Chimaera outside sleeper?
Discussion
A newby to the forum, I¡¦m happy to have found a place with tonnes of TVR knowledge and experience. After having moved to London and having to sell my turbocharged Saab, I¡¦m again looking to embark on a motoring adventure in the UKƒº
Having loved TVRs for many years, I¡¦m be finally in the position to be able to afford one. Being aware of some of the Chimaera¡¦s weaknesses (such as chassis, etc), one big question remains.
Can this car be an outside sleeper? Still owning a 40yr old Jaguar back in Holland, I know these kind of British old timers do not like to sleep outside in the rain. However, I¡¦m not sure about the Chimaera. Living in downtown London unfortunately means no garage.
Keeping bird droppings etc clear from the car using a (top) cover would be a good precaution, but maybe you guys can give me some more insights in whether a car like that can live outside, or should be solely kept in garages?
Many thanks!
Having loved TVRs for many years, I¡¦m be finally in the position to be able to afford one. Being aware of some of the Chimaera¡¦s weaknesses (such as chassis, etc), one big question remains.
Can this car be an outside sleeper? Still owning a 40yr old Jaguar back in Holland, I know these kind of British old timers do not like to sleep outside in the rain. However, I¡¦m not sure about the Chimaera. Living in downtown London unfortunately means no garage.
Keeping bird droppings etc clear from the car using a (top) cover would be a good precaution, but maybe you guys can give me some more insights in whether a car like that can live outside, or should be solely kept in garages?
Many thanks!
I live in London and my one either sits on the road or in the communal car park around the back with no cover on it, no problems to report other than the cat that has taken to subathing on it.
I'm in a fairly decent suburb though, I would think twice if there was a chav element around here. Its certainly faired better outside than the escort convertibles that I've owned.
I'm in a fairly decent suburb though, I would think twice if there was a chav element around here. Its certainly faired better outside than the escort convertibles that I've owned.
You might get the odd squelchy footwell from time to time but mine's lived outside since 2001 and done another 104k miles despite its exposure. Just keep using it and it'll cope. I was on the original hood until only last Dec, and the paint is just starting to get beyond a polish (clearcoat oxidation I think) - otherwise no horrors
Thanks for the info guys. So ideally, with a good cover and the additional drying/cleaning, it should be fine? Can imagine that replacing some of the seals and rubbers in the roofing might alsop help. Good to hear it's possible at least. And yes, the car will be parked in a nice area
Do your Chimaeras tend to get a bit damp and fungal because of their existence outside? Trick I do with the old Daimler is keeping 1-2 of these dehumidifier boxes in the interior and emptying it every week. During the Dutch wet season, I tend to extract half a coffee cup of moist every 2 weeks.
Do your Chimaeras tend to get a bit damp and fungal because of their existence outside? Trick I do with the old Daimler is keeping 1-2 of these dehumidifier boxes in the interior and emptying it every week. During the Dutch wet season, I tend to extract half a coffee cup of moist every 2 weeks.
Adriaan,
I'm not a Chimp owner(!) but have a Tuscan, so allow me to comment if I may.
I have a friend who kept his Chimaera in a Hamilton cover, and he suffered from small scratches when it was very windy and the cover moved about.
His thoughts were that it was caused by not washing the car before putting the cover on. He thought that small particles of dust may have trapped between the cover and paintwork causing the scratches.
His solution was to glue long strips of soft foam on the inside of the cover to stop most of the cover touching the paintwork, but I do not know whether this actually worked or not.
Chris
I'm not a Chimp owner(!) but have a Tuscan, so allow me to comment if I may.
I have a friend who kept his Chimaera in a Hamilton cover, and he suffered from small scratches when it was very windy and the cover moved about.
His thoughts were that it was caused by not washing the car before putting the cover on. He thought that small particles of dust may have trapped between the cover and paintwork causing the scratches.
His solution was to glue long strips of soft foam on the inside of the cover to stop most of the cover touching the paintwork, but I do not know whether this actually worked or not.
Chris
Sounds like you have a solution Adriaan.
I see you have already moved to London?
Come on the Thunder in the Tunnels Run at the end of September and meet some fellow TVR owners in a wide variety of cars - there will be between 70 and 100 cars on the run, which starts at 6 am on Saturday 28th September and lasts about 3 hours. Loud and noisy, and good fun. Ear plugs optional, especially as i see that Zippee has just signed up with his 128 dB T350. I followed him around London last autumn.....and my ears are still ringing.
If you like the idea but don't have a car of your own by then, just email me and we will set you up with at least a passenger ride.
I see you have already moved to London?
Come on the Thunder in the Tunnels Run at the end of September and meet some fellow TVR owners in a wide variety of cars - there will be between 70 and 100 cars on the run, which starts at 6 am on Saturday 28th September and lasts about 3 hours. Loud and noisy, and good fun. Ear plugs optional, especially as i see that Zippee has just signed up with his 128 dB T350. I followed him around London last autumn.....and my ears are still ringing.
If you like the idea but don't have a car of your own by then, just email me and we will set you up with at least a passenger ride.
