Anybody know this car?
Discussion
Hi All,
I've been lurking around here for the best part of 2 years waiting for my circumstances to allow me to buy a chimaera. After reading about and seeing some chassis refers I've pretty much decided I want a car that has had a full chassis refurb and a general overhaul in recent years. I'm in the south Manchester area and this car has caught my eye.
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/t...
It's a trek down to Mole Vally and I wondered if anybody could tell me anything useful about the car in advance of me making the drive down.
Thanks
I've been lurking around here for the best part of 2 years waiting for my circumstances to allow me to buy a chimaera. After reading about and seeing some chassis refers I've pretty much decided I want a car that has had a full chassis refurb and a general overhaul in recent years. I'm in the south Manchester area and this car has caught my eye.
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/t...
It's a trek down to Mole Vally and I wondered if anybody could tell me anything useful about the car in advance of me making the drive down.
Thanks
Given the level of work I don't think it really matters what this car WAS like. Mole Valley typically trade at the top end and are pretty thorough. They were TVR main dealers back in the day under their original ownership, now they specialise in various sports cars but retain a keen interest in and knowledge of TVR's. They're very "Surrey" but that shouldn't put you off (speaking as a Northerner in long exile in these parts). They've done some work on my Tuscan but I don't use them regularly as they're above average on price around here. This car is at the top end price wise but as a thorough resto actually represents decent value if you think back to what it would have been new plus inflation. They usually have a Chim restoration on the go continuously.
It's a lot of money for a Chimaera, BUT
I have spent as much on my car from purchase to upgrades in the last 4 years, and it's not nearly as nice and saleable as that one.
The non-standard upgrades I can spot are good ones - those wheels look like Silverstone SP12s in 17/18 inch, which in turn allow for the much bigger front brakes that the car needs. The wheels were made specifically for the Chimaera/Griffith, so represent the one aftermarket set that is close to factory standard. The carbon fibre dash is not to everyone's taste, but suits the interior of that car IMHO.
The low mileage is nice as a selling point, but as everything that would suffer from either use, or non-use, has been replaced or repaired, it is almost irrelevant. But it will help if you ever decide to sell the car. Nice bright paint colour is also a plus.
If you have that sort of budget, and particularly if you enjoy showing the car, that one looks worthy of the trip - make sure you get a warranty while you are at it.
I have spent as much on my car from purchase to upgrades in the last 4 years, and it's not nearly as nice and saleable as that one.
The non-standard upgrades I can spot are good ones - those wheels look like Silverstone SP12s in 17/18 inch, which in turn allow for the much bigger front brakes that the car needs. The wheels were made specifically for the Chimaera/Griffith, so represent the one aftermarket set that is close to factory standard. The carbon fibre dash is not to everyone's taste, but suits the interior of that car IMHO.
The low mileage is nice as a selling point, but as everything that would suffer from either use, or non-use, has been replaced or repaired, it is almost irrelevant. But it will help if you ever decide to sell the car. Nice bright paint colour is also a plus.
If you have that sort of budget, and particularly if you enjoy showing the car, that one looks worthy of the trip - make sure you get a warranty while you are at it.
Thanks for the replies, I am somebody who has always modified my cars and i am well aware you don't get back what you put in, hence the decision to go for one that has already been done. Whilst i like the the colour i am not a fan of the wheels and (getting way ahead of myself) will probably put these back to standard.
I have to say I didn't notice the indicators so good spot.
I'll get back to the man maths......
I have to say I didn't notice the indicators so good spot.
I'll get back to the man maths......
You won't change those wheels back to standard seven spoke Estorils without changing the brakes back to useless tea plates too. The ones on the car are 17 inch for a reason - standard front wheels are 15 inch.
The brakes are probably 324mm Ford Focus RS......standard ex-factory is 260mm, Sierra I think - dinner plates vs tea plates.
If you do buy the car, live with the wheels for a while. You may well come around to liking them. If you decide to spend the £1500-£2000 to go back to standard I will happily reduce your wallet pain by relieving you of both the wheels and the brakes for a fair price.
The brakes are probably 324mm Ford Focus RS......standard ex-factory is 260mm, Sierra I think - dinner plates vs tea plates.
If you do buy the car, live with the wheels for a while. You may well come around to liking them. If you decide to spend the £1500-£2000 to go back to standard I will happily reduce your wallet pain by relieving you of both the wheels and the brakes for a fair price.
Edited by QBee on Sunday 22 January 21:32
Usual way after a full refurb on the chassis is powder coating or 2-pack epoxy painting.
As a Chimaera owner its great to see prices on the up...............but that is one expensive car.
As others have said, we all over a period of time invest, usually quite heavily, in our pride and joys.
That is the most expensive 5.0 ltr Chim i can remember being advertised and when you use it you will still have to spend to keep it as good as it looks.
For that money i would want to see a full rebuild history, including pictures etc of the car at various stages, bare chassis before and after paint etrc, etc, etc.
My rebuild was done by myself but even i have all the pictures from the 1st minute of starting it right thru to its completion.
If this is the car for you, then good luck, but definitely enquire about rebuild history. It will be invalid a good few years from now, if you ever decide to move it on.
As a Chimaera owner its great to see prices on the up...............but that is one expensive car.
As others have said, we all over a period of time invest, usually quite heavily, in our pride and joys.
That is the most expensive 5.0 ltr Chim i can remember being advertised and when you use it you will still have to spend to keep it as good as it looks.
For that money i would want to see a full rebuild history, including pictures etc of the car at various stages, bare chassis before and after paint etrc, etc, etc.
My rebuild was done by myself but even i have all the pictures from the 1st minute of starting it right thru to its completion.
If this is the car for you, then good luck, but definitely enquire about rebuild history. It will be invalid a good few years from now, if you ever decide to move it on.
Get the car reg and go to https://www.gov.uk/check-mot-history enter it in and it'll tell it's MOT history which will give you an idea of its past 😀
Looks a great car with everything done, but that Hammerite does need questioning - maybe the writer of the advert has got this wrong, as I can't imagine someone like Mole Valley finishing a chassis refurb off with a brush.
I'm not keen on the grey interior either - mine's grey. How did the chassis get into such a state in 27,000 miles as well? I'm near Stockport with a Griff and axle stands if you need to work out an inspection strategy.
Tony Gilbert or James Agger would be worth a look, as they're much nearer and both have a good selection of decent Chimaeras.
I'm not keen on the grey interior either - mine's grey. How did the chassis get into such a state in 27,000 miles as well? I'm near Stockport with a Griff and axle stands if you need to work out an inspection strategy.
Tony Gilbert or James Agger would be worth a look, as they're much nearer and both have a good selection of decent Chimaeras.
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