TVR Griffith

The TVR Griffith, later models being referred to as the Griffith 500, is a sports car designed and built by TVR, starting production in 1990, and ending production in 2002. As part of a 2017 attempt at reviving the TVR brand, a new generation Griffith was presented but never entered production.

Earlier use of the name

The TVR Griffith 200 was produced from 1963 to 1964 and the TVR Griffith 400 from 1964 to 1967.

First generation (1990–2002)

Like its forerunner namesakes, the Griffith 200 and Griffith 400, the modern Griffith was a lightweight () fiberglass-bodied, 2-door, 2-seat sports car with a V8 engine. Originally, it used a 4.0 L Rover V8 engine, but that could be optionally increased to 4.3 L in 1992 with a further option of big-valve cylinder heads. In 1993, with a TVR-developed 5.0 L version of the Rover V8 became available. All versions of the Griffith use the Lucas Industries 14CUX engine management system. All models use a five-speed manual transmission from Rover and TREMEC.

Although the Griffith was almost mechanically identical to its sister car, the Chimaera, it had a different body design and was produced in much smaller numbers.

The Griffith was a lightweight, high-power, and well-balanced car. A low-cost speed six Griffith proposal never became a production reality; by the time it was launched alongside the Griffith in 1999, it had morphed into the Tuscan Speed Six.

A special edition Japanese market Griffith 500 was made dubbed the Blackpool B340. This car was featured in Gran Turismo, Gran Turismo 2 (in the former as the Griffith 4.0 in the NTSC and PAL versions) and Driving Emotion Type-S. The car was similar to a normal Griffith 500 with some bespoke options available. The Japanese market also got a B275 4.0 engined car with aluminium basketweave dashboard.

In 2000, TVR announced that the Griffith production was going to end. A limited edition run of 100 Special Edition (SE) cars were to be built to mark the end of production. Although still very similar to the previous Griffith 500 model, the SE had a hybrid interior using the Chimaera dashboard and Cerbera seats. Noticeably, the rear lights were different along with different door mirrors, higher powered headlights and clear indicator lenses. Some also came with 16-inch wheels. Each car came with a numbered plaque in the glove box including the build number and a Special Edition Badge on its boot. All cars also had a unique signature in the boot under the carpet. The SEs were built between 2000 and 2002, with the last registered in 2003.

Every year, to celebrate the TVR Griffith, their owners have a meet called "The Griff Growl."

In 2008, Al Melling Sports Cars unveiled the Melling Wildcat, a roadster heavily based on the Griffith but powered by a variant of TVR's later AJP8 engine.

Specifications

Engine
:Name: Rover alloy V8
:Valvetrain setup: 2 valves per cylinder, Overhead Valve

Transmission
:Transmission: 5-speed manual (Rover LT77 or Tremec T5)

Suspension
:Front: Independent, double wishbones, coil-over gas dampers, sway bars:
:Rear: Independent, double wishbones, coil-over gas dampers, sway bars

Brakes
:Front: ventilated disc brakes
:Rear: ventilated disc brakes

Wheels
:Front: 15 in aluminium alloy
:Rear: 16 in aluminium alloy

Chassis/body
:Body Panels: Glass fibre
:Fuel Capacity: 57 Litres (12.5  Imp. gallons, 15.0  U.S. gal)
:Weight: 1,060 kg (2,336 lb) (dry)
:Length:
:Height:
:Width:
:Wheelbase:
:Front track:
:Rear track:
:Ground clearance:

File:TVR Griffith 400 - 003.jpg, Rear third quarter view
File:W1401-TVR Griffith500 V8-5L-340hp 1995 TableauBord 82311.JPG, Interior
File:TVR Griffith 400 - 007.jpg, 4.0 L V8 engine

Second generation

On 8 September 2017, to coincide with the marque's 70th anniversary year at the Goodwood Revival, a new Griffith prototype was revealed under the now resurrected TVR marque, featuring design work by Gordon Murray.

The Griffith was expected to start production in 2019, with an initial run of 500 Launch Edition (LE) cars and a price tag of £89,995. In November of 2021, EVO magazine reported that the new Griffith was yet to enter production and deliveries of completed vehicles were not expected until at least the end of 2023. EVO cited the COVID-19 pandemic, funding problems, and damage to production facilities had caused development of the vehicle to stall. In July 2024 EVO stated, "The first Griffiths had been scheduled for delivery in the latter half of 2023, but it now seems to be a matter of if – rather than when – the V8 sports car will ever become a reality."

Production by year

* 1992: 602
* 1993: 230 (169 2DR + 61 500)
* 1994: 292
* 1995: 284
* 1996: 288
* 1997: 232
* 1998: 231
* 1999: 187
* 2000: 90
* 2001: 82
* 2002: 64

References

External links

TVR Griffith official website

TVR Griffith at PistonHeads.com
*

TVR Griffith 500 SE Register

TVR Car Club

Griffith MotorCar Club International

{{TVR road car timeline

Griffith
Sports cars
Rear-wheel-drive vehicles
Coupés
Roadsters
2000s cars
Cars introduced in 1991