Anybody know this car?

[Jhcolling]

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

[Jhcolling]

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......

[Jhcolling]

pwd95 said:

If it's been painted with only Hammerite it will already be rusting...... shirley.

I'd want details on this to begin with...

Naive question, if it has only been painted with Hammerite ant-rust (as per the ad) is this an issue. What should the chassis be coated with?

[Jhcolling]

Oh FFS! It was once red so that kills it for me. Thanks for the input gents, very much appreciated. It's back to the classifieds for me.

[Jhcolling]

I agree it's a nice colour but at that price it needs to be more or less perfect. Whilst I am looking at the top end of the market I do look at this as an investment as I plan to keep it for some time and resprays put me off a little.

[Jhcolling]

Cheshire.......

[Jhcolling]

portzi said:

Your not far from the north west, pop up to Track V Road

http://www.trackvroad.co.uk/showroom/

I lived in Surrey for 3 years and everything costs more including breathing air

I don't think Cheshire is much better these days.

[Jhcolling]

Yex 450 said:

OP, if you have c£25K to spend on a Chimaera you could do a lot worse than chat to Adrian at Central TVR.

http://www.centraltvr.com/classifieds/car/new-proj...

You get involved in the final spec from day 1 and will be able to see everything they do from initial chassis refurb through to final presentation.

This is fantastic thank you.

I am also going completely against my initial post and looking at this at the weekend and bringing Ian from TorqueRVT with me so i can get a professional opinion on it. I have no idea what will happen if he says it is a good car.....
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/t...

I am sure many of you will appreciate that when your car is a constant work in progress it can spend more time in the garage than on the road, by going for a refurbished model then I hope to avoid this situation. I am open to all possibilities at the moment.

[Jhcolling]

I'll have a look anyway, all experience is good experience...........

[Jhcolling]

TJC46 said:

I know you are looking in the Chimaera section, but i have just spotted this on ebay.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TVR-Griffith-Very-Rare-P...

Full chassis rebuild, nitron suspension and an early pre-cat griff.

A fantastic car all round,especially to drive, and a surefire investment.

Ive tried to like the Griff but I can't, I really don't like the look of the rear end.

[Jhcolling]

Well i have had a very educational weekend, Ian was a great help and extremely knowledgeable. I am looking at another tomorrow, its bloody miles away so i hope it is worth the trip.
Anybody know it?
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C800670

[Jhcolling]

TV8 said:

OP, the first car you linked was priced around £25k.

There is someone posting on here who has one of the finest cars you will see, for sale or otherwise, and who maybe thinking about selling.

It has been suggested, by some of the regulars, that the car is worth £30k+ and the owner of the car is suggesting a value in the high £20s for a quick sale.

If I was in the market for a car at that sort of value, I would be in touch with the OP from this thread: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

I've seen the thread, with my limited insight it is clear to see the car is owned by a real enthusiast and IMO should remain that way. I am still learning and that is not a beginners car. Here to be corrected.

[Jhcolling]

TJC46 said:

John i see in your profile you are from "up north" If you need any pointers as to what is a good un or a dog then get in touch.

I know you probably cannot wait to own a Chimaera but take your time and view plenty. As you have said you are still learning, but with your budget i would be looking for a car that has had a full body of chassis restoration.

Replacing the outriggers is good, but with the body off......usually everything gets replaced. Fuel lines , brake lines, wishbones front and rear, suspension bushes etc, etc. engine, gearbox and diff usually also get sorted.

I know i have been there and done that. What started as outrigger replacement ended up as a total restoration.

Is my car for sale........no it is not.....its a keeper but is exactly the sort of car you should look for.

What was your opinion on the car in Cheshire ?

The car in cheshire was better than expected, i just think it is over priced but i have not ruled it out. Ive decided not to proceed with the car I looked at today so the search continues
To what extent should i be concerned about mileage? If two cars are of identical condition, one has 100k on the clock but had a full rebuild the other is a 30k car that has just been serviced regularly, which should i be leaning towards?

If anybody is thinking of selling then please do get in touch.

[Jhcolling]

Well, I've agreed in principle to buy the car I viewed last weekend. I hope to be the owner in the next weeks or so. I would like to say a massive thanks to everybody who has helped me in the search and to the (many) people who contacted me via email with all their insight too.

I started out looking for a finished car and have end up buying an original one that needs a bit of TLC, this decision was primarily made as i have learnt that a restored car is not the be all and end all and there is no guarantee that corners have been cut along the way. I now get to be in control of what gets done and when, the car will also feel more mine.

I have already started my shopping list, Initially i will start with the AP Racing 4-Pot Caliper And 2-Piece 315x28mm Disc Kit and the Gaz Gold Pro shocks. The car has a bit of road rash on the front so i will probably get the font end sprayed and the rear screen needs replacing.

I am also looking for a set of wheels, what you all think of this?

[Jhcolling]

TR4man said:

Congratulations

The next few days/weeks you will be like a little boy waiting for Christmas!

Tell me about it, I'm going to try to pick it up on 13th but it will go straight to the garage so won't see it for a few weeks after that.

@ everybody - Please stop talking about turbo's!