I find it extraordinary...
Discussion
That the Chim and Griff 500's are still advertised as having 340bhp.
If you weren't in the know, e.g. hadn't done extensive research prior to purchase, then found out after that it actually had around 280bhp, how would you feel....
I know it's always been this way, and the stories about bench testing etc, but was just perusing the Chim 500's for sale on PH. Just seems wrong advertising cars for sale and quoting power outputs that you know aren't real....
Chilli
If you weren't in the know, e.g. hadn't done extensive research prior to purchase, then found out after that it actually had around 280bhp, how would you feel....
I know it's always been this way, and the stories about bench testing etc, but was just perusing the Chim 500's for sale on PH. Just seems wrong advertising cars for sale and quoting power outputs that you know aren't real....
Chilli
But that's what is says in the owner's handbook. So it's reasonable to quote it. All used car sales quote from the manufacturer. Nobody advertises a car for sale with the estimated actual power, unless they really have had it tested on a rolling road. And then they would only mention it if it was better than expected!
I never quote power on a sale myself, but Autotrader for instance auto complete the car details from the maunfacturer's spec.
And I've always though the Chimaera / Griff 500s switched between 320 and 340 randomly according to the year.
I never quote power on a sale myself, but Autotrader for instance auto complete the car details from the maunfacturer's spec.
And I've always though the Chimaera / Griff 500s switched between 320 and 340 randomly according to the year.
Hopefully, prospective buyers will do their homework and not be seduced by the grossly misleading BHP figures. Its not just the 500s though, is it? 
Autotrader shows a couple of 400 HCs with 275 bhp.
They also show several 400s with 240 bhp.
And there are a couple more 400s with 235 bhp.
Some have quite high mileage so to advertise a car with 275 bhp with more than 70k miles is completely wrong without supporting evidence.
Before any work was done on my 400 HC with 49k miles, the rolling road showed 204 bhp. I'd guess that most other 400s are the same or less as my cam wasn't badly worn.
Autotrader shows a couple of 400 HCs with 275 bhp.
They also show several 400s with 240 bhp.
And there are a couple more 400s with 235 bhp.
Some have quite high mileage so to advertise a car with 275 bhp with more than 70k miles is completely wrong without supporting evidence.
Before any work was done on my 400 HC with 49k miles, the rolling road showed 204 bhp. I'd guess that most other 400s are the same or less as my cam wasn't badly worn.
I bought a Saab three years ago with "fully working climate control" and "engine in top condition".
The aircon compressor had been bypassed by using a shorter auxiliary belt, and the engine was using a litre of oil every 750 miles and needed a rebuild.
Mat Smith did the rebuild for me - it now uses less than 1/4 litre of oil every 20,000 miles, despite being 11 years old and not too far off 200,000 miles.
As said above, caveat emptor, and frankly anyone buying a Chim/Griff 500 will either know 340 bhp is garbage because they have had one before, or will be stunned by the performance.
The aircon compressor had been bypassed by using a shorter auxiliary belt, and the engine was using a litre of oil every 750 miles and needed a rebuild.
Mat Smith did the rebuild for me - it now uses less than 1/4 litre of oil every 20,000 miles, despite being 11 years old and not too far off 200,000 miles.
As said above, caveat emptor, and frankly anyone buying a Chim/Griff 500 will either know 340 bhp is garbage because they have had one before, or will be stunned by the performance.
Tvr weren't alone in being optimistic, but probably were more so than others
Very few manufacturers make their claims when tested
http://rototest-research.eu/index.php?DN=29
Very few manufacturers make their claims when tested
http://rototest-research.eu/index.php?DN=29
Good link but couldn't find the saab 9000 Turbo. It's 20 years old but go beat it, anybody??? ;-)
Amazing pedigree and modern cars don't have this stuff, look good build crap.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKE3aLLD3HM
Show me the audi or bmw, on a blue rinse, lol
Amazing pedigree and modern cars don't have this stuff, look good build crap.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKE3aLLD3HM
Show me the audi or bmw, on a blue rinse, lol
I’m sure the engines they used when doing these tests weren't exactly standard 
Mine does what it says on the tin for a 4.6 and it’s not far off standard in many ways
Well the figures might differ but the speed correlates
Looking at my acceleration times from an official drag strip run i’m getting to 100 mph in just over 10 seconds
Which I’d consider slow compared to the best Rover engines many Tvr have.
Before everyone else caught up Tvr from 60/100 mph was in a different league to any cheap sportscar before it.
I’d say today many of us enjoy the claimed hp figures let alone higher and flatter torque curves.
Power to weight the RV is still right up there in many ways.
Mine does what it says on the tin for a 4.6 and it’s not far off standard in many ways
Well the figures might differ but the speed correlates
Looking at my acceleration times from an official drag strip run i’m getting to 100 mph in just over 10 seconds
Which I’d consider slow compared to the best Rover engines many Tvr have.
Before everyone else caught up Tvr from 60/100 mph was in a different league to any cheap sportscar before it.
I’d say today many of us enjoy the claimed hp figures let alone higher and flatter torque curves.
Power to weight the RV is still right up there in many ways.
