Looking for a Griff
Discussion
Anyone local who knows Griffs could view with you? Where in Essex are you?
Be good if you went to a local meet and asked if you could go in a pre cat, a pre serp 500 and serp 500 so at least you could narrow down what your preference would be.
You can t then narrow this down with interior/exterior colour choices.
As they've all now been modified to some degree they will all be different despite being the same car. Precats are drastically different to 500's.
FFG
Be good if you went to a local meet and asked if you could go in a pre cat, a pre serp 500 and serp 500 so at least you could narrow down what your preference would be.
You can t then narrow this down with interior/exterior colour choices.
As they've all now been modified to some degree they will all be different despite being the same car. Precats are drastically different to 500's.
FFG
black_potato said:
Why is the T5 better and whats "serp" ?
Thanks
Richard, bearing in mind what I say next someone will disagree with and also I am probably repeating some people, here.Thanks
The T5 is the Borg Warner Tremec unit, it has been used in loads of cars including the Mustang, Sierra Cosworth to name but a few. My understanding is it a much more robust unit than the LT77 and spares, expertise etc. are much more freely available. The LT77 is an old Rover unit and although I am guessing here, many spares will be obsolete. We then get into whether the T5 in the Griff is a World Class or non-World Class unit and it is a World Class, which is superior to the non-World Class. That's probably all you need to know for now but there is loads on the Internet on the T5.
This may be a bit controversial but my understanding is that the Serpentine unit is superior to the non-Serpentine due to superior oil pump (somebody has mentioned already) but also the block is stronger with superior web reinforcement in the casting. Again there is loads on he internet on his.
With that in mind and if he's two issues are important to you then you have to go for the 500, 1995 or later. If he's aren't important then go or what you like. I know there is a strong 4.3BV following but hey will all have the pre-Sep with an LT77 gearbox.
Also for your info, the T5 is a heavy old box as is the clutch on a Griff.
Happy hunting. If I lived a bit closer I would come and help you hunt.
Pete
Interesting weekend.
Originally intended 2 private viewings but one cancelled as the car was in the garage for some pre sale work, however I did get to look at a few at Kerridges.
The private car was the modified one and is probably pretty good value but it left me with a range of doubts that I would need to price in including scruffy outriggers even if they had been replaced 3 yrs ago. Good bits.. Quite a few desirable mods for a drivers car rather than a garage queen but I think I want something more rounded, i.e. tidier with some more sympathetic updates. I cant say I was all that keen on the colour combo either, Blue/Grey/Plywood. The seller seemed like a really decent guy and an enthusiast I would have no problem buying from but for now this one is on hold.....
Kerridges next.. I effectively just walked in as I was close by as I now had time after the other private seller cancelled. I looked at a pale green 500 that needed jumping to get going but it idled straight away and whilst it still had the stock manifold and CATs it had some update on the exhaust and sounded better than the 8-4-2 deCAT standard rear box of the prior car. It also had PAS which was evident in its absence on the prior car when we did a U Turn at a mini roundabout. From a driving perspective it had good road manners and was smoother around town than the more modified one. But at 26k.. probably too expensive especially as the colour combo didnt grow on me.
I also had the chance to drive a Chim 400 but that also needed a jump to start but didnt drive well, it had some hesitation from the engine and vibration in the ride not to mention the feeling it was going to fall over at the first roundabout at which point I cut the test drive short and took it back.... I think air in the tyres and a decent run out would probably see it running well.
I was then out of time which was good as I fancied taking a Noble for a spin which may have been expensive. Still leaving Kerridges left me with a good feeling about the dealership, I wouldn't have any issue buying off them if the car was right, however I would need to be special to pay the premium and I dont think they have a Griff that meets that at the moment, I may however go back and drive a few other TVR's and maybe a Nobel if I dont find what I want else where.
So quite a bit for me to digest but I'm getting a better feel for what I want, at least in an ideal car..
Condition, both underneath and cosmetics need to be good, not immaculate but good.
PAS is defo a bonus
Exhaust can sound good with CAT's in situ
Standard CAM / ECU can still pull well if in good condition
LT77 / T5 not much in it, probably slight preference for LT77 from a drivers perspective.
Trim update over wood updates the car into the 1980's.............
Toyo Proxies on both Griff's felt fine, I never liked them on a E30 or Lotus but on the Griff they seem to work.
Time to look at a few further a field I think...
Originally intended 2 private viewings but one cancelled as the car was in the garage for some pre sale work, however I did get to look at a few at Kerridges.
The private car was the modified one and is probably pretty good value but it left me with a range of doubts that I would need to price in including scruffy outriggers even if they had been replaced 3 yrs ago. Good bits.. Quite a few desirable mods for a drivers car rather than a garage queen but I think I want something more rounded, i.e. tidier with some more sympathetic updates. I cant say I was all that keen on the colour combo either, Blue/Grey/Plywood. The seller seemed like a really decent guy and an enthusiast I would have no problem buying from but for now this one is on hold.....
