The proud boy owner of an old Chimaera pup
Discussion
One more comment concerning your inability to resist the old, "so I'll just fire her up".
I was at a dealer back in the 90's picking up bits for my Tasmin. As I was loading her up I couldn't help but hear a sales guy explains the details of a Chimaera to a new purchaser.
Young guy with his girlfriend, she looking on in amusement as her boyfriend grinned like Cheshire Cat ( we were in Cheshire after all), at everything the sales guy uttered.
Then came the, "I'll just start her up".
Suddenly the sound of a Nordic got of thunder hit the air and the young guy set of like a scolded cat and literally ran around the car park, the joy on his face something I will never forget.
His girlfriend mumbling, " oh my god" at his departure.
I've never felt so happy for a complete stranger.
You are in good company.
I was at a dealer back in the 90's picking up bits for my Tasmin. As I was loading her up I couldn't help but hear a sales guy explains the details of a Chimaera to a new purchaser.
Young guy with his girlfriend, she looking on in amusement as her boyfriend grinned like Cheshire Cat ( we were in Cheshire after all), at everything the sales guy uttered.
Then came the, "I'll just start her up".
Suddenly the sound of a Nordic got of thunder hit the air and the young guy set of like a scolded cat and literally ran around the car park, the joy on his face something I will never forget.
His girlfriend mumbling, " oh my god" at his departure.
I've never felt so happy for a complete stranger.
You are in good company.
so called said:
First, just to say congratulations. Just think of all those boring hours not working on an S2K :/
Your essay got full marks from me.
Having now thoroughly looked up your Chimaeras skirt, so to speak, means your far more intimately connected to it than a 'normal' cars
As for the grill mine was similar on my first Chimaera, also a 1993.
I was told it was the early design, which I still think looks good.
You can just see from the pic below there was a U shaped rubber trim that was fitted around the wire mesh.
Really miss having a Chimaera for that wonderful rumble.
Looking forward to reading more.
All the best.
One small add, you sound very sensible but please be careful in the damp weather.
The back end can go in a split second if your a bit heavy footed this time of year. That's how I lost my first Tuscan.
That's a lovely looking car. Your essay got full marks from me.
Having now thoroughly looked up your Chimaeras skirt, so to speak, means your far more intimately connected to it than a 'normal' cars
As for the grill mine was similar on my first Chimaera, also a 1993.
I was told it was the early design, which I still think looks good.
You can just see from the pic below there was a U shaped rubber trim that was fitted around the wire mesh.
Really miss having a Chimaera for that wonderful rumble.
Looking forward to reading more.
All the best.
One small add, you sound very sensible but please be careful in the damp weather.
The back end can go in a split second if your a bit heavy footed this time of year. That's how I lost my first Tuscan.
Seeing that view reminds me of a drive out with a few Tvr's the other week.
Owning one your in it not looking at it, I never really think about how it looks to others and only when you've got one in front and behind you at the same time do you see how fantastic they look.
Your shot reminds me of looking through the wing mirror and seeing a Chim behind me and yes it looks this good, very low, sleep, mean and purposeful.
Is it just the noise you miss? It's spell binding I know that much
Fantastic write-up Mike 
I got my 400 (my first TVR) six months ago too, funnily enough having just bought my first house- in my case barely 3 weeks before getting the TVR
Definitely agree on the comment about first hearing it being fired up, I don't think it's something you ever forget and makes it incredibly difficult to act rationally!
You say your based in Wiltshire near Neil Garner's place, I doubt you are very far from me- I live in a small village near Faringdon (Stanford-in-the-vale), right on the Wiltshire/Oxfordshire border. I'm about 30 minutes drive from NG.
ETA: Mine also has the early shape grill with rubber surround (mine is a 1995).
I got my 400 (my first TVR) six months ago too, funnily enough having just bought my first house- in my case barely 3 weeks before getting the TVR
Definitely agree on the comment about first hearing it being fired up, I don't think it's something you ever forget and makes it incredibly difficult to act rationally!
