Man completes 20,000-mile pub adventure (In his Chimaera)
Discussion
zacherynuk said:
Not a bad little burble. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-4305676...
A Global Conquest that's down to British Engineering (Should be recognised by the Guiness Book of Records), perhaps this is a challenge for other sports car manufactures to take on - what would their results be!!!!!!!!!!!citizen smith said:
zacherynuk said:
Not a bad little burble. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-4305676...
A Global Conquest that's down to British Engineering (Should be recognised by the Guiness Book of Records), perhaps this is a challenge for other sports car manufactures to take on - what would their results be!!!!!!!!!!!
As Ben explains: (Stolen from FB post)
'I'd owned my Chimaera for 5 years before the trip, but despite sports car-based adventuring being a passion of mine, I'd never really considered taking it on a big trip like this. I guess I always saw it as too fragile; too handmade. After all, on previous, similar trips I'd had all manner of problems. Years ago, when I crossed Africa in a classic Porsche, the breakdown count ran into double figures, while the Corvette I crossed Asia in a few years ago suffered all kinds of electrical problems. But frankly, I've been amazed at what the plucky little car is capable of. From 50 degree heat in Death valley, to altitudes of almost 5,000m on the Bolivian Altoplano; from the precipitous jungles of Bolivia's Death Road to the gravel tracks of Patagonia, it's just kept going, completely unphased. And all the while, it's proved its fantastic credentials as a grand tourer, maintaining the TVR traditions of comfort and space, combined with effortless performance and a heroic soundtrack.'
'I'd owned my Chimaera for 5 years before the trip, but despite sports car-based adventuring being a passion of mine, I'd never really considered taking it on a big trip like this. I guess I always saw it as too fragile; too handmade. After all, on previous, similar trips I'd had all manner of problems. Years ago, when I crossed Africa in a classic Porsche, the breakdown count ran into double figures, while the Corvette I crossed Asia in a few years ago suffered all kinds of electrical problems. But frankly, I've been amazed at what the plucky little car is capable of. From 50 degree heat in Death valley, to altitudes of almost 5,000m on the Bolivian Altoplano; from the precipitous jungles of Bolivia's Death Road to the gravel tracks of Patagonia, it's just kept going, completely unphased. And all the while, it's proved its fantastic credentials as a grand tourer, maintaining the TVR traditions of comfort and space, combined with effortless performance and a heroic soundtrack.'
How much do I want to shove this story down the throat of the next person who says TVR's are unreliable!!
My Cerbera was more reliable than my 2 year old BMW 3 series, my Griffith - nothing went wrong in 3 years, Chimaera I had to spend £15 on a new seat belt. Admittedly my Sagaris has just had a new AirCon condenser but even that is 13 years old in a couple of months
My Cerbera was more reliable than my 2 year old BMW 3 series, my Griffith - nothing went wrong in 3 years, Chimaera I had to spend £15 on a new seat belt. Admittedly my Sagaris has just had a new AirCon condenser but even that is 13 years old in a couple of months
PuffsBack said:
How much do I want to shove this story down the throat of the next person who says TVR's are unreliable!!
My Cerbera was more reliable than my 2 year old BMW 3 series, my Griffith - nothing went wrong in 3 years, Chimaera I had to spend £15 on a new seat belt. Admittedly my Sagaris has just had a new AirCon condenser but even that is 13 years old in a couple of months
So basically only the Russian car at almost 13 years old had a minor issue. My Cerbera was more reliable than my 2 year old BMW 3 series, my Griffith - nothing went wrong in 3 years, Chimaera I had to spend £15 on a new seat belt. Admittedly my Sagaris has just had a new AirCon condenser but even that is 13 years old in a couple of months
Danattheopticians said:
So basically only the Russian car at almost 13 years old had a minor issue.
Looks like the 1990's / early 2000 V8 are the most reliable TVR's. I can remember trading in my Griffith 500 for an extremely low mileage BMW M Roadster (SOLD within 6 months of purchase) - the BMW performed OK, BUT the windscreen trim kept falling down which was very annoying to say the least, especially on a 4000 mile car. When I confronted my local BMW Service department about the problem and told them that none of previously owned TVR'S had ever had such issues. The service managers response was, that a lot of his customers often tell him the same thing about their TVR's.
Danattheopticians said:
As Ben explains: (Stolen from FB post)
'I'd owned my Chimaera for 5 years before the trip, but despite sports car-based adventuring being a passion of mine, I'd never really considered taking it on a big trip like this. I guess I always saw it as too fragile; too handmade. After all, on previous, similar trips I'd had all manner of problems. Years ago, when I crossed Africa in a classic Porsche, the breakdown count ran into double figures, while the Corvette I crossed Asia in a few years ago suffered all kinds of electrical problems. But frankly, I've been amazed at what the plucky little car is capable of. From 50 degree heat in Death valley, to altitudes of almost 5,000m on the Bolivian Altoplano; from the precipitous jungles of Bolivia's Death Road to the gravel tracks of Patagonia, it's just kept going, completely unphased. And all the while, it's proved its fantastic credentials as a grand tourer, maintaining the TVR traditions of comfort and space, combined with effortless performance and a heroic soundtrack.'
I didn’t know Ben has owned the car 5 years before embarking on this adventure. 'I'd owned my Chimaera for 5 years before the trip, but despite sports car-based adventuring being a passion of mine, I'd never really considered taking it on a big trip like this. I guess I always saw it as too fragile; too handmade. After all, on previous, similar trips I'd had all manner of problems. Years ago, when I crossed Africa in a classic Porsche, the breakdown count ran into double figures, while the Corvette I crossed Asia in a few years ago suffered all kinds of electrical problems. But frankly, I've been amazed at what the plucky little car is capable of. From 50 degree heat in Death valley, to altitudes of almost 5,000m on the Bolivian Altoplano; from the precipitous jungles of Bolivia's Death Road to the gravel tracks of Patagonia, it's just kept going, completely unphased. And all the while, it's proved its fantastic credentials as a grand tourer, maintaining the TVR traditions of comfort and space, combined with effortless performance and a heroic soundtrack.'
