Body colour under the bonnet
Discussion
Was there a specific time when TVR started putting body colour under the bonnet on the Griffith 500 at the edges?
I've noticed a few early Griffs coming up at auction, all of which have the matt black extending from the inner wings all the way up to the bonnet edge, as expected.
My 1999 Griffith 500 has body colour around the brake fluid reservoir, and similarly on the other side to the insulation. I've seen it on 1996 cars too, but on 1995 cars that are for sale with under bonnet photos, it seems that no body colour was used in this area. Considering the Griffith 500 had virtually no changes at all from its switch to a Serp engine in 1994 until the final SE cars having different dash and lights, have I spotted a change? Hardly worthy calling any Mk 2s or anything I grant you.
I've noticed a few early Griffs coming up at auction, all of which have the matt black extending from the inner wings all the way up to the bonnet edge, as expected.
My 1999 Griffith 500 has body colour around the brake fluid reservoir, and similarly on the other side to the insulation. I've seen it on 1996 cars too, but on 1995 cars that are for sale with under bonnet photos, it seems that no body colour was used in this area. Considering the Griffith 500 had virtually no changes at all from its switch to a Serp engine in 1994 until the final SE cars having different dash and lights, have I spotted a change? Hardly worthy calling any Mk 2s or anything I grant you.
Interesting. Perhaps it was an 'option' or that cars that have received a respray have had those areas done. MY curiosity was from these 2 cars for sale in the classifieds. A 1995 Griff 500 (M reg, Serp engine), which also seems to have an extra grommet on the driver's side:
And a 1996 (N reg, so registered before August):
Mid 1996 was when the Chimaera started receiving changes to the front, dashboard and all that followed later with the door buttons, boot hinges etc. But if yours is not body-coloured from 1997.
And a 1996 (N reg, so registered before August):
Mid 1996 was when the Chimaera started receiving changes to the front, dashboard and all that followed later with the door buttons, boot hinges etc. But if yours is not body-coloured from 1997.
Edited by sixor8 on Friday 24th July 09:04
DVR V8 said:
1996 here also painted black. I was under the impression it changed on cars built late 96 onwards when they painted the chassis white, diff to BTR, fuseboard to 2 fan relays and the bilstien shocks to yellow but not sure.
Secondly, I think you are right. Mine is a 1999 with body coloured inner wings, white chassis etc.
I think that's most likely the case. I'd forgotten about the chassis powder coat colour change to white, so the paint scheme possibly changed at the same time, but the yellow one above is an early '96 (N reg) car.
I knew the diff changed, as it did on the Chimaera, but I must admit, I wasn't aware of the fan change to 2 relays.
I knew the diff changed, as it did on the Chimaera, but I must admit, I wasn't aware of the fan change to 2 relays.
TR4man said:
Firstly, what a fabulous looking engine bay - lovely and clean, looks well cared for and not too much "bling". I'm very envious!
Secondly, I think you are right. Mine is a 1999 with body coloured inner wings, white chassis etc.
Thanks for the compliment. After all the Griffs I've seen in the last 22 years at the Growls and back homes that was when a lot of upgrades happened late 96 early 97. One i may have missed is i think the door mirror switches changed from the plastic joystick to the metal switch panel which does look better. Regards. Secondly, I think you are right. Mine is a 1999 with body coloured inner wings, white chassis etc.
I often wondered when the edges of the inner wings, were given a coat of body colour ( Which i prefer )
From the many cars that i have looked at, i would say from late 96 onwards that they were painted body colour, which may coincide with the change to the ( Malasian ? ) built & poorly coated white chassis frame.
My Feb 96 N registered 500HC ( Grey chassis thankfully ) has the satin black inner wings, but my previous March 98 Starmist blue one had body colour
Re Bilstein shocks, with the 96 car i fitted New Green rear Bilsteins, along with New AVO units to the front, way back when i owned it first time around in 2007 the 98 had Yellow Bilstein Sport units.
From the many cars that i have looked at, i would say from late 96 onwards that they were painted body colour, which may coincide with the change to the ( Malasian ? ) built & poorly coated white chassis frame.
My Feb 96 N registered 500HC ( Grey chassis thankfully ) has the satin black inner wings, but my previous March 98 Starmist blue one had body colour
Re Bilstein shocks, with the 96 car i fitted New Green rear Bilsteins, along with New AVO units to the front, way back when i owned it first time around in 2007 the 98 had Yellow Bilstein Sport units.
citizen smith said:
Could the specific time for the change be, when TVR detuned the Griff from the 340 HC to the 325 bhp model - BTR Diff cars. My current Griff is a 96 500 HC car on a P reg. with Black inner body colour. 
I dared mention the 95 - 96 500 HC as possibly having a tad more power elsewhere on s m and was instantly derided. Peeps were saying that there was zilch power difference blah blah blah. Weird thing is, that my ( de cat ) 96 HC is every bit as fast as my " tweaked " 98 model was.
It is also the best running and driving Griff i have owned. Two fast trips to Germany, one in the summer heat & the other in late autumn & the car never missed a beat.
I sold it in 08, to a lovely German buyer, instantly regretted it and finally tracked it down in 2020 & bought it back in 22.
My own opinion ( for what its worth ) after running the 2 as every day drivers & having had other Griffs through my hands, inc a very original very early built 400 ( build quality was poor ) plus pre purchase inspecting them plus owning a really nice original 97 Chimp 500, is that the 96 & 97 model cars are the sweet spot.
SS427 Camaro said:
I dared mention the 95 - 96 500 HC as possibly having a tad more power elsewhere on s m and was instantly derided. Peeps were saying that there was zilch power difference blah blah blah.
Weird thing is, that my ( de cat ) 96 HC is every bit as fast as my " tweaked " 98 model was.
It is also the best running and driving Griff i have owned. Two fast trips to Germany, one in the summer heat & the other in late autumn & the car never missed a beat.
I sold it in 08, to a lovely German buyer, instantly regretted it and finally tracked it down in 2020 & bought it back in 22.
My own opinion ( for what its worth ) after running the 2 as every day drivers & having had other Griffs through my hands, inc a very original very early built 400 ( build quality was poor ) plus pre purchase inspecting them plus owning a really nice original 97 Chimp 500, is that the 96 & 97 model cars are the sweet spot.
As an owner of a '96 Griffith (black engine bay) I can only agree! Weird thing is, that my ( de cat ) 96 HC is every bit as fast as my " tweaked " 98 model was.
It is also the best running and driving Griff i have owned. Two fast trips to Germany, one in the summer heat & the other in late autumn & the car never missed a beat.
I sold it in 08, to a lovely German buyer, instantly regretted it and finally tracked it down in 2020 & bought it back in 22.
My own opinion ( for what its worth ) after running the 2 as every day drivers & having had other Griffs through my hands, inc a very original very early built 400 ( build quality was poor ) plus pre purchase inspecting them plus owning a really nice original 97 Chimp 500, is that the 96 & 97 model cars are the sweet spot.
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