TVR Griffith 500: Spotted

If a new Griffith is the next TVR then it's got a lot to live up to

This year should be an exciting one for TVR - the new car is making progress, the level of popular support is growing and, perhaps most excitingly of all, PistonHeads is chatting with Les Edgar. Today. Plenty to keep TVR fans entertained over the coming weeks and months then.

Now while we know little about the new car, there has already been a name suggested: Griffith. An iconic nameplate from TVR's recent and more distant past, it's one that will be fondly remembered by enthusiasts.

Lots of engine, not a lot of mass - perfect!

Furthermore, recreating the Griffith formula for the 21st century sounds very promising: a light and pretty body, combined with a powerful and proven V8, all offered for a price that undercuts cars of similar performance.

But while we're waiting for TVR to deliver on the modern day Griffith - we can but hope - here's one from the back catalogue to whet the appetite.

The 90s Griffith was a hugely significant car for TVR, taking the brand from the Wedges and S Series into the world of Chimaeras, Cerberas and Tuscans. Originally offered as just 'Griffith' with a 4.0-litre version of the Rover V8, more powerful 4.3 models and the 5.0-litre '500' V8 followed. The very final SE Griffiths are arguably the most desirable now; see the PH drive feature here for why.

This Griffith plucked from the classifieds is a 500 from 1994, owned by the current owner for 16 years. Already a good start. It has been kept in a heated garage, only driven in the dry and the chassis is said to be fully cleaned and protected. More encouraging signs.

Looking good; looking great in fact

The pictures look great as well, with gleaming paint, a reasonably fresh interior and unmarked wheels. These things always need further inspection, but the advert bodes very well.

At £22,000 this is one of the more affordable Griffiths too. Truly immaculate cars are now over £30,000, with this restored and very low mileage car on offer at nearly £60K. There is of course the potential - best stress that word potential - that the older TVRs could become more in demand as the new model gets closer.

As cars become further sanitised and detached, so the appeal of a TVR arguably becomes even stronger. If the new model can encapsulate what so many loved about this era of Griffith with some worthwhile modern updates, TVR could be on to a winner.

TVR GRIFFITH 500
Engine: 4,998cc, V8
Transmission: 5-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 345@5,500rpm
Torque (lb ft): 350@4,000rpm
MPG: N/A
CO2: N/A
First registered: 1994
Recorded mileage: 55,000miles
Price new: N/A
Yours for: £22,000