| Manufacturer | TVR |
|---|---|
| Production | 1991–2002 |
| Successor | TVR Tuscan Speed 6 |
| Class | Sports car Roadster |
| Body style | 2-door convertible |
| Engine | 4.0 L - 5.0 L V8 |
| Related | TVR Chimaera Melling Wildcat |
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 sports car with a V8 engine. Originally, it used a 4.0 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. In 1993 with a TVR-developed 5.0 L 340 hp (254 kW) version of the Rover V8 became available. All versions of the Griffith use the Lucas 14CUX engine management system.
All models use a five speed manual transmission.
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. Well-maintained examples generally command higher prices on the second-hand market.
The Griffith was a light weight, high power, and well-balanced car. The speed six Griffith proposal never became a production reality, by the time it was launched it had morphed into the TVR Tuscan Speed 6.
In Japan, a special edition "Blackpool B340" was sold. This car was featured in Gran Turismo and Gran Turismo 2 (in the former as the Griffith 4.0 in the NTSC and PAL versions).
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. A register of the last 100 SEs can be found at TVR Griffith 500 SE Register.
Every year, to celebrate the TVR Griffith, their owners have a meet called "The Griff Growl."[1]
In 2008, Al Melling Sports Cars unveiled the Melling Wildcat, a roadster heavily based on the Griffith but powered instead by a variant of TVR's later AJP8 engine.
Engine
Rover alloy V8
Valvetrain setup: 2 valves per cylinder, Overhead Valve
| Model | Capacity (cc) | Power (bhp) | Torque | Max speed | 0-60 mph (s) | 0-100 mph (s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.0 | 3,950 | 240 hp (243 PS) | 270 lb·ft (370 N·m) at 4000 rpm | 152 mph (245 km/h) | 4.7 | 12.1 |
| 4.0 HC | 3,950 Hi-Lift Cam | 275 hp (279 PS) | 305 lb·ft (414 N·m) | 158 mph (254 km/h) | 4.7 | 12.1 |
| 4.3 | 4,280 | 280 hp (284 PS) | 305 lb·ft (414 N·m) at 4000 rpm | 158 mph (254 km/h) | 4.6 | 11.3 |
| 4.5 | 4,495 | 285 hp (289 PS) | 310 lb·ft (420 N·m) | 158 mph (254 km/h) | 4.6 | |
| 5.0 | 4,988 | 340 hp (345 PS) | 350 (320 with catalyzer) lbf·ft | 169 mph (272 km/h) | 4.1 | 10.5 |
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: 260 mm (10 in) ventilated disc brakes
Rear: 260 mm (10 in) 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: 3,892 mm (153.2 in)
Height: 1,205 mm (47.4 in)
Width: 1,943 mm (76.5 in)
Wheelbase: 2,282 mm (89.8 in)
Front track: 1,460 mm (57 in)
Rear track: 1,470 mm (58 in)
Ground clearance: 146 mm (5.7 in)