Not all that quick 0-100; a well fettled Griffith 500 (most make well under the claimed 340bhp, but good, tuned ones make 320) and any subsequent TVR is faster in a drag race as they are the same weight or lighter but with more power. Most modern Porsche 911s are as quick too.
We were allowed on the track in Le Mans before the race in 2002, with the TVR's who went off first, and I had my Series I - 'Kermit' at that time. Me and another Aero 8, passed all the TVR's apart from two Tuscan S's - who were definitely quicker in a straignt line than a Series I and had a faster top speed down the Mulsanne. However, it was interesting to see them take the first Mulsanne chicane as they were all over the place in this, and several other corners. The handling of the Aero was definitely superior and it was difficult holding back and not getting too involved, as they were driving quite aggressively.
There were some Griffith's in the TVR group as well, but I don't remember whether they were 500's or not, but they were not in the same league as the Aero 8, as you said TVR bhp-figures were always over-stated,and the four of us (2-Tuscan's and 2-Aero's)soon left the rest of the field behind.
I know that this is just empirical evidence, but I think that it was a fairly accurate comparision of the cars respective capabilities.
