Discussion
It must be that time of year when thoughts turn to hmmm.... what can I do to improve the Griff whilst its chucking down with rain out there over the winter.
Obviously the Citroen mirrors on the Griff are a supercar classic. However, as they collect more stone chips and the paint comes away from the 'ribbed' section (which I've never liked), I started thinking about the mirrors which are fitted to the last 100 Griffs and the Tamora.
I think I am correct that they come from the VW Corrado? I can get new ones for £95 plus vat each and I would think that breakers' yards would be a source of cheaper ones.. Would also need to get them painted of course.
The Griff with these has a small 'collar' which sits between the mirror base and the door, which presumably I would need to get from TVR.
Does anyone know if there is anything else particularly clever about mounting these mirrors (other than the nightmare which is removing the door panels)?
I expect the wiring will be different - well, the connectors anyway, but I reckon I can cope with that.
Anyone have any experience of doing this?
Thanks
Andy
Obviously the Citroen mirrors on the Griff are a supercar classic. However, as they collect more stone chips and the paint comes away from the 'ribbed' section (which I've never liked), I started thinking about the mirrors which are fitted to the last 100 Griffs and the Tamora.
I think I am correct that they come from the VW Corrado? I can get new ones for £95 plus vat each and I would think that breakers' yards would be a source of cheaper ones.. Would also need to get them painted of course.
The Griff with these has a small 'collar' which sits between the mirror base and the door, which presumably I would need to get from TVR.
Does anyone know if there is anything else particularly clever about mounting these mirrors (other than the nightmare which is removing the door panels)?
I expect the wiring will be different - well, the connectors anyway, but I reckon I can cope with that.
Anyone have any experience of doing this?
Thanks
Andy
griff2be said: Any Griff 100 owners (who previously owned a non-100)able to comment on whether the door looks to be modified to accomodate these mirrors?
Let's be honest...
If you have just bought a brand new Griff would you start taking it apart...
Anything can be done. How much money do you want to spend on it. The biggest issue will be the door and mirror mounts as. Everything else is noise.
shpub said:
Let's be honest...
If you have just bought a brand new Griff would you start taking it apart...
Anything can be done. How much money do you want to spend on it. The biggest issue will be the door and mirror mounts as everything else is noise.
Thanks for the informative response Steve, I'm much further forward now, thank you
Funnily enough it is the mounts I am asking about.
To be more specific, the mount arrangements inside the door don't concern me unduly because an effective but untidy mount will not be visible (i.e. a Heath Robinson arrangement).
I don't want to do anything that involves filler/painting the doors. The 'normal' Griff arrangement has a circular recess on the outside of the door that the mirror base is mounted into. The Griff 100 mirror base has a mount 'collar' that fits flush on the surface of the door. From memory I can't remember if the mount is big enough to cover the existing circular mount, or whether TVR will have modified the door mould to make the doors without the recess.
I don't expect and didn't ask anyone to start dismantling their brand new car...sometimes someone on here knows the answer - particularly if they previously had a 'normal' Griff..
Now where's my step ladder, I need to dismount and this horse is rather high
Looks like its the Austin Cambridge mirrors then. Unless I can modify some M3 mirrors a la Max Power NovaBoy.....NOT
shpub said: Why not talk to TVR and ask them?
I will, but I'm not full of confidence if my experience of trying to get Mintex brake pad numbers from them is anything to go by.
Me: What Mintex pads does the Griff take?
TVR: Don't know, we don't stock them
Me: Ok, can you confirm the rear brake callipers are from a Ford XYZ?
TVR: Used to be able to tell you but now we're not allowed to. Sorry.
Usually someone on PH has 'been there, done that'. Not on this one though by the looks of it.
The reason why is that some owners used this information to get the cheapest crap they could get, crashed the car and then tried to sue TVR that their cars were not fit for purpose or whatever. Allegedly and all those good safe words. As I was reliably told etc etc.
TVR changed their policy as a result.
TVR changed their policy as a result.
Yup - that's exactly what they told me.
I tried a couple of things like 'as I'm fitting upgraded pads not cheap crappy ones could you perhaps just grunt when I mention the right donor car' but they wouldn't play ball.
I understand their reasons but as the cars become older it could become quite frustrating when TVR no longer stock parts for Griffs and you have no choice other than to track down the donor car parts.
I tried a couple of things like 'as I'm fitting upgraded pads not cheap crappy ones could you perhaps just grunt when I mention the right donor car' but they wouldn't play ball.
I understand their reasons but as the cars become older it could become quite frustrating when TVR no longer stock parts for Griffs and you have no choice other than to track down the donor car parts.
