TVR Griffith 200 - COBRAs for breakfast! Yes,,,we go for a ride!

Dan Curtis brought his TVR Griffith 200 over, we went for a ride.

[@marcstecker746]

I remember hearing about this 289V8 TVR Griffith. I also remember hearing at the time, this was the fastest production car in the world. Thank you for refreshing the long ago school boy memory for this old timer.

[@anonjag]

Back then, I was on a NY expressway in my TR4 doing 70mph and saw a TVR entering the expressway fast ahead on a tight loop entrance road, as i approached the TVR accelerated out at an incredible velocity, I had heard of Griffith before, I knew now i had just met one. And it was gone, Blackpool bastard!.

[@davescheer5038]

I took one out on a test drive in the shop I was working at , it ran like a scared cat , watching this video reminded me of that day it never left my mind , yes people that car is that good ! 👍🏼

[@spore5056]

I wanted one of these little monsters from the first day I saw one in a local dealer showroom. Unfortunately, I was still in my teenage penniless doldrums at that time. On the other hand, I probably would have put it into a concrete overpass pier at mach speed in short order, so possibly, it was a good thing that my dream went unfulfilled.

[@bcarss1970]

My dad worked co-op for Ford in 64 and got a 64 200. He sold it when he got married. He has told me so much about this car and the fun and "interesting" times he had with it. I wish I had the money to buy one for him now.

[@_Bryant.R]

It's not that big of a secret that a small, lightweight, V8 powered rear drive car is a lot of fun. Yet there seems to be very few of them. Thanks for showing me one I've never seen, love your channel!

[@shawncweed]

Your car is gorgeous...I have looked at these cars for decades and it was nice to see one on the road and driving around...thanks...

[@onazram1]

I remember the little plaque on the B pillar that said "do not open window in excess of 120mph"

[@jeffryblackmon4846]

That is a nice looking, great performing vehicle. Thanks for the ride.

[@allanpolk2681]

Back in the mid 1960's, there was a guy that used to show up in my home town in Florida on the weekends, that had a white version of this same car. He would always create quite a stir when he would cruise through the local car-hop drive-in where all the car guys would hang out. Once the local hot rodders and street racers got a look under the hood, and saw the ridiculously small body wrapped around that that 289 Ford, they were hard press to take up the challenge for a drag race. I remember how great it sounded and acknowledged so, even though I was a pure Chevy guy.

[@paulhunter123]

TVR looks like a real sports car that can go round a bend..... so no not an american car - cobra is also a british car as is a gt40

[@stefniedzielski1281]

Although the sidepipes may not do the car justice in the looks department it will help dissipate the heat better in the cockpit as the exhaust is running on the outside of cockpit and not underneath. These cars are notorious for sweltering cockpits believe me i know as i have the pleasure myself of owning one of these little rascals.

[@HeyRadialMoon]

Wow! What a screamer! Awesome video Chuck!

[@Pedroisanickname]

Great perspective of the cars incredible torque/power at the 4m30s mark.

[@NickNakorn]

I remember these when they were new and have always thought they were a really good idea!

[@tvrduude]

Great little slice to educate more folks... :) Only thing I would correct is the weight.. The "1450" weight is an incorrect amount that appears to have been started when someone weighed one MINUS the engine/trans.. I.E. the weight when they arrived from England. I owned an early Griffith and now a Tuscan. (and 5 other TVR's) Thanx for the feature!

[@RamblinAround]

Great video Chuck...those Griffiths definitely are quick little cars. I had the pleasure of looking at the first one ever built. It was being restored by my friend's shop, Manns Restoration in Festus, MO. Thanks for giving us a look at one in action!

[@allwinds3786]

My neighbor in South surburban Chicago had a TVR in the mid '70's great looking car.

[@califdad4]

I was a kid in 65 but I had my brothers Road and Track and there was a article on this car and about Jack Griffith the Ford dealer, never saw too many on the west coast

[@adriantyler6911]

I believe the original prototype body for this car was made from two 'Microplas Mistral' bonnets, one for the front and another turned round for the rear. Clever and cheap!

[@ericd7532]

Old video but.....my dad imported a custom order tvr to the USA in 1972, it was a old body style on a new chassis? It had a monster V8 and there are some crazy stories about how fast that car was. He sold the car because my mom couldn't drive it. Wish I knew where that car is today.

[@Rickugg]

Hello: Chuck to you comment of 80 years ago, you have a great sense of humor. I liked that you made me lol lol, This car is awesome, it looks great. I would guess might have 305 Horse Power. I know the 66 Hertz Shelby 289 had 305 HP that's what my friend said his is. It's cammed up. Thanks Sir. Have a Great Day

[@unclebob6728]

Sweet ride!

[@eskatee]

Yep, these small brands from England, a Pleasure!