Edited by QBee on Tuesday 6th August 12:18
ackbullchang said:
Adriaan,
I'm not a Chimp owner(!) but have a Tuscan, so allow me to comment if I may.
I have a friend who kept his Chimaera in a Hamilton cover, and he suffered from small scratches when it was very windy and the cover moved about.
His thoughts were that it was caused by not washing the car before putting the cover on. He thought that small particles of dust may have trapped between the cover and paintwork causing the scratches.
His solution was to glue long strips of soft foam on the inside of the cover to stop most of the cover touching the paintwork, but I do not know whether this actually worked or not.
Chris
think about a Leven cover, it's secure and covers the hood area and all potential leak points around the hood/top of doors etc. I'd post a piccie but I'm not at home and server here won't let me put pics up I'm not a Chimp owner(!) but have a Tuscan, so allow me to comment if I may.
I have a friend who kept his Chimaera in a Hamilton cover, and he suffered from small scratches when it was very windy and the cover moved about.
His thoughts were that it was caused by not washing the car before putting the cover on. He thought that small particles of dust may have trapped between the cover and paintwork causing the scratches.
His solution was to glue long strips of soft foam on the inside of the cover to stop most of the cover touching the paintwork, but I do not know whether this actually worked or not.
Chris
QBee said:
Sounds like you have a solution Adriaan.
I see you have already moved to London?
Come on the Thunder in the Tunnels Run at the end of September and meet some fellow TVR owners in a wide variety of cars - there will be between 70 and 100 cars on the run, which starts at 6 am on Saturday 28th September and lasts about 3 hours. Loud and noisy, and good fun. Ear plugs optional, especially as i see that Zippee has just signed up with his 128 dB T350. I followed him around London last autumn.....and my ears are still ringing.
If you like the idea but don't have a car of your own by then, just email me and we will set you up with at least a passenger ride.
Wow, that sounds awesome! Would love to see/hear that. Will e-mail you when the day gets closer. Also a great chance to see some different TVRs out in the wildI see you have already moved to London?
Come on the Thunder in the Tunnels Run at the end of September and meet some fellow TVR owners in a wide variety of cars - there will be between 70 and 100 cars on the run, which starts at 6 am on Saturday 28th September and lasts about 3 hours. Loud and noisy, and good fun. Ear plugs optional, especially as i see that Zippee has just signed up with his 128 dB T350. I followed him around London last autumn.....and my ears are still ringing.
If you like the idea but don't have a car of your own by then, just email me and we will set you up with at least a passenger ride.
Edited by QBee on Tuesday 6th August 12:18
AdriaanB said:
Thanks for the info guys. So ideally, with a good cover and the additional drying/cleaning, it should be fine? Can imagine that replacing some of the seals and rubbers in the roofing might alsop help. Good to hear it's possible at least. And yes, the car will be parked in a nice area
Do your Chimaeras tend to get a bit damp and fungal because of their existence outside? Trick I do with the old Daimler is keeping 1-2 of these dehumidifier boxes in the interior and emptying it every week. During the Dutch wet season, I tend to extract half a coffee cup of moist every 2 weeks.
Before I refurbed mine I actually had a mushroom growing in the carpet by the footwell Do your Chimaeras tend to get a bit damp and fungal because of their existence outside? Trick I do with the old Daimler is keeping 1-2 of these dehumidifier boxes in the interior and emptying it every week. During the Dutch wet season, I tend to extract half a coffee cup of moist every 2 weeks.
however, resealed around where the wiper wheel boxes protrude under the washer and touchwood have had only a few drops in after the downpours on monday!
Mine's lived outside for 11 years and been a daily driver, cover not usually used, no leaks.
There are several areas that water can get in, make sure they are sealed up, keep the roof proofed and no problems.
A hood cover is a good idea for if you are leaving the car parked for a while as it helps the roof proofing last longer and keeps bird muck off but I'd go for a roof cover rather than a car cover as the latter scratched the paintwork in my experience.
There are several areas that water can get in, make sure they are sealed up, keep the roof proofed and no problems.
A hood cover is a good idea for if you are leaving the car parked for a while as it helps the roof proofing last longer and keeps bird muck off but I'd go for a roof cover rather than a car cover as the latter scratched the paintwork in my experience.
taylormj4 said:
Mine's lived outside for 11 years and been a daily driver, cover not usually used, no leaks.
There are several areas that water can get in, make sure they are sealed up, keep the roof proofed and no problems.
A hood cover is a good idea for if you are leaving the car parked for a while as it helps the roof proofing last longer and keeps bird muck off but I'd go for a roof cover rather than a car cover as the latter scratched the paintwork in my experience.
I agree with this. Full car covers are a pain in the backside. They scratch and are are difficult to store when not on the car.There are several areas that water can get in, make sure they are sealed up, keep the roof proofed and no problems.
A hood cover is a good idea for if you are leaving the car parked for a while as it helps the roof proofing last longer and keeps bird muck off but I'd go for a roof cover rather than a car cover as the latter scratched the paintwork in my experience.
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