Chimaera Mk3 - How many built?
Discussion
Does anyone know how many Mk3 Chimaeras were built and when?
In 'Cars of the Peter Wheeler Era' P.97 Ralph Dodds mentions the 'Chimaera Limited Edition' 2002-3 and states that 100 were built, is he referring to the Mk3?
I have recently bought what appears to be a Mk3, it has 16" Imola wheels all round, faired-in headlights, Cerbera seats with pump-up lumbar support, and a 450 engine but it was built in 2001!
Any of these features can be retro-fitted to a Mk2 and it would look the same, and I have seen 'Mk3s' advertised with the 500 engine also 2001 vintage.
A friend ordered his Chimaera new from the factory, he was frustrated that the 500 engine was no longer available and had to settle for the 450, it was delivered in 2002 and was definitely a Mk3 with the faired-in headlights, Cerbera seats, 16" wheels all round fitted by TVR from new.
Does Ralph Dodds' 'Chimaera Limited Edition' = Mk3, if so were the 'real Mk3s' only built 2002-3?
I'll take off my anorak now!
In 'Cars of the Peter Wheeler Era' P.97 Ralph Dodds mentions the 'Chimaera Limited Edition' 2002-3 and states that 100 were built, is he referring to the Mk3?
I have recently bought what appears to be a Mk3, it has 16" Imola wheels all round, faired-in headlights, Cerbera seats with pump-up lumbar support, and a 450 engine but it was built in 2001!
Any of these features can be retro-fitted to a Mk2 and it would look the same, and I have seen 'Mk3s' advertised with the 500 engine also 2001 vintage.
A friend ordered his Chimaera new from the factory, he was frustrated that the 500 engine was no longer available and had to settle for the 450, it was delivered in 2002 and was definitely a Mk3 with the faired-in headlights, Cerbera seats, 16" wheels all round fitted by TVR from new.
Does Ralph Dodds' 'Chimaera Limited Edition' = Mk3, if so were the 'real Mk3s' only built 2002-3?
I'll take off my anorak now!
Not sure about Ralph Dodds information .. There were supposed to be 100 Griff Limited Editions which became more than 100, first I've heard of 100 LE Chims.
But these are the best factory Chim figures
Mines a 2001 MK3, don't think there were any before 2000 . Other than covered lights not sure how many of the other features were by design or were about availability ... 16" wheels because 15" tyres became hard to source, Cerbera seats because they were around (I'm told the high lift boot hinges were on earlier models) , auto window closing on the alarm ??? .
Is yours a Malaysian MK3 ?? Check the bonnet passenger side near the hinge for TVR98 impression
But these are the best factory Chim figures
Mines a 2001 MK3, don't think there were any before 2000 . Other than covered lights not sure how many of the other features were by design or were about availability ... 16" wheels because 15" tyres became hard to source, Cerbera seats because they were around (I'm told the high lift boot hinges were on earlier models) , auto window closing on the alarm ??? .
Is yours a Malaysian MK3 ?? Check the bonnet passenger side near the hinge for TVR98 impression
Never heard of a Chimaera Limited Edition.
The Griffith did have the 100 run out Editions.
Apart front the differences mentioned there was nothing to indicate that the MK3 was anything Limited or Special.
I recall the 500 was dropped due to the availability of parts, and continued with only the 450 for a year or so.
I think the differences you mentioned came in around 2001.
The Griffith did have the 100 run out Editions.
Apart front the differences mentioned there was nothing to indicate that the MK3 was anything Limited or Special.
I recall the 500 was dropped due to the availability of parts, and continued with only the 450 for a year or so.
I think the differences you mentioned came in around 2001.
Thanks Glow Worm, those are the most detailed figures I've seen, where did you get them?
My car is at the garage at the moment with the dashboard top off awaiting a replacement heater fan control unit, fortunately I was able to source a used unit [Thanks Bill!]. [TVR Parts can recondition your old unit but the turnaround is 6 - 8 weeks, new ones are not available] I'll look for that TVR98 impression when I get it car back.
It also has clear front indicator lenses that look original as there is slight corrosion.
From those figures could we assume that all 2001 on-wards Chimaeras are Mk3s? [2001] 73 + [2002] 20 + [2003] 5 = 98 pretty close to the 100 'LE's Ralph Dodds mentions.
In The Bible [P17] Steve Heath estimated that 200 Chimaeras were built in 2001, albeit he qualifies that by saying 'Estimates based on production figures from the other cars'
My car is at the garage at the moment with the dashboard top off awaiting a replacement heater fan control unit, fortunately I was able to source a used unit [Thanks Bill!]. [TVR Parts can recondition your old unit but the turnaround is 6 - 8 weeks, new ones are not available] I'll look for that TVR98 impression when I get it car back.
