How many tvr griffiths were made ?
Discussion
I don't think the sequence of chassis numbers isn't as simple as 1, 2, 3, etc. So subtracting the lower number from the higher wouldn't work.
But you have given me an idea. I might know how to get at the Rover factory records. There must be a strong correlation between engines supplied to TVR and cars built.
It won't help breaking down the models, but it would help check the total's from other sources.
I think I understand how chassis numbers were generated. If I'm right then the sequencing wouldn't be continuous.
Does anyone know for sure how the chassis numbers were generated and how to read the information they contain?
But you have given me an idea. I might know how to get at the Rover factory records. There must be a strong correlation between engines supplied to TVR and cars built.
It won't help breaking down the models, but it would help check the total's from other sources.
I think I understand how chassis numbers were generated. If I'm right then the sequencing wouldn't be continuous.
Does anyone know for sure how the chassis numbers were generated and how to read the information they contain?
There have been posts in the past which detail decoding the chassis number, and the sequence in which they were generated.
IIRC I don't think it will help you in ascertaining numbers of anything except total TVR chassis made per year?
Give me a yell if you cant find the postings I might be able to dig them up by going through my profile
, but try the google site:.. method first 
IIRC I don't think it will help you in ascertaining numbers of anything except total TVR chassis made per year?
Give me a yell if you cant find the postings I might be able to dig them up by going through my profile
, but try the google site:.. method first UNCLE FESTER. Had a look at my log book chassis no Ends with B002175 Car was registered late dec 1999 this Number must depict that it was 2175th griffith made or 2175 griffith 500 made. Cant see why they would just pick Numbers out of the air,, All manufacturers work this system or some one was trying too mislead people as to cook the books at TVR the other numbers in chassis usually state colour , trim level & option levels........Cheers GOLDIE
yellowgriff said:
Cant see why they would just pick Numbers out of the air, All manufacturers work this system
Don't be so hasty! MG's telephone number at Abingdon was Abingdon 211. They used to start all car series with chassis number 211 - the preceding numbers were used for specials and experiments e.g. EX181. My MGA Twin Cam was number YD1765 so was around the 1500th Twin Cam made. RichB.. thats what i mean there must be a starting Number be it 0 or 211, There must have been a system to carry out warrenty work
not that a TVR would ever go wrong.If we could find anther owner with one of the early chassis numbers we could possibly sort out TVR system of Numbering,,, Could be an idea at one of the coming up meetings just to check various griffith chassis numbers against year of car,,, Am i chatting cr>p Cheers GOLDIE
not that a TVR would ever go wrong.If we could find anther owner with one of the early chassis numbers we could possibly sort out TVR system of Numbering,,, Could be an idea at one of the coming up meetings just to check various griffith chassis numbers against year of car,,, Am i chatting cr>p Cheers GOLDIE
450Nick said:
You probably want to ask Dom at TVR Power. He has lists of every engine built for TVR, and what car it was going into.
Hmmm, back when I called TVR Power somewhere in '07 to see if I could find out a bit more about the exact spec of my Chimaera's engine to aid the rebuild process, the lady on the phone said they didn't have any records of engines that old - they only had data from MY200x or so they said.Edited by 900T-R on Wednesday 18th March 19:37
yellowgriff said:
UNCLE FESTER. Had a look at my log book chassis no Ends with B002175 Car was registered late dec 1999 this Number must depict that it was 2175th griffith made or 2175 griffith 500 made. Cant see why they would just pick Numbers out of the air,, All manufacturers work this system or some one was trying too mislead people as to cook the books at TVR the other numbers in chassis usually state colour , trim level & option levels........Cheers GOLDIE
Like i said earlier, Chim and Griff chassis were registered in batches and used willy nilly for either body as the factory saw fit so you can't split the two models up purely on chassis No. info.The chassis number has the year it was manufactured, the engine size, body style... then a sequence number of chassis made that year IIRC. It seems that occasionally (like getting lots of them ready for pre-cats before the govt deadline?) chassis were produced and allocated numbers. When the body got attached and even registered must be impossible to correlate accurately I think.