You say your based in Wiltshire near Neil Garner's place, I doubt you are very far from me- I live in a small village near Faringdon (Stanford-in-the-vale), right on the Wiltshire/Oxfordshire border. I'm about 30 minutes drive from NG.
ETA: Mine also has the early shape grill with rubber surround (mine is a 1995).
Edited by Squirrelofwoe on Thursday 12th January 11:52
ClassicChimaera said:
so called said:
First, just to say congratulations. Just think of all those boring hours not working on an S2K :/
Your essay got full marks from me.
Having now thoroughly looked up your Chimaeras skirt, so to speak, means your far more intimately connected to it than a 'normal' cars
As for the grill mine was similar on my first Chimaera, also a 1993.
I was told it was the early design, which I still think looks good.
You can just see from the pic below there was a U shaped rubber trim that was fitted around the wire mesh.
Really miss having a Chimaera for that wonderful rumble.
Looking forward to reading more.
All the best.
One small add, you sound very sensible but please be careful in the damp weather.
The back end can go in a split second if your a bit heavy footed this time of year. That's how I lost my first Tuscan.
That's a lovely looking car. Your essay got full marks from me.
Having now thoroughly looked up your Chimaeras skirt, so to speak, means your far more intimately connected to it than a 'normal' cars
As for the grill mine was similar on my first Chimaera, also a 1993.
I was told it was the early design, which I still think looks good.
You can just see from the pic below there was a U shaped rubber trim that was fitted around the wire mesh.
Really miss having a Chimaera for that wonderful rumble.
Looking forward to reading more.
All the best.
One small add, you sound very sensible but please be careful in the damp weather.
The back end can go in a split second if your a bit heavy footed this time of year. That's how I lost my first Tuscan.
Seeing that view reminds me of a drive out with a few Tvr's the other week.
Owning one your in it not looking at it, I never really think about how it looks to others and only when you've got one in front and behind you at the same time do you see how fantastic they look.
Your shot reminds me of looking through the wing mirror and seeing a Chim behind me and yes it looks this good, very low, sleep, mean and purposeful.
Is it just the noise you miss? It's spell binding I know that much
Here is a shot of a 1998 I used to own.
OP, note the cross bar on the later model and no grill.
I miss the characteristics of the RV8. I think it's perfect for the Chimaera.
I only ever owned the 4ltr variant but loved it.
My boss in Germany used to call them Tony's tug boats.
Edited by so called on Thursday 12th January 11:52
QBee said:
The last time we did Combe was 31st July 2015 I think, so we are well overdue for a return visit.
I for one prefer dry weather for track days in a TVR
Here's a link to a bit of video shot by one of our number from the pit wall
linky
The entire thread gives you a feel for thelevel of abuse you will suffer pleasure you will gain if you join us on the next one.
That makes a lot of sense to me QBee, and good to hear you made it out of that moment unscathed- as for the video, awesome, they're fantastic sounding beasts ours aren't they I for one prefer dry weather for track days in a TVR
Here's a link to a bit of video shot by one of our number from the pit wall
linky
The entire thread gives you a feel for the
I made a career on the railway via an apprenticeship, so I'm well versed in learning through abuse!
so called said:
First, just to say congratulations. Just think of all those boring hours not working on an S2K :/
Having now thoroughly looked up your Chimaeras skirt, so to speak, means your far more intimately connected to it than a 'normal' cars
As for the grill mine was similar on my first Chimaera, also a 1993.
I was told it was the early design, which I still think looks good.
You can just see from the pic below there was a U shaped rubber trim that was fitted around the wire mesh.
Really miss having a Chimaera for that wonderful rumble.
Looking forward to reading more.
All the best.
One small add, you sound very sensible but please be careful in the damp weather.
The back end can go in a split second if your a bit heavy footed this time of year. That's how I lost my first Tuscan.
