1996 TVR Griffith

Highlights

• Just 41,022 miles, verified by history
• MOT to August 2025, with superb record
• Highly desirable specification, in excellent condition
• Comprehensive and detailed maintenance file
• Brutal 5-litre V8 offering 340bhp

Overview

Many cars are pretty. Many more are truly fast. A handful manage to add some charisma to that recipe. But few – and we really do mean few – combine sumptuous looks, hirsute power and raw charm quite as well as a Griffith 500.

When the second generation Griffith launched in 1990, it was a smash hit. And it’s easy to see why, with its timeless styling and muscular V8 engines it rightfully became known as a classically styled British roadster with a muscle car’s heart. When the 500 came along, with its wonderful 5-litre V8 and kerb weight just over a tonne, it was as mesmerising as it was terrifying. Remember, TVR didn’t believe in power steering, ABS, or any other driver aids. The only traction control you had was the thickness of your right shoe sole.

Of course, they were never built in vast numbers, and more than a few ended up backwards in a wall thanks to over-enthusiastic owners. This means that they’re a rare and exciting machine to see on the roads now, and boy do they make an impact still. That V8 rumbles and burbles like Pavarotti in a bad mood, opening out to a Herculean roar of anger as the loud pedal descends. They remain a fast car, even by modern standards, and a true test of driving ability.

Naturally, you’ll want a good one. And they don’t come much better than this: original, beautifully preserved, low mileage, excellent history and a simply stunning specification. If you’ve always loved the idea of owning a classic TVR, then we don’t believe you’ll find many better examples than this. It is, quite simply, gorgeous.

Quite loud too.

History and documentation

• 2nd generation model, one of fewer than 300 produced in 1996
• First registered 16th September 1996
• Sold new by TVR Fernhurst Motor Company
• Three former owners, current owner since July 2014
• V5 present in owner’s name
• HPI clear (checked in August 2024)
• 41,022 miles on the clock, verified by the MOT and service records
• Just over 11,000 miles covered since 2006
• MOT to 5th August 2025, with no advisories
• The MOT record is superb, an confirms the low mileage as genuine
• Always maintained by marque specialists
• Owner’s handbook, one key and service book included
• The service book is stamped from new to 2014, with service invoices from specialists from 2014 to the present day
• A comprehensive file of maintenance invoices
• Original and unmodified
• Presented in overall superb condition

Interior

• Handsome black leather swathes the dash, transmission tunnel and seats
• The seats show very little evidence of wear considering their age, with no sagging, tears or notable wear we could discern
• Black carpet runs complements the leather and shows in very good order, with no staining or damage to see
• Period Pioneer radio/cassette system, with matching CD changer mounted in the boot
• Electrically operated door mirrors and side windows
• The stubby aluminium gear selector is in fine condition
• We noted some cracking to the wood veneer in front of the gear lever and across the fascia
• All of the switchgear and instrumentation looks to be in good order, with no faults or issues reported
• The boot is generous, with room for a couple of overnight bags
• A trickle charger is present in the boot which is currently not working so you just have to connect an external charger to the heavy duty connector under bonnet
• There’s also a space-saver spare wheel, complete with black vinyl cover

Exterior

• Deep burgundy red paint shows in very fine fettle, with a handsome sheen and even finish
• There are some stone chips and a small area (about 5cm) of lacquer peel to the front of the bonnet, but otherwise the paintwork shows in exceptionally good condition for its age
• The GFRP shell looks to be in fine condition, with no notable warping, cracking or chipping we could identify
• Similarly, the black fabric roof and matched cover show very well, with little evidence of UV damage or wear, although the vendor tells us there is a little wear to the roof edges and the folding rear screen
• All of the badging and other external trim appears to be present and correct, with nothing damaged or missing
• The car is still sitting on the original 7-spoke alloy wheels, which wear a handsome silver finish and look to be in very nice condition, with no significant blemishes or kerbing
• The rear wheels are 16-inch with 245/45 Toyo Proxes, while the fronts are 15-inch fitted with 205/55 Yokohama Advan Flevas – all the tyres look nearly new and appear to have plenty of tread depth
• Underneath, the floor and visible chassis elements look to be in great condition, with only a little surface corrosion on show – the maintenance file shows that the chassis was treated with WaxOyl in 2016

Mechanical

• 4,988cc naturally-aspirated V8, with an alloy block
• Manual 5-speed Borg Warner T5 transmission, renowned for its durability
• All power is delivered to the rear wheels
• Factory performance figures of 340bhp, 350lb-ft, 0-60 in 4.1 seconds and a top speed of 169mph
• The engine bay and other mechanical elements look clean and tidy, with no obvious issues we could see
• The service record is excellent, as is the MOT record, clearly showing the car has been well cared for and serviced very regularly throughout its life
• A new radiator was fitted in 2015 at 34,000 miles
• A heavy duty jump connector has been fitted
• As the car has no power steering, the steering is heavy, but very feelsome and precise on the move
• The owner advises that the car is best kept on a trickle charger (supplied), but starts and runs well, with no issues or problems to declare
• It’s worth saying again that V8 sounds absolutely magnificent

Summary

We’re struggling to imagine a finer way to spend a weekend than blatting along country lanes, this handsome roadster’s glorious V8 bellowing away as you flick through that meaty five-speed box.

You don’t need us to tell you how good this car is, the pictures and service record speak for themselves. Faster and more characterful than a contemporary Ferrari or Porsche, lighter than a period hot-hatch and still prettier than most cars on the road today, we can’t think of a single reason why you wouldn’t want to own this ferociously alluring machine.

To arrange a viewing, please request this in the Q&A section. You can click through to the seller's profile and use the 'Email Me' function to arrange a viewing privately. This seller is located in Guildford, Surrey.