Trying to change the forum balance.
Discussion
I just feel I need to say this, as forums mostly focus on the problems. I have even started two threads since ownership asking for help with problems, one shunting issue and erm... another problem I had.
But what I haven't said yet is: I really love my car! I think its fantastic, it feels good to drive and it makes me feel good driving it!
It sounds fantastic and it rides the road better than any bmw I have had lately, yet it still feels tight on the road.
But what I haven't said yet is: I really love my car! I think its fantastic, it feels good to drive and it makes me feel good driving it!
It sounds fantastic and it rides the road better than any bmw I have had lately, yet it still feels tight on the road.
Major Fallout said:
and erm... another problem I had.
Love it.Got to agree though, I don't drive the Chimaera as much these days but when I do it's a wonderful breath of fresh air. Very laid back, easy going but can push on a bit when needed.
I needs the bushes doing and then it'll be back to it's lovely ride again.
Took my best mate out in mine on Saturday. He loves cars and has driven some nice motors. We only went through Reading and on a bypass so nothing flash. He said that the noise and occasion of the car made his day and put a smile on his face
Says it all really. German cars don't come close
Says it all really. German cars don't come close
Major Fallout said:
ChimpofDarkness said:
I have just seen your collection of vehicles on your profile.
Proper cars them ........
Thanks! Proper cars them ........
Still a few on my list of cars to own, something fast from the the late 20's to early 30's is where I want to aim for next.
But I'm happy for now.
I'll say it again....... PROPER!!!!!!
ChimpofDarkness said:
Ford 1916 speedster
I'll say it again....... PROPER!!!!!!
The first car I drove on the public roads, was a 1914 Model T speedster.I'll say it again....... PROPER!!!!!!
High compression head, after market water pump, Thompson high timer, with uprated coils, Ruxtell two speed rear axle, 'Rocky Mountain' rear drum brakes, 19" wire wheels.
Other than that, is was a completely stock engine and drivetrain.
All the above 'hot rod' components were originals, manufactured between 1913 and 1915.
My father was once clocked at 55mph in the car. The magistrate refused to accept police evidence, as he had once owned a Model T himself, and knew damn well they couldn't possibly go that fast
And I can assure you from personal experience; it really is that fast
ETA
It takes bigger kahooneys to drive a 1914 Model T at 55mph, than it does to drive a Chimaera at 150.
Edited by Goaty Bill on Wednesday 21st November 08:36
Looks like this ended up as a Major Fallout appreciation post, which is only right & proper given his collection.
However bringing it back to his original theme..
MF said:
"I really love my car! I think its fantastic, it feels good to drive and it makes me feel good driving it!"
"It sounds fantastic and it rides the road better than any bmw I have had lately, yet it still feels tight on the road."
After 4 years with mine I say +1 to that.
I bought my Chimaera because I love traditional cars with bags of character, if I'd had the money I may have ended up with an E-Type or a Healey.
I'd always loved TVR, & as a young impoverished mechanic involved in classic & vintage restoration in the early 1990's the Chimaera was the only new car that made sense to me.
I even blagged a test drive in Chimaera at Henley TVR back in the day, there was no way I could afford it but I had to drive one & it didn't disappoint.
But money aside if I had mustered the funds for that E-Type/Healey I just know the first thing I would have done was improved the brakes, suspension, performance, ignition, gearbox, cooling ect ect to make it usable on modern roads, because I believe cars are for driving.
The thing is you get all that straight out of the box with a Chimaera and it's a shed load cheaper to buy in the first place.
I wanted a car that would take me down to the South of France in style, and without doing much more than give it a good service my newly acquired Chimaera did just that.
I've repeated that trip every year since without any issues whatsoever, and the car is an absolute smash hit with the general public wherever it goes on the continent.
Even in Monaco sat next to Lambos & Ferraris, people naturally gravitate to my TVR because they can see it's special but they don't know quite what it is.
I'm sure a lot of them think its worth a huge amount of money, they all want to talk to you about it, & they all jump when you start it, then you see them smile... everyone seems to love a TVR.
In my humble opinion, to really "get" these cars people need to stop comparing them with it's contemporary Porches & Honda S2000, that's completely missing the point.
You've got to look at the Chimaera & Griffs next to those traditional British classic cars of the 1960's because quite simply they carry the same personality & DNA.
Once you get that (& looking at MF's collection I would say he does) then you can really start to see how good the Chim/Griff is.
To make a E-Type/Healy stop, go, handle & perform like my TVR you're into very big bucks, if you can ignore all the nonsense that gives our cars a bad reputation & keeps their value down, you will be laughing all the way to the bank.
If you genuinely love classic cars, if you like to use them (not just look at them), you would be mad not to have a 90's RV8 TVR in your collection.
When the rest of the classic car world catches on they will be cheap no more, my advise to anyone thinking about buying a classic British sports car is buy a Chim or Griff now while they're still cheap.
It cant last forever.
However bringing it back to his original theme..
MF said:
"I really love my car! I think its fantastic, it feels good to drive and it makes me feel good driving it!"
"It sounds fantastic and it rides the road better than any bmw I have had lately, yet it still feels tight on the road."
After 4 years with mine I say +1 to that.
