TVR Griffiths 200/400 and their Chassis Numbers

[Peter Mallett]

Yep, I think it was because I'd just got out of the TVR, I found it a bit sticky. Not that it would stop me having one of course, terrific handling and ideal performance.

[simon drabble]

lovely handling and swift rather than scalded cat performance anyway back to TVR's!

[DaveGT6]

A little off topic but I'm currently building a Grantura to FiA spec. I've never driven one or even been driven in one so it's good to get some indication of what it will be like. Sitting on the floor pan holding the steering wheel and making brum brum noises is about as close as I've got! Presumably the body spec. of the very early 200's such as Jellison's would be identical to mine? It's a '63 build and factory records show it to be the first production 1800. It would be interesting to know the production relationship between the early Griff bodies that were shipped to the states and the Granturas that were being built for the UK at the same time.

[simon drabble]

Whilst AC Ace/Cobra seems to have enjopyed instant international success but presumably (based on what I have read here) the Griffith didn't. Given the pedigree of both are similar why did one take off and the other didn't? Was it all doen to the original build quality issues?

[Peter Mallett]

The Ace was around in the late fifties with a sweet 3.0l straight six (trying desperately to remember the name of the tuner and failing ).

The Cobra took an already proven chassis and made it awesome.

If I understand this thread correctly, the Griff was to do the same, except the developer had none of the history that Carrol Shelby has/had. I suspect it may be these, plus the loss of product due to the dock strike, that really mitigated against it.

I have to say that like many I'm learning an awful lot about the cars that frankly have been a bit of a blank in my education. Think racing beast think Cobra. However .................................

And Dave, I think you are a very lucky man to have that car. Hope you get it sorted.

[jellison]

Originally Posted by DaveGT6

A little off topic but I'm currently building a Grantura to FiA spec. I've never driven one or even been driven in one so it's good to get some indication of what it will be like. Sitting on the floor pan holding the steering wheel and making brum brum noises is about as close as I've got! Presumably the body spec. of the very early 200's such as Jellison's would be identical to mine? It's a '63 build and factory records show it to be the first production 1800. It would be interesting to know the production relationship between the early Griff bodies that were shipped to the states and the Granturas that were being built for the UK at the same time.

First 3 were Grantura Bodies MADE to fit all the V* driveline stuff, the one after this had mods conveyd from the tweeks theyhad to do on these 3 in corporated into the later Grantura looking early 200's. Things like number plates moldings changes eyc.

My Dino Post sems to have Disappeared John

[Patrick Sumner]

Perhaps you TVR experts might know what happened to my Griffith? Reg No: MYU 617D. I’ve no chassis number. I bought it at the end of 1967, maybe from Bell & Colville, I can’t quite remember. It was painted in Roman Purple with flared wheel arches and Cobra wire rims with an internal roll hoop and rear window retaining straps. I believe it was part of the Vandervell set up, hence the unusual colour. I thought it had a 4.7L engine but it turned out to be a 4.2L with hydraulic tappets so not as I had hoped but quick enough. Around 70 mph in first and 130 mph top speed governed by the hydraulic tappets. It was so reliable. I used it as a tow car for my racer and also sprinted it one time. Very sad to see it go in 1970 and never heard of it again. Martin Lilley had attended the same engineering college as me and turned up one day in one and I just knew I had to have one eventually!

[John Turner]

Originally Posted by Peter Mallett

The Ace was around in the late fifties with a sweet 3.0l straight six (trying desperately to remember the name of the tuner and failing )

The Ace originally had a 2 litre AC engine or for the quicker versions, the Bristol 2 litre. When Bristol stopped making that engine (when they went to American V8 muscle), AC used Ford 2.6 engines, modified by Ruddspeed (Ken Rudd). That's all off the top of my head so I await the corrections.

Anyway, AC were a well established builder of quality cars and their build quality and that of Shelby's operation would have been in advance of TVR. I doubt TVR had much in the way of funds to develop a reliable race version of the Griffith.

[John Turner]

Originally Posted by jellison

My Dino Post sems to have Disappeared John

Jon, I've not seen it, nor does it appear in the thread log, so that's a bit of a mystery, I'm afraid.

[terence]

Originally Posted by John Turner

The Ace originally had a 2 litre AC engine or for the quicker versions, the Bristol 2 litre. When Bristol stopped making that engine (when they went to American V8 muscle), AC used Ford 2.6 engines, modified by Ruddspeed (Ken Rudd). That's all off the top of my head so I await the corrections.

Anyway, AC were a well established builder of quality cars and their build quality and that of Shelby's operation would have been in advance of TVR. I doubt TVR had much in the way of funds to develop a reliable race version of the Griffith.

That's quite right John,certainly never factory homologated and never done by Mr Griffith through lack of Dollars.200/04 was supplied for Gerry to race with some funding but no great amount.

[jellison]

Originally Posted by John Turner

Jon, I've not seen it, nor does it appear in the thread log, so that's a bit of a mystery, I'm afraid.

maybe I was dreaming and id not hit post!

First serious GF's father had a Dino in the garage, always under a dust sheet.

Thought, I'm bound to get a go in it at some point. Never happened, he never drove it in 2 years SAD....and LOOSER come to mine.

It wasn't the reason she was my GF though, she had a couple of outstanding....

ANYWAY back to Griffs..........








One was easy, the other On a Total Other Planet (Moby)

[Peter Mallett]

Ruddspeed & 2.6 thanks John.

[Dinkel]

Originally Posted by falcemob

Quite a few for sale then, what sort of money do they command?

I have sent you - and a few others over here - a mint roadlegal racer that could be yours for 45 Bob.

PM if you are in need.

[johnh875]

Here is a Griffith in Melbourne (photo taken last year), don't know details of chassis no. etc

[Alan Brown]

http://www.pd-go.com/index.php?actio...&WebSiteID=409

[Jeremy Hall]

I thought this was about TVR Griffiths!!

[terence]

Well,judging by the spec,its not so far removed from some that we know!

[Peter Mallett]

Yeah and only 400bhp.

[esper]

real american racer with big balls. 400ho and he didnt brake at Sebring in september or he has a very damp shed to keep the car if so dont buy it. Unless you need some rear suspension parts for your o so legal FIA E type.

[Dinkel]

Hope these snaps are not too big:

[DaveGT6]

Great pics! So whose cars are all these? I recognise the powder blue #49 as Malcolm Johnson's.......... also big variation in tyre spec - the red #42 car is running Ls whilst the others on Ms?

[terence]

Something a little different with the Green Car?

[DaveGT6]

Looks like it's been fed a diet of spinach and I'm not referring to the colour.

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by DaveGT6

Great pics! So whose cars are all these? I recognise the powder blue #49 as Malcolm Johnson's.......... also big variation in tyre spec - the red #42 car is running Ls whilst the others on Ms?

Car 42 is the lovely Ashworth Grantura- hence tyre difference!

[terence]

Quite right Mike,Mark had big problems getting the HTPs on that car,all resolved now though.Would have been a great shame if they were not allowed,Mark being another who will not bend the rules and also a very fair driver.