Griffith 400 Conv. 1992/K
- Spec
- History
- Test Drive
- Warranty
Tab 1
TVR Griffith 4.0 “Timewarp Treasure”
SOLD
From time to time - but in reality incredibly rarely - a TVR appears at Str8six which is totally original, entirely unmolested and which features some if not all of the following desirable criteria:
● Incredibly Low Mileage
● Incredibly Low Owner Count
● Incredibly Original Condition
● Outstanding History
One such TVR Griffith recently arrived virtually without warning at Str8six’s Oxfordshire premises. K23 TVR had unblemished bodywork, an interior that was entirely original with no cuts or tears - just beautiful patina. The carpets were unmarked and the dashboard veneer was devoid of cracks or blisters. The roof - extraordinarily - is in perfect condition. And, as the final piece de resistance, this car is embellished with an original “Factory Upgrade” - OZ Split-Rim Racing Alloys. And they are still in exceptional condition!
One extremely unusual factor, which you will notice when you review K23 TVR’s Service History, is that there are no entries between Aug 2005 and Dec 2022. There is a reason. The owner’s work/life balance meant the car sat in his garage for a year. Then, with no MOT and needing a service, it sat some more. The owner then recognized it needed sorting and eventually invited 2 friends to address the situation. The upshot of that was that the car was transported to Str8six, where the decision was made to sell it to us.
We then locked this extraordinary piece of history in our Salescar Store for a period while we considered what the way forward for this absolute Hallmark Heirloom TVR should be? It was decided that it should stay in its extraordinary current condition, but that improvements that had been developed by the TVR factory - and by qualified specialists subsequently - should be incorporated in this stunning example.
This TVR was first registered on 18th Dec 1992 and, so far, has been enjoyed by only 2 owners over nearly 3 decades.
The resurrection of K23 TVR by Str8six
As with all of our sales cars we use this preparation opportunity to invest time, love and care in them to improve them for future owners. However, being an early Griffith with so few miles (and with a raft of improvements made to the model over the years) we chose to go a few steps further.
The body and chassis were separated and then the chassis stripped of every nut and bolt and all of its components. It was then relieved of sharp edges (not good for powder coat adhesion). The chassis was then shot blasted and cold zinc primed before being powder coated in its original silver colour to BS EN 12206. This process was to a far higher specification than employed when the car was originally manufactured.
The suspension wishbones, rear uprights and general bracketry were also treated in the same way. All gold passivated items were stripped and re-coated to ensure their original, as new, factory finish was re-instated. The chassis and its suspension components were then reassembled using new metallastic bushes with our thrust washer modification, uprated ARB drop links, ball joints, track rod ends etc.
The latest specification Bilstein Sport dampers and Eibach springs were installed. This setup was devised by Lee Noble for the Mk3 Tuscan S but has been adapted for the Griffith giving much improved handling and ride quality over the original setup. Combined with the addition of the Griffith 500 rear ARB conversion, one piece upper front wishbones and Str8Six's revised geometry settings, making this Griffith a delight to drive.
Having been fitted with its original, rare 250bhp factory option 4ltr engine, it still had the original gaskets, which were starting to weep coolant etc. These were the tin plate variety and not very good for reliability. We removed the rocker covers, inlet manifold, cylinder heads, timing cover, sump and oil pick up. The cylinder bores, camshaft and crankshaft bearings were checked for wear and everything else was cleaned and inspected. The gas flowed cylinder heads were stripped and decoked, and the valves and seats refaced. Both heads were skimmed by 20 thou as the later composite head-gaskets are 20 thou thicker than the original tin plate items, thus re-instating the correct compression ratio. The engine was then re-assembled using new parts where required.
The car was then purchased in May 2023 and treated by the new owner to a machine polish detail & full body PPF. The wheels were ceramic coated and a full under body Lanoguard treatment carried out to keep the car in perfect condition. He used the vehicle that summer on a couple of European road trips without any niggles or faults. However with a health issue to deal with, he can no longer enjoy his pride and joy and Str8six purchased the car back.
