TVR in a Storm

[chugger]

I know the majority of you probably garage your Chim's every night, but i was wondering if any of you left your out overnight at the mercy of the conditions (perhaps with a cover) and if you do whether or not you have found that it casues any problems with the car?

Also, if leaving on the drive way, have any of you been the victim of theft or damange to the soft top by unruly youngsters, is the TVR a car that attracts the boy racer thief??

Thanks in advance

Chug

[IM]

chugger said:

I know the majority of you probably garage your Chim's every night, but i was wondering if any of you left your out overnight at the mercy of the conditions (perhaps with a cover) and if you do whether or not you have found that it casues any problems with the car?

What would have been the garage I converted into a living room extension so we have 3 cars on the driveway and 1 on the street. The Chim is covered by a custom-fit all-weather cover and so far no problems with the car starting etc...

chugger said:

Also, if leaving on the drive way, have any of you been the victim of theft or damange to the soft top by unruly youngsters, is the TVR a car that attracts the boy racer thief?

IMHO I think this rather depends on where/what type of area you live in. I live in a cul-de-sac so not many people pass-by my house but many years ago I lived in Central London and even my wifes 1300L escort was subject to numerous acts of vandalism and stolen once or twice by what were called joy-riders back then - although I'll never know how you get 'Joy' from driving a 1300L escort, but...I seriously wouldn't park a TVR on a central London street overnight for any more nights than were absolutely neccessary!

My tu'pence worth

[ATG]

You'll get minor leaks from time to time, but they are easy enough to tackle, and if you keep on top of them, the car will be perfectly waterproof without the need of a cover. Mine's been outside in a couple of the recent downpours and hasn't leaked at all. I've not had problems with vandalism and mine has been street parked in London for a few years and is now usually parked in a communal carpark in a residential area.

[TVRThomo]

Mine is outside and no problems so far. Still to buy the all weather hood from leven for those winter months though ! It all rather depends on how good you roof is and whether it's a nice fit or not ? I sometimes roll up a couple of towels and stick them behind the head rest's (against the side of the inner roof) for when the rain is coming down sideways !

[terence]

I keep mine on the drive and use a lightweight breathable cover most of the time. The cover not only keeps tree sap and bird droppings off the hood and paintwork but also rduces, I am hoping, interior fade and cracking due to heat and UV damage from sunlight. It also, of course keeps rain out but I am working to reduce that requirement. No probs with vandalism as yet but I do live in a quiet culdersac.

[bobs4c]

Recommend you seal the hood twice a year using Fabsil or I believe Thompsons water proofer is as good. Just stops the continuous rain creeping through the stitching. I also have a Leven roof cover which keeps the water out very well. One of the problems I get is that without the roof cover, rain runs off the screen and under the bonnet onto the rocker covers which corrode quite easily. The flap on the roof cover stops this. One down side of using the cover is that if it is windy, any dust under the flaps will affect your paint finish.

[Podie]

Mine used to live ouotside for about 12 months... but that included two winters. I have a decent hood cover, but that's about it. If you leave it outside, then they just need a tad more TLC and washing

Not had any leaks, and thankfully never had any trouble with damage... although I do crap myself everytime I leave the car at Tescos... (*)





(*) even though I park as far away as possible, some sod will ALWAYS park next to you and VERY close!

[tvrchim]

Mine is also outside under a lightweight cover with no problems. As for damage i live in a quite road so have no real problems, i parked my previous car a Triumph TR8 outside under a cover for 3 years and the most that happened was someone nicked the dust caps.

[mccrackenj]

Hi

I don't have a garage so mine has lived outside for nearly 14 months now and there's no problem. It did get very wet at 1st, before I waterproofed the hood properly and replaced a weatherseal (see my earlier posts). It started getting wet again earlier this year, but that was just a signal to waterproof the roof again.

If you do get a cover make sure you get a good one that is definitely breathable. I got one that was claimed to be but wasn't and it did more harm than good - it kept the car wet and the paint started to bubble. There are good ones recommended on here - use the search facility and search for "leaking", "leaks", "elephant ears", Classic Additions", "Thompsons Waterseal" etc.

It really isn't that difficult to make a Chimaera waterproof and keep it that way.

[bga]

mine is outside on the drive in a very scummy part of South London, the only problem was some scummer putting a fag hole in the cover - didn't touch the paint though. In this weather the cover isn't on much & no probs at all.

[chugger]

Excellent stuff as always chaps, many thanks

[mrbongo]

I was in the storms in Birmingham over the weekend, doing a trade show so she was out all the time, with no cover on... no problem! No leaks, no wet wool smell, and all fine. Having said that - I will be re-treating the hood before the winter comes along...

I did once have a roof, tyres and bodywork slashed by some kids - they did every car on the street, but had to put that down to bad luck and experience. Lost my no claims on it though - total bill was plenty...