1996 TVR Griffith 500 Roadster
Registration no. P987 SNO
Chassis no. SDLDGC5P7TG011773

'...with no less than 325bhp on tap the latest Griffith 500 promised to be more fierce than almost any previous TVR model.' ? Graham Robson, 'TVRs Volume 2'.

With the introduction of the Griffith in 1991, Blackpool-based sports car manufacturer TVR resurrected one of the great model names from its past. The first Griffith of the 1960s had been a lightweight and compact coupé powered by a 4.7-litre Ford V8 engine, a combination that made for seriously exciting motoring. Considerably more refined than its predecessor yet even faster, the new Griffith was a sleek open roadster powered by the Rover V8 engine in various capacities. The multi-tubular backbone chassis was a short-wheelbase development of the Tuscan race-car's and thus the Griffith came with wide-base, unequal-length wishbone suspension all round. The top speed of the popular 4.3-litre version was around 160mph and it was relatively affordable, so it was hardly surprising that TVR was swamped by orders when the production car debuted at London's Motorfair in October 1991. The fact that it accelerated faster than a Ferrari Testarossa or Porsche 911 Turbo, models costing many times as much, did nothing to hinder sales, which were further boosted by the build quality: the Griffith was easily the best-built car TVR had ever produced. The model's final flourish was the even faster Griffith 500, introduced in August 1993, which was powered by a 5.0-litre version of the Rover V8 producing 325bhp.

This TVR Griffith 500 roadster comes complete with its original manual and service book (with eight stamps) confirming the mileage of just over 40,000. After an accident in 1999 (classed in the UK as 'Category D'), we are informed that the car was subjected to some restoration work with repairs to the chassis. Numerous other works were carried out at the same time, including fitting a full stainless steel flexible brake hose kit; Powerflex suspension bush kit; AVO front shock absorbers, etc. The engine was also overhauled with a new timing chain, new water pump, etc. A full re-spray was carried out in 2011. Finished in Cool Water Blue Pearl with magnolia leather upholstery and dark blue carpets, this TVR roadster is offered with UK V5 registration document and a valid MOT certificate expiring in January 2019.