The TVR Griffith was introduced in 1990 as a return to simple, high-performance sports cars for the British manufacturer TVR. By 1992, the Griffith had established itself as one of the most dramatic and powerful roadsters available from any small-volume car maker.

TVR in the late 1980s was known for wedge-shaped cars like the Tasmin and 350i, which were competent but lacked the emotional appeal of earlier TVRs. Company owner Peter Wheeler wanted a car that revived the raw, muscular spirit of classic British roadsters, with minimal weight, huge power, and no electronic driving aids.

The Griffith was styled by Wheeler himself, inspired by 1960s sports cars such as the original TVR Griffith and the AC Cobra. It featured a compact fiberglass body, long hood, short rear deck, and wide stance. The design emphasised aggression and simplicity rather than luxury or refinement.

By 1992, the Griffith was offered primarily with Rover-derived V8 engines. The Griffith 4.0 used a 4.0-litre V8 producing around 240 horsepower, while the Griffith 4.3 offered approximately 280 horsepower. These engines were tuned by TVR and paired with a five-speed manual gearbox driving the rear wheels.

The car used a tubular steel backbone chassis with fiberglass body panels. Suspension was fully independent, and braking was handled by large disc brakes. There were no traction control systems, airbags, ABS, or power steering on early models, reinforcing the car’s reputation as demanding but thrilling to drive.

Performance was exceptional for the era. A 1992 Griffith 4.3 could accelerate from 0–60 mph in around 4.5 seconds, making it quicker than many Ferraris and Porsches of the time, at a significantly lower price.

Inside, the cabin was hand-built and highly individualised, with leather upholstery, distinctive instrument layouts, and variable build quality typical of TVR. Comfort and ergonomics were secondary to character and performance.

The 1992 TVR Griffith played a key role in revitalising TVR’s image. It helped establish the brand’s 1990s identity: lightweight cars with enormous engines, bold styling, and an uncompromising driving experience. The Griffith remained in production throughout the 1990s, eventually evolving into larger-engined and more refined versions before being replaced by the TVR Chimaera as the company’s volume model.