1996 TVR Griffith 500

Highlights

• Just three owners from new

• In current ownership for 12 years

• Comprehensive history dating back to new

• Factory power steering

• Clean MOT record since 2018

Overview

Blackpool is famous for the three T’s… Towers, Trams and TVR, and it’s the latter that we’ll be discussing today. TVR have an interesting reputation amongst the car enthusiast fraternity; much like Marmite, you’ll either love them for their hand-built, raw and analogous nature, or hate them for much the same reasons. You’ll rarely find anyone sat on the fence about TVR, they’ll either be die-hard enthusiasts, or swear off them like a Satanist going to Sunday Mass.

As you’re here reading this, we’ll assume you’re in the ‘love’ camp. You’ll also know that this is the pinnacle of the Griffith - the 500 - which boasts the most powerful engine of the range, all the developments made throughout Griffith production, and a 5-speed BorgWarner T5 ‘box in place of the Rover LT77, the latter of which could also be found in the Land Rover Defender of the era! Some enthusiasts swear that the gearbox upgrade alone is worth the additional cost of a 500.

This example was first registered in 1996, and has an incredible history dating back to new. Having enjoyed the care of just three owners from new, and with extensive and tasteful TVR-centric upgrades over the years to address known issues, this Griffith 500 is reported to be in excellent health, and must be one of the best-documented examples on the market today.

History and documentation

• Service history as follows (from invoices; most, not all, have corresponding stamps in the book): Nov 1996 @ 35 miles (PDI), Jan 1997 @ 81 miles (TVR Centre), Jul 1997 @ 5,987 miles (TVR Centre), Aug 1998 @ 9,894 miles (WLA Specialist Cars), May 1999 @ 13,448 miles (TVR Centre), Feb 2000 @ 16,002 miles (TVR Centre), Oct 2001 @ 20,245 miles (TVR Centre), Aug 2002 @ 21,803 miles (TVR Centre), Jul 2004 @ 24,562 miles (TVR Centre), Mar 2006 @ 27,237 miles (TVR Centre), Feb 2007 @ 28,284 miles (TVR Centre, second owner), Mar 2008 @ 34,259 miles (Torque RVT), Mar 2009 @ 40,239 miles (TVR Centre), Mar 2010 @ 44,596 miles (TVR Centre), May 2011 @ 49,712 miles (Str8 Six), May 2012 @ 49,829 miles (TVR Centre), Jun 2013 @ 51,245 miles (Str8 Six, me), May 2014 @ 56,373 miles (Str8 Six), Jun 2015 @ 58,039 miles (TVRS SW), May 2016 @ 59,875 miles (TVRS SW), May 2017 @ 62,814 miles (TVRS SW), Jun 2018 @ 63,478 miles (TVRS SW), Jun 2019 @ 64,167 miles (TVRS SW), Oct 2020 @ 65,001 miles (TVRS SW), Sep 2021 @ 65,619 miles (TVRS SW), Oct 2022 @ 66,407 miles (TVRS SW), Sep 2023 @ 66,910 miles (TVRS SW), Oct 2024 @ 67,217 miles (TVRS SW)

• Original purchase invoice from 1996

• TVR ‘bible’ by Steve Heath

• 2 keys and 2 battery isolator switch keys

• Accumate trickle charger

• Alpine radio cassette booklet

• Rolling road printout showing 281bhp

• Engine rebuild prior to current ownership including new camshaft, lifters, crank bearings, seals, O-rings and gaskets throughout

• The car has covered circa 15,000 miles since the engine rebuild took place

• Current MOT with no advisories expires 13 Oct 2025

• V5 present in owner’s name

• HPI clear

Interior

• Navy and cream full leather interior in very good condition with only light patination

• Dark burr walnut dashboard with Leven aluminium touches

• The walnut trim is beginning to age and crack in a number of places

• Patination to the dial screens

• We can see no rips or tears in the seats, with only some typical ‘bunching’ to the seat bases

• Light wear to high-traffic areas such as the door releases, steering wheel and door cards

• The seller notes that the split roof leaks in heavy rain

• Split roof bag present

• In the rear, the boot is clean and tidy

• No reported faults or issues

Exterior

• BMW Avus Blue bodywork with black Mohair roof

• Paintwork in very good condition throughout

• Upgraded HID headlights

• S&D ‘Split targa panel’ upgrade

• The folding rear window looks to be free of damage, but is slightly clouded from UV and ageing

• The offside headlight lens appears a little hazy

• No bodywork repairs to the seller’s knowledge and no paintwork in current ownership, but the front end is believed to have been resprayed during the cars’ lifetime

• Stone chips to the front end and exposed edges

• OZ Vega split-rim wheels with Toyo Proxes T1R tyres

• The wheels would benefit from a refurbishment to bring them back to their best

• Overall, a very smart example of the low-volume 90s sports car

Mechanical

• 5-litre TVR naturally aspirated V8 engine, producing a dyno-measured 281bhp at the flywheel

• Five-speed BorgWarner T5 manual gearbox

• Rear-wheel drive

• The engine bay looks tidy throughout, but would no doubt benefit from a few afternoons’ worth of detailing

• The seller tells us that the oil pressure is around 45psi when moving, dropping to around 30psi on idle, running Mobil 10W-40 oil

• Run on E5 fuel in current ownership

• Factory power steering car

• New fuel hoses fitted in 2023

• Tuscan S spec suspension (Bilstein shocks/Eibach Springs) fitted in 2021

• Steering rack refurbishment and new starter motor in 2019

• New brake pads and discs fitted all-round in June 2018

• Aftermarket sports exhaust

• Upgraded cooling system with Silicone hoses

• Hot start kit fitted

• New engine seals fitted in August 2017

• New powder-coated outriggers fitted in December 2016

• Trickle charger point installed on battery for ease of use

• The seller tells us “it was noted in the last service (October 24) that there was a slight weep from the steering pinion seal and the offside top arm bush was slightly worn, I haven't noticed any pools of steering fluid and the level remains fairly constant in the reservoir, I am not aware of any other leaks and there are no damp spots in the garage”

• Reported to be in excellent mechanical health, starting easily from hot or cold

Summary

TVRs offer one of the rawest driving experiences available on the market - no ABS, no traction control, certainly no stability control. Heck, this one has factory power steering and that in itself is a luxury! For those looking for unbridled fun with a thumping great V8 soundtrack and a car that weighs just a shade over 1 ton, there are few cars better than a Griffith 500.

This example benefits from long-term ownership, during which time it has clearly been well-maintained with all the usual TVR foibles (outriggers, cooling system, hot start issues) addressed, meaning that you (yes, you, the one reading this!) can simply jump in and drive.

To arrange a viewing, click the 'Book Viewing' button located under the 'Place Bid' button. Viewings can be booked up until the day before the auction ends, after which the option will change to 'Contact Seller' for further enquiries. This seller is located in Totnes, Devon.