Owning a convertible becomes so much more rewarding once the sun is shining. Though I love driving the car in all weathers, it just feels so good when you are out roof down, with the hot sun on your face, an earful of V8, watching the heat haze rise from the bonnet vents. Even more so when the car has been freshly cleaned and is gleaming in the sunshine. No need to go fast, just enjoy the drive, taking time to chat with pedestrians who want to ask questions and listen to the appreciative comments from other road users (normally asking about fuel consumption or making ‘funny’ comments about reliability).
I buck the trend of most TVR owners and actually use my roof, especially if it's cold, damp or I can't be bothered to lower it. The way I see it is I paid for a roof so why lower it when the conditions are less than perfect? And besides, I've always wanted a Cerbera...
I learnt long ago to ignore the pressure from peers to get the roof down all the time, I’m happy either way. What this means is, when the weather is finally good enough to warrant it, lowering the roof is a treat that adds a new dimension to the car I’d kind of forgotten about over winter. Let’s hope this good weather continues eh? In addition to driving my own car more, it's nice to see London full of cars that must have been stored for winter, all of a sudden there is a real (car) buzz around the city.
Mean and roofless
I’ve been getting a lot of comment on Twitter (@PaulGarlick) about how regularly I use the car (I’m always posting photos when I’m out and about) and that’s because the Chim is used as my main transport these days, coping with crawling commutes and blasts to Sunday Services without complaint. As I touch the (fake) wood of my desk I am happy to report more trouble free motoring. The last thing I did was to replace a broken window switch (next day delivery and fitted in 20 seconds) and that’s it. I still have a small tear in the rear window, but it doesn’t leak and I’ll get around to that sooner or later.
Aside from that I turn the key and drive it, day and night, for short trips and long jaunts. Fuel is the only expenditure as we start our fifth year together and the odo has just clicked over 60,000 miles. Treat the car well and it will do the same in return… speaking of which, the Chim is due a service so it will be back to Calvin as soon as time allows, and while the chassis is looking strong I do want to get that treated to ease my mind when driving on damp days. I've been promising to look at that for far too long now.
Not so quiet Sunday drive
Speaking of Sunday Service meets, last weekend I drove to Silverstone for our sunniest Sunday meet in a while. I was a little late due to laying in bed for too long and then being stopped for a roadside chat by two nice officers driving an unmarked Focus. Regrettably I'd treated them to a very close up view of how my car accelerates through second, third and fourth. It must have been my lucky day as I was let on my way with no more than a (big) flea in my ear after a few detail checks.
I left the meet a little early to head to lunch with a few friends, the lunch stop being at the end of a 20-odd mile run. Our convoy consisted of a Diablo 6.0, Gallardo LP550-2, 360 Modena, 997 Turbo and SL55 AMG…and me in the ‘little’ 4.0. While I can never expect to keep pace with such armoury the TVR always amazes me with the speed it carries on B-roads. Sure I suffered a little bit when long straights appeared but it wasn’t as bad as you might expect (and never is) which only makes me respect the car more. Yes I’m changing gear more often, and working a bit harder, but I was always mingling amongst the group and credit goes to the Blackpool crew who managed to make a car that copes with slow London commutes, trips to the supermarket, schleps to Le Mans and can hustle it with genuine supercars.
Don’t knock the ‘soft’ Chimaera, it is a very capable car and we have a long time ahead of us. Even if only because I'll never tire of this noise.
FACT SHEET:
Car: 1999 TVR Chimaera 4.0
Run by: Garlick
Bought: December 2009
Purchase price: £12,995
Last month at a glance: Sunday service shenanigans, commuting continues