I bought my Chimaera because I love traditional cars with bags of character, if I'd had the money I may have ended up with an E-Type or a Healey.
I'd always loved TVR, & as a young impoverished mechanic involved in classic & vintage restoration in the early 1990's the Chimaera was the only new car that made sense to me.
I even blagged a test drive in Chimaera at Henley TVR back in the day, there was no way I could afford it but I had to drive one & it didn't disappoint.
But money aside if I had mustered the funds for that E-Type/Healey I just know the first thing I would have done was improved the brakes, suspension, performance, ignition, gearbox, cooling ect ect to make it usable on modern roads, because I believe cars are for driving.
The thing is you get all that straight out of the box with a Chimaera and it's a shed load cheaper to buy in the first place.
I wanted a car that would take me down to the South of France in style, and without doing much more than give it a good service my newly acquired Chimaera did just that.
I've repeated that trip every year since without any issues whatsoever, and the car is an absolute smash hit with the general public wherever it goes on the continent.
Even in Monaco sat next to Lambos & Ferraris, people naturally gravitate to my TVR because they can see it's special but they don't know quite what it is.
I'm sure a lot of them think its worth a huge amount of money, they all want to talk to you about it, & they all jump when you start it, then you see them smile... everyone seems to love a TVR.
In my humble opinion, to really "get" these cars people need to stop comparing them with it's contemporary Porches & Honda S2000, that's completely missing the point.
You've got to look at the Chimaera & Griffs next to those traditional British classic cars of the 1960's because quite simply they carry the same personality & DNA.
Once you get that (& looking at MF's collection I would say he does) then you can really start to see how good the Chim/Griff is.
To make a E-Type/Healy stop, go, handle & perform like my TVR you're into very big bucks, if you can ignore all the nonsense that gives our cars a bad reputation & keeps their value down, you will be laughing all the way to the bank.
If you genuinely love classic cars, if you like to use them (not just look at them), you would be mad not to have a 90's RV8 TVR in your collection.
When the rest of the classic car world catches on they will be cheap no more, my advise to anyone thinking about buying a classic British sports car is buy a Chim or Griff now while they're still cheap.
It cant last forever.
Completely agree, bought my chimeara 450 in June, wanted one since passing my test 17 yes ago. I think the 5000 mileage limit will be blow out of the water! I nip down to b&q in it and return 2 hours later having gone the " long" way home .
Major - liking the mgb Sebring, currently restoring a 72 gt, with a few added tweaks! , big valve head, Kent cam, Webber 45 ect.
.Major - liking the mgb Sebring, currently restoring a 72 gt, with a few added tweaks! , big valve head, Kent cam, Webber 45 ect.
Spot on Major and the Chimp!
Bought mine in April this year and I just absolutely bloody love her. The soundtrack on start up never ceases to bring a smile to my face and the driving experience - at any speed - is second to none. I didn't know much about TVR's when I bought her - I just wanted another fast V8 - but If I had really read many of the posts on this forum I would probably have run a mile. I am so glad I didn't. I paid top dollar from a reputable TVR specialist to hopefully ensure a trouble free purchase and so far I have not been disappointed.
Bought mine in April this year and I just absolutely bloody love her. The soundtrack on start up never ceases to bring a smile to my face and the driving experience - at any speed - is second to none. I didn't know much about TVR's when I bought her - I just wanted another fast V8 - but If I had really read many of the posts on this forum I would probably have run a mile. I am so glad I didn't. I paid top dollar from a reputable TVR specialist to hopefully ensure a trouble free purchase and so far I have not been disappointed.
Not unlike quite a few other early/mid '90s cars, I feel the Chimaera and Griffith mark the sweet spot within TVR models where 'modern' performance/handling/braking/grip/comfort and mechanical straightforwardness/long-term sustainability as an ownership prospect are beautifully balanced. A properly sorted Chim should really not be much more hassle than any other older secondhand car.
All this and drop-dead gorgeous looks (in the same league as the early E-Type IMO) for that little money? That won't last very long I think...
All this and drop-dead gorgeous looks (in the same league as the early E-Type IMO) for that little money? That won't last very long I think...
Quietlybonkers said:
Goaty Bill said:
The first car I drove on the public roads, was a 1914 Model T speedster.
Knew you were venerable, Bill, just didn't realise you were THAT venerable......Edited by Goaty Bill on Wednesday 21st November 08:36
The car was already 60 years old by then
And given the time between then and now, I can probably safely reveal that I was actually only 15, travelling with about 30 other similarly aged cars, and my father sitting next to me.
I will respect him forever for the calm attitude he had towards the whole experience, and it was his idea, I would never have dared to ask.
As anyone who has driven one can tell you, they are a handful if you aren't used to it.
I am wondering if Major Fallout has ever broken his wrist, or worse? Or has he 'cheated' and taken advantage of the 6V starter motor that was fitted for the first time in 1919?
To be fair, for all their reputation for breaking arms, I have had to crank much worse a few times.
To be at least a little on topic;
I of course am a lover of my Chimaera, and defend her to the end.
At 13 years of togetherness, this is no casual fling.
She has never let me down, she has been faultless, if anything I have only ever let her down.
It is the best £35k I ever spent, and every penny that has gone in since, has been well spent too.
Till Death Us Do Part.
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