RE: TVR Chimaera 400: PH Carpool
Monday 1st February 2016
Name: Steve Kirk (FairfieldSteve on forum)
Car: TVR Chimaera 400
Owned since: September 2015
Previously owned: TVR Chimaera 450 (picture attached...), MG ZS 180, other boring things
Steve's first Chimaera...Why I bought it:
"My love for TVRs started when I was tiny, and had no interest in cars. I was in the back of Dad's car, waiting at a petrol station when this noisy topless thing pulled up. It was a Chimaera, and that was that. I've lost bets over the things. I once had to shave my hair when plans to buy one didn't come to fruition. I'm besotted by TVR and am very excited to see what Les Edgar is releasing in the next year or two."
Brit car community hugely appealing to SteveWhat I wish I'd known:
"I've lusted after a TVR for so long, and spent so much time researching them that I think I was pretty well versed in what to look for when buying one. I do, however, wish I had known how quickly a TVR could bite when coming out of a roundabout! I bought a Chimaera 450 last year and promptly had an accident. I needed to get back in the saddle, I felt incomplete without one, and a year later sorted it all out."
This one's a keeper!Costs:
"Insurance is fine on a classic policy, even for someone with points and write-offs against their name. The cost of fuel is negated by pleasure received from driving. Parts are available through the community and advice is only a forum post away. I have been helped over the years by Bespoke Performance in Ware, and the car has been to them under it's previous ownership."
TVR Chimaera 400: PH Carpool
Take two at TVR ownership for this PHer and it's happy days so far!
Car: TVR Chimaera 400
Owned since: September 2015
Previously owned: TVR Chimaera 450 (picture attached...), MG ZS 180, other boring things
Steve's first Chimaera...
"My love for TVRs started when I was tiny, and had no interest in cars. I was in the back of Dad's car, waiting at a petrol station when this noisy topless thing pulled up. It was a Chimaera, and that was that. I've lost bets over the things. I once had to shave my hair when plans to buy one didn't come to fruition. I'm besotted by TVR and am very excited to see what Les Edgar is releasing in the next year or two."
"This particular car was owned by a long standing member of the hooning/PH/TVR fraternity, the well known and respected Oggs. I was actually shown around the car by him after he offered when I started seriously looking at buying a car. It felt like fate that I would be in a position to buy one at the time. Oggs was looking to part, and we reached a deal in his garage in the middle of a downpour."
Brit car community hugely appealing to Steve
"I've lusted after a TVR for so long, and spent so much time researching them that I think I was pretty well versed in what to look for when buying one. I do, however, wish I had known how quickly a TVR could bite when coming out of a roundabout! I bought a Chimaera 450 last year and promptly had an accident. I needed to get back in the saddle, I felt incomplete without one, and a year later sorted it all out."
Things I love:
"It's loud, properly loud, it's fast and it's British - what's not to love? I've had a kid stop his father on the pavement and shout "Wow daddy, what's that?" to which he replied "A TVR son" - passing the TVR fandom torch on hopefully. The community around these things is huge; you get a truck load of new friends when you buy a TVR."
Things I hate:
"There is nothing I hate about my TVR. She's had niggles, sure. But I fully understood this before ownership."
This one's a keeper!
"Insurance is fine on a classic policy, even for someone with points and write-offs against their name. The cost of fuel is negated by pleasure received from driving. Parts are available through the community and advice is only a forum post away. I have been helped over the years by Bespoke Performance in Ware, and the car has been to them under it's previous ownership."
Where I've been:
"Well, I've been further than I got in the other one! I went to all the local end of season car shows, managed to get to the Brands Hatch Sunday Service and continue to nip out for a run when able to. Being used all year as much as it can be, the car suffers from fewer problems when driven regularly. Crucially, my good lady has also suggested going for a drive occasionally!"
What next?
"I don't fly. The intention is to tour Europe in the car, luckily I have an understanding partner! The car is to be loved and improved upon where needed. Eventually I'm going to need a full chassis refurb and respray, two major costs that I am starting to save for. The colour may change; I've always fancied the blue/green flip paint or reflex charcoal, colours which may not be on other Chimaeras. Oggs had the car for a long time, I hope to beat his record."
Want to share your car with PHers on Carpool? Email us at carpool@pistonheads.com!
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Discussion
I've always wanted one, just nervous about the reliability factor. I bought an E46 M3 convertible instead, maybe not the same driving experience, but fun all the same.
Also the lack of ABS alongside a lively rear-end would make me drive it like Miss Daisy's chauffeur which defeats the point.
