TVR Griffith 200
Encyclopedia
The TVR Griffith 200 was a lightweight fibreglass-body sports car
. In the United States
, the make was Griffith and the model was Griffith Series 200, whilst the United Kingdom
the make was TVR
and the model was Griffith 200.
who had both driven a TVR Grantura
at Sebring International Raceway in 1962. The concept for the Griffith Series 200 originated during a dinner with Carroll Shelby
, where Griffith declared he could build a car that could outperform an AC Cobra
.
Griffith first attempt was to put the Ford V8 engine from Mark Donohue
's AC Cobra into a TVR Grantua. While this did not work, the idea prompted further conversations. Griffith wanted TVR to supply him with modified TVR Grantura
chassis
, without an engine
or transmission
, and TVR complied with his request.
In an effort to get the engine and gearbox to fit, some chassis triangulation was removed compared to that of the Grantura Mk 3, and various parts of the chassis were simply hammer
ed until the drivetrain
fitted. The brake
s were not upgraded either, although slightly wider 185 section tyre
s were added.
was very good, taking just 3.9 seconds, and the car had a 150 mi/h top speed, ranking it as a factory hot rod
.
The immense power
, short wheelbase
, and light weight of the cars allegedly made them difficult to handle. Despite its performance, just 192 Griffith 200s were made in the US, before it was superseded by the TVR Griffith 400
(Griffith Series 400).
. This was the first true use of the name "TVR Griffith".
Sports car
A sports car is a small, usually two seat, two door automobile designed for high speed driving and maneuverability....
. In the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, the make was Griffith and the model was Griffith Series 200, whilst the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
the make was TVR
TVR
thumb|right|240px|TVR No.2, the oldest surviving TVR, located at [[Lakeland Motor Museum, Newby Bridge, Cumbria]]TVR was an independent British manufacturer of sports cars. Until 2006 it was based in the English seaside town of Blackpool, Lancashire, but has since split up into several smaller...
and the model was Griffith 200.
Origin
Jack Griffith came up with the idea for the car in 1964, and secured rights to market the cars in the US. Griffith ran a car repair workshop in the US for patrons such as Gerry Sagerman and Mark DonohueMark Donohue
Mark Neary Donohue, Jr. , nicknamed "Captain Nice", was an American racecar driver known for his ability to set up his own race car as well as driving it to victories. Donohue is probably best known as the driver of the 1500+ bhp “Can-Am Killer” Porsche 917-30 and as the winner of the 1972...
who had both driven a TVR Grantura
TVR Grantura
The first of the Granturas used a fibreglass body moulded to a tubular steel backbone chassis and VW Beetle-based front and rear suspension. The car was designed around a 1,098 cc Coventry Climax type FWA engine but many different makes were fitted from 1,172 cc Ford side valve to...
at Sebring International Raceway in 1962. The concept for the Griffith Series 200 originated during a dinner with Carroll Shelby
Carroll Shelby
Carroll Hall Shelby is an American retired automotive designer and racing driver. He is most well known for making Mustangs for Ford Motor Company known as Mustang Cobras which he has done since 1965...
, where Griffith declared he could build a car that could outperform an AC Cobra
AC Cobra
The AC Cobra, also known colloquially as the Shelby Cobra in North America, is an Anglo-American sports car that was produced during the 1960s.-History and development:...
.
Griffith first attempt was to put the Ford V8 engine from Mark Donohue
Mark Donohue
Mark Neary Donohue, Jr. , nicknamed "Captain Nice", was an American racecar driver known for his ability to set up his own race car as well as driving it to victories. Donohue is probably best known as the driver of the 1500+ bhp “Can-Am Killer” Porsche 917-30 and as the winner of the 1972...
's AC Cobra into a TVR Grantua. While this did not work, the idea prompted further conversations. Griffith wanted TVR to supply him with modified TVR Grantura
TVR Grantura
The first of the Granturas used a fibreglass body moulded to a tubular steel backbone chassis and VW Beetle-based front and rear suspension. The car was designed around a 1,098 cc Coventry Climax type FWA engine but many different makes were fitted from 1,172 cc Ford side valve to...
chassis
Chassis
A chassis consists of an internal framework that supports a man-made object. It is analogous to an animal's skeleton. An example of a chassis is the underpart of a motor vehicle, consisting of the frame with the wheels and machinery.- Vehicles :In the case of vehicles, the term chassis means the...
