Rebuilt damaged Griffith 500

[griffert]

Hi,
Ive been rebuilding a Griff 500 for 10 years now, it has a 1995 serpentine engine , Ocean Haze (metallic green/blue) with a charcoal
1/2 leather interior which I bought accident damaged to repair and use for track days at our local circuit at Knockhill.

Its taken me so long to rebuild and I've restored it fully I would like to put it back on the road .

The damage was to the drivers side windscreen pillar, door and headlamp area, it must have been a horrible smash
for the driver.

I have no DVLA paperwork or the registration number as it was bought as a write off, I was told it was a Cat B .

When I bought it I managed to get some history from Blackpool and they confirmed it had been serviced recently in 2001 at 49,000
miles , and was sold originally in Devon. The chassis VIN and engine numbers match, and the car was complete when I bought it .
It was the usual glassfibre front end repair with a new door, glass, windscreen etc.

If anyone knows anything about the car I would really appreciate any information , and particularly the reg no as I would like
to have it tested again so I can put it back on the road.

The cars pretty much completed apart from a few electrical gremlins which may never go away.!.

I have photos of it before I rebuilt it if anyone has any idea .

Thanks in anticipation .

James.

[MPoxon]

I do not know anything about your Griff unfortunately but the restoration sounds very interesting. Are you able to post up any of your restoration pics in this thread?

[portzi]

MPoxon said:

I do not know anything about your Griff unfortunately but the restoration sounds very interesting. Are you able to post up any of your restoration pics in this thread?

My friend is ressurrecting a griff back from the dead also, spike his name, post piccs also please

Mark

[330p4]

Can you put a cat B back on the road I know C and D are alright
Ian

[griffert]

Thanks for the replies, enclosed some pics, did a full body off chassis blasted and rebuilt all suspension etc.



Its not been a bad job but the electrics and some parts are really poor , the under dash fittings are amazing, when you
compare the fit to a porsche say its amazing these cars were ever certified for the road. !

James

[griffert]

Engine/chassis stripped

[griffert]

[griffert]

[griffert]

[griffert]

Ill post some photos of the finished car, my pal Tom (in the photo) has done all the mechanics, without him it wouldn't been
possible !.
Hoping to get it on the road soon.

[MPoxon]

Wow that looks great and fantastic to see another car in the process of being fully restored

Griffs do look great in Ocean Haze as per the press car. Looking forward to seeing the photos of the finished result. I hope someone will be along shortly with an answer to your question.

[carsy]

Excellent job. Always good to see another saved. Bet after 10yrs your itching to get out in it.

[DarkMatter]

Well done with your rebuild work. I hope you manage to sort out the electrical gremlins. In that picture of the engine I'd say the the serpentine belt is incorrectly routed - I think that it should go (in a clockwise description) under the crankshaft, over the tensioner, over the alternator, under the water pump, over the next pulley, then back to the crankshaft, that should ensure that it doesn't slip when the alternator is under load.

[gavgavgav]

DarkMatter said:

Well done with your rebuild work. I hope you manage to sort out the electrical gremlins. In that picture of the engine I'd say the the serpentine belt is incorrectly routed - I think that it should go (in a clockwise description) under the crankshaft, over the tensioner, over the alternator, under the water pump, over the next pulley, then back to the crankshaft, that should ensure that it doesn't slip when the alternator is under load.

Second that.

[MPoxon]

gavgavgav said:

DarkMatter said:

Well done with your rebuild work. I hope you manage to sort out the electrical gremlins. In that picture of the engine I'd say the the serpentine belt is incorrectly routed - I think that it should go (in a clockwise description) under the crankshaft, over the tensioner, over the alternator, under the water pump, over the next pulley, then back to the crankshaft, that should ensure that it doesn't slip when the alternator is under load.

Second that.

Good spot. Here is a pic of mine and yours for reference:

[carsy]

Matthew that is one smart engine bay. Very nice.

[peaktorque]

AFAIK a CAT B car cannot be put back on the road.

CAT C yes, CAT B spares only.

[EGB]

MPoxon said:

Wow that looks great and fantastic to see another car in the process of being fully restored

Griffs do look great in Ocean Haze as per the press car. Looking forward to seeing the photos of the finished result. I hope someone will be along shortly with an answer to your question.

Well done, Starmist Ocean Haze, like mine. I have the paint code and the boys in St Hellens can supply. My engine bay could do with the MPoxon treatment. Those Bridgestones look old and very hard.

Edited by EGB on Thursday 23 February 22:16

[spikep]

James,

Car looks good, but to the best of my knowledge
Cat A is damaged and must be broken up and not go back on the road.
Cat B I think has been submerged! Or damaged and can be used for spares, but cannot go back on the road.
Cat C repairable with VOSA inspection to put back on the road.
Cat D is repairable and just requires an MOT (this is what my Griff is).
I ask abut this at my local VOSA office when I was looking at a cat B Griff.

Spike

[peaktorque]

EGB said:

Those Bridgestones look old and very hard.

How can you tell how hard a tyre is just by looking at a picture of if it