A madman looking for a TVR

[Roc77]

Good evening companions. I write from Spain, where after years in love with TVR I have decided to move forward.

I am going to sell my 944 turbo S and try to buy a Chimaera, the bureaucracy will be terrible but I am determined.

I have been close to buying a Chim500 unit, but when I saw the condition of the chassis I was terrified.

Now I am looking in UK. I have done calculations and after subtracting the taxes I have a budget of 15,000 pounds.

I've been looking at the PH for a few days and I've come to the conclusion that it will be difficult to buy a 5.0, hopefully a 4.3 or 4.5.

I am sending you a photo of the Chim500 to see what you think.

I take this opportunity to thank the entire forum for the amount of information I have read these days.

[Belle427]

Looks a bit crusty but outrigger replacement these days isn't the end of the world and not terribly expensive.
Always better to get the car inspected properly though and not buy blind.

[Wolvesboy]

Drive one before you even contemplate buying one. They are an "event" like any TVR - but some people just don't like how they are. On the other hand, some people love them. Buy on condition as there are plenty about in your price bracket. Look at a few and get the best one you can afford as it will reward you every time you get into it and start it up!! In retrospect, I wish mine was tidier, had a better interior and a 450 or 500 engine but my 400 HC is still fun.

[Shnozz]

The taxes here post Brexit will be brutal on a U.K. import!

I’ve given up with the idea of importing from the U.K. to Spain now. Was bad enough before for anything a little unusual.

Incidentally, I am looking at a 944 in Spain but don’t think my budget will lend itself to a turbo. However, if you want to PM me just to make sure I’m right in that…

[Roc77]

I have a good car, with a rebuilt engine, which shouldn't cause problems but ...
To make it special you have to take it very high RPM, I am a calmer driver. I would like to have a big engine, I love the sound of the v8. Like many of us since GT on the PS1 I have not stopped thinking about TVR. It's time, if I don't try, I'll always regret it.
Anyway, do not comment on this idea in my group of 951 ... they would give me many reasons not to.
A Chimaera 400 in good condition is also a good idea, but I am concerned that it is much slower than a 944 with 250hp.
If I buy the car in the UK, my intention is to buy cheaper and do a major revision before going back to Spain.
For a 15,000 pound car you would have to pay around 4,500 pounds in taxes.
If I buy a cheaper car I would pay less tax and could use more money to do a lot of maintenance.
If I buy the car in the photos I would try to go to the UK next summer to do the maintenance. I want to send the photos to a specialist for a budget.
I control more photos of the 500

[Roc77]

[Sir Paolo]

Definitely try a few before you buy.

You’ll probably find that a good 400 won’t feel slow compared to the Porsche.

And of course, 400’s are much more plentiful, so you’ll have more choice - as also said, buy on condition making the most of your budget.

[s p a c e m a n]

That one looks like it will be more than just outriggers to me.

[Belle427]

I’d agree, that looks very tired and maybe disguised with all sorts of black goo.

[bobfather]

Your profile is set to 'don't allow emails', if you change this I could share some helpful info

[DCerebrate]

Another option would be get the price down on the car you are looking at due to the rust, then buying a new chassis. Powers TVR still advertising these.

[Classic Chim]

Go for a car with a better chassis or your into a whole lot of pain and expense. If a better car Costs 4k more it will be a bargain against replacing/ repairing a chassis and rebuilding the car from the ground up!
It’s a very big job and ideally requires a ramp unless your Stretch Armstrong and have good working knowledge of mechanics.