, without an engine
Engine
An engine or motor is a machine designed to convert energy into useful mechanical motion. Heat engines, including internal combustion engines and external combustion engines burn a fuel to create heat which is then used to create motion...
or transmission
Transmission (mechanics)
A machine consists of a power source and a power transmission system, which provides controlled application of the power. Merriam-Webster defines transmission as: an assembly of parts including the speed-changing gears and the propeller shaft by which the power is transmitted from an engine to a...
, and TVR complied with his request.
In an effort to get the engine and gearbox to fit, some chassis triangulation was removed compared to that of the Grantura Mk 3, and various parts of the chassis were simply hammer
Hammer
A hammer is a tool meant to deliver an impact to an object. The most common uses are for driving nails, fitting parts, forging metal and breaking up objects. Hammers are often designed for a specific purpose, and vary widely in their shape and structure. The usual features are a handle and a head,...
ed until the drivetrain
Powertrain
In a motor vehicle, the term powertrain or powerplant refers to the group of components that generate power and deliver it to the road surface, water, or air. This includes the engine, transmission, drive shafts, differentials, and the final drive...
fitted. The brake
Brake
A brake is a mechanical device which inhibits motion. Its opposite component is a clutch. The rest of this article is dedicated to various types of vehicular brakes....
s were not upgraded either, although slightly wider 185 section tyre
Tyre
Tyre is a city in the South Governorate of Lebanon. There were approximately 117,000 inhabitants in 2003, however, the government of Lebanon has released only rough estimates of population numbers since 1932, so an accurate statistical accounting is not possible...
s were added.
Production
The Griffith Series 200 could either be fitted with a 195 hp motor, or a high-powered 289 cubic inches (4.7 l) that put out 271 hp. Performance over 0 to 60 mph0 to 60 mph
The time it takes to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph is a commonly used performance measure for automotive acceleration in the United States and the United Kingdom. In the rest of the world 0 to 100 km/h is used...
was very good, taking just 3.9 seconds, and the car had a 150 mi/h top speed, ranking it as a factory hot rod
Hot rod
Hot rods are typically American cars with large engines modified for linear speed. The origin of the term "hot rod" is unclear. One explanation is that the term is a contraction of "hot roadster," meaning a roadster that was modified for speed. Another possible origin includes modifications to or...
.
The immense power
Motive power
In thermodynamics, motive power is an agency, as water or steam, used to impart motion. Generally, motive power is defined as a natural agent, as water, steam, wind, electricity, etc., used to impart motion to machinery; a motor; a mover. The term may also define something, as a locomotive or a...
, short wheelbase
Wheelbase
In both road and rail vehicles, the wheelbase is the distance between the centers of the front and rear wheels.- Road :In automobiles, the wheelbase is the horizontal distance between the center of the front wheel and the center of the rear wheel...
, and light weight of the cars allegedly made them difficult to handle. Despite its performance, just 192 Griffith 200s were made in the US, before it was superseded by the TVR Griffith 400
TVR Griffith 400
The TVR Griffith Series 400 is a 2 door coupe sports car produced by Griffith Automobile Corporation between 1964 and 1967. It is the successor to the TVR Griffith 200, featuring improved cooling via a larger radiator with twin electric fans, and a redesigned rear with better visibility and...
(Griffith Series 400).
Legacy
The Griffith Series 200 was followed by the Griffith Series 400 and the Griffith Series 600 before the company ceased operations. In the early 1990s TVR paid homage to the original Griffith by introducing the TVR GriffithTVR Griffith
The TVR Griffith, later models being referred to as the Griffith 500, was a sports car designed and built by TVR starting in 1991 and ending in 2002....
. This was the first true use of the name "TVR Griffith".
External links
- First ever authorized biography of Andrew "Jack" Griffith as told by Jack Griffith to Matt Boyd
- Hemming Muscle Machines, May 2011 bio on Jack Griffith "Hot Rod Hero" by Dan Strohl and David LaChance
- Griffith Series 200 model by Automodello in 1/43 scale
- Complete history of the Griffith
- Another Griffith 200 page