Griff advice and a LHD for resto

[bezza911]

Hi All,
need some help and answers and wanting to extend my basic knowledge for my search.

I have been looking for a black or white TVR Griff, preferably with a black interior... Anyway I live in Germany and the plan was to bring a RHD over here, but with the potential minefield of issues that are arising due to German TUV etc I started looking at cars already on the continent. I found an original 500 6/1994, 100K KMS and LHD 3 owners...

I am guessing it's an early pre serp. Is there something I can look for on engine bay photos that will tell me what the engine is? Gearbox change to the T5 was in 95, is that correct?

This will no doubt require a body off resto. Interior is needing some love and the roof etc all need some work. Glass looks good.

I am guessing a LHD is quite rare, if it's been road legal in Holland I am hopeful it will be quite easy for German approval/TUV, and that would be the first thing to do for me before a resto.

So, I am happy to get into a resto, I need something to do on these German winters, but is it feasible? How many LHD Euro Griff's are out there? What is a restored 500 LHD really worth?

Break it to me, be brutal as you like...

Some honest snaps of the rusty outriggers...

Thanks in advance as usual

[GlynMo]

I live in France so earlier this year I was looking for a LHD Griff. I gave up after finding that they command a premium of 50% upwards on an equivalent Brit rhd car.

[bezza911]

[GlynMo]

The photo doesn't really tell you much, other than the chassis hasn't been cared for in a while. You really need the owner's permission to apply a pointed metal implement. Good luck with that!

[bezza911]

Having issues uploading images, 1 by 1 they go...

[bezza911]

[bezza911]

[bezza911]

[GlynMo]

bezza911 said:

Def pre-serp, but something seems odd, sort of back-to-front

[Aussie John]

If it's 6th month 94 then it may have the t5 box; is reverse to the right and back? if so you have a t5.

[anonymous-user]

LHD Griff in good condition will normally sell in the EUR 30K - 40K range. You can often find one or two listed on - http://www.mobile.de/

Allowing for the following list not being complete, but also that some may have been written off, a fair guess would be around 100 LHD Griffs exist - http://www.tvrblog.com/register-of-tvr-griffith-wi...

[bezza911]

dod said:

LHD Griff in good condition will normally sell in the EUR 30K - 40K range. You can often find one or two listed on - http://www.mobile.de/

Allowing for the following list not being complete, but also that some may have been written off, a fair guess would be around 100 LHD Griffs exist - http://www.tvrblog.com/register-of-tvr-griffith-wi...

Thanks for that info,
I am awaiting some more information, apparently it was originally a German delivered car, so it could be easier then to find out if the car has been a write before... The current owner has had the car from 11k on the clock.. As it is , they want silly money, but the idea of a new project is very appealing if I can get it for the right price, but if not, then a UK car is imminent...

[GlynMo]

Don't know how easy it would be to register a French-registered Griff in Germany, but this http://www.leboncoin.fr/voitures/507042579.htm?ca=... is fairly representative of prices for LHD. In fact, if the car is in the condition it appears to be, it's not a bad price from a dealer.

[MischaV8]

Via Autoscout24.nl they ask euro 24000, problably priced to sell but difficult times these days!?

i paid euro 10000 more for my Griff almost 7 years ago from the Dutch TVR dealer though in very good condition.

it is not that bad for a lhd Griff with some work i think? thing is lhd Griffs are rare and in very good condition they keep there value between euro 35000 - 45000 i think?!

if you spend between euro 5000 - 10000 and bring it to very good standards you are ok i think?
they are aging now and need chassis restos to keep them in good condition.

i've spend thousands to keep my Griff in good health but in the next 3 years in need to do my chassis and several other things like; carpets and paint due to stone chips...but they are worth it!!

as with restos etc. you don't get everthing back what you invest in your car, i am certainly not getting back everything i have invest in my car but that is hobby!?

[bezza911]

That one in Holland was an original German delivered car, and the photos I put up a few days ago are of that car.... Incredibly over priced, at 15K maybe, as I have found another for similar money with the 4.6 in very very good condition.

Will wait and see what tomorrow brings. Sadly not my ideal colour preference, but at least the interior can be dyed black to get it closer to my preferences....

[MischaV8]

think i have seen this car once couple of years ago, that car looked not that nice; paint bad, hood and interior engine bay dirty etc. needed some TLC.

if it's the same car and in need of chassis resto etc. than definately overpriced!

[bezza911]

MischaV8 said:

think i have seen this car once couple of years ago, that car looked not that nice; paint bad, hood and interior engine bay dirty etc. needed some TLC.

if it's the same car and in need of chassis resto etc. than definately overpriced!

Yeah that's it, was going to offer something cheeky, but it's not worth the headache as there are some similar priced sorted cars!

[MischaV8]

good luck with yr search!

....it is a shame LHD ones are so expensive otherwise you could have two Griffs haha, i would!

Edited by MischaV8 on Friday 27th September 22:40