There's enough enthusiasts to keep the cars going.
The more parts we buy from TVR, the more incentive they have in keeping they going or built. Anyway you think you have problems us Wedge owners have cars whose donors were made 30-40 years ago! You try going to a motor factor and ask for for a 1972 Renault 12 series 2 estate light and see how much joy you get then...
The more parts we buy from TVR, the more incentive they have in keeping they going or built. Anyway you think you have problems us Wedge owners have cars whose donors were made 30-40 years ago! You try going to a motor factor and ask for for a 1972 Renault 12 series 2 estate light and see how much joy you get then...
The motor factor I spoke to about Corrado mirrors asked what year the car was - I replied 1999 TVR Griffith which surprised him a bit. Well ok, a lot. I explained they were fitted to some current TVRs and he said it was 'a bloody stupid choice because VW are notorious for stopping manufacture of parts for cars out of production. Why the hell would they put mirrors from an obolete motor on a new car like the Tamora...?'
I have to admit I couldn't really find an appropriate answer.
How do you Wedge boys get on - are there some parts that are so rare you would sell your right arm for if they became available?
I have to admit I couldn't really find an appropriate answer.
How do you Wedge boys get on - are there some parts that are so rare you would sell your right arm for if they became available?
Every Wedge was a custom car anyway so you get used to it. Many of the specialists have had some of the critical stuff remade. Apart from that it is survive time. I go down the scrappy and hunt and snap up bits as and when. Got a garage stuffed full of bits for the 390 now. If I need something I buy two or three and never throw bits away as they may be usefule for making replacements or reconditioning.
The 520 is also unique in that while fairly standard with the odd modification, most of the bits like triple throttle bodies, 5.2 litre engines are easy to come by...
>> Edited by shpub on Friday 18th October 20:23
The 520 is also unique in that while fairly standard with the odd modification, most of the bits like triple throttle bodies, 5.2 litre engines are easy to come by...
>> Edited by shpub on Friday 18th October 20:23
griff2be said:
...it is the mounts I am asking about.
To be more specific, the mount arrangements inside the door don't concern me unduly because an effective but untidy mount will not be visible (i.e. a Heath Robinson arrangement).
I don't want to do anything that involves filler/painting the doors. The 'normal' Griff arrangement has a circular recess on the outside of the door that the mirror base is mounted into. The Griff 100 mirror base has a mount 'collar' that fits flush on the surface of the door. From memory I can't remember if the mount is big enough to cover the existing circular mount, or whether TVR will have modified the door mould to make the doors without the recess....
TVR did not modify the doors, the adapter collar was made to cover the circular recess.
I'll see if the factory sell the adaptor collars. If these are available then the conversion to the last 100 Griff/Tamora mirrors (i.e. Corrado mirrors) should be 'relatively' easy. Other than painting and removing the door cards that is!.
If and when I do this I'll take a few photos of the steps involved and post them up.
I belive Zertec do some different mirrors, including some with indicator repeaters built in. Don't know the price though.
If and when I do this I'll take a few photos of the steps involved and post them up.
I belive Zertec do some different mirrors, including some with indicator repeaters built in. Don't know the price though.
Henley Heritage told me this morning that TVR said they could only supply spacer blocks with mirrors as a complete unit at £160 + VAT. This put my rodent detector on a high state of alert, and HH commented that they could only go by what the factory told them and if I didn't agree with the answer, perhaps I should call TVR direct.
A swift call to the factory revealed that spacer blocks are available: TVR part no's B1122 and B1123. £17.50 plus VAT each.
HH Bless 'em.
...switches to dream (nightmare) scene, Scoobydoo stylee:
Me: Hello, is that the HH parts dept?
HH: Yes it is, how may we help you?
Me: I'd like an oil filter for a Griff 500 please.
HH: I'm afraid TVR don't supply the filter separately sir. It comes as a complete unit with a Griff 500
Me: Oh I see. How much is the complete unit?
HH: About £37,000 sir. Can I take a credit card number?
Doh!
A swift call to the factory revealed that spacer blocks are available: TVR part no's B1122 and B1123. £17.50 plus VAT each.
HH
Bless 'em. ...switches to dream (nightmare) scene, Scoobydoo stylee:
Me: Hello, is that the HH parts dept?
HH: Yes it is, how may we help you?
Me: I'd like an oil filter for a Griff 500 please.
HH: I'm afraid TVR don't supply the filter separately sir. It comes as a complete unit with a Griff 500
Me: Oh I see. How much is the complete unit?
HH: About £37,000 sir. Can I take a credit card number?
Doh!
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