Exactly right! As much as I do admire the S2k as an engineering achievement, I haven't looked back for a second (been far too busy getting grubby and sweary at the Tiv!), imagine having a toy car that just started every time how dull! Having now thoroughly looked up your Chimaeras skirt, so to speak, means your far more intimately connected to it than a 'normal' cars
As for the grill mine was similar on my first Chimaera, also a 1993.
I was told it was the early design, which I still think looks good.
You can just see from the pic below there was a U shaped rubber trim that was fitted around the wire mesh.
Really miss having a Chimaera for that wonderful rumble.
Looking forward to reading more.
All the best.
One small add, you sound very sensible but please be careful in the damp weather.
The back end can go in a split second if your a bit heavy footed this time of year. That's how I lost my first Tuscan.
Being a yoof I wasn't even aware of the early Chimaera grille design growing up but I have to agree still looks fantastic, all years and guises they're beautiful old beasts
Sad to hear about the Tuscan, as I said I've definitely been overcautious so far but have still had a big eye-opener, on an arrow-straight road on a greasy day 'surely it won't spin up the rears in a straight line from 30mph!', I soon learnt
Squirrelofwoe said:
Fantastic write-up Mike
I got my 400 (my first TVR) six months ago too, funnily enough having just bought my first house- in my case barely 3 weeks before getting the TVR
Definitely agree on the comment about first hearing it being fired up, I don't think it's something you ever forget and makes it incredibly difficult to act rationally!
You say your based in Wiltshire near Neil Garner's place, I doubt you are very far from me- I live in a small village near Faringdon (Stanford-in-the-vale), right on the Wiltshire/Oxfordshire border. I'm about 30 minutes drive from NG.
ETA: Mine also has the early shape grill with rubber surround (mine is a 1995).
Cor blimey I drive through SITV every day Squirrel! I live to the West of Swindon but work in Didcot so take A420/A417 through Wantage, bit more scenic than the motorway! Coincidentally the last time I took the Tivver to work I was followed by another Chim out of Stanford! Seem to recall it having the split grill though I got my 400 (my first TVR) six months ago too, funnily enough having just bought my first house- in my case barely 3 weeks before getting the TVR
Definitely agree on the comment about first hearing it being fired up, I don't think it's something you ever forget and makes it incredibly difficult to act rationally!
You say your based in Wiltshire near Neil Garner's place, I doubt you are very far from me- I live in a small village near Faringdon (Stanford-in-the-vale), right on the Wiltshire/Oxfordshire border. I'm about 30 minutes drive from NG.
ETA: Mine also has the early shape grill with rubber surround (mine is a 1995).
Edited by Squirrelofwoe on Thursday 12th January 11:52
if not yours then does that mean there's a hotbed of Trevor activity on my commute! 
CanoeSniffer said:
Cor blimey I drive through SITV every day Squirrel! I live to the West of Swindon but work in Didcot so take A420/A417 through Wantage, bit more scenic than the motorway! Coincidentally the last time I took the Tivver to work I was followed by another Chim out of Stanford! Seem to recall it having the split grill though if not yours then does that mean there's a hotbed of Trevor activity on my commute!
How random is that! I live on the new development 'Nursery End', the one with the entrance alongside the Horse & Jockey Pub on the A417. if not yours then does that mean there's a hotbed of Trevor activity on my commute! The only Chim I've seen around here was a green one going down the A420 towards Swindon back on the morning of the 2nd November (I know the exact date because I put a thread up in the 'spotted' section but nobody owned up at the time!).
This might well have been yours, but as it was a properly murky morning it was hard to tell what sort of green it was, and as it was heading in the opposite direction to me (I work in Oxford) I didn't notice if it was an earlier or later model. What colour was the one you saw?
It definitely wasn't mine as I'd have remembered if I'd followed another- but I do go that way quite a bit as my girlfriend lives in Drayton (near Abingdon) so I drive through Hanney & Wantage.
