Description
Low-mileage and evidently cherished, this is a terrific example of the full-fat 5. 0 litre TVR Griffith. Presented in stunning Rosso Pearl with black hide and carpets, along with a black mohair hood. The car is in extremely commendable original condition throughout, having been garaged and not driven in the wet. There are very few stone chips, the rear screen is both crystal clear and un-creased the carpets are not faded and the veneer dash is void of cracking. The Pearl paint was a factory extra and retains a deep glossy shine. There is a slight orange/ copper fleck in direct sunlight which, as is often the case with TVR’s, is a little more unusual than the standard shades on other marques.
Crucially the fantastic cosmetic condition extends to both the structural and mechanical condition too. The chassis appears perfect with no sign of powder-coat degradation anywhere, including to the outriggers. This includes directly behind the front wheels where they are commonly peppered. The chassis has been waxoyled and anywhere that is wiped clean shows the powder-coating to be perfect which is hopefully illustrated in the pictures. Prospective buyers are welcome to inspect the car on a ramp at our premises too.
Supplied by WLA Specialist Cars of Larkfield in Kent on 18th March 1997, the original bill of sale is still present in the reassuring history file. It itemises the factory extras; Pearl Paint and 6 Disc CD & Stereo (there is also an amp behind the drivers seat), bringing the total purchase price to £36, 100.
It has covered a mere, and well-documented, 29, 705 miles and has just two-former owners. The most recent owner (also a TVR Car Club member) acquired the car (his second Griff) in 2014 and has since covered approximately 6, 000 miles. He largely enjoyed it on trips to Angoulême and Classic Le Mans where it has always performed faultlessly. During this most recent period of ownership a remote boot release and META alarm system was installed by respected TVR expert Carl Baker. (This also eliminates any common electrical gremlins which can cause issues such as the common hot-start problem and is a well-known and very welcomed upgrade). The car also comes with a black mohair Surrey roof which takes up much less space when stowed in the boot, and a hard-wired Accumate trickle-charger.
Service records in the history file are abundant and from specialists including; WLA specialist cars (supplying dealer), TVR Engineering in Blackpool, Castle TVR, Taylor TVR, and latterly Southways Automotive. In 2002 the car returned to its birthplace in Blackpool for a documented full-engine rebuild, so in actual fact the engine has only covered 20, 000 miles since.
On the road the performance even by today’s standards is remarkable. The immense torque provides effortless acceleration, but the engine is also very willing to rev (the 5. 0 litre is often accused of being a bit lazier than the 4. 0 litre variant). Then of course there is the noise!... The Borg-Warner T5 gearbox is a delight and the clutch bite-point is where it should be. The car is non PAS and has been poly-bushed and feels tight and compliant, whilst the brakes are even and reassuringly effective. It has just had a new MOT (01/ 09/ 2025) with zero advisories.
