Looking for a Griff
Discussion
RobXjcoupe said:
Nice and subtle.What exhaust setup was that?
black_potato said:
RobXjcoupe said:
Nice and subtle.What exhaust setup was that?
RobXjcoupe said:
black_potato said:
RobXjcoupe said:
Nice and subtle.What exhaust setup was that?
black_potato said:
RobXjcoupe said:
black_potato said:
RobXjcoupe said:
Nice and subtle.What exhaust setup was that?
The Good bits..
3 Owners, 50k and a deep history book.
In the last 10k miles / 4 years..
Takara Plus Engine rebuild
Gearbox Rebuild
AP Big Brake Conversion
Gaz Mono Dampers
Bespoke 17/18inc wheels
New Michelin Pilot Sport Rubber
New Ali Rad
Replaced Out Riggers
New Battery
The car started on the button from cold and drove very well. The rev pickup was by far the best I have driven and whilst it was too damp to really give it the beans I have little doubt it would go like £$%& of the shovel.
It also rode very well, it was firm, direct and the damping was very good. I think the cars wants for very little mechanically.
If anybody has any observations on the mods please do let me know
Bad bits...
for a 20 yr old car its in very good condition overall, there are some stone chips, the roof has a few scuffs from storage, a few engine bay caps could do with replacing as they have plastic fatigue but for somebody like me who prefers to drive cars rather than polish them it was all pretty good.
But the worst bit for me was the main chassis, whilst the out riggers have been done I was disappointed in the centre structure, From what I could tell none of it was obviously structural but it would want a body lift, a clean and paint at the very least or it will just get worse. There was also oil around the gearbox, is there a known issue there ? if so what is the likely fix ?
The bad 2 bits are making me ummm about the car (chassis and gbox), the engine rebuild, the dampers, tyres etc.. have made appreciate the mechanical bits that I would like.
Without disclosing the actual price I would be interested in peoples opinion..
A few Chassis pics to follow...
3 Owners, 50k and a deep history book.
In the last 10k miles / 4 years..
Takara Plus Engine rebuild
Gearbox Rebuild
AP Big Brake Conversion
Gaz Mono Dampers
Bespoke 17/18inc wheels
New Michelin Pilot Sport Rubber
New Ali Rad
Replaced Out Riggers
New Battery
The car started on the button from cold and drove very well. The rev pickup was by far the best I have driven and whilst it was too damp to really give it the beans I have little doubt it would go like £$%& of the shovel.
It also rode very well, it was firm, direct and the damping was very good. I think the cars wants for very little mechanically.
If anybody has any observations on the mods please do let me know
Bad bits...
for a 20 yr old car its in very good condition overall, there are some stone chips, the roof has a few scuffs from storage, a few engine bay caps could do with replacing as they have plastic fatigue but for somebody like me who prefers to drive cars rather than polish them it was all pretty good.
But the worst bit for me was the main chassis, whilst the out riggers have been done I was disappointed in the centre structure, From what I could tell none of it was obviously structural but it would want a body lift, a clean and paint at the very least or it will just get worse. There was also oil around the gearbox, is there a known issue there ? if so what is the likely fix ?
The bad 2 bits are making me ummm about the car (chassis and gbox), the engine rebuild, the dampers, tyres etc.. have made appreciate the mechanical bits that I would like.
Without disclosing the actual price I would be interested in peoples opinion..
A few Chassis pics to follow...
I've seen better chassis but typical of a car that has just had outriggers. Those sections under the engine, are the tubes covered in waxoyl that's got dirty is is that blistered powdercoat? I can't tell from the pictures. Front cross members look like they could do with some tlc. Doesn't look like someone has been under it for a while caring for the chassis, just some spray on wax.
Are you sure that oil on the gearbox is from the gearbox, engine sump gaskets are notorious and could run down and spray backwards.
Gearboxes can leak at the section joints, mine leaked from the drain plug until I fitted a new one.
Are you sure that oil on the gearbox is from the gearbox, engine sump gaskets are notorious and could run down and spray backwards.
Gearboxes can leak at the section joints, mine leaked from the drain plug until I fitted a new one.
Edited by SMB on Saturday 23 December 17:43
black_potato said:
I assume talc is TLC rather than some TVR fetish I have yet to be inducted into
You might be right on the engine.. looking at this pic you can see oil and a guilty looking drip collecting forward of the Gbox.
and another chassis pic..
Yes autocorrect stepped in.You might be right on the engine.. looking at this pic you can see oil and a guilty looking drip collecting forward of the Gbox.
and another chassis pic..
