Tvr · 1990–2002

TVR Griffith

The TVR Griffith, later models being referred to as the Griffith 500, is a sports car designed and built by TVR, starting production in 1990, and ending production in 2002. As part of a 2017 attempt at reviving the TVR brand, a new generation Griffith was presented but never entered production.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Successor: TVR Tuscan Speed Six

All Tvr Griffith data: UK builds, safety, recalls, model years →

First generation (1990–2002)

Like its forerunner namesakes, the Griffith 200 and Griffith 400, the modern Griffith was a lightweight (1,060 kg (2,337 lb)) fiberglass-bodied, 2-door, 2-seat sports car with a V8 engine. Originally, it used a 4.0 L 240 hp (179 kW; 243 PS) Rover V8 engine, but that could be optionally increased to 4.3 L 280 hp (209 kW; 284 PS) in 1992 with a further option of big-valve cylinder heads. In 1993, with a TVR-developed 5.0 L 340 hp (254 kW; 345 PS) version of the Rover V8 became available. All versions of the Griffith use the Lucas Industries 14CUX engine management system. All models use a five-speed manual transmission from Rover and TREMEC. 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. The Griffith was a lightweight, high-power, and well-balanced car. A low-cost speed six Griffith proposal never became a production reality; by the time it was launched alongside the Griffith in 1999, it had morphed into the Tuscan Speed Six. A special edition Japanese market Griffith 500 was made dubbed the Blackpool B340. This car was featured in Gran Turismo, Gran Turismo 2 (in the former as the Griffith 4.0 in the NTSC and PAL versions) and Driving Emotion Type-S. The car was similar to a normal Griffith 500 with some bespoke options available. The Japanese market also got a B275 4.0 engined car with aluminium basketweave dashboard. 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 wer

Second generation

On 8 September 2017, to coincide with the marque's 70th anniversary year at the Goodwood Revival, a new Griffith prototype was revealed under the now resurrected TVR marque, featuring design work by Gordon Murray. The Griffith was expected to start production in 2019, with an initial run of 500 Launch Edition (LE) cars and a price tag of £89,995. In November of 2021, EVO magazine reported that the new Griffith was yet to enter production and deliveries of completed vehicles were not expected until at least the end of 2023. EVO cited the COVID-19 pandemic, funding problems, and damage to production facilities had caused development of the vehicle to stall. In July 2024 EVO stated, "The first Griffiths had been scheduled for delivery in the latter half of 2023, but it now seems to be a matter of if – rather than when – the V8 sports car will ever become a reality."

Production by year

1992: 602 1993: 230 (169 2DR + 61 500) 1994: 292 1995: 284 1996: 288 1997: 232 1998: 231 1999: 187 2000: 90 2001: 82 2002: 64

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

name: TVR Griffith
Manufacturer: TVR Motor Company Limited, TVR Automotive Limited
Production: 1990–2002
Assembly: United Kingdom: Blackpool, England
Class: Sports car (S)
Layout: Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive (1991–2002), Longitudinal-mounted, front mid-engine, rear-wheel drive (2018–present)

Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Measured facts from Wikidata (CC0). Check the linked sources for citations.

More photos

Sources

Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q914851CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TVR_GriffithCC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1329848370 · retrieved 2026-10-01
Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:TVR_Griffith_500.JPGPublic domain · Photo: Dod11 at English Wikipedia · retrieved 2026-10-01
Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.