Makes › TVR › Griffith 200/400 · Rare production · 1963–1967 Extremely Rare
TVR
Griffith 200/400
Ford 289 V8-powered Grantura-based TVR
Still being researched: full specifications. Everything shown is checked against the cited sources. Know more? Send us a source.
Contents
01Overview
At a glance
- Built
- 250 Built
- Years
- 1963–1967
- Engine
- V8, Ford 289 cu in · 4,740 cc / 4.7 LFactory: 289 cu in · converted
- Power
- 145 kW / 198 PSFactory: 195 hp · converted
- Top speed
- Not yet verified
- Body
- Not yet verified
- Designer
- Not yet verified
- In this archive
- Not yet verified
- Surviving
- Not yet verified
Sources and any conflicting figures are in the sections below.
Why it matters
Jack Griffith's Series 200 put a Ford V8 into a lightweight sports car closely related to the TVR Grantura Mk III, conceived as a rival to Carroll Shelby's Cobra. It was sold in the UK as the TVR Griffith, and nearly all examples went to the United States. The Series 400 followed as a close relative built in smaller numbers.
How rare is it?
Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.
Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.
02Production & history
Production
Every figure says what it counts.
| What is counted | Figure | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total model productionGriffith 200 and 400 combined ("Around 250"); TVR Car Club lists approx 192 Griffith 200 + 59 Griffith 400 | 2501 | Factory production | Independently researched |
Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.
History
The Griffith was an American dealer's take on the big-engine small-car formula already used by the Cobra. A prototype was shipped to the UK, approved by TVR, and the car entered production towards the end of 1962 on the TVR Grantura MkIII structure. It was sold in the UK as the TVR Griffith and in the US as the Griffith 200, powered by a 289 cubic-inch Ford V8.
The Series 400 was a subtle evolution with revised TVR rear bodywork and was much scarcer, because TVR's financial setbacks soon limited its ability to supply bodies and chassis. The later Series 600 was a separate steel-bodied design.
Variants
How each version differs from the standard Griffith 200/400.
No variants documented yet. Have a source? Contribute it.
03Specifications
Technical specifications
Engine
| Engine family | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| Engine code | Not yet verified |
| Layout | V8, Ford 289 cu in2 Independently researched |
| Cylinders | 83 Independently researched |
| Displacement | 4,740 cc / 4.7 LFactory: 289 cu in · converted2 Independently researched |
| Bore | Not yet verified |
| Stroke | Not yet verified |
| Compression ratio | Not yet verified |
| Fuel system | Not yet verified |
| Power | 145 kW / 198 PSFactory: 195 hp · converted2 Independently researchedStandard engine about 195-200 hp; HiPo version 271 hp. |
| Power at | Not yet verified |
| Torque | Not yet verified |
Transmission & drivetrain
| Gearbox | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| Gears | Not yet verified |
| Driven wheels | Not yet verified |
Chassis, body & dimensions
| Chassis | Multi-tubular steel spaceframe (Grantura-based)2 Independently researched |
|---|---|
| Front suspension | Not yet verified |
| Rear suspension | Independent, VW trailing-link (Grantura design)2 Independently researchedStated for the Grantura on which the Griffith was based. |
| Brakes | Not yet verified |
| Steering | Not yet verified |
| Body construction | Fibreglass body2 Independently researched |
| Wheelbase | 2,170 mmFactory: 85.5 in · converted2 Independently researched |
| Length | Not yet verified |
| Width | Not yet verified |
| Height | Not yet verified |
| Front track | Not yet verified |
| Rear track | Not yet verified |
| Kerb weight | Not yet verified |
| Dry weight | Not yet verified |
Performance
| Maximum speed | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | Not yet verified |
| 0–60 mph | 5 s2 Independently researchedStated as just under five seconds. |
| Fuel tank | Not yet verified |
“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.
04Colours & options
Factory colours & interiors
Original paint and trim, with the number of cars in each where a source gives it.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Factory options & codes
Codes are shown exactly as written by the manufacturer.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
05Individual cars
Chassis register
Every documented car, with its colours, history and where it is now. Open a row for the full record. Known chassis are not automatically authenticated originals.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Competition history
Every race result of the individual cars, in date order. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Auction & sale history
Documented public sales of the individual cars. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
See one in person
Museums where an example of this car can be seen.
No example is documented on public display yet. Have a source? Contribute it.
06Reference
Identification guide
How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.
Being verified against factory or registry sources before it is published. Have a source? Contribute it.
Sources
Each number links to the exact facts it supports.
-
1
Sportscar2 – The TVR Griffith 200 Sports Car Level C
- 250 Griffith 200 and 400 combined ("Around 250"); TVR Car Club lists approx 192 Griffith 200 + 59 Griffith 400
-
2
1965 Griffith Series 200 Level D conceptcarz.com · 2016-02
- powered by a 289 cubic-inch Ford engine
- 289 cubic-inch Ford engine
- 8 cyl., 288.46 CID., 195.00hp / 271.00hp
- multi-tubular spaceframe chassis
- Volkswagen trailing-link independent suspension
- attractive fiberglass coachwork
- Griffith 85.50 in.
- Zero-to-sixty took just under five seconds
-
3
1965 Griffith Series 200 Level C Daniel Vaughan · conceptcarz.com
- 8 cyl., 288.46 CID., 195.00hp
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