TVR Griffith
As TVR entered the 1990's, the public craved a Rover based V8 that drove just as well as the ‘wedges’ of the 80’s, but finished in a more curvaceous body. The ‘S’ came along at the perfect time to lure a new generation of TVR owners behind the wheel. The constant search for more power lead TVR into having to strengthen the chassis to house what was to become the Griffith. For the first time in 1990 the Griffith was unveiled at the Birmingham Motor Show and TVR’s financial worries took a back seat as orders flew in
IThe 240 bhp, 4 litre Rover V8 was the original power plant used, then capacity soon increased to 4.3 BV (big valve) which for an extra £2,404 customers could specify. By gas-flowing and polishing the heads, re-profiling the camshaft, upping the compression ratio, lightening and balancing the flywheel, and re-mapping the electronic engine management system and fuel injection output was 280bhp at 5500rpm and a formidable 305lb ft of torque at only 4000rpm.With the arrival of the Griffith 500, a bored out 5 litre, 340bhp Rover V8 and 160mph+ potential was at our feet, we have a car able to tour with ease and comfort and on the other hand, embarrass other much more expensive machinery on the race track thanks to the Griffith’s potent torque curve and in-gear acceleration matched with stiffer spring rates than that of the Chimaera. The 90’s Griffith harks back to the success of the 60’s car that took the fight to the AC Cobra…and won.
The Griffith embodies everything a traditional British sports car should be. The drive can be as sedate or electrifying as you wish without being intimidating. With a removable fibre-glass hood, power steering and spacious boot, the Griffith even borders on practical. There are not many cars in the world, even today that can do so much for so little money. And now as production has halted, the Griffith makes a sound investment.
