Discussion
Hi. We are the very lucky owner of a Griffith 200, chassis 23 so a very early one. It was sold brand new to Alaska and was ice raced and street drag raced in period. It stayed in Alaska for over 25 years before being race prepared in Californa and raced at some great circuits. We bought the car in 2001 and have down specced it to FIA spec. Hubby and I race it with the longer distance HSCC, Top Hat races and for the last couple of years the Heritage GT series too but sadly we are out of budget this year to race with them. Not sure how to upload photo's or I would post one of ours. We are also great buddies with the Baileys who own an orange 400 with period race history - Laurence wins the HSCC HRS races almost every time he enters a race!
Price wise I haven't checked recently but a few years back you could get road cars from the States for about the £20-30,000 range, much less if you want a restoration job. Race cars prices are more difficult. A few years ago they ranged from about £50-100k but FIA legality issues have dampened these prices. Mind you, there are very few ever for sale as only 100 or so 200's were made and 100 400's, with only 20 or so being right hand drive.
Price wise I haven't checked recently but a few years back you could get road cars from the States for about the £20-30,000 range, much less if you want a restoration job. Race cars prices are more difficult. A few years ago they ranged from about £50-100k but FIA legality issues have dampened these prices. Mind you, there are very few ever for sale as only 100 or so 200's were made and 100 400's, with only 20 or so being right hand drive.
PS, I forgot to say that we were at Castle Combe also, racing our 1964 Ford Falcon in the Top Hat Saloon race. Sadly we didn't get to see Jamie Boot (maroon car) or Richard Tyzack (silver car) or Tim Fish (yellow car) race. Jamie's is FIA legal, Richard's is rally and Fia legal and Tim's is a modsports car which I think Joe Ward owned.
Strangely the Falcon doesn't actually feel that big when you're in it as it's only as big as a modern mid-sized saloon car. My Alfa 166 seems bigger. However compared to the Griffith (where you're essentially sitting on the rear wheel!) it's worlds apart. The handling of the 2 cars is very different because of the different length of wheel base. The Griff "leans" around corners and doesn't really over steer whereas the Falcon will go sideways at the drop of a hat and power steering is a joy!
If you're at one of our races, do come and say hi. Our race truck sports the Pistonhead flag when we are on circuit to attract like minded individuals!
If you're at one of our races, do come and say hi. Our race truck sports the Pistonhead flag when we are on circuit to attract like minded individuals!
was lucky enough to own JNP616C for two years - one of the few un-race modified 200's in the UK. Unbelievable performance for a 1965 car -( dynoed at 360BHP after carb/head/exhaust fettling) No idea what 0-60 time would have been, let alone what top speed might have been as the ageing Salisbury Diff was a bit fragile for aggressive standing starts and the front end used to become distinctly floaty much above 80. However, based on the figures taken in 1965 for the standard Hi-po of 5.2 secs and 165mph i suppose theoretical figures of sub-5 secs and 180 tops wouldn't be far of the mark which would comfortably blow any E-type/Miura/Daytona or other 60's super-car into the weeds.
Handling was good if a bit twitchy -as is the wont of such a short wheelbase -but as adhesion limits were relatively low -unbelievably so in the wet- a lot of tail-out fun could be had at sensible speeds and the noise from that Shelby 289 engine was unbelievable-even by TVR standards!
I got rid for a Cerb as I wanted the extra seats for the kids but I have very fond memories of 'The Beast' .
I originally picked it up for £22K and I think it went on the forecourt at £24K at the garage I traded it at but I've no idea what became of it subsequently.
If you can get hold of a copy of Roger Shackletons fantastic book 'Griffith- The TVR Griffith Story' there is quite a lot of 200 history& pics.
rob
Handling was good if a bit twitchy -as is the wont of such a short wheelbase -but as adhesion limits were relatively low -unbelievably so in the wet- a lot of tail-out fun could be had at sensible speeds and the noise from that Shelby 289 engine was unbelievable-even by TVR standards!
I got rid for a Cerb as I wanted the extra seats for the kids but I have very fond memories of 'The Beast' .
I originally picked it up for £22K and I think it went on the forecourt at £24K at the garage I traded it at but I've no idea what became of it subsequently.
If you can get hold of a copy of Roger Shackletons fantastic book 'Griffith- The TVR Griffith Story' there is quite a lot of 200 history& pics.
rob
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