How important is originality
Discussion
I am looking at Griffs and they vary considerably in the mods they have had done. Obviously these will be according to taste but what about bodywork and interior
For instance, a good pre-cat with a 500 front end - how big a deal is it really providing everything is OK and how much does it affect resale?
I've found a 4.3 with a 500 nose job and a nice original 400 but the interior is tatty/needs replacing.
I'm tempted by both - what is the concensus?
For instance, a good pre-cat with a 500 front end - how big a deal is it really providing everything is OK and how much does it affect resale?
I've found a 4.3 with a 500 nose job and a nice original 400 but the interior is tatty/needs replacing.
I'm tempted by both - what is the concensus?
If the rumours are true then i'm sorry to hear it.
Any chance of getting it repaired or at least buying what is left back from the insurers and fixing it yourself. The engine would be worth a bit being a BV.
Hope you get it sorted.
On the subject of originality, i suppose it depends on who you are.
Some people go to great lengths to keep things original. My view is that if it improves the car without being too out of line then no problem.
i.e fitting the later 5.0 litre brakes.
Any chance of getting it repaired or at least buying what is left back from the insurers and fixing it yourself. The engine would be worth a bit being a BV.
Hope you get it sorted.
On the subject of originality, i suppose it depends on who you are.
Some people go to great lengths to keep things original. My view is that if it improves the car without being too out of line then no problem.
i.e fitting the later 5.0 litre brakes.
Sadly Juniper Green 4.3BV is no more. And it really pains me to say that which is why I haven't mentioned it before now, 4 weeks after the accident.
Simple accident, 2 pheasants took off and I though they were coming through the windscreen. Brake/swerve, skid, spin, tree meets passenger side, car and me end in a 6ft deep ditch.
Happily for me I unclipped the seatbelt and climbed out. Broken bone in my right hand and not much else except for scratches.
If I heard "well at least you're alright" once I heard it a hundred times and until a week ago I still wanted to punch anyone who said it.
Anyway, my confidence is a bit battered but now I want to get back on my bike again.
I've just been to look at James Agger's "Sexy Sapphire" which I like and will decide tomorrow whether I buy it. That's the one with the 500 nose but it seems all genuine otherwise and is why I was debating the Originality issue.
Simple accident, 2 pheasants took off and I though they were coming through the windscreen. Brake/swerve, skid, spin, tree meets passenger side, car and me end in a 6ft deep ditch.
Happily for me I unclipped the seatbelt and climbed out. Broken bone in my right hand and not much else except for scratches.
If I heard "well at least you're alright" once I heard it a hundred times and until a week ago I still wanted to punch anyone who said it.
Anyway, my confidence is a bit battered but now I want to get back on my bike again.
I've just been to look at James Agger's "Sexy Sapphire" which I like and will decide tomorrow whether I buy it. That's the one with the 500 nose but it seems all genuine otherwise and is why I was debating the Originality issue.
Arse, sorry mate: juniper green is nice. Next time hit the pheasants...
A 4.x with a 500 nose says to me that it's been spanked. That's because the 4.x nosecone is no longer available, so after a shunt they end up with 500 noses.
I suppose it comes down to resale and how well informed your buyer is!
A 4.x with a 500 nose says to me that it's been spanked. That's because the 4.x nosecone is no longer available, so after a shunt they end up with 500 noses.
I suppose it comes down to resale and how well informed your buyer is!
Getting back to the question, there are two trains of thought here, the "originalist" and the "improvanist"...i'm with the later section, and need more than the factory gave originaly.
However i so wanted to keep the car original, BUT it was not enough for me to be content with, and the trouble is that after you make the first deviation away from originality, then you are on the top of a very slippery slope. However I now feel that mine is a lot better than when it left the factory.
However i so wanted to keep the car original, BUT it was not enough for me to be content with, and the trouble is that after you make the first deviation away from originality, then you are on the top of a very slippery slope. However I now feel that mine is a lot better than when it left the factory.
Hi Ian,
I think its quite nice to keep them Original or to a stage where they can be put back to there original State. With most Mods done to Griffiths a think thay all could near enough be reversed. The body work is GRP so can easily be cut to put original lights back in as with mine.
