10/29/2025
1965 Griffith Series 200
A Long Island Ford dealer named Jack Griffith pursued a straightforward formula: install a powerful Ford V8 into a lightweight British sports car.
The result was the Griffith Series 200, built on a modified TVR Grantura chassis with fiberglass bodywork weighing approximately 1,950 pounds. TVR supplied the modified chassis while Griffith Motors in Syosset, New York handled final assembly and Ford drivetrain installation.
The standard powerplant was Ford's 289 cubic inch V8 producing 195 horsepower, though buyers could opt for the high-performance version rated at 271 horsepower. Both engines paired with a Borg Warner T10 four-speed manual transmission.
Performance was exceptional for its time, with reliable period references placing 0-60 mph times between 4.9 and 5.2 seconds for the high-output variant; the standard version was typically in the 5 to 6 second range. Top speeds reached between 150 and 163 mph, depending on engine and gearing.
A notable exception exists (shown here): chassis no. 200/5/002, the third Griffith factory development car, was the only Series 200 delivered with a Ford 260 cubic inch V8 and a top-loader four-speed manual transmission. This chassis served as a factory test platform and prototype, later receiving another 260 V8 as a replacement in 1966 before entering long-term private ownership.
The short 85.5-inch wheelbase combined with immense power created a notoriously challenging driving experience. Built between 1964 and 1965, only 192 examples left the factory at a base price of approximately $3,900 before the model was replaced by the Series 400. X###x
