Cheapest V8 2 seater?

[CM2020]

cerb4.5lee said:

CM2020 said:

cerb4.5lee said:

CM2020 said:

cerb4.5lee said:

CM2020 said:

The weight is part of the reason I'm ok going older. You can't find anything even semi modern with a V8 which doesn't weight near 1500kg. That is lightweight for modern standards. Sure, you pay a price as older cars are what we could call crash and you are dead. But life is short anyways.

Just not as fun with a heavier car, even if power to weight is similar. Lightweight is so much more fun. V8, lightweight and manual. Can't believe TVR were the only ones doing it, and for a price normal people could afford.

You just feel at one with the car in a TVR I reckon, and the weight plays a big part in that, plus I love how the engines generally dominate the car. The weight obviously helps in terms of not wearing the tyres/brakes out either in comparison to the newer stuff. Plus their lightness helps in terms of the mpg too, which is a nice little bonus I reckon.

You're making me want another TVR now!

Hahaha. Did you have many problems with the one you had?

By the way, a Chimaera has been suggested several times. I wonder why there was no suggestion for a Griffith ? Is the Chimaera just better or the updated version? I find the Chimaera one of the ugliest TVRs.

I did have a lot of problems with mine to be fair. I had a lot of problems regarding starter motors/boot locks/wiper motors, but I believe that is quite common with them though.

I also needed a full rebuild of the engine/new cylinder head/new crank, but that was self inflicted though because I lost oil pressure(I later found out that the oil relief spring snapped), and my missus suggested driving back home(she was pregnant at the time and we were on the way to the TVR Chatsworth gathering). So that basically ruined the engine, but that was my fault and not the cars fault. If I'd been on my own I wouldn't have moved the car once I'd seen the oil pressure drop though(because I knew that it was going to end in tears).

The repair bill came to £11k! That was back in 2009 and I could've purchased another Cerbera for that money at the time as well.

Ah, my worst TVR nightmare then. But the Cerbera has a more problematic engine than the simple Rover V8 in the earlier cars right? Although I hear the problem with the earlier cars is not really the engine but things like the electrics and other smaller but annoying things?

I think I said this before, but I quite like the idea of a Rover V8 in a sports car. They sound brilliant. I remember not long ago somebody I know talking about somebody near selling a V6 80s TVR without an engine or bad engine. The gearbox swap suggestion made me think of it. No idea if it is still there or if I can find another. But maybe this is a good cheap way of doing this? Will a Rover V8 easily drop in one of the cheaper V6 cars? Or is it a different chassis or suspension? If it all could be done very cheaply, a lot could be forgiven.

The Rover V8 is pretty robust as far as I know. The Cerb is also known for being the most expensive TVR to run as well, and given my time again I would've gone with the Rover V8 in a TVR.

The Rover V8 will go into the V6 S cars because they actually made a V8 S from the factory.

But this was not a V6 S I was talking about. It's one of the 80s pop up headlight TVRs. I think they came with V6 and Rover V8. But this was a V6, without engine or broken engine.

[courty]

Mr Squarekins said:

I would have said TR8 or Daimler Dart maybe? Any v8 conversion on a TR7 or MGB roadster might count?

Don't forget the Jensen Healey, more advanced than an MGB and the Rover V8 is a drop in. Someone on here has one, it's a real hoot, but also comfortable. Rust being the main issue on these...

[ChocolateFrog]

CM2020 said:

I see. Thanks. Well, I guess it's easy to see why the Griffith is more expensive.

Is it?

It's rarer and the early models predate the requirement for a cat but beyond that I don't see much to justify the extra 10-15k required for one over a similar Chim.

[Shifter1]

CM2020 said:

cerb4.5lee said:

CM2020 said:

cerb4.5lee said:

CM2020 said:

cerb4.5lee said:

CM2020 said:

The weight is part of the reason I'm ok going older. You can't find anything even semi modern with a V8 which doesn't weight near 1500kg. That is lightweight for modern standards. Sure, you pay a price as older cars are what we could call crash and you are dead. But life is short anyways.

