TVR Griffith Unique
Discussion
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...
Gents,
I am new to the forums on TVR and wouuld like any help in my search for a TVR Griff'
I have little knowledge of these cars but have some practical knowedge of classics. I have posted a link to autotrader where I came accross a TVR listed as unique. The car has a 4.0 ltr engine coupled to a 5.0 ltr gearbox the owner mentioned this was an expensive cost option for these cars (special order). I would welcome any other hints tips on what to look out for when buying, I have seen 3 so far and this clearly was in the best condition immaculate and well cared for, so anything would be appriciated.
Cheers.
Gezza.
Gents,
I am new to the forums on TVR and wouuld like any help in my search for a TVR Griff'
I have little knowledge of these cars but have some practical knowedge of classics. I have posted a link to autotrader where I came accross a TVR listed as unique. The car has a 4.0 ltr engine coupled to a 5.0 ltr gearbox the owner mentioned this was an expensive cost option for these cars (special order). I would welcome any other hints tips on what to look out for when buying, I have seen 3 so far and this clearly was in the best condition immaculate and well cared for, so anything would be appriciated.
Cheers.
Gezza.
I can see why it's unique, bunging a 4.0 into a 5.0 spec car is very odd.
Good history and an inspection of the nether regions by someone in the know is vital I'm afraid as the chassis are susceptible to rust.
These are supposed to be the best of the breed, and this one is minty
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3295967.htm
Good history and an inspection of the nether regions by someone in the know is vital I'm afraid as the chassis are susceptible to rust.
These are supposed to be the best of the breed, and this one is minty
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3295967.htm
Edited by Apache on Monday 13th February 19:09
Russell Mc said:
Isn't it just an early 500?
I doubt it. Remember there was a small gap between the Griffith being dropped from the range while the Chimaera was being offered and the Griff "500" being introduced. I can't imagine why anyone would have specified a Griff 500 with a 4ltr engine. Other than that it looks fine but as people have said get the chassis outrigger looked at, espeically at the corners where they sit inside the wheel arches. RichB said:
p.s. If you buy one with anything less than 5 litres you'll always wonder what a difference those extra cubes might make 
lots of 430s and any 450 would shame a 500 
Anyhow that Griff is stunning. I saw it at Le Mans last year and had a good chat with the chap that owns it. It was indeed a special order, has had a fortune spent on it and is a minter.
I would say, however, that for that sort of money I would have no hesitation in buying Gizzers 430.
If I can be of any further help on the 400 please feel free to PM me.
RichB said:
p.s. If you buy one with anything less than 5 litres you'll always wonder what a difference those extra cubes might make
Not much. Just horses for courses.Back on track- looks like blue Griff has had a lot of time/money spent on it, but a 4.0 lt is a strange option & strong money. Still , with a Power turbo kit it would go well.
I know the owner of the blue Griff. I've had a dam good look over it myself before he bought the car. It was in very good condition when he bought it originally from Offord TVR.
I own a Griffith 400HC and did a lot of homework before I bought it so we went over this blue one with a fine tooth comb.
Yes it's a 400 ordered to 500 spec. The chassis is mint! outriggers fine. He had Offord waxoil the chassis a few times. The doors haven't dropped at all. the windscreen is fitted neatly. It was well looked after before he bought it and he has spared no expense on it! new carpet, new leather, new hood. Even had the seats pretty much rebuilt as the webbing underneath had failed. It needs nothing.
He had the headlamps changed to H4's which gives better light, especially on main beam as the standard low down units give lots of shadow when you're driving at night and the extra height throws a neater main beam further down the road. you wouldn't think it'd make much difference but it does. I've done it on mine.
He even bought one of those fold up roof jobs which is a lot easier to fit in the boot than the standard plank. Really handy if your doing a Lemans trip with a boot full of kit and the weather changes on you. the roof sits nicely on top of the luggage.
Everything works on it and it's been back to Offord TVR for all servicing and MOT's.