That extra picture clearly shows the powder coat has failed, and corrosion has set in underneath. Only real solution is body off , blast repair any tubes beyond saving, and refinish. You can extend its life by scraping off the loose powdercoat, treating the rust and repainting. If you do it yourself, It may last well if you use good materials and prep it well, but will always come back.
The oil leak definitely looks like sump gasket. The gearbox oil is normally red atf so you can tell.
Edited to add, the worst chassis locations for corrosion other than outriggers are
Front crossmember
Lower chassis rails above exhaust box , just ahead of diff
Upper rails under exhaust manifolds
Do you have pictures of those areas?
Edited by SMB on Saturday 23 December 17:54
From the pics that is a good looking Griff. I really like the silver / dark red leather combo.
The main chassis does look uncared for, and the oil on the gearbox, although a bit excessive in your pics, happens on most cars, they all tend to leak
to some degree from the crankcase oil seal, and or, the back of the sump.
You have not disclosed the asking price, and with the bad bits you have pointed out....the price is the most important bit, for anyone to pass judgement.
Would i buy this Griff.........
............... but at the right price ! But then i would do a full body lift and sort out all the chassis.
Most of the Griffs and chimaera are at an age where chassis work is inevitable.
Some owners have the outriggers replaced, which is fine for a few more years, but the rest of the chassis will need work eventually.
I have seen too many threads where a full body lift exposes not only rotten outriggers, but on close inspection with the body out of the way, they find
problems in the main chassis rails,and especially under the manifold area,as this is a known rot spot.
Here is a link to my body lift from a few years back. Have a close look at the chassis pics and there is rust on every weld......thats why a full body lift is the
only way to go. http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
The main chassis does look uncared for, and the oil on the gearbox, although a bit excessive in your pics, happens on most cars, they all tend to leak
to some degree from the crankcase oil seal, and or, the back of the sump.
You have not disclosed the asking price, and with the bad bits you have pointed out....the price is the most important bit, for anyone to pass judgement.
Would i buy this Griff.........
............... but at the right price ! But then i would do a full body lift and sort out all the chassis.Most of the Griffs and chimaera are at an age where chassis work is inevitable.
Some owners have the outriggers replaced, which is fine for a few more years, but the rest of the chassis will need work eventually.
I have seen too many threads where a full body lift exposes not only rotten outriggers, but on close inspection with the body out of the way, they find
problems in the main chassis rails,and especially under the manifold area,as this is a known rot spot.
Here is a link to my body lift from a few years back. Have a close look at the chassis pics and there is rust on every weld......thats why a full body lift is the
only way to go. http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
I would be tempted to go and look at this http://tonygilbertcars.co.uk/listing/tvr-griffith-...
It may not be your colour combo, or right mileage, or whatever, but i would still go and view as a comparison and a gauge to judge others against.
View it, and judge its worth against the 22.5k asking price.
Especially like the pic of the engine bay, nice and clean, not too much bling, but really liking the look of the chassis / wishbones you can see......they look
immaculate. Could be a different story underneath, but being at a dealer, im sure you could get this up in the air and have a close inspection.
This company has a decent rep, and he knows his TVR'S.
Would be whilst viewing the car, a good person to discuss pro's and con's of buying a griff.
Maybe add yourself to his customer email list, for when the right car comes along.
It may not be your colour combo, or right mileage, or whatever, but i would still go and view as a comparison and a gauge to judge others against.
View it, and judge its worth against the 22.5k asking price.
Especially like the pic of the engine bay, nice and clean, not too much bling, but really liking the look of the chassis / wishbones you can see......they look
immaculate. Could be a different story underneath, but being at a dealer, im sure you could get this up in the air and have a close inspection.
This company has a decent rep, and he knows his TVR'S.
Would be whilst viewing the car, a good person to discuss pro's and con's of buying a griff.
Maybe add yourself to his customer email list, for when the right car comes along.
Edited by TJC46 on Saturday 23 December 19:42
Good colour combination of silver and red interior. The engine upgrade is also a nice thing to have. The lack of love on the chassis is a shame though. Depending on the price asked it’s obviously fixable but if used as a daily personally I would have to say no and find another.
If a compromise is to be made, a stone chipped car or worn interior is an easier fix. Nothing worse thinking about a chassis that needs protecting or repairing. On a tvr that is the backbone of the car
If a compromise is to be made, a stone chipped car or worn interior is an easier fix. Nothing worse thinking about a chassis that needs protecting or repairing. On a tvr that is the backbone of the car
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