RE: Spotted: TVR Griffith 500 SE
Discussion
JamesK said:
Right we're slipping into the realms of pub misinformation here!
Standard 500's were quoted as 340 and laterly 320bhp. A good one probably made 280-290 in the real world. It is INCREDIBLY rare to find one that makes anywhere near 300bhp in standard form new or otherwise. The only Griffs to make 300bhp out of the factory were the 4.5BV's and the very few 5.0 pre-cats that were ordered. You'll probably never see either.
The above doesn't matter. They weigh a ton and are shatteringly fast. Extended experience has taught me it's pointless entering into pub power conversations in the first place.
I don't know how big other peoples golf clubs are but as of this Sunday I can catagorically state that my set, driver included, fits EASILY into my boot. My friends VW Golf however, required the removal of both my driver and 3W!!
340HCs were quoted as 340.Standard 500's were quoted as 340 and laterly 320bhp. A good one probably made 280-290 in the real world. It is INCREDIBLY rare to find one that makes anywhere near 300bhp in standard form new or otherwise. The only Griffs to make 300bhp out of the factory were the 4.5BV's and the very few 5.0 pre-cats that were ordered. You'll probably never see either.
The above doesn't matter. They weigh a ton and are shatteringly fast. Extended experience has taught me it's pointless entering into pub power conversations in the first place.
I don't know how big other peoples golf clubs are but as of this Sunday I can catagorically state that my set, driver included, fits EASILY into my boot. My friends VW Golf however, required the removal of both my driver and 3W!!
good 500s make 260-280
they are fast but 'shatteringly' may be stretching it for a Griff 500. While the Griff is squealing and squirming to get the power down, an EVO8; M5; M3; 911 etc etc is 300 yards down the road.
Old TVRs are great toys but they do have their limitations!!!
Semantics on the numbers - the point is they don't make what is claimed so we agree there.
I'd hand my license and keys in at the door if I couldn't keep up with those cars you list in a drag race. What little evidence there is suggests they get the power down more than well enough. Going round corners on the other hand.....
I'd hand my license and keys in at the door if I couldn't keep up with those cars you list in a drag race. What little evidence there is suggests they get the power down more than well enough. Going round corners on the other hand.....
The only cars I have owned that I loved more than my old Griff 500 are the Morgan Aero 8s. The Griff and the Morgan have similar powers - they turn any journey, even if it's a burble to the supermarket, into an event.
But a Griff SE is half the the price and has smaller running costs.
A good SE is on my list of cars to have when I have the barn for a fleet. To my mind TVR never made a better looking car.
But a Griff SE is half the the price and has smaller running costs.
A good SE is on my list of cars to have when I have the barn for a fleet. To my mind TVR never made a better looking car.
Edmundo2 said:
Warning - if you buy a good one keep it as whatever you replace it with will still leave you with a void in your life!
Wise words, wish I'd never sold mine.The void left by the Griff is about to be filled by a Chimaera 500. Not quite as beautiful or a 'classic' like the Griff but much better value for money at the moment.
swanny71 said:
Edmundo2 said:
Warning - if you buy a good one keep it as whatever you replace it with will still leave you with a void in your life!
Wise words, wish I'd never sold mine.The void left by the Griff is about to be filled by a Chimaera 500. Not quite as beautiful or a 'classic' like the Griff but much better value for money at the moment.
The combined talents of a Sagaris, Grale and 308GTS havent filled the Griff sized hole in my life.
Trellis said:
340HCs were quoted as 340.
good 500s make 260-280
they are fast but 'shatteringly' may be stretching it for a Griff 500. While the Griff is squealing and squirming to get the power down, an EVO8; M5; M3; 911 etc etc is 300 yards down the road.
Old TVRs are great toys but they do have their limitations!!!
all 500s are HC, good standard 500s make around 270/290bhp and 320/340lbft,good 500s make 260-280
they are fast but 'shatteringly' may be stretching it for a Griff 500. While the Griff is squealing and squirming to get the power down, an EVO8; M5; M3; 911 etc etc is 300 yards down the road.
Old TVRs are great toys but they do have their limitations!!!
even today not much can beat a good 500 to 80/100mph and stick some upgraded dampers/springs with decent set up on a good 500 and they make a very fast track car.
not bad for a 20 year old car and still quicker than a new 997 C4S to 150mph,
this car is a standard 500,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvKBXsLtcwQ
Simply stunning.