Summary of items replaced
Metallastic suspension bush kit, inc thrust washers
Bilstein Sport dampers and Eibach springs
Upper and lower ball joints
Track rod ends
4 x Wheel bearings
Uprated ARB drop links
Griffith 500 rear anti roll bar, strengthened mounting plates and drop links
Handbrake cable
Stainless braided brake hose kit
Differential bushes
Driveshaft and steering rack gaiters
Brake master cylinder
One piece upper front wishbones
Lower front wishbones
E10 compliant fuel pump and hoses
Black silicone coolant hose kit
Ceramic coated pre cat exhaust manifolds and Y piece
Engine gasket and seal kit
Head-bolt kit
Engine mounts
Brake discs and pads were inspected, cleaned and painted. A new battery and Accumate charger were fitted. The wheels were stripped, rims polished and then re-sealed (split rims), before being fitted with 4 new tyres.
All new fluids and filters were used during the rebuild and the car was wheel aligned using our 4 camera system.
All the twelves!
Str8six has every faith in this superb Griffith 4.0L, which is why this “matching numbers” heirloom will be supplied with Str8six's renowned "All the 12s" handover specification.
This includes a full 12,000 miles service, 12 months MOT, as well as our 12 months/12,000 miles FULL WEAR and TEAR WARRANTY. (Covering PARTS and LABOUR)
This Griff also has an inbuilt 12 volt trickle charger and, unusually, it will come with a spare wheel in the boot. Ideally the new owner of this Griffith will be someone who wishes to cherish a piece of TVR history and keep it in the condition it is today. However, if required, this car will behave like the very best TVRs out there and should give miles of enjoyment to its new custodian. It will also come with 6 months TAX.
Overall mileage - 17,761
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SOLD
From time to time - but in reality incredibly rarely - a TVR appears at Str8six which is totally original, entirely unmolested and which features some if not all of the following desirable criteria:
● Incredibly Low Mileage
● Incredibly Low Owner Count
● Incredibly Original Condition
● Outstanding History
One such TVR Griffith recently arrived virtually without warning at Str8six’s Oxfordshire premises. K23 TVR had unblemished bodywork, an interior that was entirely original with no cuts or tears - just beautiful patina. The carpets were unmarked and the dashboard veneer was devoid of cracks or blisters. The roof - extraordinarily - is in perfect condition. And, as the final piece de resistance, this car is embellished with an original “Factory Upgrade” - OZ Split-Rim Racing Alloys. And they are still in exceptional condition!
One extremely unusual factor, which you will notice when you review K23 TVR’s Service History, is that there are no entries between Aug 2005 and Dec 2022. There is a reason. The owner’s work/life balance meant the car sat in his garage for a year. Then, with no MOT and needing a service, it sat some more. The owner then recognized it needed sorting and eventually invited 2 friends to address the situation. The upshot of that was that the car was transported to Str8six, where the decision was made to sell it to us.
We then locked this extraordinary piece of history in our Salescar Store for a period while we considered what the way forward for this absolute Hallmark Heirloom TVR should be? It was decided that it should stay in its extraordinary current condition, but that improvements that had been developed by the TVR factory - and by qualified specialists subsequently - should be incorporated in this stunning example.
This TVR was first registered on 18th Dec 1992 and, so far, has been enjoyed by only 2 owners over nearly 3 decades.
The resurrection of K23 TVR by Str8six
As with all of our sales cars we use this preparation opportunity to invest time, love and care in them to improve them for future owners. However, being an early Griffith with so few miles (and with a raft of improvements made to the model over the years) we chose to go a few steps further.
The body and chassis were separated and then the chassis stripped of every nut and bolt and all of its components. It was then relieved of sharp edges (not good for powder coat adhesion). The chassis was then shot blasted and cold zinc primed before being powder coated in its original silver colour to BS EN 12206. This process was to a far higher specification than employed when the car was originally manufactured.
The suspension wishbones, rear uprights and general bracketry were also treated in the same way. All gold passivated items were stripped and re-coated to ensure their original, as new, factory finish was re-instated. The chassis and its suspension components were then reassembled using new metallastic bushes with our thrust washer modification, uprated ARB drop links, ball joints, track rod ends etc.
