RE: Griffith AJP press photo in classifieds

[Graham B]

www.pistonheads.com/ads/adverts.asp?s=163#4788

Nice picture, I take it this was an attempt at the 4.2 V8 AJP in the Griffith? I remember they took the Giffith out of production for a while to engineer it for the AJP but ended up producing the Griffith 500 instead. Does this car exist, did it actually have the V8 AJP under the bonnet? It looks very tasty on the Cerbera style 5 stud wheels...

I guess it ended up languishing in TVR's back yard.

Graham

[davidy]

The car existed as shown in the photo, built for motorshow, however to my knowledge the bonnet was never opened at the show, but the AJP engine was shown in a glass cabinet and 'fitted' (loosely!!) to a Formula 3000 type car.

TVR subsequently did build a Griffith AJP Mule, but I understand that it was felt that the power delivery characteristics of the engine shown up the deficenies in the Griffith chassis and that it was considered too hairy to release to the public.

I doubt whether the mule still exists, it probably became the first 500 car, who knows....

This combined with the initially longer than expected AJP development meant that the 500 was 'rushed' into production and the AJP saved for the Cerbera.

In hindsight this was probably a good move, beacuse although we were robbed of a hairy car, it enabled TVR to put money into the bank (through the sales of 500s) to enable the current crop of cars to be developed.

davidy

[zertec]

TVR did put an AJP engine into a Griffith, they also put a Speed 6 engine in. Both were nutter versions.

[simpo one]

As the bonnet is closed, the car in the photo could have *any* engine under the bonnet! Rolls Royce Merlin perhaps? Who knows.

But I was surprised to see a Griff 4.x fronted-car with an alleged AJP engine - either the body was very late or the engine was very early.

[shpub]

quote:
As the bonnet is closed, the car in the photo could have *any* engine under the bonnet! Rolls Royce Merlin perhaps? Who knows.

But I was surprised to see a Griff 4.x fronted-car with an alleged AJP engine - either the body was very late or the engine was very early.

Why? This was before the 500 was ever thought about. The only reason the 500 came out was the delay on the AJP and the concern over the Griff suspension especially the 4.x version. The 500 had substantial mods including the fitting of a rear anti-roll bar.

Steve
(who spent 30 minutes under several Griffi comparing the chassis at Tower View on Saturday. Made a change from changing UJs!)

[davidy]

It might even have no engine!!!, a few bags of ballast would get it sitting at the right profile!!!

Stranger things have happened in the past, there are 1970 Tuscan V6 press shots where the tow-rope has been edited out, I know because I and others have seen the proof sets from the original photographers..

Remember a photo never lies, just like bhp on a spec sheet......

davidy

[simpo one]

'This was before the 500 was ever thought about'

So if the 500 first came out in 1993, TVR must have been playing with the AJP engine for a good time before that? I didn't know it had been around so long.

[p7ulg]

quote:
The car existed as shown in the photo, built for motorshow, however to my knowledge the bonnet was never opened at the show, but the AJP engine was shown in a glass cabinet and 'fitted' (loosely!!) to a Formula 3000 type car.

TVR subsequently did build a Griffith AJP Mule, but I understand that it was felt that the power delivery characteristics of the engine shown up the deficenies in the Griffith chassis and that it was considered too hairy to release to the public.

I doubt whether the mule still exists, it probably became the first 500 car, who knows....

This combined with the initially longer than expected AJP development meant that the 500 was 'rushed' into production and the AJP saved for the Cerbera.

In hindsight this was probably a good move, beacuse although we were robbed of a hairy car, it enabled TVR to put money into the bank (through the sales of 500s) to enable the current crop of cars to be developed.

davidy

Hexham Horseless Carriage has the formula 3000 fitted with the AJP engine in their show room.Car is reputed to be ex David Coulthard ( prior to having the TVR engine fitted!)

[pjg]

quote:
Stranger things have happened in the past, there are 1970 Tuscan V6 press shots where the tow-rope has been edited out, I know because I and others have seen the proof sets from the original photographers..

Vauxhaul did that with the Frontera. The wanted to park it on an incline, but the car wouldn't stay there, so they used a Landie to hold it via a tow rope, and air-brushed out the incriminating evidence.

[Graham B]

Also notice the car in the picture has different seats and is missing a hood.

The AJP in the Griffith must have been a bit hairy, wonder what the performance figures would be. 0-100 in under 10 secs?

Graham

[2 Sheds]

quote:
'This was before the 500 was ever thought about'

So if the 500 first came out in 1993, TVR must have been playing with the AJP engine for a good time before that? I didn't know it had been around so long.

It was announced in 1992 so i guess they started a year or two before that