Interesting website - Carolina Rod Shop

[Astacus]

Just thought I would post this link.

I don't know whether anyone has seen this before, but these guys look like they are in the middle of a couple of interesting TVR "restorations" with a whole load of really useful photos of the disassembly process. Useful for my series one jigsaw puzzle perhaps anyway.


http://www.carolinarodshop.com/current_proj.htm

[Slow M]

HOT DAMN!
Good find.
Griffith folk, pay attention!

[Grantura MKI]

Looks to me as if they really to not know what to do with a TVR. Another 1800 lost to a V8 conversion.

[Grantura2a]

The sad thing about the 400 is that they started with a one-owner car. Full history. They could identify every change made to the car through its life. Now, it will just be a collection of bits made to fit under the 400 body. I have no problem with making mods, but to my way of thinking, this one isn't a TVR or a Griffith anymore.

[Seabass]

I've got to agree. The work of cutting and grinding brackets off the "new" chassis seems a bit viciously done. Why the Paris Dakar Baja length rear coil overs too?

[Slow M]

AAARGH! I didn't see anything beyond the "as discovered" condition. 'Tis sad.

B.

[jellison]

Atacus - yep think alot have seen that - I followed it for a while before the Griff one was Butchered (they truely have not bloody idea - front and reas uspension a joke, powersteering and lots more - real pity but this is the way some Muppet wanted it (the Blue Griff) - have discussed with original owner (he had it in Germany when poseted over there when new or nearly new - Sprinted it a fair bit) and the other Granny is going to get a V8 (well it is the U S of A!!) - Horrible.

[Terminator]

And there was I thinking this was a thread about fishing equipment.

[jellison]

Grantura2a said:

The sad thing about the 400 is that they started with a one-owner car. Full history. They could identify every change made to the car through its life. Now, it will just be a collection of bits made to fit under the 400 body. I have no problem with making mods, but to my way of thinking, this one isn't a TVR or a Griffith anymore.

YEP. It is now an abortion.

[Slow M]

I'm not even sure where they plan to campaign the car. To my understanding, there are no sanctioning organizations in North America who would accept that roll over bar.

B.

[jellison]

Slow M said:

I'm not even sure where they plan to campaign the car. To my understanding, there are no sanctioning organizations in North America who would accept that roll over bar.

B.

It is for the road hence power steering. Mike M has spoken to them.

Car was Walter Wurzbach's (he had it in Germany). Apparently bought for Vintage rallys - but they have weird and wonderful rule on cages and stuff over there. Either way there is not much Griffith left in that car after the front and rear suspension have been butchered. Boulevard Cruiser is my guess.

"When Walt had it he just changed to 2 four barrel intakes and two holley 600's, electronic ignition and wider rims and tires, it was mainly a street car, daily driver that also ran autocrosses and hillclimbs both in the states and Germany". (His words).

[kabaman]

Considering the question of originality / making these cars stronger and safer...I've been playing with my griff 200 for a few years now. This question is one I wrestle with daily. I've changed a lot more on mine than I thought I would. My current thinking is to leave all of the suspension brackets/tubes etc. on the chassis untouched. So although I'm re-working the suspension it could all be parked and all of the original stuff bolted on.

This way I figure I can create something safe(ish) and driveable for myself and my passenger and if I or someone else wants to bolt all of the original stuff back on they can - it becomes an option.

I think this is the best compromise - but that's just my view.

I'm struggling to use every original part where possible but it is a challenge...

For a bonded body/chassis - the first question is whether to re-bond - Once you've gone to the trouble of splitting the two - to me I couldn't bring myself to bond the two back. So there's something non-original for a start.

Another way to think of it is "what would TVR have done". I feel Trevor, David H, whoever would probably have shoved the best bits on they could and therefore upgrading seems to fit with the factory ethos.

Anyway - the work on this Rod shop car looks a little heavy handed - but perhaps better to get a car out and running than sat in a garage - original but unable to be used?

N

[heightswitch]

I have a simple philosophy.

"Its my car and I couldn't give a st what others think!!"

Its a diverse and varied world out there..Each to their own.

N.

[TVR_owner]

Mine's quite simple too Niel, it's you car, do with it what you want - just don't try to pass it off as something it's not... (and no suggestion that you woud do that, in fact I'm pretty certain you wouldn't!)

[kabaman]

@Heightswitch..I like your style. I can remember us having a conversation about originality about the time I bought my car and got a set of spare wishbones from you. I don;t have a problem with what other people think - I just want to feel I've got the balance right myself.

Any chance you could drop me your email address Neil? I seem to have lost it and would like to pick your brains on a few things.

Cheers,

N

[jellison]

No way mine is beaing bonded on, that is just daft if you ask me.