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brdave

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Hello. I have been looking at a mid 90s TVR Griffith 500. I own and am experienced with british cars but not the TVR. Are there any particular weaknesses which one should look for while inspecting such a vehicle? I service and repair my own british cars so lack of dealers and parts doesn't bother me. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Dave
 
Hi Dave,

The original importer of TVR's into Canada still maintains a TVR repair business in Toronto last I heard. He has extensive experience with them, importing them from the 1970's through to the mid-1990s. Phone number? I think I should be able to track it down...
 
Hi Dave,
Spares are of no issue. Even in your area, these cars are rare. There is a main dealer in Canada allready, but he is very limited as to models that he can offer. A 500 is a VERY brilliant auto. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/devilgrin.gif I would be hard pressed to pass it up. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/angel.gif
Cheers, David.
 
I'm not super familliar with TVR, but even so I even less of the 500. I do have some articles about them, but the 400 doesn't get very prominent mention. I know the 200 and 400 are the sort of Tuscan style. Are the 500's a wedge design like the 350i? or curvy like the Cerbera? I think they run the the 5.0 liter Rover motor, but somewhere in around there TVR started using it's own 4.2 to 4.5 liter motor, but probably not in those.

I do know that the cars are supposed to be outstanding, in that TVR has come a long way and is finally playing with the big boys with chassis design and suspension, something that they had problems with for years. Quality control was supposed to be good as well ( bear in mind it's still not a Honda )

Can't offer more I'm afraid, but good luck with it. You certainly won't see another one coming the other way very often!
 
Yup, that's the name I was thinking of, I've talked with him a few times (at car shows) back when I lived in Ontario.

I even recall John telling me that there was a 1990's Griffith right here in Calgary, I have never seen it myself if it's still here...
 
Wasn't there one at the TVR show in Jersey this year. I nearly got whiplash doing a double take as I walked past.
 
There may have been, I've been told that some of the Canadian owners have brought them down for that show. They were only sold in Canada at that time, not in the United States. But I believe didn't sell many of them, I heard that he ran into some legal issues with the government up here regarding the sale of the 1990's Griffith - he was simply an importer not the manufacturer itself.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Wasn't there one at the TVR show in Jersey this year. I nearly got whiplash doing a double take as I walked past.

[/ QUOTE ]

That was "Woodwork" in Round Vally, NJ. I went to it for years. Even met Trevor Wilkison there one time.
As of 2006, the venue has been changed to Calisle. It's listed under "Events" here in BCF.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Wasn't there one at the TVR show in Jersey this year. I nearly got whiplash doing a double take as I walked past.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes there was. Dark blue if I recall. The engine layout was bizarre with the exhaust manifold running to the front first and then going back somehow. That caught my eye more than anything else.

I also think he won a prize.

Bruce
 
Yes, the exhaust comes out the front of the motor and into the cats before it dips between the chassis and radiator. I would think that you would have better luck finding one in eastern Canada? The blue one has been to Woodwork a few times. If you ever make it to the UK, you must have a go in a T350...WOW!! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/driving.gif
Cheers, David.
 
Yes - it was blue and had canadian plates. istr commenting at the time that about 1/2 the cars seemed to be from ontario...
 
There was a contest with in the club. Dave G from Canada thought that he could gather more cars from up north than Marshall would get to attend from the states. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cowboy.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
Hi Dave,

The original importer of TVR's into Canada still maintains a TVR repair business in Toronto last I heard. He has extensive experience with them, importing them from the 1970's through to the mid-1990s. Phone number? I think I should be able to track it down...

[/ QUOTE ]

John Wadman
TVR North America
2139 Lawrence Ave. E.
Scarborough, Ontario, M1R 3A4, Canada
phone: (416) 752-7226
email: cyclone@idirect.com
 
The dark blue Griffith to which you have all been referencing has been to Woodwork several times and is one of about a half-dozen or so that John Wadman sold in Canada over the years. Of the ones I have seen, this one is the nicest of the bunch. Don't be surprised if it shows up at Carlisle in May as well. There is also a red Griffith 500 that is in a private collection in New England.
 
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