Review written on 5/1954.
Many vehicles come and go. Most are duds like the Bere but a few stand out like the Chimaera. So this month, we'll be looking at the Gryffon to see where it stands out among the crowd. Is this new Philadelphia Motors a keeper? Or should it rust away with time?

I was giddy when I heard we were testing Philadelphia Motors Gryffon. On the track this thing is fast. How fast? Notice there are no pictures on this page? That fast! This is one of the fastest Subcompact I've ever been in. As impressive as that sounds, the 38 hp @ 2912RPMs 905 cc Radial5 engine is even more impressive. Peddle to the metal, this baby will do 80 mph easily. And in a straight line we hit a 35.880s 0 to 60 mph! With 56 lb-ft of torque, our smoking wheels were able to tow 22 lbs. Compared to its peers in the Subcompact class the Philadelphia Motors Gryffon selling point should not be driveability. The Gryffon offers bare bones handling. There is just enough grip in the wheels to keep you from flying off the side of a cliff... But not much. On the track, it is not much better. Mommy can I keep it? Please?!

We were mortified when we began our interior testing of the Philadelphia Motors Gryffon. This vehicle lacks basic features you'd expect in a toy car, let alone a vehicle that costs this much. The flint stones had more comfortable rides. It is because of the abhorrent lack of oversight by Philadelphia Motors that we have no reason to recommend this vehicle when it comes to comforts.

Basketball players and sumo wrestlers should probably avoid the Philadelphia Motors Gryffon. If not for any other reason, the 13 cu-ft of cargo and passenger space is slightly cramp for even an average sized person such as my self.

While not exactly handmade, Philadelphia Motors did put a bit of extra work into the Gryffon and it shows. Panels actually fit and are made to last. The finish doesn't fade in the sun, and all the bolts have washers. It begs the question why buy a lower quality car every 5 years, and not buy the Philadelphia Motors Gryffon which should last a few generations?

Reliability of the Philadelphia Motors Gryffon is not good. It's really dependent on how well you take care of the vehicle and luck of the draw. Almost all Gryffon have some sort of issue within their lifetime. But it's never exactly enough of a pain to make you regret your purchasing decision. If avoiding the mechanic shop is your priority, it may be best to look elsewhere.

When it came to fuel economy testing we tried to see how far we could go in the Philadelphia Motors Gryffon. Our goal was to run it out of fuel. We tried and we failed. Even when the Gryffon fuel gauge was below E, it kept going! Befuddled at this we asked Philadelphia Motors engineers how this is possible. They showed us their Motor Bunny fuel system, which just keeps going and going and going and going for an impressive 40.5 mpg. In one word, amazing.

While the Philadelphia Motors Gryffon is certainly impressive in term of safety, it's not overly designed in this fashion in a way that would imped its enjoyment. Never the less this vehicle is more than safe enough for even the most uptight and poor drivers among us.

I was happy with the time I spent in the Philadelphia Motors Gryffon. This car is truly magnificent. I think future generations will look back at this vehicle and think, "I wish I owned one of these." It is absolutely one of the best Subcompact you can buy. An instant classic that others in the segment will be compared to. I wish I could spend more time with the Gryffon but it is time for them to take it away. I believe I might go buy one myself.