Unit 4, Burton-on-Trent

[L40JRC]

Hi Newbie here, well sort of. I bought a Chim 4.0L back in June 2012 after running an Elise for 5+ years. Obviously I have been comparing the Chim to the Elise; but to be honest they're completely different cars!

The Chim is Starmist Blue (I think)with a few mods (i.e. front and rear light conversions, larger wheels etc.) which in my opinion look great; however reading the threads on here, some will not agree although everyone is entitled to their opinion. It has also been restored in so far as body and chassis off, engine rebuild; new interior and coat of paint. To be honest, I keep it in the garage and can't stop opening the door to look at it, even now after owning it for 6 months. It's fantastic!!!


Since owning the Chim I've had to replace the alternator, wiper arms; plug leads and dizzy cap, pretty standard stuff really.

Anyway, I'm currently considering where to have my Chim serviced at (12000 mile I think) this year and am lucky enough to have a choice (living in Stafford) so cost and probably reputation will be the deciding factor, I think. Any thoughts would be appreciated....

There is:
- Sportmotive over in Weston Coyney, Stoke-on-Trent;
- Top Gear Automotive in Wolverhampton;and
- a reasonably new place called Unit 4 over in Burton-on-Trent. The chap who runs Unit 4 used to work for Peter Smiths Sports Cars and knows his Lotus and Tvr's well.



Thanks
John

[chris1972]

Nice colour!

[JPW231]

I can highly recommend Martin at TGA, along with numerous other members of the TVRCC Staffs and Shropshire.

Sportmotive have a good reputation too, but I've never had anything done by them. I guess it's whatever's most convenient for you, although for chassis and bodywork, TGA tend to use Sportmotive too!

[L40JRC]

Thanks folks, I think my car is Starmist Blue, if it isn't please correct me.

The car was restored/refurbished at Willow Sports Cars in Nottingham apparently. I have a collection of photos showing the chassis rebuild etc. very interesting.

It has a blue roll cage and willens harness which I'm not too fond of to be honest. Was considering taking the roll cage out and replacing the harness with an original seat belt.

[JPW231]

Looks very nicely done

Although different cars, do you prefer the Tiv over the Elise?

[L40JRC]

Difficult one really. I really loved the Elise, it was a really good one in Azure Blue and only let me down once in 5 years and that was due to a flat battery! The Elise was very quick off the mark and fantastic road handling abilities; it certainly turned a few head. Sports exhaust ensured it sounded fantastic. It also held its money when I came to sell it being a series one.

The TVR? I'm still gettng used to it, huge amount of torque but I'm a bit wary of it around the twisty bits. Build quality? Well the Elise was GRP and aluminium chassis whereas the TVR is GRP and steel chassis (which can rust). There's a lot more that can go wrong with the TVR as well.

To be honest, they're completely different cars, both fantastic, both turn heads, both loud, - the Elise was great though although the TVR is far more comfortable to be in.

[JPW231]

Good points. A mate had a series 1 111S and I don't know how he lived with it day to day. As a cruiser and a compromise the TVR is far more practical and like you I wouldn't throw mine around like an Elise either!

[burnsatspeed]

Martin at Top Gear is a great guy who knows his TVR's inside out and is always willing to help. I wouldn't go anywhere else for servicing and repairs.

[portzi]

I know the car well and saw it during its rebuild, the paint job is first class and with a full new interior including a new dash which is a unique one being blue i believe. Do the LED lights on the front still work?

Mark

[Ashv8]

Give Happy Days a call in Coleshill

Great guys and very reliable service

Never let me down



Ask for Rob

Ps always free coffee to hand.. :-)

Adding to that TGA(Wolverhampton) Martin is also a great chap and does know his stuff :-)

Edited by Ashv8 on Thursday 3rd January 21:59

[L40JRC]

portzi said:

I know the car well and saw it during its rebuild, the paint job is first class and with a full new interior including a new dash which is a unique one being blue i believe. Do the LED lights on the front still work?

Mark

Thanks for this Mark, it's nice to know someone out there knows your car because if you're like me, you want to find out everything you can about the car you own!

Funny you should mmention the front LED lights because I was looking at the pics the other night and noticed them. If you mean these ones (see pic below) they are not on the car now because the indicators are there instead; whoever did the refurb must have changed them. Look kind of cool actually, were they day time running lights? The grill is now different also.

[DAVEY DEE]

Another vote for Martin at TGA from me too..

[L40JRC]

portzi said:

I know the car well and saw it during its rebuild, the paint job is first class and with a full new interior including a new dash which is a unique one being blue i believe. Do the LED lights on the front still work?

Mark

I washed the Chim today and had another look at the lights you mentioned earlier. I've had the car for 6 months and have just noticed that the LED lights that you were referring are not there (ref. earlier pic) but the indicators are there instead. The indicators have a ring of amber LED's that flash along with an amber central light!!!!!

[LukeSi]

There is also Tunstall Vehicle Repairs in stoke. The owner John is a member on here. Currently building at least one Sagaris.