When TVR launched the Griffith in 1991, it offered a combination of grace and pace that was hard to match for the price.
Its glassfibre body, separate steel chassis and a lack of electronic aids meant that it was lighter than most of the competition and a lot faster.
It was also lots of fun (read potentially lethal) thanks to traction control that amounted to a long-travel throttle.
Sadly, the Griffith also had an (arguably justifiable) reputation for poor build quality, with cars suffering various gremlins in the hands of the press.
But, if open-top fun with a wonderful V8 bassline is your thing, then the Griffith is the car.
At £14,995, this early example (above) could be in your garage for less than the price of a new VW Golf. It comes as the ‘low-powered’ model (with a mere 240bhp) and the early generation wheels, but also the shape and big twin exhausts that confirm the car means business.
Spend just £1000 more and you could net yourself a 430 (below), with a 4280cc V8, an extra 40bhp and the reassurance of a 12-month warranty.
As with all TVRs, a comprehensive investigation is a must, especially on an earlier model, the biggest problem being chassis corrosion. A new frame will cost upwards of £6000 and, with powder coating being the only factory-fitted protection, it’s a very real danger.
