Resurrected TVR Has a New Car, a Lineup of Buyers and an Old Model Name
It’s exciting times for the independent British automaker. TVR, which reappeared on the automotive scene in 2013 after an absence of seven years, plans to unveil a production sports car in September.
Apparently, many TVR aficionados were itching for an opportunity to get their hands on a boutique vehicle from the low-volume automaker, money in hand. When the company showcased a prototype at a private event, hundreds ponied up deposits for a vehicle that might appear bearing a familiar name.
The recently trademarked Griffith name, if used on the new model, would see a storied nameplate return to the streets. TVR built the Griffith in two generations, starting with the 200 and 400 models in the 1960s and a model that began production in 1991. The second-generation Griffith carried a massaged Rover V8 and disappeared in 2002.
According to Autocar, the Griffith name is at the top of TVR’s list of choices for the looming car. Two other familiar names have also been trademarked — Tuscan and Grantura, the latter of which was in production from 1958 to 1967.
Road and Track claims that since the March event, TVR has collected over 400 orders for the vehicle. Buyers already know what to expect. In 2015, details were released of the vehicle’s layout and content, assuring fans the company hadn’t strayed from its roots. That means a lightweight, rear-wheel-drive two-seater with a manual transmission and a V8 engine up front. Motoring purity, to say the least.
The engine is expected to be a Ford Coyote 5.0-liter V8 with modifications from Cosworth.
More by Steph Willems
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I've always wanted a TVR Cerbera. What a beautiful car. So much unobtainium. The one Edd China built on Wheeler Dealers is for sale right now for £23,000.
Just by happenstance, last year both the Eyes On Design show near Detroit and the Mad Dogs & Englishmen show at the Gilmore Museum had TVR as featured marque. I took lots of pictures and I'd do a post about the brand but most folks don't know about TVR and the amount of traffic from the post wouldn't be worth the effort.