Last-of-the-line Griffith special edition 88 of 100
Genuine 2,800 miles
Last owner 20 years
‘Swordfish’ chromactive paint finish
THE APPEAL
The TVR ‘2G’ Griffith brought back a name from the past when it debuted in 1990, quickly becoming the fastest-selling TVR ever after its announcement at the Birmingham Motor Show.
An elegant yet purposeful sports saloon, it, dictated a new styling theme for TVR and was the first of a series of models that would see the brand resurgent throughout the 1990s.
In 2000, after 10 years of sales, TVR announced that 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, with the last one being assembled in 2003. They were based on the Grififth 500 (with a 5.0-litre evolution of the venerable Rover V8) and had a unique interior, using a Chimaera dashboard and Cerbera seats, along with new, round rear lamps.
This one is 500 SE number 88 of 100 and was owned first by a sports car specialist and then one private owner, before falling into the hands of a TVR enthusiast who utterly cherished it, keeping it in temperature-controlled storage for 20 years and barely using it, other than for shows and events.
Finished in spectacular ‘Swordfish’ specification (we’ll come to that), it’s a spectacular example unlike nothing else on the market, with just 2,800 miles from new and all documents. It has just been given a service by Hilton and Moss in Bishops Stortford – a highly regarded high-end sports car specialist – ready for its return to the road.
THE HISTORY AND PAPERWORK
Owned since 2003 by long-term keeper
2 former keepers
UK V5C
Supplied new by TMS Sports Cars of Melton Mowbray – registered FB02 OBY
MOT until January 2024
Original TVR leather wallet and book pack
Service book stamped at PDI; 1,390; 2,259; 2,673; 2,676 and 2,807 miles
Recent invoice for almost £1,300 for service and health check at Hilton and Moss
Early correspondence and invoices
TVR Club letters
Number 88 of 100 500 SE models made
Believed to be the only SE in ‘Swordfish’ specification
Numbered plaque
88 TVR registration number available but by separate negotiation
THE INTERIOR
Two-tone leather seats and carpets
Stainless steel and alloy dash
Factory-ordered wood-rimmed steering wheel
Two sets of carpet mats
The 500 SE is finished in ‘Swordfish’ specification, which means the purple-green ‘flip’ paintwork is matched by an interior that carries themes of both. It’s distinctive and really quite smart, with the hand-finished leather and carpet, all produced in-house at TVR’s Blackpool factory, complemented by a striking alloy-finish dashboard, identical to that used in the Chimaera.
The details are fascinating – door handles on the centre console, for example, along with a bold backlit ventilation dial, adjusted by a wheel that looks like a giant cog.
It’s all in wonderful condition, as you might expect from a car that has covered such a diminutive mileage and been used only for shows.
THE EXTERIOR
Chameleon Blue paint
British Racing Green roof
Tubular steel chassis
Immaculate overall condition
The most distinctive thing about this car (and you’re sure to have noticed already) is its Chameleon Blue paintwork, which tends to slip between a bluey-green and a bluey-purple depending on where and how the sun falls on it. It’s one of a range of ‘Chromactive’ colours developed by DuPont in the early 2000s, and of which TVR were an early adopter (Nissan, MG Rover and Subaru followed suit).
It’s a fascinating, shimmering hue and it changes as you walk around it – no amount of photos can show it in its true light, though we have tried to illustrate the breadth of its colour spectrum.
As with the interior, it’s pretty much flawless, as are the seven-spoke factory alloy wheels. The only minor faults are a very small piece of fabric that has come loose at the base of the hood, which will be easy enough to fix back down.
The roof itself is a carbon fibre panel with fabric coating, which lifts away to leave a targa-style rear window that folds down into the rear deck. It’s also in superb order. All the original trim is present and correct, including the ‘Griffith 500 SE’ Limited Edition badges.
THE MECHANICS
5.0-litre Rover V8
340bhp
Five-speed manual
Recently serviced by Hilton and Moss
Under the bonnet, which lifts up via a fascinating cantilevered arrangement of wheel and levers, you’ll find a 5.0-litre derivative of the time-served and dependable Rover V8 powerplant, which in this case develops 340bhp and gives the Griffith a 0-60 time of just 4.1 seconds – quick, even by today’s standards.
"It starts instantly, sounds great and has just been given a service before sale by a highly regarded sports car specialist. That said, the car has been used only minimally over the past 20 years and the vendor advises that while it runs and drives with no obvious faults being evident, a good going over before any use is recommended as there may be faults which are not noted.
SUMMARY
This is a fantastic opportunity to acquire what has recently become arguably the most collectable ‘modern classic’ TVR. Any 500 SE is a sought-after thing but this one even more so – the combination of it being the only ‘Swordfish’ car known to the TVR Car Club and the fact it has always been kept as a collector’s vehicle, with minimal overall mileage, adding further to its desirability. There simply won’t be another Griffith SE like this. It’s a one-off – an incredible car!
Notice to bidders
This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only. Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.
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