The TVR Griffith (1993 – 2002)

The story of this version of the TVR Griffith begins at the 1990 London Motor Show where it was displayed for the first time and next to a new version of the wedge shaped TVR Sppeed–8.

Not since TVR’s famous naked lady publicity stunt of 1971 had a curvaceous body caused such a Motor Show media frenzy as the TVR Griffith. The press went into a wild furore over this car, making it obvious to TVR the Griffith would sell on its looks alone.

The fact the TVR Griffith happened to have a big V8 just made it even more desirable. Such was the enthusiasm surrounding the new model, TVR collected 330 firm orders by the end of the show.

There was no longer any doubt, curves and muscle were the formula for the future success of TVR sports cars and the idea of a new wedge shaped car was shelved for good.

The Griffith Became TVR’s Saviour

At the time, the British economy had deteriorated and the country had fallen into deep recession. Like the car maker, Morgan, TVR had such a long standing and enthusiastic waiting list of customers wanting to buy its specialised products, the company was able to ride out the storm without too much financial pain.

Had it not been for the TVR Griffith it is likely that TVR would have folded again and in much the same way as the many other companies did around that time.

The TVR Griffith was finally launched in production form in 1992 and the V8S was withdrawn. The Griffith had a new chassis that had been developed using the knowledge and experience gained from the racing Tuscan’s in the TVR Tuscan Challenge race series.

Either 4–litre or 4.3–litre

In addition to the 240bhp 4.0–litre engine, as fitted to the V8 S–series, there was an option of a 275bhp 4.3–litre version, which became one of the most sought after Griffith models.

With an interior of flowing leather clad curves, and a unique style in cockpit controls, which thereafter become distinct TVR trademarks, the Griffith established TVR as the masters of interior car design.

Although the TVR Griffith was undoubtedly a winner in both looks and performance, it was rather uncompromising to drive, not to mention being a little tight on boot space.

To rectify this, and in 1993, less than a complete year following the launch of the Griffith, TVR introduced the TVR Chimeara. The TVR Chimaera used the same chassis as the Griffith, but had a larger body, softer ride and the milder 4–litre V8 modified Rover engine.

Griffith Production Temporarily Halted

In December 1993, production of the TVR Griffith had to be stopped to allow time for Chimaera production to catch up with demand. At this time, the factory at Bristol Avenue, Blackpool, was running at full capacity and everything at TVR couldn’t have looked better. The promise of further success came with the announcement that TVR would, for the first time, to have its own engine, called the AJP8. The TVR Griffith 500 THE AJP8 had originally been intended for the TVR Griffith, but as its development had slipped behind schedule, and with dealers desperate for cars, a 340bhp 5–litre catalysed version of the Rover V8 was installed instead. This car was branded as the famous TVR Griffith 500. Launched in August of 1994, the Griffith 500 was a car with truly awesome performance. At the time Autocar Magazine even accused it of having too much power, labelling it as a potential killer. This was the Blackpool beast and still sells well on the second hand market with prices remaining strong.
			Technical Specification 5.0–litre 90 degree alloy V8 engine Capacity 4988cc Bore⁄stroke 94x90mm Compression ratio 10.0:1 Max rpm 6,000 Max power 320bhp @ 5,500rpm Max torque 320 ft lbs @ 4,000rpm 0 to 60mph 4.1 secs 0 to 100 mph 10.5 secs Maximum speed 167mph

No Door Handles

The TVR Griffith and Chimaera brought something new to TVR sports cars, this being the concept of having no visible door handles. The idea was to have the perfectly smooth body without attachments to spoil the line of the car. There were no bumpers on the Griffith either, and no visible fuel filler cap, as this was hidden away in a recess beneath the boot lid.

There was another tradition these two cars began for TVR models and this was in the body styling on the flanks of the car. Where the trailing edge of the front wings met with the leading edge (hinge end) of the doors there appeared to be an aperture that resembled a vent of some kind.

The wings overlapped the end of the doors, in effect, and this was a feature on all TVR’s from the Griffith⁄Chimaera until the demise of TVR in 2007. The reason for it was due to the body of the cars being moulded from fibreglass.

Panel fit, for GRP built cars, was always an issue, as it was very difficult to get a good match. The fluting of the front wings, and the rounding of the door edges to fit inside them, avoided the usual pitfalls. As well as having a practical purpose, it improved the looks of the cars too.

The End of the Line

Despite much protest from the buying public, and in the year 2001, TVR announced the Griffith was to be axed, and that production would end with a special edition of the car of which only 100 would be made.