The Griffith experience part 6: don't fear the salt
When I arrived at the pub near the Classic Cars offices for a pre-Christmas drink, I had to stop and gaze at the artful white streaks of salt tracing long curves over the Griffith's bodywork. The car had a hint of that road-warrior look that you see at Le Mans when the brake dusted cars emerge from the night like charcoal drawings of the colourful machines that started the race.
Then I remembered how many owners of early Nineties Griffs are embarking on body-off chassis rebuilds and it gave me an alternative theory why salt is bad for your blood pressure. So I have a choice, either succumb to oxidationophobia and lay up the car for winter – and cause all sorts of secondary problems like tyre and bearing flatspots, oil drainaway in the engine and transmission, leaking seals and oxidised electrical connections – or just enjoy driving it and hose the salt away whenever possible.
No contest really, I will savour driving home tonight with the interior bathed in instrument glow and frost sparkling on the wingtops, and I'm looking forward to escaping for a few gratuitous B-road adventures over the festive period while the rest of the world drowns in Christmas TV and sherry.
I hope you have chance to imbibe in a little petrol-fuelled pleasure over the next few days and I wish you a classic-filled New Year.
Posted: 4:33pm, 21 December 2007
Words: Phil Bell
Images: Phil Bell
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