Also the lack of ABS alongside a lively rear-end would make me drive it like Miss Daisy's chauffeur which defeats the point.
I've only driven one Chimaera, a 500 but I did break traction on acceleration but the car didn't do anything one wouldn't expect.
I think it's more a matter of taking it easy at first, treating it with respect and building up the liberties you take slowly and gradually as you get to know the car. If you expect to jump in and drive a TVR-type car (light, powerful, lack of safety nets) fast straight away then you're going to be bitten hard.
I've had my Cerbera for 3 years now and I feel comfortable with it, although my usual driving style is not to dive into corners but rather slow to ensure I'll make it whatever happens and take liberties with power on the way out - if the back end starts going wide just don't press the loud pedal so hard.
I keep saying this on General Gassing and will continue to keep saying it until enough people hear it. TVR reliability isn't bad. Yes, there's often something that needs doing. It's very, very rare that you're stood at the side of the road waiting for a recovery truck. It's more likely to leave you stranded than a new Mondeo, sure, but it's less likely to leave you stranded than an equivalent age Mondeo in my experience and tbh keeping on contact with lots of other TVR owners, that seems to be typical.
I think it's more a matter of taking it easy at first, treating it with respect and building up the liberties you take slowly and gradually as you get to know the car. If you expect to jump in and drive a TVR-type car (light, powerful, lack of safety nets) fast straight away then you're going to be bitten hard.
I've had my Cerbera for 3 years now and I feel comfortable with it, although my usual driving style is not to dive into corners but rather slow to ensure I'll make it whatever happens and take liberties with power on the way out - if the back end starts going wide just don't press the loud pedal so hard.
I keep saying this on General Gassing and will continue to keep saying it until enough people hear it. TVR reliability isn't bad. Yes, there's often something that needs doing. It's very, very rare that you're stood at the side of the road waiting for a recovery truck. It's more likely to leave you stranded than a new Mondeo, sure, but it's less likely to leave you stranded than an equivalent age Mondeo in my experience and tbh keeping on contact with lots of other TVR owners, that seems to be typical.
davo23 said:
Good to see a chim up here! What colour is that? Looks a bit like ash green, but maybe a bit darker?
Good eye, it is ash green metallic. Although I may have it resprayed in the future, in which case I fancy a flip colour, maybe blue/green.JoshMay said:
I've always wanted one, just nervous about the reliability factor. I bought an E46 M3 convertible instead, maybe not the same driving experience, but fun all the same.
Also the lack of ABS alongside a lively rear-end would make me drive it like Miss Daisy's chauffeur which defeats the point.
More reliable the more you drive them, in my experience. Also the lack of ABS alongside a lively rear-end would make me drive it like Miss Daisy's chauffeur which defeats the point.
Certainly more different to drive than something modern with ABS!
Hi Steve,
I see you previously had a 450. Having just bought my first TVR - also a 400 chim, I do not exactly feel I lack power ever, just curious to know, does it feel like it's lacking anything in comparison to a 450? I now the 450 is actually quicker if driven next to or in tandem with a 400 but is it noticeable to you the driver?
I see you previously had a 450. Having just bought my first TVR - also a 400 chim, I do not exactly feel I lack power ever, just curious to know, does it feel like it's lacking anything in comparison to a 450? I now the 450 is actually quicker if driven next to or in tandem with a 400 but is it noticeable to you the driver?
Danattheopticians said:
Hi Steve,
I see you previously had a 450. Having just bought my first TVR - also a 400 chim, I do not exactly feel I lack power ever, just curious to know, does it feel like it's lacking anything in comparison to a 450? I now the 450 is actually quicker if driven next to or in tandem with a 400 but is it noticeable to you the driver?
Hi Dan,I see you previously had a 450. Having just bought my first TVR - also a 400 chim, I do not exactly feel I lack power ever, just curious to know, does it feel like it's lacking anything in comparison to a 450? I now the 450 is actually quicker if driven next to or in tandem with a 400 but is it noticeable to you the driver?
It is a little hard for me to tell, as there was a year between the two and I didn't get to spend much time in the 450!
The 400 feels like it has a more sedate power delivery, but in general feels smoother over the rev range. It's in better condition than the 450, which had been sitting for a number of years.
The 450 has a lot more torque at the low end of the rev range, making it a little bit of a handful for me..... But, my 400 "feels" a little faster, at least up to NSL speeds. After that, I think the 450 would have the edge quite clearly.
I'd always wanted a Chimera, so choose carefully; mine was bought from a guy who was then the Sales Manager at (I think) Harrogate Horseless Carriage Co, when it was a TVR dealer.