Us Yanks get our hands on many cars but I'm not sure I've ever seen one out here. Not in CA at least. Seems like a wonderful instance of a simple and powerful roadster. In today's world of safety, e-nannies and creature comforts, there really are few chances left of that breed. Pity.
Us Yanks get our hands on many cars but I'm not sure I've ever seen one out here. Not in CA at least. Seems like a wonderful instance of a simple and powerful roadster. In today's world of safety, e-nannies and creature comforts, there really are few chances left of that breed. Pity.
BliarOut said:
Mine's got Compomotives on 
Trellis said:
JamesK said:
Right we're slipping into the realms of pub misinformation here!
Standard 500's were quoted as 340 and laterly 320bhp. A good one probably made 280-290 in the real world. It is INCREDIBLY rare to find one that makes anywhere near 300bhp in standard form new or otherwise. The only Griffs to make 300bhp out of the factory were the 4.5BV's and the very few 5.0 pre-cats that were ordered. You'll probably never see either.
The above doesn't matter. They weigh a ton and are shatteringly fast. Extended experience has taught me it's pointless entering into pub power conversations in the first place.
I don't know how big other peoples golf clubs are but as of this Sunday I can catagorically state that my set, driver included, fits EASILY into my boot. My friends VW Golf however, required the removal of both my driver and 3W!!
340HCs were quoted as 340.Standard 500's were quoted as 340 and laterly 320bhp. A good one probably made 280-290 in the real world. It is INCREDIBLY rare to find one that makes anywhere near 300bhp in standard form new or otherwise. The only Griffs to make 300bhp out of the factory were the 4.5BV's and the very few 5.0 pre-cats that were ordered. You'll probably never see either.
The above doesn't matter. They weigh a ton and are shatteringly fast. Extended experience has taught me it's pointless entering into pub power conversations in the first place.
I don't know how big other peoples golf clubs are but as of this Sunday I can catagorically state that my set, driver included, fits EASILY into my boot. My friends VW Golf however, required the removal of both my driver and 3W!!
good 500s make 260-280
they are fast but 'shatteringly' may be stretching it for a Griff 500. While the Griff is squealing and squirming to get the power down, an EVO8; M5; M3; 911 etc etc is 300 yards down the road.
Old TVRs are great toys but they do have their limitations!!!
AndyGarton said:
BliarOut said:
Mine's got Compomotives on
Could I ask exactly which wheels these are please, and what size/make tyres you use on them?Thanks in advance,
Andy
They're Compomotive MO6
215/40 x 17" on the front and 265/35 x 18" on the rear. Depending on the geo it may be necessary to have the inner arches re-glassed to make clearance for that much rubber.
I bought my first a 96 500HC in Ultra Rare Mallard Pearl Blue With Magnolia Trim very cheaply , in August 07.
I went right through the car, Steering, Ball Joints, Shocks, Brakes etc etc. I stupidly sold her ( To Germany ) in April 08 and imeadiately regretted it.
Bought my current "Tweaked" , 98 Starmist one last year and i cant ever see me Ever selling it. She puts a huge grin on my face on every drive.
But be warned, they bite Badly , if you are not carefull.
Harry Flashman said:
There is one Griff that I genuinely regret not buying.
Str8 Six had it - it was a beautifully restored and fully re-engineered example, running a 4.5 AJP8 from a Cerbera, on throttle bodies. They wanted £18k for it. I think it sold within days.
I still wish I owned that car.
I saw that too, it had gold wheels right?Str8 Six had it - it was a beautifully restored and fully re-engineered example, running a 4.5 AJP8 from a Cerbera, on throttle bodies. They wanted £18k for it. I think it sold within days.
I still wish I owned that car.
Looked stunning. £18k seems a bargain for it too.
Diablos-666 said:
Harry Flashman said:
There is one Griff that I genuinely regret not buying.
Str8 Six had it - it was a beautifully restored and fully re-engineered example, running a 4.5 AJP8 from a Cerbera, on throttle bodies. They wanted £18k for it. I think it sold within days.
I still wish I owned that car.
I saw that too, it had gold wheels right?Str8 Six had it - it was a beautifully restored and fully re-engineered example, running a 4.5 AJP8 from a Cerbera, on throttle bodies. They wanted £18k for it. I think it sold within days.
I still wish I owned that car.
Looked stunning. £18k seems a bargain for it too.
I genuinely regret not buying it. Went to see it, and the engineering was stunning.
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