grinnall tr8

[scary]

Hi all first time user here.I am in the process of looking at a 1980 Grinnall TR8,MY IST foray into the world of TRs,would appriciate any advice on what to look out for.The car has great history lot of work done,looks amazing in red,minilite wheels,2 plus 2 type.I have a 1985 M6 BMW at the moment but as a kid Tony Pond was one of my rally heros in the TR.cHEERS

[tr7jim]

Scary,

 

The main advise you need is what the body is like, alot of the early Grinnall have body extension using plenty of filler, with the later ones the arches and sill were cut and basic lap joint welded on etc. You would need to check the underside of the car and engine bay with a good look at the rear axle mount positions.

 

The mechanical side as a rule is the less of a problem, but still not cheap.

 

Suggest you get some help before purchase, the editor of the TR Action has recently purchase a Grinnall.

 

Hope this helps

Edited November 4, 2010 by tr7jim

[Alec Pringle]

Hi Scary,

 

TR7s rust, Grinnalls rust a whole lot more.

 

The TR Register Buyers Guide is a good starting point

 

http://www.tr-register.co.uk/downloads/buyer_guides/TR7_Buyer_Beware.pdf

 

Having restored one Grinnall, and known several others in detail, I really would suggest that you should ONLY consider buying a Grinnall that has been examined by a fellow enthusiast who is actually familiar with TR7/8s in general, and preferably with Grinnalls in particular. Trusting to your own judgement can prove to be a very costly error. There are some super cars about, and others that look really good on the surface but are a nightmare under the skin.

 

Wherabouts are you in the country ? Location is a help when it comes to seeking assistance !

 

Cheers,

 

Alec

[Guest Wayne S]

Hi, best of luck with the search - I too am happy to help examine cars for you and offer my own advice from owning them as daily drivers for years now. Both the editor of TR Actions car and mine are later conversions (1993) and as such are galvanised and all steel. As Alec points out earlier conversions were a lot more prone to issues so you do need to look over them in detail.

 

Some of the modifications were substantial for instance my V8 has a 4 litre blueprinted engine with a John Eales cam, rear coil overs, sd1 axle, sd1 watts linkage, torque tube, short prop, sd1 front struts and rear axle etc etc - triumph parts are cheap as are the sd1 parts BUT the sd1 bits are now become hard to find. Other cars are less extreme - remember this is a customised vehicle so every single one is different from the next.

 

When you do find a good one though I can promise you nothing else matches the thrill of having a monster brute of a car, well engineered and very individual.

 

Phil Horsley - Grinnall registrar is a knowledgeable chap and will no doubt be along shortly to assist also.

Edited November 8, 2010 by Wayne S

[dai-click]

I too have a Grinnall - not as extreme as Wayne S - standard 3.5 V8, SU carbs, wide body and SD1 brakes and suspension. I agree with all that has been said and having just had mine back from extensive sill work can warn of potential HUGE bills if not very carefull. Because the Grinnall is in effect a custom made car any bodywork will have to be specially made - my guy had to buy TR7 outer sills and weld them in before re-making the Grinnall outer sills which althoug galvanised were rusty. Anyway all done now so all I have to do is put the interior back in as it all had to come out for the welding.

Buy wisely and you won't regret it - best of luck

David

[scary]

Scary,

 

The main advise you need is what the body is like, alot of the early Grinnall have body extension using plenty of filler, with the later ones the arches and sill were cut and basic lap joint welded on etc. You would need to check the underside of the car and engine bay with a good look at the rear axle mount positions.

 

The mechanical side as a rule is the less of a problem, but still not cheap.

 

Suggest you get some help before purchase, the editor of the TR Action has recently purchase a Grinnall.

 

Hope this helps

 

Many thanks getting a mechanic friend who specialises in older sports cars to give it the full check.Have found out it was reshelled in 1990 with an American shell.More details to follow

[scary]

Hi Scary,

 

TR7s rust, Grinnalls rust a whole lot more.

 

The TR Register Buyers Guide is a good starting point

 

http://www.tr-register.co.uk/downloads/buyer_guides/TR7_Buyer_Beware.pdf

 

Having restored one Grinnall, and known several others in detail, I really would suggest that you should ONLY consider buying a Grinnall that has been examined by a fellow enthusiast who is actually familiar with TR7/8s in general, and preferably with Grinnalls in particular. Trusting to your own judgement can prove to be a very costly error. There are some super cars about, and others that look really good on the surface but are a nightmare under the skin.

 

Wherabouts are you in the country ? Location is a help when it comes to seeking assistance !

 

Cheers,

 

Alec

 

Many thanks for advice.My mechanic specialises in older sports cars,actually worked in the Works Tr rally programme,so will get the full work over.It is a Uk car,owned by previous for 13 years,tons of paperwork reciepts etc,was reshelled in 1990 with an American body.Getting quite excited if deal goes ahead will post some photos.Nb I am based in Dunlaoire,Co Dublin,Eire

[scary]

Scary,

 

The main advise you need is what the body is like, alot of the early Grinnall have body extension using plenty of filler, with the later ones the arches and sill were cut and basic lap joint welded on etc. You would need to check the underside of the car and engine bay with a good look at the rear axle mount positions.

 

The mechanical side as a rule is the less of a problem, but still not cheap.

 

Suggest you get some help before purchase, the editor of the TR Action has recently purchase a Grinnall.

 

Hope this helps

 

Cheers for advice got very good mechanic,specialises in older sports cars,worked for TR rally team back in the day,fingers crossed its a god one

[scary]

Hi, best of luck with the search - I too am happy to help examine cars for you and offer my own advice from owning them as daily drivers for years now. Both the editor of TR Actions car and mine are later conversions (1993) and as such are galvanised and all steel. As Alec points out earlier conversions were a lot more prone to issues so you do need to look over them in detail.

 

Some of the modifications were substantial for instance my V8 has a 4 litre blueprinted engine with a John Eales cam, rear coil overs, sd1 axle, sd1 watts linkage, torque tube, short prop, sd1 front struts and rear axle etc etc - triumph parts are cheap as are the sd1 parts BUT the sd1 bits are now become hard to find. Other cars are less extreme - remember this is a customised vehicle so every single one is different from the next.

 

When you do find a good one though I can promise you nothing else matches the thrill of having a monster brute of a car, well engineered and very individual.

 

Phil Horsley - Grinnall registrar is a knowledgeable chap and will no doubt be along shortly to assist also.

 

Many thanks for advice.I am based in Dunlaoire,Co Dublin.Luckily my mechanic specialises in older sports cars,used to work on the Works rally TRs back in the day,hope i have found a good one.Will post more details,photos soon

[scary]

I too have a Grinnall - not as extreme as Wayne S - standard 3.5 V8, SU carbs, wide body and SD1 brakes and suspension. I agree with all that has been said and having just had mine back from extensive sill work can warn of potential HUGE bills if not very carefull. Because the Grinnall is in effect a custom made car any bodywork will have to be specially made - my guy had to buy TR7 outer sills and weld them in before re-making the Grinnall outer sills which althoug galvanised were rusty. Anyway all done now so all I have to do is put the interior back in as it all had to come out for the welding.

Buy wisely and you won't regret it - best of luck

David

 

Many thanks for advice,luckily have mechanic who specialises in older sports cars,hes working over it,looks good so far.More details,photos soon i hope!

[TR NIALL]

Scary

Have sent you a P/M