Description
H&H Classic Auction @ The Imperial War Museum, Duxford/ Cambridgeshire
9th October, 2024 13:00
1992 TVR Griffith 4. 3
Current ownership since 1998
Estimate
£18, 000 - £22, 000
Registration No: J907 XAJ
Chassis No: SDLDGN3P6NB011777
MOT: May 2025
Current ownership since 1998 and just three former keepers
Just 49, 300 recorded miles
Supplied with a history file including the combined book pack with stamped service book
Benefitted from significant expenditure in current ownership with marque specialists including pre-emptively replacing the outriggers
For many, the cream of the TVR crop was the no-nonsense Griffith, manufactured from 1991 to 2002. Borrowing elements from its Tuscan racer and V8S siblings once finalised, the new model's polyester-coated tubular spaceframe featured all round independent coil-over wishbone suspension and four-wheel disc brakes. It was propelled by derivatives of the ubiquitous Rover V8 engine ranging in size from 4. 0 to 5. 0-litres, mated to a five-speed Rover or Tremec manual gearbox. Suspension was independent all round by double wishbones and coil springs. Braking was by 10-inch ventilated discs at each corner. Upon test, Autocar discovered that the Griffith 4. 3 was "faster than a Porsche 911 Turbo and Ferrari Testarossa up to 120mph". Recording 0-60mph in 4. 7 seconds and 0-100mph in 11. 1 seconds, the magazine also praised the TVR's ergonomics adding that it was comfortable "even for the tallest (6ft4in) of our testers".
Supplied new by TVR main agents Hillside Motors of Surrey on the 19th of March 1992 and finished in Mica Blue with Flint hide upholstery and a Black roof, the Griffith offered is powered by the arguably most usable Griffith engine option, the 4. 3-litre. Also understood to be one of the rare and highly desirable big-valve examples, the vendor describes a thrilling power surge at 4, 500rpm. In the vendor's ownership since 1998, the Griffith has had three former keepers and is now offered having 49, 300 recorded miles. Used regularly throughout the vendor’s custodianship, including several trips to Le Mans, the TVR has been well maintained through this time. Pleasingly still boasting its original paintwork, chassis ‘11777’ is rated by the vendor as ‘very good to excellent’ regarding bodywork, electrical equipment, and interior trim, ‘excellent’ in engine and gearbox, and ‘good to very good’ regarding paintwork.
Notable recent works while residing with the vendor have included a new hood in 2015 (c.£700); pre-emptively fitting new chassis outriggers as well as new fuel lines and battery relocation in 2018 (c.£3, 200); new master cylinder, ball joints, an exhaust manifold gasket in 2020 (c.£2, 500); new shock absorbers, bushes, and springs in 2021 (c.£1, 800); new alternator and exhaust inner wing heat shields in 2023 (c.£1, 500) with the improvements completed by TVR and classic car specialists. The accompanying history file includes the (rare to see) original combined owner’s handbook and service book in the TVR wallet, with the service book containing twelve stamps. Also included is a large collection of MOTs and invoices for improvements and servicing, as well as in-depth guide ‘The TVR Griffith and Chimaera’ by Steve Heath.
PLEASE NOTE: The registration number showing in the images is not included in the sale, with the correct registration being the original 'J907 XAJ'.