Kerridges next.. I effectively just walked in as I was close by as I now had time after the other private seller cancelled. I looked at a pale green 500 that needed jumping to get going but it idled straight away and whilst it still had the stock manifold and CATs it had some update on the exhaust and sounded better than the 8-4-2 deCAT standard rear box of the prior car. It also had PAS which was evident in its absence on the prior car when we did a U Turn at a mini roundabout. From a driving perspective it had good road manners and was smoother around town than the more modified one. But at 26k.. probably too expensive especially as the colour combo didnt grow on me.
I also had the chance to drive a Chim 400 but that also needed a jump to start but didnt drive well, it had some hesitation from the engine and vibration in the ride not to mention the feeling it was going to fall over at the first roundabout at which point I cut the test drive short and took it back.... I think air in the tyres and a decent run out would probably see it running well.
I was then out of time which was good as I fancied taking a Noble for a spin which may have been expensive. Still leaving Kerridges left me with a good feeling about the dealership, I wouldn't have any issue buying off them if the car was right, however I would need to be special to pay the premium and I dont think they have a Griff that meets that at the moment, I may however go back and drive a few other TVR's and maybe a Nobel if I dont find what I want else where.
So quite a bit for me to digest but I'm getting a better feel for what I want, at least in an ideal car..
Condition, both underneath and cosmetics need to be good, not immaculate but good.
PAS is defo a bonus
Exhaust can sound good with CAT's in situ
Standard CAM / ECU can still pull well if in good condition
LT77 / T5 not much in it, probably slight preference for LT77 from a drivers perspective.
Trim update over wood updates the car into the 1980's.............
Toyo Proxies on both Griff's felt fine, I never liked them on a E30 or Lotus but on the Griff they seem to work.
Time to look at a few further a field I think...
My starting point of around 20k hasnt really changed. I think I can find a good private car around that number.
At the end of the day I'm not really budget limited but I do like to get a feel for value for a make/model and I dont think I'm too far off. The thing is with cars like these the cost / return isn't linear and I certainly dont want a car that will be significantly depreciated through some use.
The 26k car was in dealers, I think that's a 21-22k car in the private market. If it was a wow moment and there were only a few for sale then maybe the budget would have gone up but there seem to be a fair amount in the private market so I dont feel the need to re think yet.
That said.. if you have something shinny please feel free to tell me about it and change my mind
At the end of the day I'm not really budget limited but I do like to get a feel for value for a make/model and I dont think I'm too far off. The thing is with cars like these the cost / return isn't linear and I certainly dont want a car that will be significantly depreciated through some use.
The 26k car was in dealers, I think that's a 21-22k car in the private market. If it was a wow moment and there were only a few for sale then maybe the budget would have gone up but there seem to be a fair amount in the private market so I dont feel the need to re think yet.
That said.. if you have something shinny please feel free to tell me about it and change my mind
As a benchmark, I bought a 95 Griff 500 this year. Privately. £20,500
21k miles on the clock - (backed up with MOTs and history)
Recently reupholstered in leather as it was originally black vinyl
Recently serviced, a major one. Big gap in the history when it was garaged for 5 years.
Clean chassis (grey) with minor surface rust on the outrigger corners.
Things I have done/am doing - and all of it bar the hearter fan was budgeted and planned:
Roof panel recover £220
Roof fabric staining £25
Took minor rigger rust back to metal, rust treated, grey smooth hammerite, total clear waxoyl. Looks like new.
Replaced heater blower £100 - plus a day's work (me - on all of this so far)
Dash converted back to walnut £225
Whole dash console being upholstered in matching leather to rest of car £400+ carriage - in progress
Various stone chips corrected
So to get what I'd call perfect, without a shiney engine (it's clean but perhaps one day repaint the rocker covers) I'm looking at around £1k - so it will stand me in a little under £22k. But I am doing all the work. If I'd left it with a specialist I'd have expected that bill to be more like £3k. I reckon she'll be worth around £27k when I'm done (of course it's only worth what someone will pay), though no intention of selling for some time. I bought her to enjoy, plus I love spannering in my spare time :-)
p.s. I did think about the modified one listed that you looked at - but it was "too" modified for me. I prefer more of an unmolested car. And as for a plywood dash....
21k miles on the clock - (backed up with MOTs and history)
Recently reupholstered in leather as it was originally black vinyl
Recently serviced, a major one. Big gap in the history when it was garaged for 5 years.
Clean chassis (grey) with minor surface rust on the outrigger corners.