Just not as fun with a heavier car, even if power to weight is similar. Lightweight is so much more fun. V8, lightweight and manual. Can't believe TVR were the only ones doing it, and for a price normal people could afford.

You just feel at one with the car in a TVR I reckon, and the weight plays a big part in that, plus I love how the engines generally dominate the car. The weight obviously helps in terms of not wearing the tyres/brakes out either in comparison to the newer stuff. Plus their lightness helps in terms of the mpg too, which is a nice little bonus I reckon.

You're making me want another TVR now!

Hahaha. Did you have many problems with the one you had?

By the way, a Chimaera has been suggested several times. I wonder why there was no suggestion for a Griffith ? Is the Chimaera just better or the updated version? I find the Chimaera one of the ugliest TVRs.

I did have a lot of problems with mine to be fair. I had a lot of problems regarding starter motors/boot locks/wiper motors, but I believe that is quite common with them though.

I also needed a full rebuild of the engine/new cylinder head/new crank, but that was self inflicted though because I lost oil pressure(I later found out that the oil relief spring snapped), and my missus suggested driving back home(she was pregnant at the time and we were on the way to the TVR Chatsworth gathering). So that basically ruined the engine, but that was my fault and not the cars fault. If I'd been on my own I wouldn't have moved the car once I'd seen the oil pressure drop though(because I knew that it was going to end in tears).

The repair bill came to £11k! That was back in 2009 and I could've purchased another Cerbera for that money at the time as well.

Ah, my worst TVR nightmare then. But the Cerbera has a more problematic engine than the simple Rover V8 in the earlier cars right? Although I hear the problem with the earlier cars is not really the engine but things like the electrics and other smaller but annoying things?

I think I said this before, but I quite like the idea of a Rover V8 in a sports car. They sound brilliant. I remember not long ago somebody I know talking about somebody near selling a V6 80s TVR without an engine or bad engine. The gearbox swap suggestion made me think of it. No idea if it is still there or if I can find another. But maybe this is a good cheap way of doing this? Will a Rover V8 easily drop in one of the cheaper V6 cars? Or is it a different chassis or suspension? If it all could be done very cheaply, a lot could be forgiven.

The Rover V8 is pretty robust as far as I know. The Cerb is also known for being the most expensive TVR to run as well, and given my time again I would've gone with the Rover V8 in a TVR.

The Rover V8 will go into the V6 S cars because they actually made a V8 S from the factory.

But this was not a V6 S I was talking about. It's one of the 80s pop up headlight TVRs. I think they came with V6 and Rover V8. But this was a V6, without engine or broken engine.

I could be wrong. But I think a V8 will not fit straight in a V6 wedge. I think they had to make the chassis a bit wider to accept the Rover lump. But TVR folk will know for sure.

[CABC]

ChocolateFrog said:

CM2020 said:

I see. Thanks. Well, I guess it's easy to see why the Griffith is more expensive.

Is it?

It's rarer and the early models predate the requirement for a cat but beyond that I don't see much to justify the extra 10-15k required for one over a similar Chim.

+1
I think (in 2023) the Chim looks better. The Griff looked more outrageous 30 yrs ago, but I think the Chim has aged better. The interior is better resolved in the Chim too, as many Griffs have an awkward mix of switches. As for the Griff being a more serious sports car, well neither are by today's standards and they can be upgraded to suit anyway.

[samoht]

Both good looking cars but to me the Chimaera has a reminiscence of MGB about the front wing line, whereas the Griffith is an incredibly pure, dramatic shape, like a concept car they forgot to productionise.

[cerb4.5lee]

For me personally the Griff has always wiped the floor with the Chim looks wise. The Griff just looks so right to my eyes even now, whereas the Chim(and the Cerb) are starting to look a bit dated for me now.

[KTMsm]

CABC said:

As for the Griff being a more serious sports car, well neither are by today's standards

On the road the actual car has been pretty much irrelevant for the last 30 years as they can all exceed the limits with ease, it's whichever driver is willing to risk the longest ban

Edited by KTMsm on Friday 10th March 08:56

[CABC]

samoht said:

Both good looking cars but to me the Chimaera has a reminiscence of MGB about the front wing line, whereas the Griffith is an incredibly pure, dramatic shape, like a concept car they forgot to productionise.

