Another one bites the dust...
Discussion
... well, bites a lamppost anyway 
Just read H & Tsunamis thread - I did a similar trick in my 4.3 two weeks ago - as of today I know it's definitely not economical to repair in the eyes of the insurance company and will be written off as a Cat D... after new outriggers and a clutch in the past three months
Arse.
Coming off a roundabout in third, mildly moist road, bit of a hump/camber change, pottering rather than flooring it and bang, a sudden slide from the back and off up the verge, dead centre impact into a lamppost and a spin round to bend the tailpipes against a grass bank. No front end to the bodyshell - nosecone, front wings damaged, no lights, no rad, bonnet up and cracked windscreen, and a bent wishbone or three on the front suspension.
I just sat there and tried to run through what had happened - I couldn't - it lost grip so quick you wouldn't believe it - even if I could drive properly I don't think I could have caught it
No injuries apart from pride and the lamppost, the tough part is coming to terms with the fact that there's now one less original precat Griff about. Sorry people
On the brighter side, if I'd stuffed it before the outriggers were done, I'd have been through the windscreen - it could've been a very different outcome.
I now know what people mean when they say TVRs can bite. Take it easy
A nice 4.3 to be seen at your local salvage auctions soon - please form an ordely queue
Just read H & Tsunamis thread - I did a similar trick in my 4.3 two weeks ago - as of today I know it's definitely not economical to repair in the eyes of the insurance company and will be written off as a Cat D... after new outriggers and a clutch in the past three months
Arse. Coming off a roundabout in third, mildly moist road, bit of a hump/camber change, pottering rather than flooring it and bang, a sudden slide from the back and off up the verge, dead centre impact into a lamppost and a spin round to bend the tailpipes against a grass bank. No front end to the bodyshell - nosecone, front wings damaged, no lights, no rad, bonnet up and cracked windscreen, and a bent wishbone or three on the front suspension.
I just sat there and tried to run through what had happened - I couldn't - it lost grip so quick you wouldn't believe it - even if I could drive properly I don't think I could have caught it
No injuries apart from pride and the lamppost, the tough part is coming to terms with the fact that there's now one less original precat Griff about. Sorry people
On the brighter side, if I'd stuffed it before the outriggers were done, I'd have been through the windscreen - it could've been a very different outcome.
I now know what people mean when they say TVRs can bite. Take it easy
A nice 4.3 to be seen at your local salvage auctions soon - please form an ordely queue
TAKE IT EASY(sorry EXTRA) OUT THERE GUYS/GALS 
, a great shame to lose another 4.3pre cat I hope it is salvaged and re-built myself. 
Too bad for the Griff but thanks God you are still with us.
I had a warning few weeks ago. I was just pushing the right pedal.. you know...when another car decided to cross my road. I think he did not realise i was coming so close and so quickly. My Griiiiiiif this day decided to give me a chance (dry road). I was able to stop the car just few inches from the other car in a very big cloud of tyre's smoke.
I understood the warning clearly. Made no mistake, these cars are sleeping devils. we have to keep them tight like wild horses.
BTW i had few month ago a full day of driving course in a very extreme condtions. The target was to teach us how to control the car in an adverse situation. I think it helped me to keep the control of the Grif and i recommend to all of you such a driving course.
I had a warning few weeks ago. I was just pushing the right pedal.. you know...when another car decided to cross my road. I think he did not realise i was coming so close and so quickly. My Griiiiiiif this day decided to give me a chance (dry road). I was able to stop the car just few inches from the other car in a very big cloud of tyre's smoke.
I understood the warning clearly. Made no mistake, these cars are sleeping devils. we have to keep them tight like wild horses.
BTW i had few month ago a full day of driving course in a very extreme condtions. The target was to teach us how to control the car in an adverse situation. I think it helped me to keep the control of the Grif and i recommend to all of you such a driving course.
Thanks for all the positive comments, just glad I walked away completely unhurt. The car was agreed value, so I'll be getting a decent payout from the insurers.
I have been offered the salvage for £5000 - its going to one of Universal Salvage's storage yards, and then presumably to auction if I don't buy it back.
Don't know if anyone on here saw the Griff 500 (no engine/box/seats/wheels - a damaged body and rolling chassis basically) on ebay - it sold for £1000
here
My Griff is a genuine 60k 4.3, full history and receipts, with new outriggers, full 500 clutch 200 miles ago, 2k on new standard cam and followers, JP stainless manifolds and exhaust, ACT hoses, 17" Racelines and Toyos, blah blah blah - anyone want it for £5k ?!? On the condition it isn't broken for spares
Really not sure what to do - a second-hand front end (a correct precat front end IS available new) and bonnet come to £1500-ish, a wheel (maybe - not sure if its bent) and suspension bits (wishbones/possible steering rack) maybe £500 tops, then panel fitting and painting anyones guess, another £1500 minimum. Other bits - windscreen, lights, rad/fans etc maybe another £500, so I could have it back and running (with no stone chips
) for a total of £9k.
Assuming the chassis suffered no damage (doubt it - lamppost not hard enough) and the wishbone mounts aren't damaged
I'd have a tidier Griff, AND a healthy bank balance, BUT it would be a Cat D 'write-off' - even when removed from the register the stigma of off-roading remains - value maybe £10-11k max. For a car that spat me off the road in a split second.
Or I could take the money Chris.
Since buying the Griff I've had loads of fun, loads of expense, met some ace people, AND ONLY BROKEN DOWN ONCE IN OVER TWO YEARS
I'm also now the father of twins, which makes a two seater fun car a bit of a luxury....
But I could always find a four seater fun car
>> Edited by andy43 on Wednesday 19th January 10:40
I have been offered the salvage for £5000 - its going to one of Universal Salvage's storage yards, and then presumably to auction if I don't buy it back.
Don't know if anyone on here saw the Griff 500 (no engine/box/seats/wheels - a damaged body and rolling chassis basically) on ebay - it sold for £1000
here My Griff is a genuine 60k 4.3, full history and receipts, with new outriggers, full 500 clutch 200 miles ago, 2k on new standard cam and followers, JP stainless manifolds and exhaust, ACT hoses, 17" Racelines and Toyos, blah blah blah - anyone want it for £5k ?!? On the condition it isn't broken for spares
Really not sure what to do - a second-hand front end (a correct precat front end IS available new) and bonnet come to £1500-ish, a wheel (maybe - not sure if its bent) and suspension bits (wishbones/possible steering rack) maybe £500 tops, then panel fitting and painting anyones guess, another £1500 minimum. Other bits - windscreen, lights, rad/fans etc maybe another £500, so I could have it back and running (with no stone chips
) for a total of £9k. Assuming the chassis suffered no damage (doubt it - lamppost not hard enough) and the wishbone mounts aren't damaged
I'd have a tidier Griff, AND a healthy bank balance, BUT it would be a Cat D 'write-off' - even when removed from the register the stigma of off-roading remains - value maybe £10-11k max. For a car that spat me off the road in a split second.
Or I could take the money Chris.
Since buying the Griff I've had loads of fun, loads of expense, met some ace people, AND ONLY BROKEN DOWN ONCE IN OVER TWO YEARS
I'm also now the father of twins, which makes a two seater fun car a bit of a luxury....
But I could always find a four seater fun car
>> Edited by andy43 on Wednesday 19th January 10:40
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