TVR Looks to Revive Griffith Nameplate

Britain’s TVR Manufacturing Ltd. has renewed its trademark for the name Griffith, prompting speculation TVR will use the moniker on the all-new model it plans to launch in September.

TVR hasn’t produced a vehicle since it fell into receivership in 2006. The carmaker first used the Griffith name on a trio of sports cars (Griffith 200, 400 and 600) and revived it on the V-8-powered TVR Griffith (500) that was built from 1991 to 2002. The vehicles were conceived by and named after U.S. mega-dealer and racing aficionado Jack Griffith, who died earlier this year.

Griffith is the leading contender for the name of the new model, unnamed sources tell Autocar. But the British enthusiast magazine says the company also is considering other historic names from its history, including Tuscan and Grantura, as well as unspecified new names. Grantura was the first car TVR produced in 1958.

TVR registered trademarks for Griffith, Grantura and Tuscan in 2015. Griffith is the only trademark that has been updated this year, Autocar notes.

Developed in conjunction with Gordon Murray Design, the new two-seater will be built on a carbon-fiber chassis fitted with aluminum and composite body panels. Power will come from a Cosworth-tuned V-8 engine mated with a 6-speed automatic transmission.