The latest specification Bilstein Sport dampers and Eibach springs were installed. This setup was devised by Lee Noble for the Mk3 Tuscan S but has been adapted for the Griffith giving much improved handling and ride quality over the original setup. Combined with the addition of the Griffith 500 rear ARB conversion, one piece upper front wishbones and Str8Six's revised geometry settings, making this Griffith a delight to drive.
Having been fitted with its original, rare 250bhp factory option 4ltr engine, it still had the original gaskets, which were starting to weep coolant etc. These were the tin plate variety and not very good for reliability. We removed the rocker covers, inlet manifold, cylinder heads, timing cover, sump and oil pick up. The cylinder bores, camshaft and crankshaft bearings were checked for wear and everything else was cleaned and inspected. The gas flowed cylinder heads were stripped and decoked, and the valves and seats refaced. Both heads were skimmed by 20 thou as the later composite head-gaskets are 20 thou thicker than the original tin plate items, thus re-instating the correct compression ratio. The engine was then re-assembled using new parts where required.
The car was then purchased in May 2023 and treated by the new owner to a machine polish detail & full body PPF. The wheels were ceramic coated and a full under body Lanoguard treatment carried out to keep the car in perfect condition. He used the vehicle that summer on a couple of European road trips without any niggles or faults. However with a health issue to deal with, he can no longer enjoy his pride and joy and Str8six purchased the car back.
Summary of items replaced
Metallastic suspension bush kit, inc thrust washers
Bilstein Sport dampers and Eibach springs
Upper and lower ball joints
Track rod ends
4 x Wheel bearings
Uprated ARB drop links
Griffith 500 rear anti roll bar, strengthened mounting plates and drop links
Handbrake cable
Stainless braided brake hose kit
Differential bushes
Driveshaft and steering rack gaiters
Brake master cylinder
One piece upper front wishbones
Lower front wishbones
E10 compliant fuel pump and hoses
Black silicone coolant hose kit
Ceramic coated pre cat exhaust manifolds and Y piece
Engine gasket and seal kit
Head-bolt kit
Engine mounts
Brake discs and pads were inspected, cleaned and painted. A new battery and Accumate charger were fitted. The wheels were stripped, rims polished and then re-sealed (split rims), before being fitted with 4 new tyres.
All new fluids and filters were used during the rebuild and the car was wheel aligned using our 4 camera system.
All the twelves!
Str8six has every faith in this superb Griffith 4.0L, which is why this “matching numbers” heirloom will be supplied with Str8six's renowned "All the 12s" handover specification.
This includes a full 12,000 miles service, 12 months MOT, as well as our 12 months/12,000 miles FULL WEAR and TEAR WARRANTY. (Covering PARTS and LABOUR)
This Griff also has an inbuilt 12 volt trickle charger and, unusually, it will come with a spare wheel in the boot. Ideally the new owner of this Griffith will be someone who wishes to cherish a piece of TVR history and keep it in the condition it is today. However, if required, this car will behave like the very best TVRs out there and should give miles of enjoyment to its new custodian. It will also come with 6 months TAX.
Overall mileage - 17,761
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Tab 2
Service Information
The service information below has been derived from the car's provenance documents. You won’t see many Service records, on a 32 year old car, that are as complete as the history listed below:
16.12.92 - PDI service/Bishops Volvo
19.02.93 - 1000 miles - 1,000 service/Bishops Garages
15.07.94 - 2,270 miles - 6,000 service/Zoo Garage, Chessington
08.03.95 - 2,534 miles - 12,000 service/Zoo Garage, Chessington
27.06.96 - 7,270 miles - 6,000 service/WLA Spec Cars, Larkfield
14.07.97 - 11,747 miles - 24,000 service/WLA Spec Cars, Larkfield
28.07.98 - 12,803 miles - 12,000 service/WLA Spec Cars, Larkfield
27.09.99 - 13,639 miles - 6,000 service/Walldonway Ltd, Larkfield
17.10.00 - 13,992 miles - 6,000 service/Walldonway Ltd, Larkfield
08.11.01 - 14,368 miles - 12,000 service/Walldonway Ltd, Larkfield
28.03.03 - 14,617 miles - 6,000 service/Walldonway Ltd, Larkfield
17.08.04 - 14,766 miles - 6,000 service/Walldonway Ltd, Larkfield
10.08.05 - 14,930 miles - 12,000 service/Walldonway Ltd, Larkfield
07.12.22 - Full Inspection by Str8six 14,955 miles
05.01.23 Body off full recommission by Str8six TVR
03.05.23 - 14,990 miles - Sold to new owner
26.05.23 - Lanoguard under body treatment/Vivid Elements.