[@loripearce3942]

Had a V8 Tuscan 1967 hard to keep it straight as the wheelbase was so short. Could get the front wheels off the ground from a standstill 0-60 3.8 seconds

[@gairnmclennan5876]

The later model tvr V8 Chimaera sure are a lot of fun on a mountain pass road. They stuck true to the formula hi volume exhaust note, and low weight, add the alloy V8 and some good tyres. we are off!! The tvr Tuscan challenge race cars in 1989 had as much as 560 HP from the same Rover alloy block V8. Very rewarding to drive!!

[@christopherbarlow9240]

That my friends is a beautiful car - truly floats like a butterfly and stings like a bee!

[@karljay7473]

Never heard of these before, that's really awesome. The 289 cobra listed at 2355, this one lists at 2006. That has to be a hellva ride. A 289 in a 2000 lb car would have given the Cobra a real run. I wonder why they didn't make more of these. I like the look, but the Cobra body lines are better. Sunbeam Tiger was in that same range too. Makes the 55 TBird look heavy as it gets towards 3000. Wonder why others weren't made lighter.

[@dielauwen]

1st gear was useless nothing but wheel spin, Jaguar Dana Diff with lsd. A pasenger could not touch the dash when accelerating.I suggested a longer duration cam with more overlap to lessen the low speed torque and increase top speed. The one I rode in had seen many races, smoked like a chimney spitting oil out the exhaust and had holes worn in the top of the fenders from spitting up rocks and gravel. He said it was his father Jack's Car. Shook real good and rode like a haywagon.Loud because no mufflers could fit under the car.Muffler pipe chassis 16 gauge mild steel. I was a hitchhiker on on Long Island. Cops could not catch it. No plates, no papers, no serial number.FUN.

[@tvrduude]

sorry, the avg. weight for Griffs is about 1950-2100 pounds.. STILL very light for a 289!

[@RideswithChuck]

Glad to be of service.

[@ronaldeaton9898]

HEY,that's Forest Gump!

[@georgec2126]

That doesn't accelerate-it CHARGES!👌

[@John101850]

wicked! I've never heard of those...gotta Google them.

[@robinoconnor1203]

TVR with the V8 are nice cars, they handle pretty well, quality was always an issue with TVR, hate the sidepipes.

[@roseymalino9855]

My friend had one; almost could have been that one. Red, Minilites, no side pipes, motorcycle mufflers. He was disappointed in the speed performance even after performance upgrades. He swapped a Boss 302 engine into it.

[@DampRabbitVideo]

So very funky.

[@alancollard8252]

it could be a nice car except for the cage ,outsiders,and the bloody air filter sticking thought the hood,there are a few genuine cars about i have a 400 show room stock from the outside but a warmed up 289 , most of these cars came with a short final drive mine hits the rev limiter @7k at 125, but hell is a real fun car

[@RideswithChuck]

I'm glad to be of service.

[@pauldeverill926]

British body and American engine has always been a good combination - TVR, AC Cobra, GT40, Jensen Interceptor and, er, Tesla to name a few.

[@shawncweed]

The Jensen is a badass car too...4 wheel drive too if I remember right...and the 440 V8!

[@evolution4358]

The French Facel Vega was the same idea!

[@1183newman]

British Chassis and American Engine is best setup. Some of my favourites are. TVR Griffith, AC Cobra, Jensen CV8, Bristol Blenheim, AC Frua, Bristol 410, Jensen Interceptor, Marcos TSO,

[@tollyt7465]

@@shawncweed There was a 4 wheel drive Jensen, the ff.. It was the first production 4 wheel drive car in the world, but few were made.. Most Jensens were RWD..

[@Hydruss443]

The new TVR coming next year will also have a British chassis with a heavily tuned Mustang engine. It's also named after the car in this video.

[@mikeh.753]

If a 289 fits than a 302 will just as easy with the right oil pan and a remote oil filter I'm sure. 1400 lbs. And a high revving Ford small block with modern tires might still be competitive in her class.

[@erinrye]

I was playing in my band at UConn- our buddy Joe Dude came to our gig in his Griffith. He left saying he was in a hurry. We got on I 84 and approached the first toll booth. We see people picking up money all over the toll station. We asked the toll taker what happened. He said some crazy bastard in a little blue sports car went through the booth at about 150 mph and sucked the money out of the tills! True story I doubt the speed however.

[@golfo0011]

The TRV is a BEAST, but not easy to drive!

[@RideswithChuck]

Oh man did that hurt! lol

[@corvette724]

Hi Chuck, the chromed Shifter Cover (interieur) is still waiting to be delivered to the owner. I think its the same like at the MG A and i wont to make it as present to the Griffith owner. Axel

[@pacerodi]

The wind is blowing! Shall I say, its singing!

[@Loulovesspeed]

Minor point Chuck, but what the heck. It isn't a Ford Cobra in name, it is a Shelby Cobra, powered by Ford. Ford didn't produce the car, they simply provided engine and trans along with some assistance to Shelby American. I always loved the TVRs, particularly the Griffith.

[@RideswithChuck]

It's been years since I looked at this video. Did I refer to the Cobra as a Ford Cobra? If I did I have made plenty more mistakes since then. Thanks for watching.

