The Cobra and Tiger are two tantalizing British 1960s roadsters powered by American V-8s. In the 1990s, the TVR company followed the same formula with the Griffith 500.
The 1994 TVR Griffith 500 for sale on eBay is an extremely rare chance for an American to buy a fully restored example. Only 2,351 Griffith 500s were built in a run that lasted from 1991 to 2002, and none of them were imported to the US when new. This example was imported by the current owner and is now for sale on eBay in Wisconsin, with a Buy-It-Now price of $44,500.
TVR Griffith 500: Absurd Power In a Small Package
The Griffith was a tiny sports car weighing about 2,300 pounds, stuffed with a 340-horsepower (and 320 pound-feet of torque) Rover V-8.
The Griffith is a derivative of the fire-breathing 200 model from 1964-1965.
This all-aluminum V-8, originally found in a 1960s Buick with 215 cubic inches of displacement, was licensed by Rover in the UK and, since 1967, has appeared in a number of British cars and trucks. TVR is a boutique carmaker based in Blackpool that had a checkered history dating back to 1946. A new Griffith is supposedly coming in 2024.
Only 2,351 500s were built.
The Griffith 500 is Mazda Miata-sized and features independent suspension, four-wheel disc brakes, a limited-slip differential, and a five-speed manual transmission. It has a multiple-position convertible top that can go all the way down or be enjoyed like a targa, with the back half in place and the center section removed.
Thoroughly Restored But Not Perfect
The car on offer, painted Blue Mica, was painstakingly restored in 2008, with the body off the tubular frame (which was subsequently sandblasted and powder coated). That’s important, as many of the surviving cars in Britain have rusty frames. As a Britain-only car, it’s right-hand drive.
The car is Miata-sized and open to the weather.
From the extensive notes on this car’s refurbishment, it might be the best 500 in the world—but it isn’t perfect. There’s a crack in the fiberglass on the right rear quarter panel. There’s a bubble here and there, and a stone chip or two. But the interior leather and wood are in excellent condition. Mechanically, the V-8 has had plenty of expensive attention and is in excellent fettle.
The owner’s stable has included many sports cars, including Porsches, Lotuses, Vipers, and Corvettes. He says the driving experience of the 500 is akin to a Shelby Cobra replica. Or better, since it offers “more competent handling” and is “an actual original design instead of being a kit car.” It’s also like a Viper but weighs 1,000 pounds less.
The Legend Lives On
The 500’s tubular chassis was prone to rust, but this one’s been restored and powder-coated.
The Griffith name goes way back. The historic precedent is the TVR Griffith 200, named after American entrepreneur Jack Griffith. There is a Carroll Shelby connection. In 1964, Griffith had dinner with Shelby and declared he could build a TVR-derived car to take on the Cobra. And he did.
Griffith persuaded TVR to sell him the Grantura chassis without engine or gearbox, and built the 200s in the US. The Griffith 200 with a Ford 260 or 289 on board could reach 60 mph in just 3.9 seconds. The cars, depending on their tune, often had more than 250 horsepower, stuffed into a tiny vehicle with practically no weight, weak brakes, and a short wheelbase. Only 192 Griffith 200s were built in 1964 and 1965, though other variations on the Griffith theme appeared later.
A Possible Rebirth
This might be the best one in the world—or at least the US.
If the TVR Griffith is finally reborn in 2024, it’s very likely to increase interest in the relatively sane 1990s cars, as well as those 1960s road rockets. Will that happen? It’s been a long time coming.
The Griffith was first shown at the Goodwood Revival back in 2017. Power comes from a modern five-liter Ford Coyote V-8 with 493 horsepower, and a six-speed manual transmission. Again, it’s a very light car—weighing just 2,756 pounds—with lots of power. Zero to 60 takes four seconds—about the same as the 200, though it’s undoubtedly a much safer car. And a top speed of more than 200 mph is anticipated.
TVRs were never numerous, but eBay supports the Griffith with parts for its different iterations. Fancy an original TVR/Nardi black leather steering wheel for your 500? It is available.
