1964 TVR Griffith 200

Finished in Radiant Red with a black interior, this particularly rare right-hand drive Griffith Series 200 has been restored to an exceptional standard - no nut, bolt, washer or screw remaining untouched. Originally produced in rolling chassis configuration for the American-market, where it was known as a Griffith 200 after its New York distributor Jack Griffith who offered them as a credible alternative to the legendary AC Cobra, with this example being possibly one of just a handful of right-hand drive examples to be produced.  It's well known that the British Motor Trade in the 1960s was never cash rich and, consequently, low-volume manufacturers were always open to any offer that would assist their cash flow predicament. This Griffith 200 was to aid that process, with this example being verified by the TVR register as having left the factory in kit form, or factory disposal stock as it was known at the time! Initially, as with many Griffiths, the chosen route was motor racing, with various power units being employed in the early years before eventually being fitted with a correct 289ci V8 engine in 1984 by the then-owner, Ian Barnett, with the car deteriorating over time before being purchased by our vendor as a basket case in 2010.

After some 12-months research, an exhaustive rebuild commenced in 2011 seeing fruition some years later. This was no cosmetic makeover, it was a total chassis-up, nut and bolt restoration utilising the original body and chassis rather than cheaper and more financially viable reproductions, sensibly upgraded along the way resulting in what must be one of the finest Griffiths still to exist. The fully rebuilt and balanced 289 engine now has alloy heads, a Holley carburettor, Mallory distributor, stainless steel manifolds and an exhaust system by AAS in Newcastle and enhanced cooling is courtesy of a bespoke alloy radiator by Simon King Fabrications who also supplied the header tank and required pipework.

The attention to detail is outstanding throughout, and your early inspection of this magazine-featured Griffith is highly recommended to fully appreciate what some would call a work of art, suitable for the Best-of-Breed collector or TVR aficionado.