Things I have done/am doing - and all of it bar the hearter fan was budgeted and planned:
Roof panel recover £220
Roof fabric staining £25
Took minor rigger rust back to metal, rust treated, grey smooth hammerite, total clear waxoyl. Looks like new.
Replaced heater blower £100 - plus a day's work (me - on all of this so far)
Dash converted back to walnut £225
Whole dash console being upholstered in matching leather to rest of car £400+ carriage - in progress
Various stone chips corrected
So to get what I'd call perfect, without a shiney engine (it's clean but perhaps one day repaint the rocker covers) I'm looking at around £1k - so it will stand me in a little under £22k. But I am doing all the work. If I'd left it with a specialist I'd have expected that bill to be more like £3k. I reckon she'll be worth around £27k when I'm done (of course it's only worth what someone will pay), though no intention of selling for some time. I bought her to enjoy, plus I love spannering in my spare time :-)
p.s. I did think about the modified one listed that you looked at - but it was "too" modified for me. I prefer more of an unmolested car. And as for a plywood dash....
Sounds good. Interesting to hear what bits cost. To be fair on the one i saw i think the plywood dash was standard 
Im looking for the middle ground on mods. My ideal car would probably be...
Niton dampers, new OEM bushes, new rear exhaust for a little more v8 sound but MOT capable with CAT fitted. Subtle intake work (mild cam, inlet, valve seats etc..) update on the trim. Plenty of love underneath.
But lets see....
Im looking for the middle ground on mods. My ideal car would probably be...
Niton dampers, new OEM bushes, new rear exhaust for a little more v8 sound but MOT capable with CAT fitted. Subtle intake work (mild cam, inlet, valve seats etc..) update on the trim. Plenty of love underneath.
But lets see....
black_potato said:
Sounds good. Interesting to hear what bits cost. To be fair on the one i saw i think the plywood dash was standard
Im looking for the middle ground on mods. My ideal car would probably be...
Niton dampers, new OEM bushes, new rear exhaust for a little more v8 sound but MOT capable with CAT fitted. Subtle intake work (mild cam, inlet, valve seats etc..) update on the trim. Plenty of love underneath.
But lets see....
Are you handy at changing bits yourself? I think what you have listed above is very specific and achievable if you compromise. You need to like the colour and interior combo to start with.Im looking for the middle ground on mods. My ideal car would probably be...
Niton dampers, new OEM bushes, new rear exhaust for a little more v8 sound but MOT capable with CAT fitted. Subtle intake work (mild cam, inlet, valve seats etc..) update on the trim. Plenty of love underneath.
But lets see....
As mentioned before a good chassis is essential. But I would say these cars need a bit more looking after than the usual eurobox. They have character and it never leaves them
Any views on this one ?
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
I guess the colour is quite marmite, I think I like it but Im not sure....
According to the dealer the history is extensive. I may go and have a look at the weekend but on the off chance anybody knows the dealer or has looked at the car any intel would be appreciated.
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
I guess the colour is quite marmite, I think I like it but Im not sure....
According to the dealer the history is extensive. I may go and have a look at the weekend but on the off chance anybody knows the dealer or has looked at the car any intel would be appreciated.
I think I like it as well.....it’s probably because White is not really associated with being a TVR colour and I’m sure that seeing it in the flesh will probably be much better than looking at a photo. The paintwork looks good but what about the underside, has it had any Chassis work done?
Dave.
Dave.
black_potato said:
Any views on this one ?
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
I guess the colour is quite marmite, I think I like it but Im not sure....
According to the dealer the history is extensive. I may go and have a look at the weekend but on the off chance anybody knows the dealer or has looked at the car any intel would be appreciated.
I believe this is the car that used to be owned by a contributor to PH under the name of "banannaface". I think he lives in the Bury St.Edmunds area and certainly spent a lot of money on it about two years ago, if I am correct; and yes I believe it was at Offords at some point.https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
I guess the colour is quite marmite, I think I like it but Im not sure....
According to the dealer the history is extensive. I may go and have a look at the weekend but on the off chance anybody knows the dealer or has looked at the car any intel would be appreciated.
cjb44 said:
black_potato said:
Any views on this one ?
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
I guess the colour is quite marmite, I think I like it but Im not sure....
According to the dealer the history is extensive. I may go and have a look at the weekend but on the off chance anybody knows the dealer or has looked at the car any intel would be appreciated.
I believe this is the car that used to be owned by a contributor to PH under the name of "banannaface". I think he lives in the Bury St.Edmunds area and certainly spent a lot of money on it about two years ago, if I am correct; and yes I believe it was at Offords at some point.https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
I guess the colour is quite marmite, I think I like it but Im not sure....
According to the dealer the history is extensive. I may go and have a look at the weekend but on the off chance anybody knows the dealer or has looked at the car any intel would be appreciated.
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