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Picture

Griffith

In production: 1964-1967
​Models: 200, 400
TVR No2

History

1964 - The story of the Griffith is now stuff of legend. Supposedly, or so the story goes, North American racing driver and TVR USA importer Gerry Sagerman was having his personal race car, a MkIII Grantura, fettled in the workshop run by Jack Griffith at the same time as former TVR racer Mark Donohue was having his AC Cobra serviced there. Allegedly, Griffith’s mechanics swapped the engines “because they could” and although the transplant didn’t quite work, Griffith liked the idea. With a lot of help from Blackpool particularly David Hives who redesigned the chassis so the V8 engine would fit, they made it work with a fully engineered version. The original Griffith was born.

The Griffiths were built in two variants, the earlier Griffith 200 with the Mk III Grantura rear end and the later Griffith 400 with the 1800S based “Manx” tail. The cars were shipped, minus engine and gearbox, to Jack Griffith's factory in Syosset New York where the cars were finish assembled. A Griffith Motors
chassis number was given to all cars.

​In January 1965 the Griffith was launched in the UK at the Racing Car Show at Olympia in London. Although this was a 400 Manx tail shape car it was called a TVR Griffith 200. The UK cars were given a GB chassis number and were sold in Europe, Canada, Australia and of course the UK.

A dock strike on the east coast of the USA in January 1965 cut off the supply of cars to Jack Griffith and this resulted in the eventual collapse of both companies.

TVR was rescued in November 1965 by Arthur and Martin Lilley and a further ten TVR Griffith 200's were built from the stock left in the factory. The eleventh car built became the first SWB Tuscan.

The Griffth was ftted with a standard Ford V8 289 or the more powerful Ford V8 289 HiPo. To cure some of the problems encountered with the 200, the 400 was fitted with a larger radiator, twin electric fans, redesigned rear suspension and a Salisbury limited slip differential. As it weighed less than an
AC Cobra it became a legendary racing car.
​

Technical Specifications

Griffith 200
Engine:  Ford V8 289
Capacity (cc):  4727cc
Power:  195bhp or 271bhp HiPo
Performance 0-60mph:  6 secs or 5 secs HiPo
Top Speed: 140mph or 150mph HiPo

Griffith 400 & UK Griffith 200
Engine:  Ford V8 289
Capacity (cc):  4727cc 
Power:  195bhp or 271bhp HiPo
Performance 0-60mph:  6 secs or 5 secs HiPo
Top Speed: 140mph or 150mph HiPo

Production Numbers:
Griffith 200 - approx 192
Griffith 400 - 59
UK Griffith 200 - Approx 42 + 10

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TVR Car Club
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  • Home
    • Join
  • News
  • Shop
    • Enter Shop
    • Memberships
    • Events
    • Clothing >
      • 60th Anniversary Range
      • Jackets
      • Hoodies
      • T-shirts & Polo Shirts
      • Headwear
      • Ladies & Junior Clothing
      • Sale
    • Bags
    • Mugs
    • Gifts
    • Stickers
    • Posters
    • Fire Safety Sticks
    • Garage Products
    • Official TVR Branded
    • TVRs for sale
  • Events
  • Find out about:
    • The TVRCC
    • Why you should join
    • TVR
    • Regions >
      • UK Regions
      • International Regions
      • Region Details update
    • The TVR Models >
      • Early TVRs
      • TVR Grantura
      • TVR Vixen
      • TVR Griffith (early)
      • TVR Tuscan (early)
      • TVR M series
      • TVR Tasmin / Wedges
      • TVR S Series
      • TVR Tuscan Racer
      • TVR Griffith
      • TVR Chimaera
      • TVR Cerbera
      • TVR Speed 12
      • TVR Tuscan
      • TVR Tamora
      • TVR T350
      • TVR Sagaris
      • TVR Typhon / T400 / T440
      • TVR Prototypes
      • TVR Griffith LE 2017
    • Sprint Magazine >
      • In Sprint
      • Photo Competition Winners
      • Photo Competition
    • Monthly eNewsletter
    • TVR Motorsport
    • TVR Motorsport History
    • TVR Colours
    • Classifieds
  • Members Area:
    • TVRCC Forums
    • National Members Events >
      • Millbrook 2025
      • NEC Classic & Sportscar Show
    • TVRs in print
    • Digital Sprint Magazines
    • Archives >
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      • Archives - Factory
      • Archives - Pre M
      • Archives - M Series
      • Archives - Tasmin Wedge
      • Archives - Tuscan Racer
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      • Events Team
      • Competition Secretary
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      • Sales Manager
      • Marketing Communications
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    • Travel Tours >
      • Scenic and Continental Car Tours
      • Drive Espana
      • Fast Track Tours
      • Organise Your Own Tour
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