Past E30 Alpina/Hartge rival

[oi_oi_savaloy]

So............I used to be a fairly active member on here (back in 2005-2011.........) when I had a total of 3 tourings (2 x 320i and 1 x 325i) - I'm still obsessed with them tbh.......but the market has moved on to such an extent that I'm now playing around with Lotus Excels (because the mkt for them really hasn't moved on)............but that's by the by. Sorry to mention a rival marque. I've got a build thread on autoshite if anyone's interested......but probably not.

But the reason for my post is this; I was thinking about rare E30's the other night and It got me thinking about the really rare stuff (not Alpina tourings or ceccoto/ravaglia M3's); I'm talking really rare.

And my mind goes back and I'm sure one of the car magazines ran an article in the late 80's, about a rival to Alpina and this rival was British (or Irish) - but certainly a UK/Ireland company (than European or American) but for the life of me I can't remember the name.

It wasn't Birds or ACS or Schnitzer........it was a primarily engineering led company (in terms of philosophy and what they'd done to 'their' E30) - cosmetically I think it was on racing dynamic alloys but other than that it was all under the bonnet and behind the wheels stuff they'd concentrated on.

Wondering if anyone else remembers them and if any of those models are still around.

Love E30's but love E30 tourings more (and I don't know why).

Onwards Mes Amis!

[e30veg]

Griffin? I’ve only seen it once in my life and they build in my hometown (Swindon) . They’ve gone under. They make some seriously fast e30 racetrack and road

[oi_oi_savaloy]

Sadly that's not the name I was thinking of................but I'm going to look them up! (must be even rarer than the company I was thinking of!)

[oi_oi_savaloy]

Actually..........that might be it! Just done some research and there's an article by a chap called Simister (used to work at car, then evo). Mentions griffin motorsport going up against alpina and a hartge.

Wow. Just wasn't the name I thought but it sounds like you've got it in one! Thanks for taking the time to reply.

[e30veg]

You’re welcome. I remember seeing it up for sale in my town, a touring 2.7 with griffin manifold which was advertised for £1k !! How I wish I should’ve brought it. Never seen anything from griffin up for sale since…

[flybynite]

I'm sure SteveK on here had a Griffin engine in his Sport, not sure what happened to the car after he passed away last year.

Fast but I think those engines were a bit of a handfull

[twenty]

There are a few thread on the zone on Griffin Motorsports. Every day is a school day, I didn't know about these chaps at all!

[oi_oi_savaloy]

Loving the Griffin memories! God I want another e30.

[flybynite]

Sorry to mention a rival marque.

No apologies needed, over 2 decades ago I sold my second Esprit to buy an E36 M3, I know which I would sooner have now

Excel was always a bit middle ground for me, it is either Europa or Esprit although I still do quite like the early Eclats

I've got a build thread on autoshite if anyone's interested......but probably not.

Link? no-one likes trawling through shite even if it is auto

But the reason for my post is this; I was thinking about rare E30's the other night and It got me thinking about the really rare stuff (not Alpina tourings or ceccoto/ravaglia M3's); I'm talking really rare.

When it was new mine was built as an Alpina by TWR but with TWR badging. Only seen one done like that since and it was an E28. Don't think I will see many coming the other way!

God I want another e30.

Sometimes I think that about my Esprit but thankfully I hung on to the E30

[oi_oi_savaloy]

Here's the link to the excel thread; https://autoshite.com/topic/57913-1987-lotus-excel-se/

Can totally understand the Esprit or eclat - I'd much prefer an esprit............but the price point for them is just so much higher unfortunately. If I had that sort of money I'd actually choose an E30.......because I can use it with the kids. Even the Excel is compromised (have 3 kids, so can't fit them all in the car). But it was close-by when my friend found it and I thought it would be a simple turn around...............sadly not.

The plan has always been to get back into an E30.

Love the TWR story. He was at the height of his powers in the late 80's too.

[flybynite]

Epic write up on Autoshite Sorry to hear about the backgound issues. Lots of people been dealt bad cards, especially over last few years.

I can sympathise with the build, my first Esprit was E-reg, Lotus development car, (even had the Hethel reg number) and a complete basket case. My second one went to Japan as they were paying good money for them at the time. That is one of the reasons not many left in the UK. I still miss that car.

Like everything, E30s and parts went stupid for a while but sense is returning a bit now. I'm sure the right one will turn up. Had 5 in my 323i many times

[oi_oi_savaloy]

Thanks Flybynite - appreciate your kind thoughts. I'm a bit lost for words with the whole situation - we're visiting the palliative care facility end of this week. Walking around a bit numb - so worried about my wife/the future for our kids/the future in general/bloody hell.

Thanks too for the memories of your esprit - simple cars but my god do they fight you.

[DanThe]

There was also Les Stannard, "Stannard Motors" that did engine builds

[DanThe]

Some Griffin Motorsport info I have

[flybynite]

There was also Les Stannard, "Stannard Motors" that did engine builds

I remember taking mine to him to build me a 2.7 back when the 323i was on the road, would have been mid-late 90s. Never did it as I drove one of the 2.7s and was not impressed, but that was before I realised my 2.3 was probably kicking out a few more horses than it should have been.

[reggid]

Are you referring to MK Motorsport ?