Lot Ended
Description
Appealing Griffith 500 boasting 340bhp; well loved example showing
79,000 miles with documented replacement outriggers
Supplied new by Harrogate Horseless Carriages Ltd in September 1995
this appealing TVR Griffith 500 is finished in a lovely hue of Blue with
matching Blue Mohair soft-top and Targa section and sits on its original seven
spoke 16” inch alloy wheels.
Under the handsome
front we find the front-mid mounted 5.0 litre V8 engine which was reputed to
develop a whopping 340bhp when new and 475NM of torque driving the rear wheels
(with no driver aids) via five-speed Tremec manual transmission. Performance on offer was and remains
brisk, with the dash to sixty recorded at just 4.1 seconds and top speed of
169mph if you have the minerals and desire.
Inside, we find grey leather interior with black carpets, wood
veneer dash, electric windows, original Clarion radio/Cassette player and the
typical array of non-marked TVR switchgear so some guess-work is needed at first
to fathom which button does what which all adds to the quirky appeal.
The
Mohair soft top offers 3 styles, fully up, Targa removed for semi-open topped
motoring or fully lowered for the full convertible experience. This car also comes with the optional
(!) spare wheel in the boot.
Showing 79,215
miles the car presents well with a few marks as pictured to the exterior
commensurate with its age/miles but looks well, starting and running as it
should with that famous TVR V8 noise and presence.
The history file includes the V5C showing just three former keepers
to our vendor who has enjoyed the Griffith since July 2015, the owner’s manual
and service section revealing 13 stamps inc. PDI, sales information for when the
vendor bought the car from us back in 2015 (the former keeper was a Lady who
owned the car 15 years, selling it to our vendor with 76,500 miles on the clock)
and file of invoices for parts and maintenance.
Bills on file are pentiful for parts and routine maintenance dating
back to 1995 and include the most recent service in January 2023 at 79,046 miles
which cost £1,746 and included new clutch and brake fluid, a top ball joint and
fitment of a new dash veneer with LEDs, new hi-torq starter motor, thermostat,
water pump and valley gasket in 2016, new alternator and radiator in
2017.
Other bills of note include a £2,028
spend in 2013 at 76,121 miles on replacement chassis out riggers, out rigger kit
and waxoyl of the chassis by BHP of Lancashire.
We also note some 22 old Mots on file in addition to the current,
valid until June 2024 which recorded three minor advisories (NSF tyre wear, PAS
fluid leak and corroded coil spring).
Bidders
please note the car was recorded Cat-D in 1997 when just two years old (the
damage we gather was limited to the nose cone and OS rear quarter as attested to
including post repair test and Certificate of Inspection by Autolign testing in
June 1998 on file.
Ready to be enjoyed, this
looks like a good example with huge history file and lower ownership with that
big, thumping 5.0 V8 up front, a manual box and a proper noise. Who doesn’t love
a Griffith 500.
For more information contact - will.daniels@brightwells.com