1999 TVR GRIFFITH 500

This TVR Griffith 500 is a smart example of one of the most characterful British sports cars, which boasts fastidious maintenance history and low mileage. It is powered by the 5.0-litre naturally aspirated V8 that produces around 340bhp, driving the rear wheels via a five-speed manual transmission. The odometer shows just 38,250 miles from new, which is fully supported by its history.

First registered in February 1999, this UK market car was supplied by the TVR Centre in Barnet. It has evidently been well cared-for throughout its life, with the service record packed with the names of TVR dealers and recognised marque specialists. The seller has owned and enjoyed the car over the last two-and-a-half years, covering around 3,000 miles.

The bodywork, in icy Crystal Verde metallic, is presented in very good order, with no panel damage. Consistent with the car’s age, there is some slight paint cracking around mirrors and door handles, but the former have benefited from PPF protection. There is also a slight scratch beneath the passenger door press. 

The front end was resprayed in January 2020 to rectify light micro-blistering, so there are no stone chips around the nose. It rides on the original seven-spoke 15-inch alloy wheels, which have just a few minor scuffs. Overall, the car is in excellent condition for its age.

In the cabin, the green leather upholstery is in generally very good order, with a light scratch on the passenger seat and some other minor wear. The seller also believes that the seats have probably been re-connolised at some point to keep them looking sharp. Its interior has been enhanced with some aftermarket aluminium trim components from Leven Technology, including the dashboard panel, indicator stalks, and the gear stick.

Under the floor mats in the footwell, there is a slight stain, but this is not visible with the mats down. This may have been due to a previous leak, but a TVR specialist checked for water ingress in late 2018 and found no issues. The seller notes some rust present on the driver’s side seat runner, which would benefit from replacement, and that the roof section near the passenger-side window could use some minor stitching repairs.

Mechanically, this Griffith is in great shape, having been looked after over the years almost exclusively by passionate marque specialists. Its most recent scheduled maintenance was in January 2020 at 38,000 miles at Python Racing in Essex, consisting of an engine oil and filter service and a brake service.

Prior to this, it was seen by the same TVR specialist in December 2018 at 37,605 miles, when the air filter and heater valve were replaced, the brakes were serviced, and an LED indicator in the dashboard was replaced, alongside the standard oil and filter change. During the seller’s ownership, it has also received a new starter motor, battery, and adjustable GAZ shock absorbers, as well as improvements to the wiring loom, a new steering rack gaiter, oil pressure sender, and replacement clamps for some of the hoses. A full summary of the service history is included below.

Its last MOT test was on 31 December 2019 at 38,091 miles, when it achieved a clean pass with no advisories whatsoever. The tyres were replaced upon the seller’s purchase of the car in late 2017, so have only covered around 3,000 miles and remain in very good condition.

Accompanying the car is the original handbook and the stamped service record - as shown in the photo gallery - plus a raft of paperwork covering maintenance and other work carried out on the car, including the most recent front end respray.

This TVR Griffith 500 is a wonderful modern classic that is in genuinely superb condition throughout, with the seller having inspected a lot of examples before plumping for this car. While there are a few minor cosmetic jobs that the next owner can attend to in due course, this is a very well-presented and mechanically sorted sports car that is ready to enjoy immediately.

Summary of service history:

• 5 Feb 1999 - 18 miles (Pre-delivery, TVR Barnet)
• 22 Mar 1999 - 1,061 miles (TVR Barnet)
• 5 May 2000 - 5,765 miles (TVR Barnet)
• 1 Jun 2011 - 9,523 miles (Hillfoot TVR)
• 21 May 2002 - 10,673 miles (Harrogate Horseless Carriages)
• 25 Aug 2004 - 16,521 miles (TVR MADS)
• 26 Jul 2005 - 16,790 miles (TVR MADS)
• 15 Apr 2006 - 17,590 miles (Vauxhall Garage)
• 22 Mar 2007 - 18,209 miles (TVR MADS)
• 9 Apr 2008 - 20,877 miles (TVR Dreadnought)
• 6 Nov 2009 - 21,610 miles (Tony Gilbert Cars)
• 13 Oct 2010 - 23,438 miles (TrackvRoad)
• 9 May 2011 - 24,397 miles (Kerridges)
• 15 Jun 2012 - 28,662 miles (Kerridges)
• 1 May 2013 - 29,806 miles (Kerridges)
• 12 Nov 2014 - 30,307 miles (Kerridges)
• 5 Nov 2015 - 32,209 miles (Kerridges)
• 29 Dec 2016 - 33,028 miles (Kerridges)
• 15 Dec 2017 - 35,440 miles (Kerridges)
• 8 Dec 2018 - 37,605 miles (Python Racing)
• 31 Jan 2020 - 38,000 miles (Python Racing)

All cars and motorbikes on Collecting Cars are run through an online HPI check. This vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and has no finance owing.