My first TVR Griffith - J222 TVR - My Christine
Discussion
So am finally a TVR Griffith owner!!!
Have wanted one for ages and I took this TVR as a swap for a car I was selling, after asking a few questions on here i was able to get a copy of an inspection that was done on the car earlier this year (thanks for that, nice PH man).
I currently own a 996, defender and an Audi 100 coupe S which is my long term project, always owned German cars apart from a few exceptions so was a little nervous in tackling a car like this but WOW what a lovely car, had a 60 mile drive home with no issues, apart from falling in love with that pre cat exhaust note!
I really could not get over the sound and how this car makes you feel... truly amazing
250 miles later, it has fallen into to the TVR stereotype and I have the following issues
1. heater/blower doesn't seem to work
2. the wing mirror adjuster fell off, i can hear motor but its not moving anything so am guessing a switch issue?
3. fuel gauge decided to stop working??
4. dash buttons fell in, have now re-glued them which seems to have worked, but as I was pushing dash back in one of the clocks as fallen out, got annoyed at it and haven't gone back to it
Are the above issues relatively easy to fix?
I am going to be trying to get her all ready for the spring so I can enjoy Christine (her new name as she is like the car in Stephen Kings book, got me hooked at first sight) and everything is forgotten with a turn of the key and I am hoping to really enjoy her, she reminds me of the way my Opel GT made me feel but with power, loads of power!
ps. sorry if my write up isnt great i suffer with Dyslexia
thanks
Have wanted one for ages and I took this TVR as a swap for a car I was selling, after asking a few questions on here i was able to get a copy of an inspection that was done on the car earlier this year (thanks for that, nice PH man).
I currently own a 996, defender and an Audi 100 coupe S which is my long term project, always owned German cars apart from a few exceptions so was a little nervous in tackling a car like this but WOW what a lovely car, had a 60 mile drive home with no issues, apart from falling in love with that pre cat exhaust note!
I really could not get over the sound and how this car makes you feel... truly amazing
250 miles later, it has fallen into to the TVR stereotype and I have the following issues
1. heater/blower doesn't seem to work
2. the wing mirror adjuster fell off, i can hear motor but its not moving anything so am guessing a switch issue?
3. fuel gauge decided to stop working??
4. dash buttons fell in, have now re-glued them which seems to have worked, but as I was pushing dash back in one of the clocks as fallen out, got annoyed at it and haven't gone back to it
Are the above issues relatively easy to fix?
I am going to be trying to get her all ready for the spring so I can enjoy Christine (her new name as she is like the car in Stephen Kings book, got me hooked at first sight) and everything is forgotten with a turn of the key and I am hoping to really enjoy her, she reminds me of the way my Opel GT made me feel but with power, loads of power!
ps. sorry if my write up isnt great i suffer with Dyslexia
thanks
Welcome to the world of pre-cat ownership. The fuel gauge & the heater fan are on the same fuse.
Edit- change the fuse & don't turn on the blower. If the fuse blows when you turn on the blower you know where the fault lies(you can live without the blower- just open a window). If the fuse blows straight away (with the ignition turned on) you've got an issue with the gauge wiring & I'd get it looked at professionally asap.
Edit- change the fuse & don't turn on the blower. If the fuse blows when you turn on the blower you know where the fault lies(you can live without the blower- just open a window). If the fuse blows straight away (with the ignition turned on) you've got an issue with the gauge wiring & I'd get it looked at professionally asap.
Edited by griffdude on Wednesday 21st December 11:00
Precats rule. Noise is to die for. Looks a really nice example as well.
I did have my heater fuse (later car, not a precat) keep working loose for some reason - ok now after messing with the fuse box to get it to grip the fuse better but could possibly (hopefully!) be that.
They're the original wheels aren't they - look completely different in that colour.
Enjoy!
Some Audi pics would be good - can't be many of those left now - from the early 70's?
I did have my heater fuse (later car, not a precat) keep working loose for some reason - ok now after messing with the fuse box to get it to grip the fuse better but could possibly (hopefully!) be that.
They're the original wheels aren't they - look completely different in that colour.
