Spares for Chimaera's?

Hi all,
I am looking to get into the world of TVR by buying a TVR Chimaera, I have driven my bothers and now I must get my own!

I have been looking at accident damaged ones that I can afford and that I can repair. I have found one with rear fibre glass damage and smashed rear lights.

Does any one know if you can buy spare glass fibre rear pannels for these cars as you can for older classic steel sheet cars? (I restored an MG some time ago using these type of pannels)? or do any of you have any advise to repair fibre glass?

Also can you point me in the right direction to look for spare rear light clusters either second hand or new, as I want to see how much they are.

I am looking at a TVR Chimaera 500 (1999)

Thanks D0M

>> Edited by D0M on Sunday 9th October 09:12

[chassis 33]

Early cars used Fiesta light clusters, before they went to the round light usings. I believe the early units can be put onto later cars and vice-versa, or you could use boy-racer Lexus style units. The lens covers are difficult to find though.

Budget on around £1100 for a new rear end (supplied) eg www.centraltvr.co.uk/bodypanels.asp plus and mechanicals that may of been damaged, lower wishbone about £100 new, upper £50 new etc.

For fibreglass repair advice try www.pixeltechnology.co.uk/wedge/maint_frontend.html

Regards
Iain

[Cider Andy]

There are often different sections of bodywork for sale on ebay. Also, www.douglasvalley.co.uk is a good place to find spares.

Anyone competent with working with GRP will have no problem working with a Chimaera.

[D0M]

Thanks both of you for your replies,

Chassis 33 - was the estimate for 1100 for a second hand back end or a new one? and thanks for the pointer on the mechanicals I shall have a good look at them when I go for a second look.

Has anyone seen any websites showing a Chimaera back end being fitted?

Also can anyone give me an idea as to how much a respray would be for both rear quarter panels and back end? Is Tvr paint anything special I hear people talk of Gell paint?

Thanks again for all of your help.

D0M

[chassis 33]

£1100 is for a new lift from a mould, whether that is fitted or not I don't know, give Julian a call! Where are you based there may well be other TVR bodyshops closer than Central TVR.

I'll tell you how to fit a new body once I've done mine; my dad kindly had a fight with a lamp-post back in August so I'm working on that now! That link to the wedge repair is the process you have to go through, just swap in Wedge for Chimaera and front end for back end! Typically glass fibre needs a dedicated primer but after that you can treat it as per any other paint process. As a guide the bodyshop I worked for in my youth now charges the public £200-ish a panel eg bonnet door etc, obviusly depending on size paint type. I'm sure there are bodyshops out there that will do a full car respray for about 1k.

While you look at the mecanicals, check the wheels are ok, trying to get singles is difficult and expensive to the point that you'll make a profit selling the remaining good ones and buying a new aftermarket set, especially the 5litre style.

Regards
Iain

[D0M]

Cheers Chassis, I shall do some phoning around tomorrow if I get chance. I have had a look at Douglasvalley as andy mentioned and have also seen that he is advertising chimaera bits on ebay so I think he may be a good bet for second hand bits. I will check out the wheels too.

I am sure the process is the same as with the wedge, I was just wondering if i could see where the best place to cut the body would be if i were going to source a new whole back end. As you may have gathered I am new to the idea of working with fibre glass!

I hope that you get on ok with repairing yours, are you replacing sections or just patching?

I am in Derby so anywhere in the midlands would be good, although I do a lot of travelling with my job and I am sure I can find some time drop into a few places.

[Chris Smith]

Also talk to Jason at TVR bodyshop (details on the web). They repaired the back end on mine after a transit tried to remodel it. Did an absolutely fantastic job.

[chassis 33]

I've bought a second hand shell, that has had its front end ripped off at some point in the past. I think I'll send up making the cut in the fold of the sill line, up though the door slams then about 2in below where the hood bolts on, that way theres little chance of anyone seeing the joins even if I do a crap job of the repair. It is going to be a race car though so I wont be working to concours standards!

Regards
Iain

[D0M]

Cheers Chris, i will give them a try and see what they can offer and any spares they may be able to supply.

Iain, sounds like you are pretty confident with what you are planning, I hope that it all goes well. Have you repaired much fibre glass before? if so is there any science to it? I have been doing a bit of searching around the web and what I have seen so far looks pretty straight forward, i am missing something?

[chassis 33]

I've done bits and pieces, nothing as major as what we're planning though! So long as you follow the basics, remember the 7 P's (as with everything) you wont go far wrong.

The beauty of glass fibre is if you go wrong, just chop it out and start again.

BTW, as for re-sale values on your other thread; plan on a 15 to 20% hit on typical figures if your car has "history". Having said that if you can buy and repair the car for less than that, and enjoy it for a while, then so what. I know plenty of TVR owners whose cars have "history" and it doesnt detract from the car one jot, it just means they picked up a bargain!

If I can help any more, just ask or mail me direct, I don't know everything, but what I do I'll happily share.
Regards
Iain

[D0M]

Thanks Iain,

I suppose that's the way I am looking at it, I am after a bargin.

Thanks for the offer of advise, I shall drop you an email at some point I am sure or post some more on this site.

Kind Regards

Dom