1994 TVR Chimaera 400

Highlights

• Original, early Chimaera
• Great, usable condition
• Lots of history and paperwork
• Outer sills replaced
• Genuine, unrestored car

Overview

Here’s one for the pub quiz – part of the TVR Chimaera was designed by a dog.

That may sound completely barking, but it’s true. Legend has it – and it’s a verified legend at that – that when TVR boss Peter Wheeler took some investors to look at the styling model for the upcoming new sports car, his dog ran forward and took a huge bite out of the polystyrene model.

The German pointer, Ned, claimed his own place in motoring history at the time. “He was charging about as usual and took a bite out of the model of the Chimaera we had on the table,” said Wheeler in an interview with CAR magazine.

But instead of being sent to the doghouse, Ned’s creative input was subsequently incorporated into the design of the indicator recesses, the fang-shaped cut-outs becoming a standout design signature of what would go on to become the best-selling TVR of all-time.

With a direct lineage to the earlier Griffith, the Chimaera went into production in 1991 and continued through to 2003, with approximately 6,000 of them built in total.

This one is a 1994 Chimaera 400, named after its 4.0-litre V8 Range Rover engine, with no modifications– not that you need them on a 150mph sports car. It has covered 66,000 miles from new and has been well-loved by its current owner, who describes it as in good but not perfect condition. There’s a load of history with it and it comes with an MOT valid until June 2025.

If you want a car that’s absolutely thrilling to drive, is well-maintained, but not so immaculate as to leave you scared of parking it in public, this is a fantastic opportunity for the committed PHer to get behind the wheel of a car that will give you a shot of adrenaline every time you climb behind the wheel – especially in the wet!

It offers a raw, unblinkered driving experience, a seductive soundtrack and blistering performance, which earns it three massive ticks in our book, and that’s before you consider what a bargain it might turn out to be.

History and documentation

• UK V5C in the name of the vendor
• MOT to June 2025
• Original handbook and service history book
• Two keys
• Supplied new by Christopher Neil Sports Cars of Northwich, Cheshire
• Service booked stamped at 1,180 miles (1994 - main dealer), 3,831 miles (1995 - main dealer), 8,332 miles (1997 – main dealer), 13,505 miles (1997 – main dealer), 16,389 miles (1998 – main dealer), 20,838 miles (1999 – main dealer), 25,042 (2000 – main dealer), 28,114 (2001 – main dealer), 32,011 (2022 – specialist), 27,194 (2004 – main dealer), 53,446 (2016 – specialist), 60,275 (2021 – specialist)
• The odometer screen suffered from a problem which made it unreadable when the car was warm (but reappeared when cool), resulting in a number of MOT testers recording zero mileage; this is now fixed as the odo was refurbished in June 2024
• Selection of parts invoices showing independent maintenance since
• All old MOT certificates

Interior

• Beige leather upholstery in excellent condition
• Minimal wear to driver’s seat
• Seats were refurbished prior to current ownership
• Rich green carpets with beige piping in good condition
• Two tone green and leather dash in excellent order
• Modernised Kenwood stereo and CD player
• Original TVR mats

Exterior

• Lovely British Racing Green colour scheme
• Various chips and marks to paintwork all-round
• Some lacquer peel on offside rear panel (detailed in photos)
• Scratches to both door sills
• Some crazing and spidering to fibreglass on offside front wheel arch
• Paint damage to driver’s side door edge
• Original wheels in very good condition
• Toyo Proxes tyres all-round

Mechanical

• 4.0-litre Rover V8
• 275bhp
• Five-speed manual
• 0-60 in 5.1 secs
• 151mph top speed
• Sounds incredible
• No reported mechanical issues

Summary

With its throbbing, rumbling Rover V8 powerplant, lightweight bodywork and snug cabin, the Chimaera offers a driving experience that will stir every single one of your senses in a manner that you would normally only experience in an old-school classic, yet being a Nineties car with a mechanical set-up that means you can get parts off the shelf in most motor factors, it won’t cost you classic or supercar money to run – nor to buy.

Despite that, it’s a car steeped in heritage, wearing the badge of one of the most revered British sports car brands in motoring history. It’s a hell of an impressive CV for a car that’s unlikely to cost much more to buy than a tidy MGB, but arguably with much more soul.

To arrange a viewing, please request this in the Q&A section. You can click through to the seller's profile and use the 'Email Me' function to arrange a viewing privately. This seller is located in Hampshire.