Griffith 4.0

[cornershop]

Hello folks

Contemplating a Griffith 4.0:
https://www.hpcclassics.co.uk/product-page/1992-tv...

Online car check reveals 12 previous owners.

Aside from potentially being the 13th, is this number of owners relatively normal in Griffith circles?

The car is having a huge amount of work undertaken as you can read, so is condition king?

[cornershop]

Mr.Grooler said:

12 owners in almost 30 years doesn’t sound too bad, although plenty of people hang onto them for a long time I’m sure (16 years and counting for me). Either way, condition is absolutely everything; these cars are old enough now and have had sufficient work done in most cases that how the first few owners might have treated the car is pretty irrelevant. Enjoy!

Thanks, well last owner had it since 2014 so 11 owners in 22 years.

Seems excessive, with one eye on future resale?

Agree, it will like a new car after this refurb so it should be minty fresh drivetrain and chassis wise

[cornershop]

Hello Miles

We’ve spoken (it’s Shirish )

Still very keen to see the car, just wanted to gauge the perception of number of owners amongst Griffith owners. It’s high compared to other cars I’ve owned, hence the enquiry.

Let me know when it’s ready for a test drive, I shall be there

[cornershop]

Thanks all for the feedback on number of owners! Reassuring to hear it should not be deemed too much of a negative.

Re trying a 4.3/5.0 - aside from increased performance, what would they provide over the 4.0? reliability? better quality of fit/finish?

240bhp (ish) in a 1 tonne car is more than sufficient, and coming from a V12 Vantage, I ended up being frustrated at how few opportunities I had to get to get past redline in 2nd without losing my license.

So, more accessible performance is fine for me - it’s all about the sound and character for me, with the occasional ‘enthusiastic’ burst when allowed.

[cornershop]

citizen smith said:

cornershop said:

Thanks all for the feedback on number of owners! Reassuring to hear it should not be deemed too much of a negative.

Re trying a 4.3/5.0 - aside from increased performance, what would they provide over the 4.0? reliability? better quality of fit/finish?

240bhp (ish) in a 1 tonne car is more than sufficient, and coming from a V12 Vantage, I ended up being frustrated at how few opportunities I had to get to get past redline in 2nd without losing my license.

So, more accessible performance is fine for me - it’s all about the sound and character for me, with the occasional ‘enthusiastic’ burst when allowed.

Many, many moons ago I nearly purchased a 400, but found it lacking a little in the mid-range. So I ended up buying the 4.3 that is advertised in the classifieds at the moment. The 4.3 has a superb exhaust note and benefits from having that extra bit of mid-range overtaking performance that I was seeking.

For some weird reason the 500 feels like its a bigger car, more refined and better finished. I once owned a 500, that had previously been owned by a V8 Vantage convert and he wanted to buy the Griff back, for the pure excitement that it gave him when driving the Griff 500 compared to the Aston - but that was not a glorious V12 like yours.

Thanks for the feedback - I will certainly have this in mind when I road test a 400.

Last 2 cars have output 290 and 300 bhp/ton and both were a struggle to to extend on UK roads. Something slightly ‘less’ may well be a good thing for me at least.

[cornershop]

lancepar said:

Don't forget for a bit more go there is also the 400(250) gas flowed engine.

I see the add for the one you are thinking about says it's 250BHP, check out the engine number to confirm.

Edited by lancepar on Friday 21st May 14:33

Thanks, I wonder if this is just because it’s a 240 with exhaust and valve mods. Do you happen to know what engine number range it should be in?

[cornershop]

lancepar said:

cornershop said:

lancepar said:

Don't forget for a bit more go there is also the 400(250) gas flowed engine.

I see the add for the one you are thinking about says it's 250BHP, check out the engine number to confirm.

Edited by lancepar on Friday 21st May 14:33

Thanks, I wonder if this is just because it’s a 240 with exhaust and valve mods. Do you happen to know what engine number range it should be in?

Doubt if is anything to do with the exhaust a Pre-cat is as described,,,,,,,,,no catalytic converters........best sounding.
Pre-cat 4ltr cars were offered a factory upgade, 10BHP, with gas flowed heads and the engine number on the VIN plate would end with a "G". I don't know if a G was added to the engine block, I've never looked on mine but the VIN has the letter G.

Ah, ok - makes sense.

The engine number i believe is 47A40P***GS