Silver Chimaera - Melbourne / TVR's in Oz

[CRM]

Being a self confessed NZ TVR train spotter I was stoked to spot a TVR while out for a run when in Melbourne for work for a few days recently.

Spotted - Silver Chimarea on the back of a truck (looked like it was being delivered)
Wednesday 12th Dec
Bay Road, Sandringham
Anyone on here?

How many TVR's are estimated to be in Australia?

[ariddell]

There are certainly a few of us out here, either personal imports or the Malaysian built cars.

Probably about 5-6 in Melbourne i would think along with a few Griffs, a couple of Cerberas etc.

Silver Chim you spotted might have been stuartc's.

[deviant]

Malaysian built cars?

[ariddell]

Yeah, most Chimaeras I have seen in Melbourne/advertised for sale in Australia are from the batch built at the TVR factory in Malaysia. They seem to be slightly different from the UK cars, using the post facelift nose design but with the pre-facelift interior and rear even on 1999 built cars.


http://www.tvr-car-club.co.uk/about_tvr.asp

"In an attempt to search out new export markets, in 1998 TVR opened a new factory in Port Kelang, just outside Kuala Lumpar Malaysia. This factory produced only Chimaeras and whilst there was a burgeoning home market for them in Malaysia, most of their production went overseas to Australia, Japan and |south Africa. Interestingly, some were even alleged to have been shipped back to UK to meet the growing demand in the European market."

[CRM]

Cheers for the feedback. FYI there are just over 60 (known) cars in NZ.

[chunder]

There are 15 or so in Perth, combination of early / newer models.

I know of Tuscan / Tamora / Griff / Chimp / Wedge / Taimar / Vixen / Grantura / original Griff, no Cerb / T350 / Sagaris.

[Rochester TVR]

Im in the process of moving out to Australia (Brisbane) in the next 6 - 9 monthes and will be bringing a Cerbera 4.5 with me.

How do they cope with the hot tempretures?

Im intending to make a few upgrades to the cooling system before shipping her out.

Cheers
Lee

[ariddell]

I've not had any issues with mine so far, stays pretty solid around the 90-95 mark at most even when sitting in traffic the last 37-38degree day I had it out on. Certainly coped a lot better with the heat than my bald patch did!

If you've any doubts then i would definately go with the cooling system upgrade before leaving the UK - I had a new upgraded radiator fitted to the Chim just before I left the UK so this probably helps. Way easier to get upgrades like that fitted in the UK rather than trying to track down the parts or have things shipped out once you get here.

[stuartc]

Hi
Not my Chim as its not been on the back of a truck for a while, good to see another Cerb coming to Oz, I have not seen the silver Chim around.

We need a drive day soon

Stuart

[nickpage]

Chunder
Richard H has bought my old Cerbera (from Rob in Melbourne) and she IS back in Perth...currently being resprayed and refurbished.
nick

[nickpage]

hi lee
One 2001 LW 4.5 in NSW that I know of. I'm having a beer and curry with them at the weekend - I will ask them to post on here some info.
My 4.2 (1997) had no cooling issues over 5 years of ownership, just the normal clutch probs.
nick

[Jader1973]

Dropped the Foulcan off for a service in South Melbourne this morning, and while I was walking to work in Port Melbourne saw a silver(ish) Chimerea going up Salmon Street. Think the reg was either
02 TVR or OZ TVR.

Seen it going down Salmon Street a couple of times when I've been leaving work as well..but not got the reg before now.

Edited by Jader1973 on Tuesday 5th February 07:07

[Adamc]

I sold my 98 Griff to a guy from Queensland 18 months ago, but before that there was a meeting of Sydney TVRs.

pics here

http://homepage.mac.com/kaos/PhotoAlbum5.html

wow that was nearly 4 years ago!

Adam

[chunder]

nickpage said:

Chunder
Richard H has bought my old Cerbera (from Rob in Melbourne) and she IS back in Perth...currently being resprayed and refurbished.
nick

Hi Nick,

I've not really been in contact with anyone recently - has he sold the Tuscan or is he just being greedy !

[stuartc]

Yes it was me TVR02 you saw in Port Melbourne the other day I work in Turner Street and live in Port Melbourne so it does not get much of a run , its in the shop at the moment getting a water leak fixed

Stuart