quite markedly.
Reproofed it with "Renevo" and it has been bone dry now for 4 years in quite torrential downpours.
Worth reproofing in any case as it smartens up the appearance of the top quite markedly.
Loubaruch said:
Your leaks could be the door seal but mine was actually soaking through the hard- top material and running down the B post.
Reproofed it with "Renevo" and it has been bone dry now for 4 years in quite torrential downpours.
Worth reproofing in any case as it smartens up the appearance of the top quite markedly.
Thanks, did think that was a possibility, I will break out my Renevo and give it a go.Reproofed it with "Renevo" and it has been bone dry now for 4 years in quite torrential downpours.
Worth reproofing in any case as it smartens up the appearance of the top quite markedly.
Nick
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