Like a few previous guys have commented there are some other alternatives out there and there does seem to be quite a variety of prices being asked for different combinations, but these are appreciating classics and if it's the colour combination you're after and you can afford it then why the hell not go for it!! there's not many other cars out there that can turn heads like these bad boys or put such a big smile on your face for the money. I'm sure every Griff owner will agree there.
I own a Griffith 400HC and did a lot of homework before I bought it so we went over this blue one with a fine tooth comb.
Yes it's a 400 ordered to 500 spec. The chassis is mint! outriggers fine. He had Offord waxoil the chassis a few times. The doors haven't dropped at all. the windscreen is fitted neatly. It was well looked after before he bought it and he has spared no expense on it! new carpet, new leather, new hood. Even had the seats pretty much rebuilt as the webbing underneath had failed. It needs nothing.
He had the headlamps changed to H4's which gives better light, especially on main beam as the standard low down units give lots of shadow when you're driving at night and the extra height throws a neater main beam further down the road. you wouldn't think it'd make much difference but it does. I've done it on mine.
He even bought one of those fold up roof jobs which is a lot easier to fit in the boot than the standard plank. Really handy if your doing a Lemans trip with a boot full of kit and the weather changes on you. the roof sits nicely on top of the luggage.
Everything works on it and it's been back to Offord TVR for all servicing and MOT's.
Like a few previous guys have commented there are some other alternatives out there and there does seem to be quite a variety of prices being asked for different combinations, but these are appreciating classics and if it's the colour combination you're after and you can afford it then why the hell not go for it!! there's not many other cars out there that can turn heads like these bad boys or put such a big smile on your face for the money. I'm sure every Griff owner will agree there.
What is all this b
ks about cubes not mattering ? I don't know ANYONE with a 500 wishing they had a 400/430/450. 500 was the pinnacle, simple as.
Even the 500 out of guts at 100mph in modern terms, if that's important to you.
Drive 'em all, only way to work out what's best for you, then buy the nicest example of your choice.
ks about cubes not mattering ? I don't know ANYONE with a 500 wishing they had a 400/430/450. 500 was the pinnacle, simple as.Even the 500 out of guts at 100mph in modern terms, if that's important to you.
Drive 'em all, only way to work out what's best for you, then buy the nicest example of your choice.
Belongs to a friend of mine, a meticulous guy who loves this car. I have been all over it, outriggers and chassis in top shape. Brakes, tyres and suspension all replaced too. He has spent an absolute fortune on it, I bet his wife has no idea how much!! Over the last few years of going to the Ace Cafe with the Lotus I've not seen a better one and this has to be one of the best I've seen. Andy
Jammy Dodger said:
What is all this bks about cubes not mattering ? I don't know ANYONE with a 500 wishing they had a 400/430/450. 500 was the pinnacle, simple as.
Even the 500 out of guts at 100mph in modern terms, if that's important to you.
Drive 'em all, only way to work out what's best for you, then buy the nicest example of your choice.
Oh get over yourself ks about cubes not mattering ? I don't know ANYONE with a 500 wishing they had a 400/430/450. 500 was the pinnacle, simple as.Even the 500 out of guts at 100mph in modern terms, if that's important to you.
Drive 'em all, only way to work out what's best for you, then buy the nicest example of your choice.
. Have had both, prefer the 430 but would love a 450. We aren't talking about Chimps where there is a big difference between a 400,450 and 500. Up to illegal speed there is little difference between a 430 and 500 and a 450 would be quicker!! There is a 450 SE wedge at HHC at the moment with 290 bhp in it. The Griff 450s all had more than that!!I looked at this one while being away last week its truly mint, so the journey was worth it, its on sale at a dealers by the owner so think the price is open to offers, the guy who showed me around the car says the present owner is buying a new house!!!! id rather keep the car myself..... some great comments coming through, wonder what it will take to buy it!!!
angry jock said:
Oh get over yourself . Have had both, prefer the 430 but would love a 450. We aren't talking about Chimps where there is a big difference between a 400,450 and 500. Up to illegal speed there is little difference between a 430 and 500 and a 450 would be quicker!! There is a 450 SE wedge at HHC at the moment with 290 bhp in it. The Griff 450s all had more than that!!
