The Griffith nameplate in TVR’s family tree is one of the more instantly recognizable names. It has always featured some combination of light weight and big power, and quickly became known as a slight raucous machine. The earlier generations did make their way into the United States, but the later cars – like this was shown here, a 1995 model – were later independently imported by enthusiasts who were deprived of owning high-performance models after TVR pulled out of the U.S. market. This car looks like a British Dodge Viper with its white stripes and blue paint, and is said to be one of only six in the states.
The reference to the Dodge Viper is actually fairly accurate given this TVR is powered by a 5.0L Rover V8, which puts out a healthy 340 horsepower. The performance out of the box was quite impressive, with 0-60 clocking in at a very quick 4.1 seconds. The best part about a car like this is it’s unexpected: you look at it, and you may think there’s a six-cylinder or a turbocharged four under the hood. But therein lies the randomness of TVR as a company, where its fixation on low curb weights means that a wide range of engines can help make a car into a virtual rocket with far less power than some of its competitors.
Now, unlike some low production, hand-built cars, the Griffith actually comes with a nicely finished interior. Leather seating surfaces and armrest, nicely finished gauges, a wood dash, and three-spoke steering wheel give this TVR the feeling of a car built on a mass production scale. Mileage is around 50,000 miles, which is impressive when you consider this is a limited-production sports model that might be perceived as a car that gets limited use or is driven only under the rarest of circumstances. However, that clearly isn’t the case, and with the seller’s description of, “…weighs less than a Miata but with 3 times the power,” it’s easy to see why the three owners its had are all eager to get out and drive.
While it can seem risky to buy a car not sold in the states, the Rover V8 is such a long-lived engine that was used in numerous applications that I doubt you’ll have too much difficulty sourcing parts. The seller reports that he has records and documentation confirming ongoing maintenance, and that he just dropped in a new Odyssey battery. The listing is open for bidding with a suggested first bid of $21,000, but there are no takers yet. You can also buy it for $33,500 here on eBay if you don’t want to risk going head-to-head with another TVR enthusiast.
TVR-spec. motors were also used in some Range Rovers, as I remember.
I may just be delusional, but aren’t all Rover V8 descendents of the aluminum Buick tooling purchase? Granted this would be thirty years later, but the small block has a long heritage, too.
You are correct, the aluminum Buick/Olds V8 was the grandpa of this engine.
Doug, does that include pushrods valve actuation? I didn’t re-read to check -too old to worry.
This car exudes coolness and sex appeal. I know next to nothing about TVRs, so I haven’t got a clue about difficulty of maintenance , or whether or not this price is reasonable, but it is cool nonetheless.
I would luv to own this!! It has one bid now, but reserve not met, ends in 7 hours.
No Viper ever looked this good!
A true sleeper!!
Never understood the exhaust system on these. RHD takes it out of the market for me.
I find 340hp hard to believe, small ports on the motors
5 litres (304 c.i.) not 3.5 litres (215 c.i.) and multipoint fuel injection. If the very closely related Buick 3.8 V6 could produce 205 bhp in absolutely standard form, with low heat conductivity iron heads, why wouldn’t a 1/3 larger capacity alloy-headed version produce 1/3 more power? TVR kept developing the engine on their own for years. All the work that GM put into the Buick V6 is directly applicable to it’s V8 cousin.
Ended with one bid $21k, reserve not met, and now relisted.
Can such a car with no bumpers have registration issues in some states?
The heritage of the British coach is shown in this car. Yes it’s Viper like derivation doesn’t help but my brain sees 100 years of Colin wanna-be garage builders making do with whatever will work and hoping for the stars to align. There is a reason that most F1 headquarters are in countryside England. I paid for my Mom to rent a TF for a foray to Wales while on a genealogy trip for two reasons. One, she learned to drive on a modified Model T pickup and two, she would appreciate the visceral memory of the back roads run. I hope to replicate that journey and sooner than later.
Did TVR use the name “Griffith”? The original Griffith was a TVR with a Ford V-8, built under contract by TVR. It wasn’t a TVR, but a Griffith. I interviewed Jack Griffith for an article on that car and also the intermeccania italia, which was to follow the 200 as the Griffith but circumstances didn’t let that happen.
I know very little about these but I have always been under the impression that they used a Ford 289 V8. That may be how they started and then switched to something else – in this case the Buick / Rover V8, but as I say, I don’t really know.
Yes, the original Griffith used the 289.