20.03 24 - 15,562 miles - 6,000 service/Str8six TVR
22.04.24 - 17,663 miles - Str8six TVR
POST SALE TO NEXT OWNER
Date TBD c.17,771 miles - PDI & 12,000 service/Str8six TVR
The service information below has been derived from the car's provenance documents. You won’t see many Service records, on a 32 year old car, that are as complete as the history listed below:
16.12.92 - PDI service/Bishops Volvo
19.02.93 - 1000 miles - 1,000 service/Bishops Garages
15.07.94 - 2,270 miles - 6,000 service/Zoo Garage, Chessington
08.03.95 - 2,534 miles - 12,000 service/Zoo Garage, Chessington
27.06.96 - 7,270 miles - 6,000 service/WLA Spec Cars, Larkfield
14.07.97 - 11,747 miles - 24,000 service/WLA Spec Cars, Larkfield
28.07.98 - 12,803 miles - 12,000 service/WLA Spec Cars, Larkfield
27.09.99 - 13,639 miles - 6,000 service/Walldonway Ltd, Larkfield
17.10.00 - 13,992 miles - 6,000 service/Walldonway Ltd, Larkfield
08.11.01 - 14,368 miles - 12,000 service/Walldonway Ltd, Larkfield
28.03.03 - 14,617 miles - 6,000 service/Walldonway Ltd, Larkfield
17.08.04 - 14,766 miles - 6,000 service/Walldonway Ltd, Larkfield
10.08.05 - 14,930 miles - 12,000 service/Walldonway Ltd, Larkfield
07.12.22 - Full Inspection by Str8six 14,955 miles
05.01.23 Body off full recommission by Str8six TVR
03.05.23 - 14,990 miles - Sold to new owner
26.05.23 - Lanoguard under body treatment/Vivid Elements.
20.03 24 - 15,562 miles - 6,000 service/Str8six TVR
22.04.24 - 17,663 miles - Str8six TVR
POST SALE TO NEXT OWNER
Date TBD c.17,771 miles - PDI & 12,000 service/Str8six TVR
Tab 3
Please contact us on 07834 739307 or 01844 352735 to make an appointment.
If conditions are wet we reserve the right to provide a demonstration drive, rather than a customer driven test drive. Please bring your driving licence if you wish to test drive this car. Finance is available, subject to the usual terms and conditions.
If conditions are wet we reserve the right to provide a demonstration drive, rather than a customer driven test drive. Please bring your driving licence if you wish to test drive this car. Finance is available, subject to the usual terms and conditions.
Tab 4
Complete piece of mind purchasing
- with our 12 months full wear & tear warranty
The above car comes with Str8six's renowned full 12,000 miles service completed, 12 months MOT, 6 months Tax and 12 months/12,000 miles full wear and tear warranty covering parts and labour. Plus an inbuilt 12 volt trickle charger and a 12 volt auxiliary cable (if applicable) will also be provided.
- with our 12 months full wear & tear warranty
The above car comes with Str8six's renowned full 12,000 miles service completed, 12 months MOT, 6 months Tax and 12 months/12,000 miles full wear and tear warranty covering parts and labour. Plus an inbuilt 12 volt trickle charger and a 12 volt auxiliary cable (if applicable) will also be provided.
This car comes with Str8six's renowned "All the 12’s” handover specification
The 12 months/12,000 miles warranty - is FULL WEAR AND TEAR (Parts and Labour)