Enjoy!
Some Audi pics would be good - can't be many of those left now - from the early 70's?
Welcome! I hope you thoroughly enjoy your ownership of a very special car.
Regarding your electrical problems here's the fuse and relay allocation for early pre-cats, it should apply to your car but since it's a TVR you never can be absolutely sure:
I think the Fuel Gauge should be fused via the Dash fuse 10 (15 Amps), the Heater blower is fused via fuse 15 (15 Amps); but quite a few owners have reported that their Fuel Gauge is also fused by fuse 15.
The Heater blower is located in the near-side front wing cavity below the headlight pod, the rheostat for the different blower speeds is prone to going open circuit. Replacement requires the removal of the headlight pod, which is described in previous threads:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=961...
If the fuses are OK I'd check the rear spade connections to the Fuel Gauge and/or the connections at the fuel tank sender unit.
Regarding your electrical problems here's the fuse and relay allocation for early pre-cats, it should apply to your car but since it's a TVR you never can be absolutely sure:
I think the Fuel Gauge should be fused via the Dash fuse 10 (15 Amps), the Heater blower is fused via fuse 15 (15 Amps); but quite a few owners have reported that their Fuel Gauge is also fused by fuse 15.
The Heater blower is located in the near-side front wing cavity below the headlight pod, the rheostat for the different blower speeds is prone to going open circuit. Replacement requires the removal of the headlight pod, which is described in previous threads:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=961...
If the fuses are OK I'd check the rear spade connections to the Fuel Gauge and/or the connections at the fuel tank sender unit.
Edited by davep on Thursday 22 December 12:27
phillpot said:
Don't listen to a word, those early cars, the pre-cats, are nothing but trouble believe me this is just the beginning...... but luckily I know a man who'll take it off your hands without you loosing too much money .. 
Your right... But my conscience wouldn't let me let anyone suffer like that Hi
I have just seen your entry of a couple of years ago regarding TVR Griffith J222 TVR. It was nice to see the car again as I owned it from January 1993 until 1995 (I cannot remember exactly which month I sold it) and I had any work done on it at the factory in Blackpool. My contact there was the Service Manager - Paul Anker who allocated me a technician with whom I would deal whenever I wanted something doing.It is worth noting that my technician was Alfie Boe before he went full time into Show Business.
Do you still have the car?
Regards
UKDaveF
I have just seen your entry of a couple of years ago regarding TVR Griffith J222 TVR. It was nice to see the car again as I owned it from January 1993 until 1995 (I cannot remember exactly which month I sold it) and I had any work done on it at the factory in Blackpool. My contact there was the Service Manager - Paul Anker who allocated me a technician with whom I would deal whenever I wanted something doing.It is worth noting that my technician was Alfie Boe before he went full time into Show Business.
Do you still have the car?
Regards
UKDaveF
Nice looking car.
Ignore what Mr. Jenks says about being sisters, I do have the sister car. J300 TVR, in exactly the same colour scheme inside and out, same wheels etc. In fact, if it was not for the number plate and the (clearly not original dash), I would have thought those photos were of my car.
If you still have it and want to compare notes, send me a pm.
Ignore what Mr. Jenks says about being sisters, I do have the sister car. J300 TVR, in exactly the same colour scheme inside and out, same wheels etc. In fact, if it was not for the number plate and the (clearly not original dash), I would have thought those photos were of my car.
If you still have it and want to compare notes, send me a pm.
HarmeetJohal1 said:
I really could not get over the sound and how this car makes you feel... truly amazing
Welcome to Griffith ownership.Yes, it's a bit like going from a civilian Cessna to a Spitfire.
It only takes about a mile and a half to my local petrol station and I'm already shaking like an alcoholic as I pay the girl. Driving a Griff is an "experience" that I'm still getting used to.
spitfire4v8 said:
Didn't realise Alfie Boe was a technician at the factory .. somebody told me he painted the underseal under the wheelarches! Someone's having a laugh with that one I think - jealous of his later success maybe ? 
Apprentice, painting on underseal, not a "technician"........ Alfie Boe @ TVRGassing Station | Griffith | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff