TVR Griffith 500 - The best 2nd car ever built

[fatbutt]

Does anyone actually run a Griff as an only car? Personally, I couldn't hack the poor handling in reasonable conditions (was mine the only Griff that aquaplaned at the slightest hint of rain?), so I ran it in conjunction with a, ahem, new shape 1.2 Punto.

Mind you, the Punto broke down more often than the Griff so that should say something!

We all love the dream of owning one of these cars but I think that some of the press (autocar, classic and sportscar, etc.) seem to be giving the impression that you can run these all the time, which surely isn't the case.

[scruff400]

Yes, but not at the moment. I'm fiddling with its Crotch.

[craigalsop]

quote:We all love the dream of owning one of these cars but I think that some of the press (autocar, classic and sportscar, etc.) seem to be giving the impression that you can run these all the time, which surely isn't the case.

Why not? My Chimaera (I know, not a Griffith) is run all round the year except in the snow - and I know people that even do that! So long as you have enough tread on the tires ( >=3mm), it doesn't seem prone to aquaplaning either....Wheelspin, sure you'll get wheelspin, but haven't noticed much aquaplaning.

cheers,
Craig

[david beer]

I dont drive mine all the time and was always slightly aware of a slight pull to the left(at the raer) under throttle. Most noticable in the wet. Serviced and wheel alighnment done, three times. Took it to the experts and both the rears were slightly point me towards the bank. After Oulton park this weekend i guess the tyres are now worn to the new settings and the drive home in the rain was the best ever. Felt just like a proper car.

[apache]

we use ours all year round including snow (what a giggle)I think you must have a serious problem if it's aquaplaning (what tyres are you on ?)....scruff put that crotch down!!

[JonRB]

Mike Jennings ran a Griff 500 as his only car for years before he defected to the Dark Side (ie. Porsche)

[scruff400]

Bit more detail - yup to and from work weekdays maybe the odd 50 mile blat of an evening, then invariably a trip Bristol to Blackburn + back over the weekend.
No trouble really.. Just thirsty (but that would be my fault!!)
It handles fine now that my left leg + arm are better developed

[dan]

quote:
Bit more detail - yup to and from work weekdays maybe the odd 50 mile blat of an evening, then invariably a trip Bristol to Blackburn + back over the weekend.
No trouble really.. Just thirsty (but that would be my fault!!)
It handles fine now that my left leg + arm are better developed

The crotch work paying off then scruff

[AndyX]

Mine's my only car and has been since the beginning of the year. I've had no probs with it at all and cover in the region of 1500 miles a month. And when its not raining, the roof is down....best way to arrive at work (although I could do without the flies for breakfast).

[ljb]

The Griff is our only car, but:

1) We have no brats.
2) We live on the Cote d'Azure at the moment so mostly sunny, although when it rains it rains!
3) We have a scooter, but this is to cope with the summer traffic rather than because of shortcomings with the car.

Laurie

[johno]

I'm in the hunt for a 500 and I will be using it as my everyday car.

I have run my S for 45000 miles over the last 2.5yrs as my everyday car through everything this country can throw at it and although it's not a 500 it does prove you can live with a TVR as your only transport.

Disclaimer ... I do not have any hangers on such as wives or children, pets etc etc

[scruff400]

quote:
The crotch work paying off then scruff

Gearbox - front room
Clutch - wheelie bin
Engine - on two wooden blocks
Rest of car - up on a ramp

New crotch should arrive today (AP competition: well you must, mustn't you!!)

...Hmmm, that crank would make a brilliant lamp stand.

[shpub]

Is the crotch a twin plate? Might want to reconsider as these are so on off that they effectively dump the engine torque almost instantaneously through the transmission and this can lead to transmission failures.

When specing the 520, I was strongly advised against competition twin specs as a result.

Steve

[Toffer]

I am afraid I can't remember who told me now...but if you are suffering with acutely poor handling in the wet or dry, he said take the car to TMS. Never been there myself but "Flasher" raves about the place. I think it is in Melton Mowbray...place of pork pies

The person who told me about the suspension set-up and wheel alignment said that it cost about 80 quid and took a couple of hours...transformed his car

[apache]

yup second that toffer.....have we met?

[scruff400]

quote:
Might want to reconsider
I was strongly advised against

I am half assured the standard clutch will be more than adequate, even after my delusional, nay pathological fantasies of matching the scrawl on my (reduced price from the club at Castle Coombe) kickplates that say Griffith 500! (well they were cheap!) to future engine size. I want to go bigger at some stage so either the short engine or a stage 3, 4.6. So I'm trying to pre-empt stuff as it crops up...

[shpub]

Yeah but you can get competition clutches in many forms. The key question is if is it a single or twin plate. If it is a single plate then fine. If it is a twin plate then not only it is it an overkill but the chances are you will be forking out for new drive shafts/CV joints and diff. That's the point. Just trying to save you some hard earned readies...

The 520 runs on a Borg and Beck single plate. .

[scruff400]

Crikey, Borg and Beck single plate - are you psychic?
Excelent, thanks Steve. Now I know I've got a posh one!!

Next thing, stuffing all the little bits of metal back in, ...where's that Tennants Super?!!

[cleg]

lol ur a propper nutter Scruff .. dont forget to tie your hair up, you dont want it getting trapped when u put things back together

for some reason .. im sure u dont do this .. but i have images of u , a beer and a rubber mallet saying things like "it wont go on .. sdaw2+_"£$? wheres my mallet! slurp"

[scruff400]

quote:
but i have images of u , a beer and a rubber mallet saying things like "it wont go on .. sdaw2+_"£$? wheres my mallet! slurp"

Don't bring my personal life into this.