Description
The TVR Griffith 400, introduced in 1964 as a successor to the Griffith 200, was a high-performance sports car that took the original model’s aggressive design and performance even further. Built to meet the demand for more speed and refinement, the Griffith 400 kept the essential formula of a lightweight, fiberglass-bodied sports car powered by an American V8 but offered increased power and improved handling.
The Griffith 400 was powered by a 4.7-liter Ford Windsor V8 engine, producing between 271 and 300 horsepower, depending on tuning. In a car weighing roughly 1,900 pounds (860 kg), this engine allowed the Griffith 400 to achieve impressive acceleration and top speeds of over 150 mph (241 km/h). The increased horsepower, combined with the lightweight construction, provided a thrilling 0-60 mph time of just over 4 seconds, rivaling some of the most powerful sports cars of its era.
To handle the increased power, the Griffith 400 featured an upgraded chassis and suspension system. It retained the independent front and rear suspension but included improved components for better stability and cornering. Despite these improvements, the car still had a reputation for being challenging to handle, with its short wheelbase and immense power requiring an experienced hand at the wheel.
The styling of the Griffith 400 maintained the compact, aggressive look of its predecessor but featured minor refinements. It had muscular lines, flared wheel arches, and a slightly longer hood to accommodate the larger engine. The interior was simple and driver-focused, with basic instrumentation and minimal comforts, in keeping with the car’s focus on performance.
The Griffith 400 was produced in limited numbers, and its mix of British design and American muscle has made it a highly sought-after collector’s item. Its legacy as one of the rawest and most powerful British sports cars of the 1960s endures, embodying TVR’s philosophy of lightweight construction combined with potent, no-nonsense performance.