Er.... Chim/griff - same car, weight, pwr to weight. Different bodywork is all (well, apart from the chimp being a bit more developed re cooling, handling etc., and better looking, obviously . Have had both, prefer the 430 but would love a 450. We aren't talking about Chimps where there is a big difference between a 400,450 and 500. Up to illegal speed there is little difference between a 430 and 500 and a 450 would be quicker!! There is a 450 SE wedge at HHC at the moment with 290 bhp in it. The Griff 450s all had more than that!!
) I've also had a 430 - nothing wrong with it, 500 just that bit extra urgent on top. And really, urgent is the whole point of TVR (otherwise there are plenty of cool classics about at the price, albeit less pacey) so may as well have the most urgent of the lot.
Where's all the 500 owners (apart from those with snapped cranks of course) saying they wish they had a 400 ?
Jammy Dodger said:
Er.... Chim/griff - same car, weight, pwr to weight. Different bodywork is all (well, apart from the chimp being a bit more developed re cooling, handling etc., and better looking, obviously )
I've also had a 430 - nothing wrong with it, 500 just that bit extra urgent on top. And really, urgent is the whole point of TVR (otherwise there are plenty of cool classics about at the price, albeit less pacey) so may as well have the most urgent of the lot.
Where's all the 500 owners (apart from those with snapped cranks of course) saying they wish they had a 400 ?
Err, Griff 400,430,450 all have no cats( with the exception of the car in the OP), so there is a difference! ) I've also had a 430 - nothing wrong with it, 500 just that bit extra urgent on top. And really, urgent is the whole point of TVR (otherwise there are plenty of cool classics about at the price, albeit less pacey) so may as well have the most urgent of the lot.
Where's all the 500 owners (apart from those with snapped cranks of course) saying they wish they had a 400 ?
seriously you would be surprised at how differently a pre-cat and a 500 deliver their power and torque. Pre-cats are revvier and I will concede that above 120 leptons (legally) of course a 500 pulls better. However, not everyone wants or needs the ballistic nature of a 500 at those levels. I wouldn't go back to a 500 now and that's because I love the nature of mine.
Anyway OP sorry about the thread hijack. I don't know anyone with a 400 who is disappointed with one. As I said that Griff is a stunner and I'm sure that if you bought it that it would give you years of happy motoring.
angry jock said:
Err, Griff 400,430,450 all have no cats( with the exception of the car in the OP), so there is a difference! seriously you would be surprised at how differently a pre-cat and a 500 deliver their power and torque. Pre-cats are revvier and I will concede that above 120 leptons (legally) of course a 500 pulls better. However, not everyone wants or needs the ballistic nature of a 500 at those levels.
I wouldn't go back to a 500 now and that's because I love the nature of mine.
Anyway OP sorry about the thread hijack. I don't know anyone with a 400 who is disappointed with one. As I said that Griff is a stunner and I'm sure that if you bought it that it would give you years of happy motoring.
:sigh: don't tell me, Braveheart must've been repeated on Scottish telly again this weekend. Always the same.... seriously you would be surprised at how differently a pre-cat and a 500 deliver their power and torque. Pre-cats are revvier and I will concede that above 120 leptons (legally) of course a 500 pulls better. However, not everyone wants or needs the ballistic nature of a 500 at those levels. I wouldn't go back to a 500 now and that's because I love the nature of mine.
Anyway OP sorry about the thread hijack. I don't know anyone with a 400 who is disappointed with one. As I said that Griff is a stunner and I'm sure that if you bought it that it would give you years of happy motoring.
Without resorting to Wiki, recall 500 0-60 (4.1) quickest, through the gears quickest, top end quickest. Whether the car revs to 5800 or 6800 makes no odds when you've got 300+ftlbs from 1500rpm.
Anyway - back on topic, I too would look at gizzer's rather than/as well as the subject car. And then I'd still buy a 500
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