From a TVR Griffith to an AMG Mercedes
Discussion
I've had a few TVR's and my latest one was a Grifffith.
I absolutely LOVED it, and I ensured it was looked after well, so I could enjoy it for years to come.
Each winter, I took it off the road and got it elevated in my garage, allowing access underneath and to all four corners, easily.
The winter cleaning and ongoing maintenance made for a very clean car. Toothbrushes, various cleaning fluids, degreasers, polishes etc ensured the chassis was squeaky clean !
We use our car to tour, ( under normal circumstances, but Covid has killed that !), and its been all round Europe on a number of occasions.
This was my Griffith. ( I know the colour scheme doesn't appeal to everyone, as they often told me how crap it looked ! )
sunshine Griff. by Andy B., on Flickr
P8280009 by Andy B., on Flickr
P8270005 by Andy B., on Flickr
P8270001 by Andy B., on Flickr
P8270004 by Andy B., on Flickr
P8280006 by Andy B., on Flickr
P8280007 by Andy B., on Flickr
P8280014 by Andy B., on Flickr
P8280011 by Andy B., on Flickr
So the underside was as tidy as the topsides, and interior.
I had upgraded it over the years, with a full retrim, new windscreen, new hood, upgraded headlamps, battery and fuse box relocated, and numerous other bits and pieces.
Anyway......after 10 years I thought it was time for a change. I wanted something different. It was time to treat myself to a 'proper' supercar.
I've been retired a few years now, and thought - if I don't do it now, it'll never happen.
It had to ;-
1. be more powerful than my TVR
2. have a good sized boot / luggage space, for touring purposes.
3. be more modern than my TVR.
4. have some modern technology.
5. sound great.
6. be reliable, and not require me to be hands on with the spanners etc.
Initially, I'd very much fancied a McLaren. I gathered lots of information from various sources, and took a close look at a friends car.
My budget was steering me towards a 570 or maybe a 720 at a push. The 570 spider seemed to be the car I was homing in on.
After months of deliberation I changed tack completely. The tales of McLaren 'issues' with paint, electronic niggles and dealership wait times, ( for repairs and service items), eventually put me off the McLaren trail.
I started looking at Mercedes AMG GT, and finally decided upon an AMG GT R.
I was lucky to find a really nicely specced car, with very low miles (4k), Full service history, and one previous owner. Its got lots of extras and loads of Carbon Fibre. (Who doesn't like carbon fibre !!). Ceramic brakes and rear wheel steering.
this is my new car.
244779884_412977687059792_7830454996487179351_n by Andy B., on Flickr
P9040126 by Andy B., on Flickr
I'm very pleased with it so far. Its incredibly fast and feels very well planted on the road. Its a thrill to drive, and it certainly gets plenty of attention from other road users ( positive) and passers by.
So there you go. My new car.
I absolutely LOVED it, and I ensured it was looked after well, so I could enjoy it for years to come.
Each winter, I took it off the road and got it elevated in my garage, allowing access underneath and to all four corners, easily.
The winter cleaning and ongoing maintenance made for a very clean car. Toothbrushes, various cleaning fluids, degreasers, polishes etc ensured the chassis was squeaky clean !
We use our car to tour, ( under normal circumstances, but Covid has killed that !), and its been all round Europe on a number of occasions.
This was my Griffith. ( I know the colour scheme doesn't appeal to everyone, as they often told me how crap it looked ! )
sunshine Griff. by Andy B., on FlickrP8280009 by Andy B., on FlickrP8270005 by Andy B., on FlickrP8270001 by Andy B., on FlickrP8270004 by Andy B., on FlickrP8280006 by Andy B., on FlickrP8280007 by Andy B., on FlickrP8280014 by Andy B., on FlickrP8280011 by Andy B., on FlickrSo the underside was as tidy as the topsides, and interior.
I had upgraded it over the years, with a full retrim, new windscreen, new hood, upgraded headlamps, battery and fuse box relocated, and numerous other bits and pieces.
Anyway......after 10 years I thought it was time for a change. I wanted something different. It was time to treat myself to a 'proper' supercar.
I've been retired a few years now, and thought - if I don't do it now, it'll never happen.
It had to ;-
1. be more powerful than my TVR
2. have a good sized boot / luggage space, for touring purposes.
3. be more modern than my TVR.
4. have some modern technology.
5. sound great.
6. be reliable, and not require me to be hands on with the spanners etc.
Initially, I'd very much fancied a McLaren. I gathered lots of information from various sources, and took a close look at a friends car.
My budget was steering me towards a 570 or maybe a 720 at a push. The 570 spider seemed to be the car I was homing in on.
After months of deliberation I changed tack completely. The tales of McLaren 'issues' with paint, electronic niggles and dealership wait times, ( for repairs and service items), eventually put me off the McLaren trail.
I started looking at Mercedes AMG GT, and finally decided upon an AMG GT R.
I was lucky to find a really nicely specced car, with very low miles (4k), Full service history, and one previous owner. Its got lots of extras and loads of Carbon Fibre. (Who doesn't like carbon fibre !!). Ceramic brakes and rear wheel steering.
this is my new car.
244779884_412977687059792_7830454996487179351_n by Andy B., on FlickrP9040126 by Andy B., on FlickrI'm very pleased with it so far. Its incredibly fast and feels very well planted on the road. Its a thrill to drive, and it certainly gets plenty of attention from other road users ( positive) and passers by.
So there you go. My new car.
Superb looking replacement and sounds like you are enjoying it which is good to hear.
Often hear people looking back at their older cars and missing them so nice to read you’re bucking that trend.
I’ve resisted selling by Alfa gtv v6 in case I miss it too much but the TVR seems even more special and hard to replace.
Happy AMGing
Often hear people looking back at their older cars and missing them so nice to read you’re bucking that trend.
I’ve resisted selling by Alfa gtv v6 in case I miss it too much but the TVR seems even more special and hard to replace.
Happy AMGing
bomb said:
Hoofy said:
the TVR colour scheme is a bit challenging!
You own a TVR / You enjoy a challenge. 
(TBH that colour suits the Griffith for some reason.)
Edited by Hoofy on Saturday 25th December 12:46
The TVR was taken off the road once the salt was used for the winter. Thats when my annual cleaning took place, and anything else that needed doing. I wouldn't say it was used sparingly.
The AMG is taxed and ready to go, but its only coming out on good weather days over the winter time. If its dry, I will use it.
Cold tyres are interesting !!
The AMG is taxed and ready to go, but its only coming out on good weather days over the winter time. If its dry, I will use it.
Cold tyres are interesting !!
What I found striking when I had a drive is just how far back in the car the car the driver is seated, making junctions a challenge and minor roads a bit like steering a super-tanker. Astounding performance though! Enjoy.
Best of all, massively better value than an SLS or the MacMerc.
Best of all, massively better value than an SLS or the MacMerc.
Canon_Fodder said:
It's a stunning car but my eye gets drawn (in bad way) to those yellow calipers
Can you get those retro-painted so as not to be so clashing?
The calipers are Gold !! They are that colour to signify Ceramic brakes. AMG standard. Can you get those retro-painted so as not to be so clashing?
I wont be changing them as I like them. ( in a good way).
Edited by bomb on Wednesday 19th January 16:39
bomb said:
The calipers are Gold !! They are that colour to signify Ceramic brakes. AMG standard.
I wont be changing them as I like them. ( in a good way).
Gold! Yes of course, silly me. I recall that the 1970's Austin Aggro came in that same shade of Gold. I wont be changing them as I like them. ( in a good way).
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Perhaps my own eye-sight is tinged with green on this occasion
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