TVR Chimaera 450

[ewan221]

A 1997 TVR Chimaera 450 in Tahiti Blue. Bought the car in Sept 2011 from a long standing TVR Car Club member who obviously cherished and cared for her. I did actually break the some of the usual rules as due to family commitments the car had been off the road for several year, but was owned by a knowledgeable owner seemed in good condition and the engine was strong and in rude health. The Chassis and outriggers appeared solid (Previous owner had repainted them in hammeritte) but there was signs of flaking paint and some rust so knew this would need attention soon.

I had looked at several other Chimaera's prior to the purchase (travelling 700 miles !!!) but this one seemed like the best option for me so agreed a deal and it was all mine :-)



Obviously as my new TVR was laid up for some time it needed tax and mot, the previous owner did an oil and filter change evry year but a service was a must. A call to TVR Ecosse in Dundee and all was arranged.

A 12k service was carried out plus new wishbone, battery and some electrical issues sorted





As said before the previous owner gave the chassis and outriggers a good liberal coating of blue hammerite but this was now starting to peel away and rusting in bits. Barry @ TVR Ecosse spent over 40 hours !!!! (thanks and sorry Barry) scraping away the peeling paint and rust then coating with x4 coats of POR.





Then decided to refresh the steering and suspension so all suspension components have been upgraded/replaced and the wishbones and anti roll bars shot blasted and powder coated. The standard bushes upgraded to polybush from and a set of rose jointed droplinks. Shocks and springs up-rated to protech adjustable and new ball joints, track rod ends and track. Finally the steering rack was reconditioned. Front and rear discs and pads all done as well







Cosmetically the car is good but let down by the dash so a bit of polishing and lacquer and its now looking great





Now happy with car and the way it runs - just in time to enjoy the Scottish summer :-)



Whats next ? more cosmetic bits - having the stonechips on bonnet sorted and nearly time for MOT and service again.

So in summary now nearly 3000 miles of V8 fun with only one breakdown that cost £11 to sort (100 amp fuse)

[Another Fluffer]

Great car, love the orange wishbones!

[Pied Piper]

Great car and loving the reg number.

[ewan221]

Pied Piper said:

Great car and loving the reg number.

Thanks get quite a few comments on the plate, someone even said they wanted to buy it.

[jdwoodbury]

Nice, really like that... I would expect the chassis work was expensive?

[PaulG40]

Very nice!

[robsco]

Lovely, just lovely. Wish my chassis looked that clean!

[stuey5266]

Ha ha, looks just like mine! Shame I'm selling it
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/230818071354?ssPageName=...

[scotty_d]

Looking Good Ewan

To the above how can you get 40mpg on a run???? are you on LPG or something lol seems very optimistic for a chim 400

[ewan221]

40 mpg ? I managed 29 driving like a big girls blouse in the pouring rain on the motorway. How did u manage getting 40

[scotty_d]

I did see 31MPG once when in Germany running on V-power racing 101 ron. But that on a long steady motor way run.

[jimboz1]

ewan221 said:

Thanks get quite a few comments on the plate, someone even said they wanted to buy it.

How random - my Chim used to be R169FFS before I moved to Gibraltar - they must have come off the line in close succession!