Serious respect.
I thought he’d just bought it and set off
Actually owning one for that time suggests he knew what he was doing
fantastic stuff. Is this not the proof we all know of,, these cars will go anywhere with a bit of planning and preparation.
How they managed to find all the fuel stops must have been a mission in itself.
Classic Chim said:
Danattheopticians said:
As Ben explains: (Stolen from FB post)
'I'd owned my Chimaera for 5 years before the trip, but despite sports car-based adventuring being a passion of mine, I'd never really considered taking it on a big trip like this. I guess I always saw it as too fragile; too handmade. After all, on previous, similar trips I'd had all manner of problems. Years ago, when I crossed Africa in a classic Porsche, the breakdown count ran into double figures, while the Corvette I crossed Asia in a few years ago suffered all kinds of electrical problems. But frankly, I've been amazed at what the plucky little car is capable of. From 50 degree heat in Death valley, to altitudes of almost 5,000m on the Bolivian Altoplano; from the precipitous jungles of Bolivia's Death Road to the gravel tracks of Patagonia, it's just kept going, completely unphased. And all the while, it's proved its fantastic credentials as a grand tourer, maintaining the TVR traditions of comfort and space, combined with effortless performance and a heroic soundtrack.'
I didn’t know Ben has owned the car 5 years before embarking on this adventure. 'I'd owned my Chimaera for 5 years before the trip, but despite sports car-based adventuring being a passion of mine, I'd never really considered taking it on a big trip like this. I guess I always saw it as too fragile; too handmade. After all, on previous, similar trips I'd had all manner of problems. Years ago, when I crossed Africa in a classic Porsche, the breakdown count ran into double figures, while the Corvette I crossed Asia in a few years ago suffered all kinds of electrical problems. But frankly, I've been amazed at what the plucky little car is capable of. From 50 degree heat in Death valley, to altitudes of almost 5,000m on the Bolivian Altoplano; from the precipitous jungles of Bolivia's Death Road to the gravel tracks of Patagonia, it's just kept going, completely unphased. And all the while, it's proved its fantastic credentials as a grand tourer, maintaining the TVR traditions of comfort and space, combined with effortless performance and a heroic soundtrack.'
Serious respect.
I thought he’d just bought it and set off
Actually owning one for that time suggests he knew what he was doing
fantastic stuff. Is this not the proof we all know of,, these cars will go anywhere with a bit of planning and preparation.
How they managed to find all the fuel stops must have been a mission in itself.
citizen smith said:
Looks like the 1990's / early 2000 V8 are the most reliable TVR's. I can remember trading in my Griffith 500 for an extremely low mileage BMW M Roadster (SOLD within 6 months of purchase) - the BMW performed OK, BUT the windscreen trim kept falling down which was very annoying to say the least, especially on a 4000 mile car.
When I confronted my local BMW Service department about the problem and told them that none of previously owned TVR'S had ever had such issues. The service managers response was, that a lot of his customers often tell him the same thing about their TVR's.
BMWs are renowned for electrical problems. But windscreen trim. That is surprising.When I confronted my local BMW Service department about the problem and told them that none of previously owned TVR'S had ever had such issues. The service managers response was, that a lot of his customers often tell him the same thing about their TVR's.
Danattheopticians said:
citizen smith said:
Looks like the 1990's / early 2000 V8 are the most reliable TVR's. I can remember trading in my Griffith 500 for an extremely low mileage BMW M Roadster (SOLD within 6 months of purchase) - the BMW performed OK, BUT the windscreen trim kept falling down which was very annoying to say the least, especially on a 4000 mile car.
When I confronted my local BMW Service department about the problem and told them that none of previously owned TVR'S had ever had such issues. The service managers response was, that a lot of his customers often tell him the same thing about their TVR's.
BMWs are renowned for electrical problems. But windscreen trim. That is surprising.When I confronted my local BMW Service department about the problem and told them that none of previously owned TVR'S had ever had such issues. The service managers response was, that a lot of his customers often tell him the same thing about their TVR's.
After that experience I sold it and purchased another Griffith 500, back to comfort (no more feeling every ridge on the motorway etc) and performance!
Couple of threads with more pictures from the driver already on here
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Thanks for the kind words everyone.
I'm currently sat in a petrol station stealing wifi, partway through the 2,000 mile slog back north to Uruguay, from where Kermit will be shipped home next week.
I think it's safe to say that the BBC article caught people's imagination - it was the second most read story on the whole of BBC News on Saturday, with 1.5 million views in the morning alone. It's since spread to other news organisations, with the likes of the Mirror, LADbible and Jalopnik running the story, so it's safe to say that this weekend, a good few million people had the TVR=reliable message presented to them.
Yeah, with that much tempting of fate, I'd better not break down now!
I'm currently sat in a petrol station stealing wifi, partway through the 2,000 mile slog back north to Uruguay, from where Kermit will be shipped home next week.
I think it's safe to say that the BBC article caught people's imagination - it was the second most read story on the whole of BBC News on Saturday, with 1.5 million views in the morning alone. It's since spread to other news organisations, with the likes of the Mirror, LADbible and Jalopnik running the story, so it's safe to say that this weekend, a good few million people had the TVR=reliable message presented to them.
Yeah, with that much tempting of fate, I'd better not break down now!
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