Opinions please-Rebuilt Chim from BellHill Garage

[tacoma]

I don't know how many of you have seen this add:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/46037.htm

but what are your views on buying a rebuilt car and does anyone know more about this before i drive down on Saturday with a view to px'ing my current puppy.

Yes i know its yellow but have you tried to colour match Rosso Pearl lately!!!

thanks guys in advance

m

[Podie]

Might seem like an od question.. but what's wrong with your current car..?

Looks like a nice job from the photos, but I'd want it inspected by someone who knows TVRs...

What are the insurance implications for the car..? A 94L would have been a 4.0 wouldn't it..? So it has a later engine, later body, but earlier chassis.. did I get that right..?

Looks interesting, but not my cup of tea...

[55jnj]

I've seen the car in the "flesh" so to speak & it's in superb condition. Tom & his brother run an excellent business - I've done business with them, they do what they promise & the process was a positive experience. Unfortunately you can't say that about many in the motor trade. Tom has run the car as his own transport & I would guess that money has been no object in getting the car to almost perfection.

>> Edited by 55jnj on Thursday 14th July 18:35

[cerby4.5]

I think it looks superb! It has obviously been done very well, and had I not just bought a Chim recently I would have loved to have considered it!
Bloody Typical really!!!!!

[TATTOODROB]

i like it......especially the seats,would love a set in my car.had a lot of stuff done to it but is it worth 14000 considering its cat c before and 1994 reg....might b hard to sell on at later date.isnt your car worth more than this one !!! rob

[tacoma]

Podie said:

Might seem like an od question.. but what's wrong with your current car..?

Nothing's wrong with mine currently but one of the things that I really like about TVR's is that they are different, individual. The Chimeara strikes a fantastic balance between power and what i think is best referred to as elegance; a truely beautiful car. This rebuild is very individualistic and quite beautiful and as the add says a one off chance to own a unique car.

I don't know sometimes somethings just look right, the Supermarine Spitefire, Eurocopter's EC135 helicopter, Fender's stratocaster and Gibson's Les Paul, and the Chimeara.

[parrot of doom]

Those seats are bloody nice.

*wishes*

[harrow_chim]

I would have thought that a bitser car like that should be on a Q plate as there is only the chassis that's original?

[nztrev]

Hi
I can say only good things for Bell Hill,Tom is a man of his word,and will not dick you arround.
I bought my Cat D 97 Chim 500 to be used for the racer and the deal was inclusive of all replacement parts.
When the car turned up and on closser inspection there was some chassis damage and a few bits that were over looked,he immediately offered to pay for the chassis staightening and fly down a few bits and pieces.

Editted to add,that colour is the best shade of yellow imo,
I had halycon midas pearl on my Griff all be it with purple interior,everyone thought I was bonkers when I ordered it,but they soon changed their opion when they saw it in the flesh.

>> Edited by nztrev on Friday 15th July 09:05

[paul430]

It may be a fantastic car from a great garage....... but who's going to buy it off you when you find another one that's even more individualistic.

IMO you could loose an awful lot of money. Better to spend a bit and put some new seats in yours

[zippee]

paul430 said:

It may be a fantastic car from a great garage....... but who's going to buy it off you when you find another one that's even more individualistic. IMO you could loose an awful lot of money. Better to spend a bit and put some new seats in yours

Mike,
TBH that would be my opinion as well, these cars are hard enough to sell on as standard let alone Cat C.
I think it would be cheaper in the long run (taking into account depreciation etc) to try and find a set of tuscan seats for yours and change your wheels etc. At least that way you can offset some of the cost against selling your old stuff.

It does look an absolutely fantastic and individual car but IMHO I would only buy it if I had absolutely no intention of ever wanting to sell it.
Also, insurance may be a problem due to the extensive mods and its past history.

Sorry if it's not the answer you wanted to hear but just trying to be realistic. Good luck whatever you decide anyway
Tony

[tacoma]

Guys thanks, I have decided against it.

I have spoken at length to Keith and Tom at Bell Hill and I have absolutely no doubt that this is a class car, however, my wife and I feel that it is not for me. While I know that I will stay with TVR for a long time we know that I will want to try other cars in the stable and that resale of Tom's beautiful car may be a problem down the road.

I appreciate your opinions and the time that you took to reply.

mike

[razorman]

tacoma said:

Yes i know its yellow but have you tried to colour match Rosso Pearl lately!!! m

I know you have already decided against it, but if you thought matching Rosso Pearl was a problem as beautiful as this yellow is just think of getting rid of those stone chips .................

[UpTheIron]

Can only say good things about Tom too.

However, IMHO this car is overpriced for what it is (even if it is A1 condition). Put it in a more favourable colour without the two tone interior, or perhaps just make it an all-navy interior, then add Estoril's and it would be getting close.

Also, the body is not a full 1998 spec - e.g boot hinges. (Am I a geek for spotting that?!!)

[tacoma]

Well, I went and had a look anyway, armed with V5 and cheque book just in case. Lovely car, really but it didn't stack up against my current car so thanks the very freindly and helpful Tom at Bell Hill and went home again.

I will spend the £2k roughly on some upgrades to my car, but it will have to wait until after the new kitchen apparently!

that's life.

m

[snorky]

body could be 98 spec - mine is 98 and has those hinges....

[dparpotta]

Hi Mike,

did you drive the car? what was it like in comparison to yours?

Danos

[tacoma]

Hey Danos,

It drove OK, not betteror worsethan mine, clean acceleration and breaking. You could take yourhands off in a strainght line and accelerate, break or maintain speed without correction. On breaking there was a discernable judder through the steering wheel.

I wasn't keen on the interior, excelpt the seats which I have mentioned were fab, there was no stereo and the facia around the stereo appeture wasbaldly cracked.

mike

[dparpotta]

Car looks nice but i think you made the right desision keeping yours IMHO.