Facelift - I'm confused
Discussion
Looked at a Chim to potentially buy tonight and am a little confused.
It has the facelift front and the new type rear bumper but is not a facelift model.
Did they make changes to the bodywork before the full facelift?
This car is a 96 P and has the old style door release and the old style dash??
Help anyone?
It has the facelift front and the new type rear bumper but is not a facelift model.
Did they make changes to the bodywork before the full facelift?
This car is a 96 P and has the old style door release and the old style dash??
Help anyone?
Well was my first thought but it came from a TVR main dealer last year with a 2 year warrenty. (I know this doesn't mean it can't be)
If it had a new rear end and a new front end then it would be on HPi which is my next stop. That would be a major repair.
This is strange...... Not just me is it??
The rear bumper and front were only changed at the facelift weren't they?? It is defo not a facelift.
>> Edited by shortlad on Thursday 8th May 22:34
If it had a new rear end and a new front end then it would be on HPi which is my next stop. That would be a major repair.
This is strange...... Not just me is it??
The rear bumper and front were only changed at the facelift weren't they?? It is defo not a facelift.
>> Edited by shortlad on Thursday 8th May 22:34
Mark.S said: My first Chimaera was an in-between. 97/P with facelift front and rear but still had door buttons on the wing rather than mirrors.
Ah good guys.... This is what I needed.... Seemed to be the sort of thing that could happen. Good to hear that there are others.
I thought the owner would have told me as he seems a very honest Joe. Still going to HPi though!
Thanks for the advice so far.
>> Edited by shortlad on Thursday 8th May 22:51
shortlad said:
iandbeech said: My mates got a 96 (P) Chimaera which has updated exterior (split in grill etc) but older facia. I don`t think its anything dodgey, perhaps just TVR using up all the spares!!
Oh.... Good to here that there are others out there. Did he Hpi the car when he bought it?
Yep - it was a "cat D" Is that bad?!! No, not really, he HPi`d it and also contacted TVR direct as they also keep history on the car of you give them chassis number etc if I remember right.
iandbeech said:
shortlad said:
iandbeech said: My mates got a 96 (P) Chimaera which has updated exterior (split in grill etc) but older facia. I don`t think its anything dodgey, perhaps just TVR using up all the spares!!
Oh.... Good to here that there are others out there. Did he Hpi the car when he bought it?
I will contact the factory tomorrow I think. Cheers
Yep - it was a "cat D" Is that bad?!! No, not really, he HPi`d it and also contacted TVR direct as they also keep history on the car of you give them chassis number etc if I remember right.
Yep they do exist
mine is 96p with later chassis and brakes, serp engine, t5 box, face lift body (dont forget to check the rear bumper early cars had rubber strip and later grp moulding)
old radio dash panel and later instrument panel with alloy ringed dials and older door buttons in the wings.
i was a bit worried untill i saw 2 identical cars..
and i ve seend some other odd mixws as well.
G
mine is 96p with later chassis and brakes, serp engine, t5 box, face lift body (dont forget to check the rear bumper early cars had rubber strip and later grp moulding)
old radio dash panel and later instrument panel with alloy ringed dials and older door buttons in the wings.
i was a bit worried untill i saw 2 identical cars..
and i ve seend some other odd mixws as well.
G
Mark.S said: Always worth doing an HPI check for peace of mind.
Mine certainly wasn't on the register so there are definately cars around that are inbetween as it were.
Thanks for that. Seems to be one of those things. I'm hoping to buy this car if it checks out ok and should be able to pick it up on Saturday..
Yeahhhhh My first TVR. I hope she's gentle with me I'm a virgin don't you know!
DON'T CLOSE YOUR EYES 
Just a bit more comfort. Mines a 96P with facelift front, new style rear bumper, old style rear number plate and old door release buttons. It was bought from a very well respected independent in the Midlands. Its also got a factory fitted oil cooler and cerbera fans but thats a different story!
I prefer the erly shape arse end and HATE the angled rear no plate myself.
But love the later grill at the front and the door openers on the mirrors.
And there are a few cars about like this. See the R reg red one in the classis on this site.
R reg and STILL the backlit no plate on the rear.
But love the later grill at the front and the door openers on the mirrors.
And there are a few cars about like this. See the R reg red one in the classis on this site.
R reg and STILL the backlit no plate on the rear.
As I understand it there was a changeover period round about the time of the facelift such that many cars that left the factory during that time were hybrids of the pre- and post- facelift specification. TVR tended to use up whatever parts they had available.
Since they never keep very large stock levels of body parts (takes up a lot of space) it is reasonable to assume that a car with the newer body but older mechanicals is one of those changeover cars.
>> Edited by JonRB on Friday 9th May 14:03
Since they never keep very large stock levels of body parts (takes up a lot of space) it is reasonable to assume that a car with the newer body but older mechanicals is one of those changeover cars.
>> Edited by JonRB on Friday 9th May 14:03
Well done short-lad, go for it!
I looked into the facelift thing before buying, and was also a bit confused. As others have mentioned, the change to 'facelifted' happened gradually over a period of years. Lucky really as I liked all of the updates except the recessed number plate - found a 1997 P reg that has all upgrades apart from the number plate and the newer rear lights (but you can get these converted). The best bit is the electric door releases, it's hilarious when people try to get into the car for the first time, and out again for that matter!
Matt
I looked into the facelift thing before buying, and was also a bit confused. As others have mentioned, the change to 'facelifted' happened gradually over a period of years. Lucky really as I liked all of the updates except the recessed number plate - found a 1997 P reg that has all upgrades apart from the number plate and the newer rear lights (but you can get these converted). The best bit is the electric door releases, it's hilarious when people try to get into the car for the first time, and out again for that matter!
Matt
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