[@Loulovesspeed]

@@RideswithChuck - No big deal Chuck and I've seen many people refer to it as a Ford Cobra. We all make mistakes, that's one of the things that makes us human! A high school classmate's Dad bought a Sunbeam Tiger II with the 289. He had headers, a larger carb and manifold and could yank the front end a couple inches or so off the ground in a hard start. His Dad had a lot of fun dispatching those unaware of the beast that lay within! Take care.

[@lisaarmstrong5461]

This cars body was only attached to the frame via strips of fiberglass. Fact quote from Hemmings Muscle Machines issue #114 February 2014 would have to be a kick in the pants to drive but sounds incredibly dangerous in a crash. I'd still love to own one.

[@geo.maurice]

Love the Griffith. But, they got sideways just thinking about the right foot. =!8^) Wasn't the original engine 200 HP? And that's where the "200" came from? Then the Hi-Po V8 became available.. If I recall correctly, the rear axle was a custom off-set MGB rear axle.

[@BuzzLOLOL]

. I heard back in the day they had a sophisticated DeDion rear end setup... don't remember if I ever looked underneath to verify... saw one sitting at a dealer here in Toledo, Ohio in mid 1960's... I was told back then an inept mechanic didn't know how to get the rear end setup apart, so he cut the DeDion tube... I think they got the Ford 260W V8 originally and I think that's what was in the one I looked at... later TVR used the much lighter Buick/Rover all aluminum V8 and a V6...

[@salvandorum]

The chap asking the questions has a memory deficency.

[@RideswithChuck]

You lucky dog you!

[@RideswithChuck]

You're welcome!

[@zzzdogutube]

Chuck Thanks! was that your younger brother in the video? Ron

[@keithleeuwen877]

Great !

[@TresLinguas]

Ford those who geek out on tidbits of info, and who may not know, while these are commonly referred to as a TVR Griffith 200 or 400, with most people thinking the make is TVR and the model is Griffith, the actual name is just Griffith 200 or Griffith 400.....the make being Griffith and the model being 200 or 400.

[@pauldeverill926]

They were TVR Griffiths back in Britain.

[@ooohhenrybmblm]

Something about the original Griff makes it cooler than the AC Cobra...

[@RideswithChuck]

It might be a bit more dangerous too.

[@johncahill3018]

Almost the same performance as the AWD Tesla Model 3 (which is a hair quicker). I've always admired these Griffiths but can't afford one. I can afford a Model 3 though (!)

[@WilliamBHickock-kj4yy]

Is the emergency brake on?

[@RideswithChuck]

I don't think so.

[@petyrkowalski9887]

Its a young Tom Hanks

[@ronaldharris6569]

More proof Shelby had the right ideaa.

[@dirkbonesteel]

It's like a Sunbeam Tiger from 66/67. Another English sports car Carl Shelby got a Ford V8 into. Fast as hell roughly the same size but built stronger, also a convertible

[@ShortBusScotty]

If I remember correctly, the driver sat side ways because the hump down the middle is so large.

[@andrewpreston4127]

Who on earth refers to a Cobra as a 'Ford' Cobra ? It's an AC Cobra, and always will be. Just the same as a TVR Griffith is always a TVR.

[@barbarafalconer9643]

I have restored at least 6 series 200s and 2 series 400s and this is by far the worst hack job I have ever seen.

[@mescko]

Whatever, the air cleaner and side pipes are what a Yank would do when hotrodding a car, so feel free to buy it and take it home and take all that stuff back off. Until then, piss off ya pillock!

[@evolution4358]

Are these steel bodied? No smart ass responses s'il vous plaît

[@alancollard8939]

take those outside pipes of thats hideous , it is far from original , err 1450 lbs who are you kidding , my griff is way over 2000lbs , i have a 2500 vixen that is 2068 lbs , so keep dreaming

[@ronaldharris6569]

Just imagine what that could do with a tuned ecoboost under the hood,that would be a lot more power with a weight loss of maybe a hundred pounds.

[@HR-rt9nh]

it may out perform a Cobra.... but it will never beat it in the looks dept.

[@markswain5021]

Side pipes look dreadful and tasteless ! .

[@RideswithChuck]

On some cars I agree.

[@paulhunter123]

side exhaust look trailor trash

[@salvandorum]

Spelling!

[@theclever3963]

12.1 second quarter mile............my 1969 A12 440 six pack roadrunner ran 12.70's without headers and no slicks......after installing headers and some mickey thompson's the car ran 11.80's for a hell of a lot cheaper than what these griffith's sold for.

[@mohammadadeel5545]

it wasn't for just straight line speed

[@mescko]

@crafty litigator And his RR would end up going straight into a tree on the first curve. Any idiot can go in straight line. That's all it *can* do.

[@baronhyatt6729]

How would it hang against a cheetah that Chevrolet made that would eat up cobras even a 427 ones

[@nothanks3590]

nice car but much of what is said by the owner is pure BS.