another annoying question

[keith-vznby]

Hi , could someone advise on the differences between mk1 mk2 and mk3 chimaeras and when they were made from to cheers Keith

[bobfather]

The simple answer is that they blended into each other. A couple of years around these major changes saw bits from each marque being used. it appeared that parts bins were used until they were empty. There were also significant changes within each marque.

[bobfather]

Basically Mk2 saw removal of rear bumper rubber, inset rear numberplate, bigger boot lid overhang, Cerbra centre bar across front grill, angled bonnet vents, Serp engine, under mirror door openers, silver gauge rings, T5 gearbox, BTR diff, probably other things that haven't come to mind.

During Mk2 there was a gradual reduction of the surface elements of the boot hinges finally disappearing altogether.

Mk3 was fared in headlamps, 16" wheels all round, not sure what else

[JimTC]

Mk2 also had a different shape bonnet up around the scuttle - wipers less prominent.

[ChimpOnGas]

bobfather said:

Mk3 was fared in headlamps, 16" wheels all round, not sure what else

The MK3 also had Cerbera seats that offer vastly improved lateral support on enthusiastic corning, plus a different wiper motor made by Bosche not Lucas and located in a different place.

Most Mk3s had the 4.5 engine (actually 4.6 litre) although a few 5.0 litre Mk3 Chimaeras are reported to have been produced.

I many respects a Mk3 Chimaera is the best of the breed as you get a lot of things you may end up trying to add to an earlier car. By the time the Mk3 arrived TVR even seemed to have improved the quality of the dreadful flakey white powder coat that plagued the model from 1997 to 2000, but dont let that stop you checking the chassis on a Mk3 any less carefully than a Chimaera from an earlier year.

Its well known the silver/grey chassis's on Chimaeras produced from when the model was introduced to the very last months of 1996 is far superior, but being superior to the white chassis isn't hard and these earlier cars are getting on now. Make no mistake the silver/grey chassis is not immune to corrosion (far from it)... just a little bit better at holding back the inevitable.

I've added the 16" front wheels, the faired headlights and I've got a set of far more supportive Jag XJS Recaro seats to go into my late 1996 part face lift car which is tantamount to me acknowledging a Mk3 is well worth paying a realistic premium for.

Dealers do know this and Mk3 Chimaeras are rare, so their value very much reflects this. If you can aford it take a Mk3 Chimaera and add an aftermarket engine management sytem, a new correctly wired Meta security system, a set of decent coil overs and you've got yourself the ultimate usable classic car in my opinion.

So it's well worth hunting down a good Mk3 then making a few well chosen an discrete improvements to enhance the car's already excellent capabilities

Edited by ChimpOnGas on Tuesday 1st December 20:45

[bobfather]

Mid Mk2 also saw the rear Fiesta clusters swapped for separate round lamps

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

Very early cars had key holes in door openers. The light switches were also different and there was an extra fan/blower thingy in early cars

[pb450]

Witch's peak on mk 2 boot lid

[ClassiChimi]

Mines a 2000 car,, mk2? I have the relocated wiper motor,, does that make mine a mk2.5 ?
Chimp on gas is obviously correct when pointing out the later cars are the best
When did the bonnet diagonal supports come in,,?

[phazed]

ClassiChimi said:

Mines a 2000 car,, mk2? I have the relocated wiper motor,, does that make mine a mk2.5 ?
Chimp on gas is obviously correct when pointing out the later cars are the best
When did the bonnet diagonal supports come in,,?

Same here on my 99.

[Danblez]

bobfather said:

Basically Mk2 saw removal of rear bumper rubber, inset rear numberplate, bigger boot lid overhang, Cerbra centre bar across front grill, angled bonnet vents, Serp engine, under mirror door openers, silver gauge rings, T5 gearbox, BTR diff, probably other things that haven't come to mind.

During Mk2 there was a gradual reduction of the surface elements of the boot hinges finally disappearing altogether.

Mk3 was fared in headlamps, 16" wheels all round, not sure what else

I have Mk2 everything apart from door openers not under mirrors. Its quite interesting all the variations.

[gmw9666]

most has been covered above but a little known fact is the early ones had a low fuel light......sorry, nerd alert lol

[N7GTX]

ClassiChimi said:

Chimp on gas is obviously correct incorrect when pointing out the later cars are the best

EFA

[ClassiChimi]

Steady on Iain, yours is really really old I see,,, good job your handy with a spanner. K Reg,,, one of the very early ones,,, so it's over twenty years old,,
I can't think of many cars twenty odd years after hitting the roads that still hold their own against all this hypo modern tech,,,
Nice car mate