[Roc77]

bobfather said:

Your profile is set to 'don't allow emails', if you change this I could share some helpful info

I have already changed the profile. thanks for the warning.
Monday I will try to speak to a specialist in TVR.
To meet next month.
Ask about their cars in stock.
Budget to update 500 of the photos.
The 500 is almost discarded, I have thought about the cost of updating it and would have to lower the sale price a lot to be acceptable. The good thing is that he is no longer in the UK and he would have taxes to get the car ready.
This 500 has a complete maintenance book but has been stopped for a long time.
5,500 pounds for the chassis and to put the car on the road, minimum between 2,000 and 3,000 more pounds.
I've been dreaming every day of Chimaeras and Cerberas for two weeks

[Classic Chim]

Roc77 said:

I have already changed the profile. thanks for the warning.
Monday I will try to speak to a specialist in TVR.
To meet next month.
Ask about their cars in stock.
Budget to update 500 of the photos.
The 500 is almost discarded, I have thought about the cost of updating it and would have to lower the sale price a lot to be acceptable. The good thing is that he is no longer in the UK and he would have taxes to get the car ready.
This 500 has a complete maintenance book but has been stopped for a long time.
5,500 pounds for the chassis and to put the car on the road, minimum between 2,000 and 3,000 more pounds.
I've been dreaming every day of Chimaeras and Cerberas for two weeks

Hahaha. I’ve owned one well over 10 years and still dream about them, or more correctly have nightmares over them
Experience says buy the best you can afford. Better to save a bit more and get the best or at least a highly maintained example which must include chassis correction if you want a car that’s got a solid base to work from.
Your pricing is spot on by the way.
Goodluck and as others probably say, test a few cars so you at least know the ones that feel good.
Check age of tyres the moment you arrive to view any car

[TwinKam]

Alun, all good advice for a domestic purchase and use, but the OP is in Spain and will have to pay C. 30% in duties, hence (as I understand his earlier post) him looking to buy a 'cheap' one in need of work, thus paying lower import duties, and then repairing it.

[bobfather]

Roc77 said:

bobfather said:

Your profile is set to 'don't allow emails', if you change this I could share some helpful info

I have already changed the profile. thanks for the warning.

Still says

Sorry - the recipient doesn't permit emails

[Classic Chim]

TwinKam said:

Alun, all good advice for a domestic purchase and use, but the OP is in Spain and will have to pay C. 30% in duties, hence (as I understand his earlier post) him looking to buy a 'cheap' one in need of work, thus paying lower import duties, and then repairing it.

Oh I see.
Arrrh?
Difficult.
In that case look for one with good mechanicals and decent bodywork / interior and just follow the many good threads on here to restore the chassis on one that looks like the one above.
Chassis areas to look closely at would be
1 top chassis tubes hidden under manifolds.
2 any connecting tubes and suspension pick up lugs for excessive pitting and corrosion.
Wishbones are easily replaceable but at a cost.
3 outriggers

[lancepar]

bobfather said:

Still says

Sorry - the recipient doesn't permit emails

Bob,
The "email me" in the author's profile won't appear if you are not signed in.
I've noticed this if I am not signed in, have a look at the page top right, is your user name there or sign in/register?
HTH

[Roc77]

I appreciate the advice, they are all very good.
I am clashing with the Spanish bureaucracy, this is going to be a complicated project.
Brexit and the Virus also make traveling to the UK more difficult than before.
I have decided to speak with "Amore LTD" and "Str8 six", I have a good connection with London and Bristol, I could make a quick visit ... to see if they have something for me and advise me on the options I have. The second trip I hope is to return driving.
Meanwhile today has been a Porsche day ... showing off a shirt

[Esceptico]

TwinKam said:

Alun, all good advice for a domestic purchase and use, but the OP is in Spain and will have to pay C. 30% in duties, hence (as I understand his earlier post) him looking to buy a 'cheap' one in need of work, thus paying lower import duties, and then repairing it.

I’m not certain but I think if you have repairs done in the UK and export to Spain immediately afterwards that the repairs could be free of U.K. VAT but subject to VAT and possibly duties in Spain. If you pay UK VAT you might still be screwed for Spanish VAT.

As I say, I’m not certain but might be worth checking as could be expensive.

Friend of a friend bought my 964 when I was living in Switzerland and took it back to the UK. He hadn’t thought about VAT but of course Switzerland isn’t in the U.K. It was an expensive mistake. Luckily the car was good value.