He had bought the car when it came in as a p/ex against a new one, having had one owner (a British Army Captain who I believe was the great grandson of WW1 poet Wilfred Owen)
The car had a (totally superfluous) mega in-car stereo system, which was hidden so the car looked OE, and sat on Graphite Spider alloys. And had done 34k from new.
I actually think they're not as fast as we would like to believe, indeed, TVR over-estimated the power output on each engine derivative.
People who say they are u reliable are listening to 'Chinese whispers' imho; check the outriggers (and the whole tubular chassis if you can would be the first thing to look at.
The only issue I had was when the car failed to start on a hot day after a fast run. This is a well-known issue as the lead to the alternator (or starter motor, can't remember which) isn't up to the job of carrying the current when it gets hot. And the engine bay does get hot as fibreglass is a great I sulayor don't forget.
The issue was resolved by a kit sold by Land Rover which included an updated wiring harness, relay and fuse iirc, all of circa £24. Easy to fit, and never failed again.
Having said that, the wipers are not that great, and a friend of mine updated his using a motor and linkage from another car maker, and headlights really need uprated bulbs.
I loved mine, and still miss it, and would definitely have another, preferring the chimera over the (more expensive but no different except a shorter rear body/boot) Griffith.
I'm sure people in to them have followed the guy who put a new Corvette engine in his..?
Great car my friend, thanks for sharing 👍
He had bought the car when it came in as a p/ex against a new one, having had one owner (a British Army Captain who I believe was the great grandson of WW1 poet Wilfred Owen)
The car had a (totally superfluous) mega in-car stereo system, which was hidden so the car looked OE, and sat on Graphite Spider alloys. And had done 34k from new.
I actually think they're not as fast as we would like to believe, indeed, TVR over-estimated the power output on each engine derivative.
People who say they are u reliable are listening to 'Chinese whispers' imho; check the outriggers (and the whole tubular chassis if you can would be the first thing to look at.
The only issue I had was when the car failed to start on a hot day after a fast run. This is a well-known issue as the lead to the alternator (or starter motor, can't remember which) isn't up to the job of carrying the current when it gets hot. And the engine bay does get hot as fibreglass is a great I sulayor don't forget.
The issue was resolved by a kit sold by Land Rover which included an updated wiring harness, relay and fuse iirc, all of circa £24. Easy to fit, and never failed again.
Having said that, the wipers are not that great, and a friend of mine updated his using a motor and linkage from another car maker, and headlights really need uprated bulbs.
I loved mine, and still miss it, and would definitely have another, preferring the chimera over the (more expensive but no different except a shorter rear body/boot) Griffith.
I'm sure people in to them have followed the guy who put a new Corvette engine in his..?
Great car my friend, thanks for sharing 👍
Ozzie Osmond said:
I reckon if TVR had built Chims and nothing else they'd still be in business today. It may not have been their biggest and fanciest car but it was just "right" in so many ways. IMO it could have gone on evolving indefinitely.
You're possibly right, but whilst not a criticism of the ubiquitous Chimaera, we are all unlikely to have such positive opinions of TVR if it weren't for all the utter madness that followed.But for some styling cues carried over, you would believe a Cerbera and Chimaera came from the same makers to drive them. Same goes for the terrifying Speed Twelve cars, and the Tuscan and Sagaris in particular from what followed.
I think that if TVR had only produced the Chimaera and survived by updating engines and things, we may be talking about them as Morgans get talked about - i.e. slightly suspect choices for beardie sorts. As things worked out, that's what the Griffith was for.
Ozzie Osmond said:
I reckon if TVR had built Chims and nothing else they'd still be in business today. It may not have been their biggest and fanciest car but it was just "right" in so many ways. IMO it could have gone on evolving indefinitely.
It was by far the best selling TVR too, I think it all changed for TVR when they stopped using RV8 engine and started with the speed 6 engine, offered great performance but less character, the AJP8 in the Cerbera was great because it was from that same era. jamieduff1981 said:
I keep saying this on General Gassing and will continue to keep saying it until enough people hear it. TVR reliability isn't bad. Yes, there's often something that needs doing. It's very, very rare that you're stood at the side of the road waiting for a recovery truck. It's more likely to leave you stranded than a new Mondeo, sure, but it's less likely to leave you stranded than an equivalent age Mondeo in my experience and tbh keeping on contact with lots of other TVR owners, that seems to be typical.
i've often wondered what the failure rate is for cared-for cars? as opposed to ones serially owned by several people ticking the box and ignoring maintenance. rtz62 said:
I'd always wanted a Chimera, so choose carefully; mine was bought from a guy who was then the Sales Manager at (I think) Harrogate Horseless Carriage Co, when it was a TVR dealer.