It also has clear front indicator lenses that look original as there is slight corrosion.
From those figures could we assume that all 2001 on-wards Chimaeras are Mk3s? [2001] 73 + [2002] 20 + [2003] 5 = 98 pretty close to the 100 'LE's Ralph Dodds mentions.
In The Bible [P17] Steve Heath estimated that 200 Chimaeras were built in 2001, albeit he qualifies that by saying 'Estimates based on production figures from the other cars'
Thanks for your reply Supraman. I agree, other than Ralph Dodds mention I'd never heard of a Chimaera Limited Edition either.
There were 100 Griffith LEs, each car having a numbered plaque in the glovebox, so far as I'm aware the differences from the preceding Griffith 500s were: Cerbera seats, a modernised dash board [with late Chimaera switch-gear], different back lights, larger headlights, clear front indicators and 16" wheels all round.
There were 100 Griffith LEs, each car having a numbered plaque in the glovebox, so far as I'm aware the differences from the preceding Griffith 500s were: Cerbera seats, a modernised dash board [with late Chimaera switch-gear], different back lights, larger headlights, clear front indicators and 16" wheels all round.
ianwayne said:
Mine is a March 2000 reg 4.0 and has the analogue odometer. It has black faced gauges though so maybe the the digital odometer didn't come in on a specific date, just when they ran out of the old ones!
Mine is a very late '99 with the standard colour gauges and an analogue odometer. FWIW It also has high lift boot hinges and faired in headlights. TR4man said:
A very minor thing, but I notice that my MK3 doesn't have an ashtray at all (but does have the lighter in the driver's door).
Where I've seen ashtrays on previous Chimaeras, mine has air vents. Was this another MK3 upgrade?
My late 99 mark 2 has no ashtrays either, but has the fag lighter. Where I've seen ashtrays on previous Chimaeras, mine has air vents. Was this another MK3 upgrade?
I think TVR may have already realised by then that the socket has more uses than just lighting gaspers.
Yes there was a smoking pack option (strange Peter Wheeler didn't make it compulsory ) . There was also a change to bevelled ally indicator stalks (after market Leven ones are round) and rake adjuster . I think the ally handbrake cover came as Std item rather than the Leven upgrade.
I've moved the power socket from the door to under the dash, used to be pain opening the door with Satnav plugged into the socket in the door.
TR4man I also changed my pedals to Leven stainless ones
I've moved the power socket from the door to under the dash, used to be pain opening the door with Satnav plugged into the socket in the door.
TR4man I also changed my pedals to Leven stainless ones
Edited by glow worm on Sunday 1st January 12:45
glow worm said:
How many people have trouble setting the clock ? It takes me ages ... the button never stops when I want it to and I have to go around 4 or 5 times before I stop it at the right time .
I think I'll give up with British Summer Time and leave it a hour out
I've had that problem .I think I'll give up with British Summer Time and leave it a hour out
It reminds me of turning in on a fast go cart, you need to anticipate it and do it a split second early or you'll miss the bend by the time you've reacted
My clock is very accurate though, doesn't seem to lose anytime.
glow worm said:
How many people have trouble setting the clock ? It takes me ages ... the button never stops when I want it to and I have to go around 4 or 5 times before I stop it at the right time .
I think I'll give up with British Summer Time and leave it a hour out
I replaced the clock with a voltmeter. The button on mine had packed up and I couldn't set it anyway. The radio has a clock in it if I need to know what time it is and I can't see my watch. .I think I'll give up with British Summer Time and leave it a hour out
Given the electrical 'issues' that TVR's are plagued with it seemed like a sensible mod to make.
It was quite interesting trying to find a place behind the dashboard that reflected what the true voltage at the battery was. Readings from various points in the loom varied quite a lot. I ended up taking a feed from the supply to the radio, which was showing the highest voltage
ou sont les biscuits said:
glow worm said:
How many people have trouble setting the clock ? It takes me ages ... the button never stops when I want it to and I have to go around 4 or 5 times before I stop it at the right time .
I think I'll give up with British Summer Time and leave it a hour out
I replaced the clock with a voltmeter. The button on mine had packed up and I couldn't set it anyway. The radio has a clock in it if I need to know what time it is and I can't see my watch. .I think I'll give up with British Summer Time and leave it a hour out
Given the electrical 'issues' that TVR's are plagued with it seemed like a sensible mod to make.
It was quite interesting trying to find a place behind the dashboard that reflected what the true voltage at the battery was. Readings from various points in the loom varied quite a lot. I ended up taking a feed from the supply to the radio, which was showing the highest voltage
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