OV9

Car key has gone missing, somewhere in house. Fortunately have spare. £175 for replacement

Apparently covered on insurance but states they'll replace locks etc which seems like a massive faff. Hopefully turns up, maybe in a toy box u haven't turned over yet.

More exciting updates to follow.

Jimny has been with the chap I bought it from for a few days now his workshop is back open. He’s MOTed and serviced it, which included rebuilding a sticky front near side brake caliper.

It feels so much nicer, which I hadn’t expected because it felt fine before. It’s not as slow as I’d previously thought now the brakes aren’t always on Feels fighting fit; the only downside is that it actually encourages you to throw it around a bit which seems silly in a Jimny

mik wrote: Fri Sep 04, 2020 7:43 pm That’s exactly what caused me to keep my Hawkeye bog standard for so (too) long.

It’s my first ‘fun’ car so I can mess around without it being crucial, the current power level is feeling normal now after about a year living with it. I’m always conscious that the mileage is the kind of mileage they like to pop the head gasket, hence the cooling upgrade (was in the 320bhp spec c from the factory so would seem sensible). I’ll be at the end of bolt ons then so shit will get serious if I want more. I’d like to get it to around 400bhp but keep it looking standard. This may all change if I can afford a Griffith 500 though.

I have had recurring urges for a Griff 500 for decades. I’d have to stick it on a set of 18” spiders though. Still look (and of course sound) stunning.

I saw a Griff out on the road recently, not a very common sight nowadays.

It’s one of those designs where they absolutely nailed it right at the start, and everything after was slightly worse.

More <> better.

Sundayjumper wrote: Fri Sep 04, 2020 10:32 pm I saw a Griff out on the road recently, not a very common sight nowadays.

It’s one of those designs where they absolutely nailed it right at the start, and everything after was slightly worse.

More <> better.

Very true. An early Griff, or a late Tuscan R (mit red rose) would be up there with my lottery win 'oddity' purchases.

I don’t even like the Tuscan. For me, everything after the Cerbera / Chimaera was trying too hard.

Always love the off-the-wall interiors though The outside world doesn’t see that, it’s just for you the driver.

I just recall MarkBT52 telling me you have to drive the Tuscan R like a hot hatch - throwing it into corners like a Saxo VTR on the brakes - to get the most out of it and I've really liked the idea of a 350+bhp RWD hot hatch since

Seems to be quite a lot of love for the old Brit here. It was or course either that or a house back in 2000, house won. The wife really likes them too and wants a 2 seater convertible so it ticks all the boxes so it’s been agreed (despite temptation of cheap boosters that she recently found out about) we will have one, probably imperial blue with biscuit hide and those spiders got me thinking too (of course keeping the oem oz wheels too) at some stage.

Sundayjumper wrote: Fri Sep 04, 2020 10:32 pm I saw a Griff out on the road recently, not a very common sight nowadays.

It’s one of those designs where they absolutely nailed it right at the start, and everything after was slightly worse.

More <> better.

Ker-ching!

The back end with the backlit plate is a particular highlight. But there is so much to like.

I remember sitting in traffic on the M8 in my Leon - at a point of my career where I thought I might never be able to afford anything special - alongside a Griff 500. All windows down in love/lust/pain.

Sundayjumper wrote: Fri Sep 04, 2020 10:41 pm I don’t even like the Tuscan. For me, everything after the Cerbera / Chimaera was trying too hard.

Always love the off-the-wall interiors though The outside world doesn’t see that, it’s just for you the driver.

I did feel that they were back on form with the sagaris though.

I am a big fan of the T350 too.

Ben Samuelson told me on twitter recently they made one for him with the 4litre engine fitted - without Smolenski’s knowledge.

mik wrote: Fri Sep 04, 2020 10:57 pm I am a big fan of the T350 too.

Ben Samuelson told me on twitter recently they made one for him with the 4litre engine fitted - without Smolenski’s knowledge.

Given the dogshit end of TVR, that's not a massive shock.

Beany wrote: Fri Sep 04, 2020 11:12 pm

mik wrote: Fri Sep 04, 2020 10:57 pm I am a big fan of the T350 too.

Ben Samuelson told me on twitter recently they made one for him with the 4litre engine fitted - without Smolenski’s knowledge.

Given the dogshit end of TVR, that's not a massive shock.

It’s pretty cool though eh?

Hey Smolz - can we make a T350 with the Tuscan lump?

Non

Hey guys - who can keep a secret?

Great fun cocking rear wheels and killing front tyres at another autosolo this morning. 7th out of 12 in class B (under 1400cc). 5 of the top 6 were K11 Micras so clearly that’s the weapon of choice. 2nd place went to a classic Mini.

mik wrote: Fri Sep 04, 2020 10:57 pm I am a big fan of the T350 too.

Ben Samuelson told me on twitter recently they made one for him with the 4litre engine fitted - without Smolenski’s knowledge.

I came so close to buying a T350 on a few occasions (back when they were more reasonably priced) but the cost of a rebuild was something I could never get past.

T350 with an LS3 though? Now we're talking.

A Tamora driven by my friend at Cadwell was keeping supercharged Exiges honest, fantastic car.

Dave!

Matty wrote: Sun Sep 06, 2020 5:01 pm T350 with an LS3 though? Now we're talking.

Yeah - extremely appealing. Or spend a bit more for LS7...

Wheels look awful, but.....

Fleet update,

Bought another one

That is all for now.

Have started making preparations for removing the bits I want to keep from metroid as it really needs to go to make room for the new one.

Out with it then..