Cobra Killers! - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

The_Dunedan · 11-22-2004, 11:19 PM

Had a chance, a year or so back, to take a ride in a Griffith 400-series with a friend who was writing a book on these monsters. Let me tell you, it was something else. I already knew the Griffiths were a helluava machine, but this was like riding pure fire; this thing shook the ground just sitting there idling. I've since had the opportunity research these cars more properly, since Mike's book came out; I'd put my money on a Griffith against anything outside of the Supercar class.

Anybody else ever encountered one? I've only ever seen one example; any other sightings?

castex · 11-23-2004, 10:32 AM

One like this? Quick enought to embarass most of its supercar contemporaries regardless of whether it actually made the class or not (you're probably right as these don't go over about 165

)

1slOwCD8 · 11-23-2004, 07:35 PM

Ive never heard of this car. I did a google search for a "Griffith 400-series," and didnt really find any info. What are the numbers that make this such a "beast"?

silent_jay · 11-23-2004, 08:01 PM

ver nice indeed

The_Dunedan · 11-23-2004, 10:36 PM

The Griffith 200 and 400-series cars were basically the result of Jack Griffith getting bored one day.
He had, in his shop, two things:

1: A wrecked Shelby Cobra; body was trashed but the engine and tranny were in good shape.
2: A TVR Grantura with a blown engine.

He noticed that the 289 smallblock V-8 from the Cobra would just barely fit into the Grantura's engine bay, and the transmission would fit as well, so he dropped them in. After rebuilding the suspension and lengthening the TVR's frame about 8 inches, he had the first of the Griffith 200's.

This was a car with better aerodynamics than the Cobra, with the same engine and tranny, that weighed over 600lbs less than the Shelby and had a much shorter wheelbase. The top-end on the thing was well over 160, and it did 0-100Kph in less than 4 seconds. Bear in mind, this was in the mid-70's. The only problem was that the short wheelbase, while making the car very quick-handling and manuverable, also made it prone to fishtailing in turns, especially since it was so overpowered.

For more info, just google "Griffith 400" or "Griffith 200." Every now and again, one comes up for sale on Ebay. If you can find a copy, Mike Mooney's book The Griffith Years is the best source on these things.
http://www.griffithyears.com/

castex · 11-24-2004, 08:24 AM

Ah, sorry. My mistake. The shots above show the '90's Griffith. You're clearly referring to this monster:

For more info on all things TVR, do check out www.pistonheads.com

Moonduck · 11-24-2004, 10:55 AM

So cool to see people putting these hot Ford engines into chassis's that can handle them properly.

silent_jay · 11-24-2004, 12:01 PM

Yay Piston Heads is great I get the newsletter everyday

Nimisys · 11-24-2004, 06:22 PM

seen and heard that grittith above run. not as mean sounding as you would suspect. the guy who built alos has a cobra kit car. somewhere the owner has a web page on its build up, as it is heavily modified, aside form the new drivetrain. He however was making a good showing at the local auto-x until he lost a front wheel bearing.

11-22-2004, 11:19 PM	#1 (permalink)
The_Dunedan Junkie	Cobra Killers! Had a chance, a year or so back, to take a ride in a Griffith 400-series with a friend who was writing a book on these monsters. Let me tell you, it was something else. I already knew the Griffiths were a helluava machine, but this was like riding pure fire; this thing shook the ground just sitting there idling. I've since had the opportunity research these cars more properly, since Mike's book came out; I'd put my money on a Griffith against anything outside of the Supercar class. Anybody else ever encountered one? I've only ever seen one example; any other sightings?

11-23-2004, 10:32 AM	#2 (permalink)
castex Psycho Location: france	One like this? Quick enought to embarass most of its supercar contemporaries regardless of whether it actually made the class or not (you're probably right as these don't go over about 165)

11-23-2004, 08:01 PM	#4 (permalink)
silent_jay Her Jay Location: Ontario for now....	ver nice indeed __________________ Absence makes the heart grow fonder Last edited by silent_jay; 11-23-2004 at 08:08 PM..

11-24-2004, 12:01 PM	#8 (permalink)
silent_jay Her Jay Location: Ontario for now....	Yay Piston Heads is great I get the newsletter everyday __________________ Absence makes the heart grow fonder

11-23-2004, 07:35 PM	#3 (permalink)
1slOwCD8 Psycho Location: chicago, illinois	Ive never heard of this car. I did a google search for a "Griffith 400-series," and didnt really find any info. What are the numbers that make this such a "beast"?

11-23-2004, 10:36 PM	#5 (permalink)
The_Dunedan Junkie	The Griffith 200 and 400-series cars were basically the result of Jack Griffith getting bored one day. He had, in his shop, two things: 1: A wrecked Shelby Cobra; body was trashed but the engine and tranny were in good shape. 2: A TVR Grantura with a blown engine. He noticed that the 289 smallblock V-8 from the Cobra would just barely fit into the Grantura's engine bay, and the transmission would fit as well, so he dropped them in. After rebuilding the suspension and lengthening the TVR's frame about 8 inches, he had the first of the Griffith 200's. This was a car with better aerodynamics than the Cobra, with the same engine and tranny, that weighed over 600lbs less than the Shelby and had a much shorter wheelbase. The top-end on the thing was well over 160, and it did 0-100Kph in less than 4 seconds. Bear in mind, this was in the mid-70's. The only problem was that the short wheelbase, while making the car very quick-handling and manuverable, also made it prone to fishtailing in turns, especially since it was so overpowered. For more info, just google "Griffith 400" or "Griffith 200." Every now and again, one comes up for sale on Ebay. If you can find a copy, Mike Mooney's book The Griffith Years is the best source on these things. http://www.griffithyears.com/

11-24-2004, 08:24 AM	#6 (permalink)
castex Psycho Location: france	Ah, sorry. My mistake. The shots above show the '90's Griffith. You're clearly referring to this monster: For more info on all things TVR, do check out www.pistonheads.com

11-24-2004, 10:55 AM	#7 (permalink)
Moonduck Junkie Location: SE USA	So cool to see people putting these hot Ford engines into chassis's that can handle them properly.

11-24-2004, 06:22 PM	#9 (permalink)
Nimisys Crazy Location: San Diego	seen and heard that grittith above run. not as mean sounding as you would suspect. the guy who built alos has a cobra kit car. somewhere the owner has a web page on its build up, as it is heavily modified, aside form the new drivetrain. He however was making a good showing at the local auto-x until he lost a front wheel bearing.