1999 TVR Chimaera

Highlights 

• Later, post-facelift example

• 243bhp, 4.0-litre V8

• Comprehensive service history

• Especially low mileage

• In excellent condition throughout

• Recent preventative chassis maintenance and treatment

• Upgraded suspension

Overview

A bit of a dark horse amongst the slew of sports car usual suspects the TVR Chimaera may be a bit less mainstream than a Ferrari or Porsche, for example, but therein lies part of its charm.  It remains an inherently fun, incredibly capable and brilliantly usable modern classic British roadster, free of the now ubiquitous and hampering driver aids prevalent in most contemporary performance machines.

Wonderfully engaging as a result anyone who isn't immediately charmed by just how good these cars look will almost certainly be smitten by how they sound. With an encouraging burble from the exhaust at idle that feels like a warming embrace it quickly morphs into a crushing bear hug following direct application of the right foot. The sound of a Chimaera at full chat will never get old.

Built upon the previous Griffith platform the Chimaera was designed as more of a GT than an outright sports car and as such makes a bit more sense day to day and is surprisingly practical. Equipped with the venerable Rover V8 in varying displacements depending on which year you opted for the car would be updated at numerous junctures during its 11 year production run but the basic premise of independent suspension and a tuned eight-cylinder engine mated to a bombproof Borg Warner T5 manual gearbox driving the rear wheels remained the same. 

This low mileage, post-facelift 4.0-litre model presents beautifully both inside and out and looks to be a clean example with a recent professional chassis refresh and treatment ensuring peace of mind. Clearly well-maintained and with comprehensive TVR main dealer and specialist service history the car is reportedly in rude health, running well and has been upgraded with adjustable Protech coilovers all round.  

History and documentation

• 1999 model year

• V5C present and correct in the vendor's name

• In current ownership since 29 Nov 2019

• First registered 02 Jul 1999

• Three registered former keepers

• Original handbook

• Two keys

• Original TVR build sheet

• Personalised registration included

• Excellent service history with original service book showing mostly main dealer and specialist inspections at the following intervals: 2000 @ 5,933 miles (main dealer), 2001 @ 8,838 miles (main dealer), 2003 @ 9,565 miles (specialist), 2004 @ 9,760 miles (specialist), 2006 @ 12,200 miles (specialist), 2007 @ 12,594 miles (specialist), 2010 @ 13,101 miles (main dealer), 2011 @ 14,229 miles (main dealer), 2012 @ 14,102 miles (as recorded, main dealer), 2013 @ 14,398 miles (main dealer), 2014 @ 14,581 miles (main dealer), 2015 @ 14,816 miles (main dealer), 2016 @ 14,957 miles (main dealer), 2017 @ 15,891 miles, 2019 @ 16,836 miles, 2020 @ 17,742 miles (specialist), 2023 @ 21,475 miles (specialist), 2025 @ 22,071 miles (specialist) 

• TVR Specialist invoice for preventative chassis maintenance and treatment dated 06 Nov 2023

• TVR Specialist invoice for suspension replacement dated 27 May 2022

• Advisory-free MOT until 18 Aug 2026

• HPI clear

• 22,574 indicated miles

Interior

• In fantastic shape throughout 

• Clean with no signs of any damage

• Limited wear commensurate with the car's low mileage

• Vendor reports everything is in good working order

• All gauges are clear

• Pioneer stereo head unit, 6-CD autochanger and speakers

• Aftermarket Personal steering wheel

• The magnolia leather seats and door cards are wearing well 

• Crimson carpets and crimson leather dash cover remain in good condition

• New walnut veneer dash as reported by the vendor

• Black tonneau cover included

• The boot space is in great condition

• Engine bay is clean and presents well

Exterior

• In excellent condition overall with no obvious evidence of any corrosion

• No apparent dents or significant scratches but there are a few superficial stone chips

• All panel gaps are uniform

• No major damage or bodywork repairs but there is a very small crack to the driver's side scuttle which the vendor informs us has not worsened during their ownership

• Glasswork is in good order

• Hidden magnetic boot release avoiding the need to insert the ignition key

• Crimson hood looks to be in excellent condition with the vendor reporting that it was refurbished before their ownership and is treated with water repellent 

• Fabric car cover included

• Spacesaver wheel and locking nut included in sale

• The factory seven-spoke staggered alloy wheels are all in excellent condition with only a couple of very light marks to the nearside front to note

• TVR centre caps and valve covers  

• Tyres are a mix of Toyo Proxes on the front and Continental Contisport Contacts on the rear that the vendor reports are all in good condition

• Additional set of Imola wheels supplied, all with Toyo Proxes T1 tyres in good condition, the vendor states

• Chassis and outriggers fully and professionally stripped and treated as per the Nov 2023 invoice 

Mechanical

• 243bhp, 4.0-litre V8 engine

• Five-speed manual gearbox

• Rear-wheel drive

• 0-60mph in 5.1s

• 152mph top speed

• Protech adjustable coilovers 

• No mechanical issues to report

• The vendor informs us that the car is a great example of a V8 4.0 litre, is garaged and rarely used in the wet, it starts first time, every time and runs well, pulling through all gears without labouring

Summary

Finding low mileage Chimaeras in good condition is becoming increasingly difficult but this particular 4.0-litre looks like it ticks all the boxes. That all-important service history ensures that any niggles have no doubt been ironed out and the common outrigger issue has also been attended to meaning all that's left to do is drive the thing and enjoy it for what it is – a hugely fun and engaging British GT that is guaranteed to make you smile every time you get behind the wheel. 

To arrange a viewing, click the 'Book Viewing' button located under the 'Place Bid' button. Viewings can be booked up until the day before the auction ends, after which the option will change to 'Contact Seller' for further enquiries. This seller is located in Linlithgow, Scotland.