TVR Griffith

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

{{Infobox automobile

| name = First generation

| image = 1999 TVR Griffith 500 (15859188212).jpg

| caption = TVR Griffith 500

| manufacturer = TVR Motor Company Limited

| platform = Fiberglass body over tubular steel chassis

| production = 1991–2002
2,351 produced{{cite web|url=https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=647743|title=TVR official production numbers|accessdate= 3 February 2018}}

| assembly =

| successor = {{ubl

| TVR Tamora

| TVR Griffith (second generation)

}}

| class = Sports car (S)

| body_style = 2-door roadster

| engine = {{ubl

| 4.0 L Rover V8

| 4.3 L Rover V8

| 4.5 L Rover V8

| 5.0 L Rover V8 (Griffith 500 models only)

}}

| powerout = {{ubl

| {{cvt|240|hp|kW PS|0}} (4.0 L)

| {{cvt|280|hp|kW PS|0}} (4.3 L)

| {{cvt|340|hp|kW PS|0}} (5.0 L)

}}

| transmission = {{ubl

| 5-speed Rover LT77 manual

| 5-speed Tremec T5 manual

}}

| wheelbase = {{convert|2286|mm|1|abbr=on}}{{cite web|url=https://www.autoevolution.com/cars/tvr-griffith-1992.html#aeng_tvr-griffith-1992-40|title=1991–2002 TVR Griffith specifications|publisher= Auto Evolution|accessdate= 2 February 2018}}

| length = {{convert|3891|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}

| width = {{convert|1720|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}

| height = {{convert|1204|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}

| weight = {{ubl

| {{convert|1060|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}} (dry)

| {{convert|1300|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}}

}}

| related = {{ubl

| TVR Chimaera

| TVR Tuscan Speed Six

| Melling Wildcat

}}

| sp = uk

| designer = John Ravenscroft

}}

Like its forerunner namesakes, the Griffith 200 and Griffith 400, the modern Griffith was a lightweight ({{convert|1060|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}}) fiberglass-bodied, 2-door, 2-seat sports car with a V8 engine. Originally, it used a 4.0 L {{convert|240|hp|kW PS|0|abbr=on}} Rover V8 engine, but that could be optionally increased to 4.3 L {{convert|280|hp|kW PS|0|abbr=on}} in 1992 with a further option of big-valve cylinder heads. In 1993, with a TVR-developed 5.0 L {{convert|340|hp|kW PS|0|abbr=on}} 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."{{Cite web |url=http://www.thegriffithpages.com/news/latest/the-griffith-growl-v-2007.html/The |title=Griff Growl |access-date=6 August 2007 |archive-date=22 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180622193450/http://www.thegriffithpages.com/news/latest/the-griffith-growl-v-2007.html/The |url-status=usurped }}

File:TVR Griffith 400 - 001.jpg

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.

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: {{convert|260|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} ventilated disc brakes

:Rear: {{convert|260|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} 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: {{convert|3891|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}

:Height: {{convert|1204|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}

:Width: {{convert|1720|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}

:Wheelbase: {{convert|2286|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}

:Front track: {{convert|1461|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}

:Rear track: {{convert|1471|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}

:Ground clearance: {{convert|145|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}

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

{{clear}}

{{Infobox automobile

| name = Second generation (prototype)

| image = TVR Griffith LE (2017) (38354185236).jpg

| caption = TVR Griffith at NEC Classic Car Show in Birmingham 2017

| manufacturer = TVR Automotive Limited

| production =

| model_years = 2017 (prototype)

| class =

| assembly = United Kingdom: Whiteley, Hampshire, England

| predecessor =

| body_style = 2-door coupé

| engine =

| powerout =

| transmission =

| layout = Longitudinal-mounted, front mid-engine, rear-wheel drive

| wheelbase =

| length =

| width =

| height =

| weight =

| designer = Gordon Murray

| sp = uk

}}

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.{{cite web |title=Long-awaited new TVR to be launched at Revival 2017 |url=https://www.goodwood.com/grrc/event-coverage/goodwood-revival/2017/6/long-awaited-new-tvr-to-be-launched-at-revival-2017/ |accessdate=19 June 2017 |publisher=GRRC}}

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.{{cite web|url=https://www.tvr.co.uk/new-car|title=TVR Griffith|publisher=TVR|accessdate=4 September 2018}} 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.{{Cite web|title=TVR Griffith first deliveries delayed again until at least 2023|url=https://www.evo.co.uk/tvr/16073/tvr-griffith-first-deliveries-delayed-again-until-at-least-2023|access-date=2022-02-01|website=evo|language=en}} 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."{{Cite web |title=Failed TVR factory project in Wales could cost millions in public funds |url=https://www.evo.co.uk/tvr/206397/tvrs-rebirth-isnt-exactly-going-to-plan-will-the-new-griffith-ever-hit-the-road |access-date=2025-03-18 |website=evo |language=en}}

{{clear}}

{{Cite web|url=http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=9&t=647743&mid=0&i=0&nmt=How+many+tvr+griffiths+were+made+%3F&mid=0|title = How many TVR griffiths were made ? - Page 1 - Griffith - PistonHeads UK}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=9&t=647743&mid=0&i=20&nmt=How+many+tvr+griffiths+were+made+%3F&mid=0|title = How many TVR griffiths were made ? - Page 2 - Griffith - PistonHeads UK}}

• 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

{{reflist}}

{{commons category|TVR Griffith}}

• [https://www.tvr.co.uk/ TVR Griffith official website]
• [http://www.pistonheads.com/tvr/griffith/ TVR Griffith at PistonHeads.com]
• {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20061022093854/http://www.thegriffithpages.com/ TVR Griffith Info and Owners Register]}}
• [http://www.griffith500se.co.uk/ TVR Griffith 500 SE Register]
• [http://www.tvr-car-club.co.uk/ TVR Car Club]
• [http://www.griffithyears.com/ Griffith MotorCar Club International]

{{TVR}}

{{TVR road car timeline}}

Griffith

Category:Sports cars

Category:Rear-wheel-drive vehicles

Category:Coupés

Category:Roadsters

Category:2000s cars

Category:Cars introduced in 1991