From those 2 pics the Griff looks amazing
But in real life less so imo. It’s the rear light cluster in particular. Bearing in mind when it first came out cars still had separate bumpers, so it was so much more futuristic then.

The Cerb still looks crazy fantastic!

I got my Chim last year because of the looks inside and outside. along with the V8 so much of an event, especially compared to modern cars below 100k. The Elise delivers the 10/10 driving pleasure. Bases covered.

Anyway, all good cars

[CABC]

KTMsm said:

On the road the actual car has been pretty much irrelevant for the last 30 years as they can't all exceed the limits with ease, it's whichever driver is willing to risk the longest ban

Given your garage that’s a really surprising comment.
Plenty of roads show the difference in cars on an NSL.

[KTMsm]

CABC said:

Given your garage that’s a really surprising comment.
Plenty of roads show the difference in cars on an NSL.

Stupid voice text - edited to say they can all exceed the limit

If a Ferrari owner is only willing to drive at 60 or even 80 and the Mini owner is willing to drive at 120...

[Geoffcapes]

A Maserati 3200 or 4200 would fit the bill, find a good one and the horror stories are exaggerated.

Find a bad one, and they're justified.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301103...

£14k

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202212292...

£18k

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-search?sort=relev...

£15k

[CABC]

KTMsm said:

Stupid voice text - edited to say they can all exceed the limit

no, I was referring to feel and handling.
you've had a 5, MR2 and a few others that would be tighter and feel lighter down a twisty road at 9/10+.
The TVR has it at 8/10-.

[KTMsm]

CABC said:

no, I was referring to feel and handling.
you've had a 5, MR2 and a few others that would be tighter and feel lighter down a twisty road at 9/10+.
The TVR has it at 8/10-.

You said they weren't as capable as modern cars

My point is that all cars capabilities are so much higher than the speed limits that it doesn't matter

I agree that I prefer cars that are fun at lower speeds. I'm not sure later TVRs fall into that category, I regularly saw 130 on my Griffith's speedo

[braddo]

tr7v8 said:

TR7V8 would be a thought, getting more expensive these days as people look for them, but still a few around for sensible money.

Not cheap but a very nice one here for £14k. There's also a TR8 for over £30k!!

https://www.carandclassic.com/make-an-offer/1982-t...

[ChocolateFrog]

samoht said:

Both good looking cars but to me the Chimaera has a reminiscence of MGB about the front wing line, whereas the Griffith is an incredibly pure, dramatic shape, like a concept car they forgot to productionise.

I take some of the points but those pictures are a little unfair.

Put it next to a mk3 (that'll still be cheaper) and pick the chims best angle over the griffs best angle and it makes a difference.

[tr7v8]

braddo said:

tr7v8 said:

TR7V8 would be a thought, getting more expensive these days as people look for them, but still a few around for sensible money.

Not cheap but a very nice one here for £14k. There's also a TR8 for over £30k!!

https://www.carandclassic.com/make-an-offer/1982-t...

A TR8 if it is a TR8 will be Very very rare so not surprised its 30K+ I sold my TR7V8 post 16K+ rebuild for around 5k in 2007 but prices have hugely risen since.
That's a conversion having had a closer look & at 30K they dreaming. 10-15K gets you a decent conversion today, with Coupes being sought after as rally tools.

[coldel]

Reads opening post seeing OP say he isnt interested in TVRs

Skips to page 5 sees most of the conversation now around TVRs

[KTMsm]

I've got a TR7 V8 I'd sell for £5,995 some micro blistering but solid

I'll stick it on classic cars for sale shortly

[braddo]

coldel said:

Reads opening post seeing OP say he isnt interested in TVRs

Skips to page 5 sees most of the conversation now around TVRs

To be fair the OP's request is a bit silly when it's discounting the main answer!

KTMsm said:

I've got a TR7 V8 I'd sell for £5,995 some micro blistering but solid

I'll stick it on classic cars for sale shortly

There is the OP's answer.