Edited by Squirrelofwoe on Thursday 12th January 14:50
Squirrelofwoe said:
How random is that! I live on the new development 'Nursery End', the one with the entrance alongside the Horse & Jockey Pub on the A417.
The only Chim I've seen around here was a green one going down the A420 towards Swindon back on the morning of the 2nd November (I know the exact date because I put a thread up in the 'spotted' section but nobody owned up at the time!).
This might well have been yours, but as it was a properly murky morning it was hard to tell what sort of green it was, and as it was heading in the opposite direction to me (I work in Oxford) I didn't notice if it was an earlier or later model. What colour was the one you saw?
It definitely wasn't mine as I'd have remembered if I'd followed another- but I do go that way quite a bit as my girlfriend lives in Drayton (near Abingdon) so I drive through Hanney & Wantage.
I do remember seeing that post and wondering if I may have been the culprit but I'd written it off at the time for some reason or other, I think my car may have been laid up for works during that period The only Chim I've seen around here was a green one going down the A420 towards Swindon back on the morning of the 2nd November (I know the exact date because I put a thread up in the 'spotted' section but nobody owned up at the time!).
This might well have been yours, but as it was a properly murky morning it was hard to tell what sort of green it was, and as it was heading in the opposite direction to me (I work in Oxford) I didn't notice if it was an earlier or later model. What colour was the one you saw?
It definitely wasn't mine as I'd have remembered if I'd followed another- but I do go that way quite a bit as my girlfriend lives in Drayton (near Abingdon) so I drive through Hanney & Wantage.
Edited by Squirrelofwoe on Thursday 12th January 14:50
I can't quite remember what colour the Chim was that I saw but it was definitely a later model, and he followed me into Wantage before turning off the main road just before the square.How would you feel about going for a rumble sometime when the weather is more accommodating? I would love to have a gander at that beautiful Chim of yours even if it would put my rather dog-eared effort to shame
TVRJAS said:
Squirrelofwoe said:
As soon as we get a decent spell of weather we'll arrange something
CanoeSniffer said:
How would you feel about going for a rumble sometime when the weather is more accommodating? I would love to have a gander at that beautiful Chim of yours even if it would put my rather dog-eared effort to shame
Yeah I'm definitely up for that! I do still use mine regularly through the winter, basically whenever it's dry and the suns out. It's no garage queen (I don't even have a garage- it lives under a cover!), so up close it isn't anywhere near as tidy as some of the others I've seen- I definitely prioritised mechanical condition over cosmetics with mine, but it photographs pretty well from about 10 meters away...
I'll PM you and we'll sort something out.
[quote] Sad to hear about the Tuscan, as I said I've definitely been overcautious so far but have still had a big eye-opener, on an arrow-straight road on a greasy day 'surely it won't spin up the rears in a straight line from 30mph!', I soon learnt
[/quote]
On the Tuscan, as much as one as rather heart broken at the time, it led me to the Tuscan I have now.
[/quote]
On the Tuscan, as much as one as rather heart broken at the time, it led me to the Tuscan I have now.
ianwayne said:
Great first thread. I, too, lusted after an S2000 for a while until I got in one. If you're much over 6 ft tall, the headroom is not good, and if you do cram into it, the visibility is poor.
There's a reason TVRs are different, Peter Wheeler was 6ft 6 in tall.
Ironically it's the opposite problem for me, being somewhat vertically challenged! There's a reason TVRs are different, Peter Wheeler was 6ft 6 in tall.
Still I'm quite happy peering over the dashboard of the Tiv
SILICONEKID345HP said:
QBee said:
Will let you know when we are next at Castle Combe, but you will see it being arranged on a PH.....
Can you remind me on events ? Want to do. alot more this year ..What kind of events did you have in mind?
Track days?
Sprint days?
Drag days?
Polishing days?
Drives out?
Weekend trips?
Solo or with the Mrs along for the craic?
It's always nice to have someone who can talk TVR along - the rest of my TVR friends are absolute trappist monks, cannot get a word out of them.
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