Edited by Classic Chim on Sunday 21st January 10:28
Edited by Classic Chim on Sunday 21st January 10:30
Must be bored and considering values, as having a true 340 hp and knowing the huge difference in his and a standard engined cars performance must grate when standard old cars are sold with said figures 
It dismayed me when I first come on here and found out the truth
This thought came across my mind very recently Richard when deciding to accelerate with passion for the first time after months of pottering about like an auto!
This ain’t no standard car I sort of thought with a thrill.
It’s not as fast as many by a long stroke but compared to the same car before the work,,,,
Much faster car.
I think I comfort myself by the thought if I came to sell which is a strange concept as nothing can really replace it’s simple brilliance and beauty let alone rust free body whoever is lucky enough to test drive it will get the sense it’s a fast one
It dismayed me when I first come on here and found out the truth
This thought came across my mind very recently Richard when deciding to accelerate with passion for the first time after months of pottering about like an auto!
This ain’t no standard car I sort of thought with a thrill.
It’s not as fast as many by a long stroke but compared to the same car before the work,,,,
Much faster car.
I think I comfort myself by the thought if I came to sell which is a strange concept as nothing can really replace it’s simple brilliance and beauty let alone rust free body whoever is lucky enough to test drive it will get the sense it’s a fast one
Classic Chim said:
It dismayed me when I first come on here and found out the truth
That's kinda what I was getting at Al.... Anyhoo, it was just an observation really 
Met up with some of the car club lads earlier, they're off to Aldeburgh on the annual January fish and chip run, mate down the road has a Griff, so after hearing him fire it up this morning I did the Sunday shop then came home and fired beastie up
ChilliWhizz said:
That's kinda what I was getting at Al.... Anyhoo, it was just an observation really
Met up with some of the car club lads earlier, they're off to Aldeburgh on the annual January fish and chip run, mate down the road has a Griff, so after hearing him fire it up this morning I did the Sunday shop then came home and fired beastie up
Snowing here and I’ve driven my car in the snow once and it stays that way Met up with some of the car club lads earlier, they're off to Aldeburgh on the annual January fish and chip run, mate down the road has a Griff, so after hearing him fire it up this morning I did the Sunday shop then came home and fired beastie up
Nothing like these crazy little cars really, just nothing so roar yet simple and elegant.
The fact we can get out Tvr to the claimed figures and the outrageous world class acceleration rates we can muster is testament to the dreams if not facts the real thing was sold as.
I find 300 hp with 350 ft torques is outrageously powerful in teal terms on the roads let alone 340 hp
Well I have no idea what Torque and BHP the 430 produces that I have bought. Heath tells me it runs sweetly and says it is a good one. It might be interesting one day to get her onto the rollers and find out but it's not that important really.
The important thing is that she has a nice V8 under the bonnet and if one really presses the loud pedal it will shove you back into the seat and make a glorious sound while doing so. She will be a step up from my other sports car that's for sure. The intent is to use her for that which she was designed ................................... a GT ................ Grand Tourer!
The important thing is that she has a nice V8 under the bonnet and if one really presses the loud pedal it will shove you back into the seat and make a glorious sound while doing so. She will be a step up from my other sports car that's for sure. The intent is to use her for that which she was designed ................................... a GT ................ Grand Tourer!
Nope not even seen it in the flesh as yet. Saw the photos and got a pre purchase inspection done then had the recommended work done on her from X Works she was transported to secure storage until the weather improves fro the drive across Europe. Due to issues here the barn renovation and conversion to garage has not been completed so no cover for the cars ATM.
We do not know if she is 430 BV or just a 430 but i dream about driving her and the road trip across Europe. This road tip is something that have long wanted to do.
We do not know if she is 430 BV or just a 430 but i dream about driving her and the road trip across Europe. This road tip is something that have long wanted to do.
And why not. It's what TVR claimed in their pamphlets in 1999 / 2000:
I find it extraordinary that anyone expects a seller to do anything other than quote the manufacturer's stated power figures. That goes for any car, not just a TVR.
What are they supposed to do? Pay for a rolling road test and then have people shoot it down as a biased power figure like ofter happens? Take a wild guess?
All manufacturer's claims are probably to be taken as ambitious but its the only data 99% of sellers have access to. If a car is obviously down on power, a test drive should reveal it. And as for auctions (classic real ones as well as online ones like eBay), well I'm surprised what some cars reach considering you're buying with no test or comeback, only the auctioneers and / or vendor's description.
I find it extraordinary that anyone expects a seller to do anything other than quote the manufacturer's stated power figures. That goes for any car, not just a TVR.
What are they supposed to do? Pay for a rolling road test and then have people shoot it down as a biased power figure like ofter happens? Take a wild guess?
All manufacturer's claims are probably to be taken as ambitious but its the only data 99% of sellers have access to. If a car is obviously down on power, a test drive should reveal it. And as for auctions (classic real ones as well as online ones like eBay), well I'm surprised what some cars reach considering you're buying with no test or comeback, only the auctioneers and / or vendor's description.
I don't know how many remember the Top Gear episode where they bought three "supercars" for under £10k each......when they rolling-roaded them I seem to remember that one car had less than 100 bhp actually present and correct, and all struggled to keep up with a modern hatchback around a race circuit.
My car is now 18 years old - I am pleasantly surprised that it makes anywhere near the output TVR claimed back when it was new
My car is now 18 years old - I am pleasantly surprised that it makes anywhere near the output TVR claimed back when it was new
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