I think TVRbodyshop can get hold of the old nose cone. Not sure if TET mouldings do them??
Good luck with the search and glad you are looking again
BB
ps, I still think after seeing it, it shouldnt have been a Write Off
I think its quite nice to keep them Original or to a stage where they can be put back to there original State. With most Mods done to Griffiths a think thay all could near enough be reversed. The body work is GRP so can easily be cut to put original lights back in as with mine.
I think TVRbodyshop can get hold of the old nose cone. Not sure if TET mouldings do them??
Good luck with the search and glad you are looking again
BB
ps, I still think after seeing it, it shouldnt have been a Write Off
simpo two said:
A 4.x with a 500 nose says to me that it's been spanked. That's because the 4.x nosecone is no longer available, so after a shunt they end up with 500 noses.
Says to you so true but remember that when the new nose came out it improved cooling and in most people's opinion improved the appearance so many were grafted onto perfect cars.
If you can, try to buy it as salvage from the insurance company as legally i think you have first refusal, otherwise it might end up at Douglas Vally.
You may be surprised at how little they might want for it.
If you don't fancy rebuilding it yourself or with some help, i'm sure you could sell it complete for a lot more than what you paid and even if it has to be dismantled depending on the category you should still gain.
It is usually the labour costs which will write a car off, but if the damage isn't that serious try to get a second opinion as technically speaking it is a rare car and they may concede and get it repaired for you.
Best wishes
IanG
You may be surprised at how little they might want for it.
If you don't fancy rebuilding it yourself or with some help, i'm sure you could sell it complete for a lot more than what you paid and even if it has to be dismantled depending on the category you should still gain.
It is usually the labour costs which will write a car off, but if the damage isn't that serious try to get a second opinion as technically speaking it is a rare car and they may concede and get it repaired for you.
Best wishes
IanG
Ballistic Banana said:
Hi Ian,
I think its quite nice to keep them Original or to a stage where they can be put back to there original State. With most Mods done to Griffiths a think thay all could near enough be reversed. The body work is GRP so can easily be cut to put original lights back in as with mine.
I think TVRbodyshop can get hold of the old nose cone. Not sure if TET mouldings do them??
Good luck with the search and glad you are looking again
BB
ps, I still think after seeing it, it shouldnt have been a Write Off
I'm sure David Gerald were talking about mk1 noses at the growl...give them a call
barreti said:
Sadly Juniper Green 4.3BV is no more. And it really pains me to say that which is why I haven't mentioned it before now, 4 weeks after the accident.
Simple accident, 2 pheasants took off and I though they were coming through the windscreen. Brake/swerve, skid, spin, tree meets passenger side, car and me end in a 6ft deep ditch.
Happily for me I unclipped the seatbelt and climbed out. Broken bone in my right hand and not much else except for scratches.
If I heard "well at least you're alright" once I heard it a hundred times and until a week ago I still wanted to punch anyone who said it.
Anyway, my confidence is a bit battered but now I want to get back on my bike again.
I've just been to look at James Agger's "Sexy Sapphire" which I like and will decide tomorrow whether I buy it. That's the one with the 500 nose but it seems all genuine otherwise and is why I was debating the Originality issue.
Ive got the 4.3 with the 500 front end at Tower View comming to me.
Basically, go with the reputation of the seller. Do a HPI, drive it, see what u think and check the car out. Get her on a ramp and look underneath.
If it aint straight u can tell and you can always get the chassis and engine numbers to run your own checks.
Surely at the end of the day, if somebody feels they can improve / enhance / 'max' a car, then who is to say they are wrong.
I've seen modified cars that look awful (IMHO) and to me they are worth nothing because i just wouldn't want to be seen in it. Others look great and this may enhance there value.
My opinion is that original is best, for no other reason than the factory designers have more experience than i..
I've seen modified cars that look awful (IMHO) and to me they are worth nothing because i just wouldn't want to be seen in it. Others look great and this may enhance there value.
My opinion is that original is best, for no other reason than the factory designers have more experience than i..
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