Another "how many" - this time ORIGINAL 4.x Griffs
Discussion
The question is how many "unmodified" 4.0/4.3 are there left? By "unmodified" I mean in the same format it left the factory, which would mean:
- no Leven Technology (or other "bits" added)
- no 5.0 front end where the main beam lights are part of the grill area
- no rear light convertions
- no change of colour
- possibly no change of wheels (especially to a diff size)
- no engine upgrades
- no new seats etc.
Mine is one - but mainly because I'm too mean to pay for the lights/seats/wheels etc upgrade, I like the colour as it is and the idea of cutting the indicator stalk off to fit the Leven frightens the life out of me!
Anyone else got an "original" 4 or 4.3. I'm sure there are lots!
DaveM
- no Leven Technology (or other "bits" added)
- no 5.0 front end where the main beam lights are part of the grill area
- no rear light convertions
- no change of colour
- possibly no change of wheels (especially to a diff size)
- no engine upgrades
- no new seats etc.
Mine is one - but mainly because I'm too mean to pay for the lights/seats/wheels etc upgrade, I like the colour as it is and the idea of cutting the indicator stalk off to fit the Leven frightens the life out of me!
Anyone else got an "original" 4 or 4.3. I'm sure there are lots!
DaveM
1 no Leven Technology (or other "bits" added)
2 no 5.0 front end where the main beam lights are part of the grill area
3 no rear light convertions
4 no change of colour
5 possibly no change of wheels (especially to a diff size)
6 no engine upgrades
7 no new seats etc.
Mine fits all these, except 5 , having fitted spiders allround.Oh also 500+ brakes.
1 no Leven Technology (or other "bits" added)
Fail (previous owner and I dont like the vents)
2 no 5.0 front end where the main beam lights are part of the grill area
Fail (5.0 front but I know the history and quite like it anyway)
3 no rear light convertions
Pass
4 no change of colour
Pass
5 possibly no change of wheels (especially to a diff size)
Fail (5.0 wheels and I like these too)
6 no engine upgrades
Pass
7 no new seats etc.
Fail (cerb seats because the old ones were nackered and these are sooo much better)
Fail (previous owner and I dont like the vents)
2 no 5.0 front end where the main beam lights are part of the grill area
Fail (5.0 front but I know the history and quite like it anyway)
3 no rear light convertions
Pass
4 no change of colour
Pass
5 possibly no change of wheels (especially to a diff size)
Fail (5.0 wheels and I like these too)
6 no engine upgrades
Pass
7 no new seats etc.
Fail (cerb seats because the old ones were nackered and these are sooo much better)
loads of fails though 
92 4.0 in Moonraker, factory option 250 heads and full hide.
Having 'de-Levened'the car, sold all the alloy bits and refitted the original parts back I now pass on all points for at least some of the year.
I normally run on 500 wheels to preserve the OZ split rims, but fit the originals back when I fancy a change, lucky to have the choice in that respect.
A personal preference, but having gone down the cosmetic update route when I first got the car,I now much prefer the pure original look of the early cars.
Steve
Having 'de-Levened'the car, sold all the alloy bits and refitted the original parts back I now pass on all points for at least some of the year.
I normally run on 500 wheels to preserve the OZ split rims, but fit the originals back when I fancy a change, lucky to have the choice in that respect.
A personal preference, but having gone down the cosmetic update route when I first got the car,I now much prefer the pure original look of the early cars.
Steve
homersimpson said:
Mine is absolutely origonal as it left the factory even the tyres are the origional ones.
37k out of one set of 13 year old tyres on a performance, rear-wheel drive car? With all due respect, and speaking from experience, I would seriously consider getting them changed if I were you. Tyres are the most important factor in keeping you on the road.
Rubber doesnt last forever. As UV light, ozone, and petrochemicals attack them they become hard, brittle, and weak. My Eagle F1's are pretty old tyres and are still well above legal tread depth. However, they definitely take longer to warm up than they used to becasue they've become harder - this contributed to an accident I had recently. When I get the car back tomorrow the first thing I'm doing is changing the tyres.
Tyres contain a wax which protects them from ozone. This wax is migrated to the surface as the tyre flexes. If the car is left standing for long periods the wax is not able to reach the surface and so the tyre becomes vulnerable to ozone. 'Carbon black' is another compound used in all tyres to protect against UV rays. This compound gets used up over time as UV rays are converted into heat. This is the reason tyres go grey with age. As the tyres turn grey, we tend to use tyre dressing to tart them up a bit. This can make the problem even worse as most tyre dressings contain no UV inhibitors at all, and worse still, usually contain petrochemicals or silicon oils - thus actually increasing the damage to the tyre and removing the protective waxes!
I'd either get your tyres changed or use a UV inhibiting dressing that contains no petro chemicals/silicon oils. This will help keep the tyres supple.
I have a few leven bits on mine (which are widely acknowledged as being a damn sight better than the originals anyway) and a couple of sensible mods (twin fans, ally bonnet stay, and boot opening kit). The only other un-original part is an aluminim heater console. I'm looking for an original black plastic one, if anyone knows where I might find one please let me know.
Cheers.
>> Edited by jamiet on Friday 3rd June 12:18
Cheers.
>> Edited by jamiet on Friday 3rd June 12:18
Jamiet said:
37k out of one set of 13 year old tyres...
Me thinks you mis read his profile - car had 3.7k miles (ie less than 10k) - not 37k!!!
Homer (aka Pete) - yes I do remember your tidy Griff at Griff Growl - complete with original rubbers! Are you going this year? Should be there on the Saturday
Dave
You're absolutely right, I totally misread that. Must be going blind 
Although, that probably makes my post even more pertinent. The longer a tyre goes unused the faster it can degrade. It may sound a bit nannyish but after my experience, if it were me, I'd definitely be taking a good look at the condition of those tyres.
>> Edited by jamiet on Friday 3rd June 15:49
Although, that probably makes my post even more pertinent. The longer a tyre goes unused the faster it can degrade. It may sound a bit nannyish but after my experience, if it were me, I'd definitely be taking a good look at the condition of those tyres.
>> Edited by jamiet on Friday 3rd June 15:49
Pass on most counts, but have all original bits to swap back, even bought some Vauxhall stalks off Ebay. No mods that can't be put to standard, but as mine originally had a carbon dash and yellow dials I suppose you could say the wood and black dials are non-original. Don't suppose anyones got any yellow dials?
Al.
Al.
Would be grateful for any pictures to add to THE GRITTITH PAGES as I seem to be lacking some in that department (oo er missus)
or any other Griffith related pics mods articles etc
The site is for all us owners so please use it
BB
simon@ballisticbanana.com
or any other Griffith related pics mods articles etc
The site is for all us owners so please use it
BB
simon@ballisticbanana.com
DaveM said:Hope to make it this year if I dare go out with them raggy old tyres on
37k out of one set of 13 year old tyres...
Me thinks you mis read his profile - car had 3.7k miles (ie less than 10k) - not 37k!!!
Homer (aka Pete) - yes I do remember your tidy Griff at Griff Growl - complete with original rubbers! Are you going this year? Should be there on the Saturday
Dave
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