New Chimaera 450 owner.
Discussion
Hello! I got my hands on a TVR Chimaera 450 a few weeks back, thought it was overdue for me to pop on here and say hello!
It's in green (not sure what the TVR code is for it, sure it's in the paperwork that came with it though) with biscuit interior, with 66,000 on the clock.
As I was driving it home for the first time the wipers stopped working, and the radio died, I assume this is just a TVR initiation kinda thing? The wipers are working again now - the nearside wiper blade was knackered, and was catching on the screen, I've wiggled it back into place and there are a new set of blades ordered with the squirty cleany bits built in (Wipex ones). The car alarm went off of its own accord this afternoon while the car was sat on the drive, when I went out to investigate I found the radio was working again. I'm starting to think this car is like Herbie, and was trying to get my attention to show off the working stereo...
It has plenty of history and has clearly been looked after over the years, but the body is on the scruffy side and could really use a respray, and the interior smells frightful! I checked the carpets today and they're damp, so will be drying it out over the next week or two, then trying to see where the water ingress is from - the door seals seem ok, so will be treating the hood and checking the grommets by the pedals. I was planning to replace the carpets, but reading round on here has got me thinking a body-off inspection of the chassis and outriggers would be a better priority. I think I'll have a summer of fun, get some pennies saved up, then over the winter get the body off.
Despite the scruffyness and the smell I've loving the Chimaera though - it replaces an Audi RS6, and I'm enjoying the contrast! It's keeping a Jaguar XJR-S company as well, and I think the two cars complement each other perfectly - though I do now wake up in cold sweats worrying about rust!
Looking forward to nattering to you fine fellows over the coming years, and hopefully meeting up with some of the Cheshire-based posse at some point in the not-too-distant future!
Cheers,
Danny.
It's in green (not sure what the TVR code is for it, sure it's in the paperwork that came with it though) with biscuit interior, with 66,000 on the clock.
As I was driving it home for the first time the wipers stopped working, and the radio died, I assume this is just a TVR initiation kinda thing? The wipers are working again now - the nearside wiper blade was knackered, and was catching on the screen, I've wiggled it back into place and there are a new set of blades ordered with the squirty cleany bits built in (Wipex ones). The car alarm went off of its own accord this afternoon while the car was sat on the drive, when I went out to investigate I found the radio was working again. I'm starting to think this car is like Herbie, and was trying to get my attention to show off the working stereo...
It has plenty of history and has clearly been looked after over the years, but the body is on the scruffy side and could really use a respray, and the interior smells frightful! I checked the carpets today and they're damp, so will be drying it out over the next week or two, then trying to see where the water ingress is from - the door seals seem ok, so will be treating the hood and checking the grommets by the pedals. I was planning to replace the carpets, but reading round on here has got me thinking a body-off inspection of the chassis and outriggers would be a better priority. I think I'll have a summer of fun, get some pennies saved up, then over the winter get the body off.
Despite the scruffyness and the smell I've loving the Chimaera though - it replaces an Audi RS6, and I'm enjoying the contrast! It's keeping a Jaguar XJR-S company as well, and I think the two cars complement each other perfectly - though I do now wake up in cold sweats worrying about rust!
Looking forward to nattering to you fine fellows over the coming years, and hopefully meeting up with some of the Cheshire-based posse at some point in the not-too-distant future!
Cheers,
Danny.
Edited by fizmo100 on Monday 23 January 21:27
Thanking you kindly!
First TVr job completed today - fitted the new wipers. You've got to start small! All went well, very pleased with the upgrade, and for under £20 you can't grumble!
Also found out where the water is coming from (or at least one area where the water is coming from...). Some twonk at some point has trimmed the corner off the fabric hood, just behind the doors on both sides, meaning water can get in through the hole right by the seatbelts. Presumably the hood was catching the doors when they were closed, but surely adjustment is better than mutilation?!? Since the back window is a tad milky anyway, I'm thinking at some stage a new hood will be in order. I've seen a lot of places supplying the hoods to be DIY fitted, has anyone ever done this, and is it suitable for a well-meaning but cack-handed dunce such as myself? I'm hoping to get more involved with the nuts and bolts of the car now I have something fairly simple that doesn't need a degree in computer science to work on, but at the same time I'd rather err on the side of caution if there's a strong likelihood of me making an horlicks of it.
I initially thought I was buying a car that needed a bit of tidying up, but other than a respray would need lots of cheap little bits here and there that all add up to make a big difference. The more I mooch around the site and do the reading I should have probably done before buying (I did do some, honest) I'm thinking a body lift and chassis inspection and possible refurb would be the best use of resources as and when they come available. In other words, what appeared to be a gentle hillock has, on closer inspection, turned out to be a big mountain to climb. Ah well, I plan to have the car for a long time, so there will be planty of time to get it top notch!
First TVr job completed today - fitted the new wipers. You've got to start small! All went well, very pleased with the upgrade, and for under £20 you can't grumble!
Also found out where the water is coming from (or at least one area where the water is coming from...). Some twonk at some point has trimmed the corner off the fabric hood, just behind the doors on both sides, meaning water can get in through the hole right by the seatbelts. Presumably the hood was catching the doors when they were closed, but surely adjustment is better than mutilation?!? Since the back window is a tad milky anyway, I'm thinking at some stage a new hood will be in order. I've seen a lot of places supplying the hoods to be DIY fitted, has anyone ever done this, and is it suitable for a well-meaning but cack-handed dunce such as myself? I'm hoping to get more involved with the nuts and bolts of the car now I have something fairly simple that doesn't need a degree in computer science to work on, but at the same time I'd rather err on the side of caution if there's a strong likelihood of me making an horlicks of it.
I initially thought I was buying a car that needed a bit of tidying up, but other than a respray would need lots of cheap little bits here and there that all add up to make a big difference. The more I mooch around the site and do the reading I should have probably done before buying (I did do some, honest) I'm thinking a body lift and chassis inspection and possible refurb would be the best use of resources as and when they come available. In other words, what appeared to be a gentle hillock has, on closer inspection, turned out to be a big mountain to climb. Ah well, I plan to have the car for a long time, so there will be planty of time to get it top notch!
Hi Danny, welcome to TVR ownership, I am also a new owner in Warwickshire, dont be disheartened with your purchase, maybe you didnt buy the best but the main thing is, unlike the likes of a RS6, these are not a complicated car to repair and look after and once sorted not expensive compared to some modern makes. You are obviously keen to preserve and improve and you will be able to hone your mechanical skills with time. One thing to remember is these are a hand built car and as such they are nearly all slightly different,regular issues for some may never appear for you,plus previous maintenance will play a major part on how yours fairs for the future.
Maybe you can pair up with a TVR owner nearby who could show you the ropes and prioritise your main repairs in order of importance,above all enjoy the car they are worlds apart from mainstream and the summers coming!!!!
Richard
Maybe you can pair up with a TVR owner nearby who could show you the ropes and prioritise your main repairs in order of importance,above all enjoy the car they are worlds apart from mainstream and the summers coming!!!!
Richard
Gassing Station | Chimaera | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff