1995 TVR Griffith 500

Highlights

• Lovingly maintained, full restoration 2015-2018
• Completely new interior installed in 2017
• Limited mileage covered since
• Comprehensive history file
• Excellent condition throughout

Overview

With the promise of a new Griffith seemingly now fading in the rear view mirror, it’s worth remembering the original bearer of the name plate. TVR’s gorgeously-styled roadster burst onto the scene in 1990 but it really came of age when, in 1993, it finally received the kind of power that it deserved with the installation of a 5.0-litre V8 into the Griffith 500.

Good for 340hp and 350lb-ft of torque, it would cover the 0-60 dash in just 4.1 seconds but even that set of statistics reportedly underplays the in-gear shove. Make no mistake, it’s a proper Blackpool muscle car and it sounds even better than it looks. Of course, they need looking after to keep them at their best and in this case, there’s excellent news.

Not only is there a bulging history file of invoices and MOT certificates, but it’s seen a full restoration, albeit carried out in stages, and limited mileage covered since. The first piece of advice to anyone looking at buying a Griffith is to check the condition of the chassis. Well, the first step in the restoration process was in 2015 when the body was removed and the chassis given the once over, though the owner notes that there is no immediate sign of welding during the restoration, which is probably testament to the quality of the work. Today, he reports that there is no obvious corrosion.

Then, in 2017, the body and chassis were separated once again and the body was fully resprayed, the hood restored and the interior completely renewed. The owner at the time must have had some serious love for the car as the bill came to over £13,000. Finally, in 2018, with body and chassis reunited, the engine received a bottom end rebuild.

This is all in addition to the ongoing maintenance which has seen many ancillaries replaced, including the installation of a stainless steel exhaust. Since the chunky work, mileage has been limited which means that the interior looks pretty much new and the bodywork is still in excellent condition. In conclusion, if you’re in the market for a Grif then, fresh restorations aside, we doubt you’ll find a much better example. And we can think of few more appealing ways to rumble around the countryside in the summer sun than this.

History and documentation

• Registered 1 Aug 1995
• Services recorded in the service book and on pictured invoices as follows: Aug 1995 @ 850 miles, Mar 1999 @ 2,225, Oct 1999 @ 10,723 miles, Mar 2000 @ 17,761 miles, Jun 2001 @ 24,410 miles, Apr 2003 @ 32,300 miles, Dec 2003 @ 38,160 miles, Dec 2004 @ 44,200 miles, Dec 2005 @ 48,894 miles, Feb 2007 @51,400 miles - rebuilt diff and rear suspension, Feb 2009 @ 57,000 miles, Jan 2011 @ 61,760 miles, Feb 2014 @ 65,134 miles, Mar 2015 body off chassis restoration, Apr 2015 @ 65,400 miles (followed by new plugs, temp sensor and new immobiliser ECU in the following 2 months), July 2018 @ 67,333 miles inc. new shocks and springs, July 2020 @69,986 miles, Aug 2021 @ 70,741 miles, Jul 2022, mileage not recorded, Aug 2023 @ 71,540 miles
• In addition, invoices for new clutch kit 2003, service and full respray, new interior and reconditioned hood Aug 2017 (over £13k of work), engine bottom end rebuild 2018 by Powers Engineering (TVR Specialists) 
• Odometer currently showing 72,189 miles
• Full document pack
• Comprehensive history file includes invoices and old MOT certificates
• Two keys and two remotes
• Current MOT expires 13 Aug 2024
• V5 present in owner’s name
• HPI clear

Interior

• With a turned aluminium dashboard, airbag-free three-spoke steering wheel and leather covering much of the cabin, this is a very special place to be
• The restoration work carried out in 2017 included a full new interior and the car has covered around 5,000 miles since
• As you’d expect, it’s in almost as-new condition with no notable wear
• There is a Bluetooth CD/ radio which has seen little use due to the car’s own soundtrack
• Red seatbelts provide a pleasing contrast
• A plug in charger is installed in the boot to keep the battery topped up
• Everything is believed to be functioning just as it should
• In all, you’re unlikely to find another that looks much better than this

Exterior

• If the design of the much-trailed and never-delivered new Griffith divides opinion, then this one is almost universally acclaimed as one of the prettiest cars ever to emerge from the Blackpool factory
• Finished in metallic red, and on original 7-spoke alloy wheels, it looks stunning
• Reflecting the limited mileage since its restoration, the paintwork remains in excellent, almost blemish-free condition with just a few small stone chips at the front
• Similarly, the wheels are unmarked and wear tyres with plenty of tread remaining
• The roof is also in almost-new condition and benefits from having had the rear window replaced
• Also included in the sale is a Levan folding roof and half car storm cover, both accompanied by carry bags (as is the main roof)
• Underneath, the seller reports that the chassis has no obvious corrosion
• This is a car that’s going attract a lot of positive attention

Mechanical

• 4,997cc V8 good for 340hp and serious 350lb ft of torque when new, original spec maintained
• Five-speed manual gearbox
• Rear-wheel drive
• Stainless steel exhaust which the seller assures us renders the radio superfluous
• No problems reported in the starting, going and stopping department and the owner says that he’s had 30mpg on a run

Summary

With a rumbly V8 and performance stats to match, the Griffith 500 is an enticing prospect, no matter its condition. They all need maintaining but if you’d rather spend more of your time driving, then one that’s received the level of attention of this one is what you’ll want to aim at. The chassis, body, engine and interior have all had expensive work carried out on them which means that the next owner will be buying wisely.

To arrange a viewing, please request this in the Q&A section. You can click through to the seller's profile and use the 'Email Me' function to arrange a viewing privately. This seller is located in Brecon, Powys.