TVR Griffith

The TVR Griffith, later models being referred to as the Griffith 500, was a sports car designed and built by TVR starting in 1991 and ending in 2002.

Like its forerunner namesakes, the Griffith 200 and Griffith 400, the modern Griffith was a light weight (1048 kg or 2310 lb) fiberglass bodied, 2 door, 2 seat convertible with a large V8 engine. Originally it had a 4 L 240 hp (179 kW) Rover V8 engine but that could be optionally increased to 4.3 L 280 hp (209 kW) in 1992 with a further option of big valve cylinder heads. Later it was replaced entirely in 1993 with a TVR developed 5 L 340 hp (254 kW) V8 (though still based upon the original Rover V8). All models use a five speed manual transmission.

Although the Griffith is almost mechanically identical to its sister car, the Chimaera, it has a different body design and was produced in much smaller numbers. Well-maintained examples command higher prices on the second-hand market.Fact|date=September 2008

The Griffith is a light weight, high power, and well-balanced car. A comprehensive history with pictures of the Griffith can be seen on [http://www.thegriffithpages.com/ The Griffith Pages] this also has the early 1990s press packs from the British Motorshows and postcards sent out by TVR to the garages which includes information on the speed six Griffith.

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 500's, the SEs have a hybrid interior using the Chimaera dashboard and Cerbera seats. Noticeably, the rear lights are different along with different door mirrors, higher powered headlights and clear indicator lenses. Some also came with 16 inch wheels and each car comes with a numbered plaque in the glove box including the build number and a Special Edition Badge on its boot. All cars also have a unique signature in the boot under the carpet. The SEs were built between 2000 and 2002, with the last Griffith registered in 2003. A Register of the last 100 SEs can be found at [http://www.griffith500se.co.uk/ TVR Griffith 500 SE Register] .

Every Year to celebrate the TVR Griffith owners have a meet called " The Griff Growl." [ [http://www.thegriffithpages.com/news/latest/the-griffith-growl-v-2007.html/The Griff Growl] ]

Specifications

Engine

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: Auto mm|260 ventilated disc brakes

Rear: Auto mm|260 ventilated disc brakes

Wheels

Front: 15 in aluminium alloy

Rear: 16 in

Chassis/body

Body Panels: Glass fibre

Fuel Capacity: 57 Litres (12.5 Imp. gallons, 15.0 U.S. gal)

Weight: 1060 kg (2336 lb)

Length: Auto mm|3892

Height: Auto mm|1205

Width: Auto mm|1943

Wheel base: Auto mm|2282

Front track: Auto mm|1460

Rear track: Auto mm|1470

Ground clearance: Auto mm|146

References

External links

* [http://www.pistonheads.com/tvr/griffith/ TVR Griffith at PistonHeads.com]
* [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]