He had bought the car when it came in as a p/ex against a new one, having had one owner (a British Army Captain who I believe was the great grandson of WW1 poet Wilfred Owen)
The car had a (totally superfluous) mega in-car stereo system, which was hidden so the car looked OE, and sat on Graphite Spider alloys. And had done 34k from new.
I actually think they're not as fast as we would like to believe, indeed, TVR over-estimated the power output on each engine derivative.
People who say they are u reliable are listening to 'Chinese whispers' imho; check the outriggers (and the whole tubular chassis if you can would be the first thing to look at.
The only issue I had was when the car failed to start on a hot day after a fast run. This is a well-known issue as the lead to the alternator (or starter motor, can't remember which) isn't up to the job of carrying the current when it gets hot. And the engine bay does get hot as fibreglass is a great I sulayor don't forget.
The issue was resolved by a kit sold by Land Rover which included an updated wiring harness, relay and fuse iirc, all of circa £24. Easy to fit, and never failed again.
Having said that, the wipers are not that great, and a friend of mine updated his using a motor and linkage from another car maker, and headlights really need uprated bulbs.
I loved mine, and still miss it, and would definitely have another, preferring the chimera over the (more expensive but no different except a shorter rear body/boot) Griffith.
I'm sure people in to them have followed the guy who put a new Corvette engine in his..?
Great car my friend, thanks for sharing ??
Thank you!He had bought the car when it came in as a p/ex against a new one, having had one owner (a British Army Captain who I believe was the great grandson of WW1 poet Wilfred Owen)
The car had a (totally superfluous) mega in-car stereo system, which was hidden so the car looked OE, and sat on Graphite Spider alloys. And had done 34k from new.
I actually think they're not as fast as we would like to believe, indeed, TVR over-estimated the power output on each engine derivative.
People who say they are u reliable are listening to 'Chinese whispers' imho; check the outriggers (and the whole tubular chassis if you can would be the first thing to look at.
The only issue I had was when the car failed to start on a hot day after a fast run. This is a well-known issue as the lead to the alternator (or starter motor, can't remember which) isn't up to the job of carrying the current when it gets hot. And the engine bay does get hot as fibreglass is a great I sulayor don't forget.
The issue was resolved by a kit sold by Land Rover which included an updated wiring harness, relay and fuse iirc, all of circa £24. Easy to fit, and never failed again.
Having said that, the wipers are not that great, and a friend of mine updated his using a motor and linkage from another car maker, and headlights really need uprated bulbs.
I loved mine, and still miss it, and would definitely have another, preferring the chimera over the (more expensive but no different except a shorter rear body/boot) Griffith.
I'm sure people in to them have followed the guy who put a new Corvette engine in his..?
Great car my friend, thanks for sharing ??
swisstoni said:
Chimaeras were made from well proven mechanical bits from mainstream manufacturers like Rover and Ford. They are very simple machines.
A TVR has only stranded me once and that was due to a failed relay that would have halted any other car.
I grew up playing with off-roaders and the Rover V8, a lot of the appeal of a Chimaera is that I am more than happy to work on the engine myself!A TVR has only stranded me once and that was due to a failed relay that would have halted any other car.
RoverP6B said:
What happened to the first one? Doesn't look heavily damaged. Always rather liked these but having seen one written off (driver did not survive) after an encounter with a Volvo V70, which was not heavily damaged, I decided I wasn't brave enough...
It was written off by the insurers (Again, it was already a Cat D) and I then sold it on to a racing firm up in Sheffield. I haven't heard of it since, but I agree, it looked fixable.
They are never going to be the last word in safety. It does make me think!
jamieduff1981 said:
Ozzie Osmond said:
I reckon if TVR had built Chims and nothing else they'd still be in business today. It may not have been their biggest and fanciest car but it was just "right" in so many ways. IMO it could have gone on evolving indefinitely.
You're possibly right, but whilst not a criticism of the ubiquitous Chimaera, we are all unlikely to have such positive opinions of TVR if it weren't for all the utter madness that followed.But for some styling cues carried over, you would believe a Cerbera and Chimaera came from the same makers to drive them. Same goes for the terrifying Speed Twelve cars, and the Tuscan and Sagaris in particular from what followed.
I think that if TVR had only produced the Chimaera and survived by updating engines and things, we may be talking about them as Morgans get talked about - i.e. slightly suspect choices for beardie sorts. As things worked out, that's what the Griffith was for.
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