Major manufacturers might stamp the Vin when the car was being made, I dont know if TVR stamped the chassis when it was made, or when it went onto / in the assembly line. One of the ex-factory might be able to clarify that, whether it helps you with numbers who knows, I suspect it will just complicate things even further
Major manufacturers might stamp the Vin when the car was being made, I dont know if TVR stamped the chassis when it was made, or when it went onto / in the assembly line. One of the ex-factory might be able to clarify that, whether it helps you with numbers who knows, I suspect it will just complicate things even further
This is really interesting stuff (for me at least). Reading through this the SMMT figures are close, but maybe not close enough as some have commented that their V5 does not state "Griffith" and may simply state "sports" as the model etc. Now, having read other threads on the VIN decoding of TVR's of that era and specifically Griffiths and Chimaeras it may be possible to get an accurate number of actual Griffiths built, at least for the domestic market. But this would rely on getting VIN data out of the DVLA or SMMT.
Below is a previous thread post that I think holds the key.
Quote
"The chassis # is indeed the key to the age of the car.
The following is I believe how the VIN # for the Griffith is deciphered.
First 3 letters. SDL is TVR's individual manufacturer identifier.
D = Model = Griffith.
Next 2 characters are engine variation.
P = petrol.
Next number is random security number.
The next two are the year and month identifiers relevant to this topic.
Next letter is the build year (A=1980 B=1981 and so on - i is not used) - Build years started in September for the October Motorshow apparently - so it is possible to have a 1990 registered car on a 1991 build year.
Next letter is the build month (A=Jan B=Feb and so on - i is not used)
Next 2 numbers are place of manufacture(?)
Final 4 numbers shows the build #/unique identifier element.
8. SDL D G N4 P * ** 01 **** : Griffith 400 non catalyst (1991 – 1992)
9. SDL D G C4 P * ** 01 **** : Griffith 400 catalyst (1991 – 1993)
10. SDL D G N3 P * ** 01 **** : Griffith 430 non catalyst (1991 – 1992)
11. SDL D G C3 P * ** 01 **** : Griffith 430 catalyst (1991 – 1993)
12. SDL D G C5 P * ** 01 **** : Griffith 500 (1993 – 1997)"
It seems from Chimaera threads that their VIN starts SDL then DCC.....
From the above re the Griffiths, their unique model ID is (SDL) DGN. If a list of TVR VINs could be obtained for the years Griffiths were produced or first registered, then with a bit of time and number crunching and sorting out those with the DGN in the VIN should provide the actual numbers built.
Its a shame there appears to be no VIN code to differentiate RHD from LHD.
I really must get out more........
Below is a previous thread post that I think holds the key.
Quote
"The chassis # is indeed the key to the age of the car.
The following is I believe how the VIN # for the Griffith is deciphered.
First 3 letters. SDL is TVR's individual manufacturer identifier.
D = Model = Griffith.
Next 2 characters are engine variation.
P = petrol.
Next number is random security number.
The next two are the year and month identifiers relevant to this topic.
Next letter is the build year (A=1980 B=1981 and so on - i is not used) - Build years started in September for the October Motorshow apparently - so it is possible to have a 1990 registered car on a 1991 build year.
Next letter is the build month (A=Jan B=Feb and so on - i is not used)
Next 2 numbers are place of manufacture(?)
Final 4 numbers shows the build #/unique identifier element.
8. SDL D G N4 P * ** 01 **** : Griffith 400 non catalyst (1991 – 1992)
9. SDL D G C4 P * ** 01 **** : Griffith 400 catalyst (1991 – 1993)
10. SDL D G N3 P * ** 01 **** : Griffith 430 non catalyst (1991 – 1992)
11. SDL D G C3 P * ** 01 **** : Griffith 430 catalyst (1991 – 1993)
12. SDL D G C5 P * ** 01 **** : Griffith 500 (1993 – 1997)"
It seems from Chimaera threads that their VIN starts SDL then DCC.....
From the above re the Griffiths, their unique model ID is (SDL) DGN. If a list of TVR VINs could be obtained for the years Griffiths were produced or first registered, then with a bit of time and number crunching and sorting out those with the DGN in the VIN should provide the actual numbers built.
Its a shame there appears to be no VIN code to differentiate RHD from LHD.
I really must get out more........
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