1964 TVR Griffith Project

Description

Richard McAdam, known as “Doc” to his friends and family, epitomizes "work hard, play hard." Born and raised in rural Appalachia, Doc went on to become a renowned neurosurgeon in Virginia. Patients could regularly find Doc pulling into the hospital parking lot in one of his beloved Cobras or high-performance Mustangs. These cars were driven and enjoyed by Doc through the years, taking his family on back road joyrides on sunny day commutes. Hagerty Marketplace is honored to present the Doc McAdam Collection, offered entirely without reserve.

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OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE

The TVR Griffith was born from an unlikely transatlantic partnership. In 1963, American Jack Griffith — a Ford dealer and racing enthusiast from Long Island — approached TVR with a bold proposition: pack a Ford V8 engine into the lightweight British sports car to create a formidable performance machine.

The original TVR Grantura provided the foundation. Its fiberglass body and tubular steel chassis were compact and nimble, but underpowered. Griffith's solution was to shoehorn a 289ci (4.7-liter) Ford V8 under the hood, the same unit found in the Shelby Cobra. The result was explosive — early cars produced around 271 horsepower in a vehicle weighing barely 1,700 pounds, delivering a top speed approaching 155 mph.

Sold primarily in the American market from 1963 to 1965, the Griffith 200 and subsequent 400 series earned a reputation as wickedly fast but demanding machines. As Britian’s CAR magazine reported at the time, “But speaking as simple, honest enthusiasts we must admit the sheer Ooomph of the TVR Griffith 200 has an irresistible appeal.”

Production came to a sudden halt when a longshoremen's strike cut off the flow of American powerplants, bringing the Griffith story to an unceremonious close. About 192 were completed, and only a fraction of those are known to survive today.

This 1964 example from the McAdam Collection represents a compelling restoration opportunity for one of the rarest Anglo-American performance cars of its era. Finished originally in silver blue, the car retains many factory components. Also included are five Dunlop wire wheels shod with old Michelin X tires, along with an intact, uncracked windshield.

Presented as a non-running project, this 1964 TVR Griffith is now offered at no reserve by a Broad Arrow Specialist with various removed parts and a Bill of Sale.

Highlights

• Offered from the Doc McAdam Collectio

• Rare Anglo-American sports car (192 produced)

• Originally equipped with a 289ci Ford V8 hi-po 271hp

• Originally equipped with a Ford 4-speed manual transmission

• Originally painted silver blue

Factory Equipment

• Fiberglass body construction

• Tubular steel chassis

• Dunlop wire wheels

Modifications

• Hitachi AM/FM radio

Known Imperfections

• This 1964 TVR Griffith project requires a complete refurbishment or to be used as parts.

• This lot has no serial number and will be sold with a Bill of Sale only.

Ownership History

A windshield sticker show this 1964 TVR Griffith licensed in Georgia in 1973–74. Other history is unknown at this time. This rare 1964 TVR Griffith is offered from the Doc McAdam Collection of no reserve automobiles.

Included Items

• Dunlop wire wheels

• Michelin X tires

• Original body, frame, and numerous components

Additional Information

A Broad Arrow Specialist is working as an agent on behalf of the seller of this listing. As such, the purchase transaction will be facilitated by Broad Arrow, including vehicle payment, applicable taxes required to be collected by the seller or Broad Arrow, and title/ownership reassignment. Broad Arrow is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hagerty.

Contact: Donnie Gould Phone: 954.647.0779 Email: dgould@hagerty.com