Car cover for Chim

[Chiefbadger]

Evening people,

I made the terrible error of going to Fernhurst last weekend 'just for a look' and walked away having put a deposit down on my first TVR. I can't wait till I pick it up! Just got to shift my Megane R26 first to release the cash!

Anyway, question one of many I'm sure. I've done a search, but couldn't find anything conclusive.

The Chimaera will be parked on the street, so I thought investing in a car cover would be sensible. Just wondered whether anyone has any recommendations and also whether you think it's needed/worthwhile? The car will be used pretty much daily, so might be a bit of a hassle getting it on and off, but happy to do it if it will keep my new baby pristine!!!

Any other suggestions/ideas are welcome!

Olly

[s5tuart]

Fleabay item 180168362961
Yes it's me selling!
Money back if you don't like it..............

[E2DJH]

Chiefbadger said:

Evening people,

I made the terrible error of going to Fernhurst last weekend 'just for a look' and walked away having put a deposit down on my first TVR. I can't wait till I pick it up!

Olly

Bugger the cover chat, i just wanted to congratulate you on making a great decision. I did exactly the same in January last year, and have driven 19k miles since then (The Chim is my "weekend" car!!) - without it missing a beat. The guys down there just love the cars, and it shows.

Just make sure you drive it as often as you can, oh yes, and post some piccies!!!


I did get a cover for mine, but can't remember where from. But i don't use it. I'll have a look tomorrow

[Paul M]

Chiefbadger said:

Evening people,

I made the terrible error of going to Fernhurst last weekend 'just for a look' and walked away having put a deposit down on my first TVR. I can't wait till I pick it up! Just got to shift my Megane R26 first to release the cash!

Anyway, question one of many I'm sure. I've done a search, but couldn't find anything conclusive.

The Chimaera will be parked on the street, so I thought investing in a car cover would be sensible. Just wondered whether anyone has any recommendations and also whether you think it's needed/worthwhile? The car will be used pretty much daily, so might be a bit of a hassle getting it on and off, but happy to do it if it will keep my new baby pristine!!!

Any other suggestions/ideas are welcome!

Olly

One of the best errors you will ever make

I left mine out overnight a few days after getting it and I suppose looking back foolishly did so in order to see if the roof would leak. Yes it did - carpets soaked! Invested in hood cover from Leven - a quality item. However I cleared my garage and that is where the beloved Chim lives and not used if there is a threat of rain but still use it as much as I can - even if there is the slightest gap in the clouds

Congratulations and welcome aboard. Pics, spec etc of your acquisition are expected

[Chiefbadger]

Thanks for the welcome chaps!

Unfortunately, a garage is not an option, so I think a cover is the only way to go. Fernie's are supplying me with one, so I'll see how it goes and then decided on whether I need to upgrade.

The car is a 98' Chimaaera 400 in Starmist Blue with Butterscotch/biscuit leather and a prussian blue dash. Getting Fernies to fit all the Leven bits and bobs internally this week - stalks, handbrake etc. Only other thing I'm changing at the mo is the orange repeaters for clear on the side.

Very tempted to go down the cherrybomb route, but thought it deserved a couple of months as standard first.

The car is immaculate and is currently on 31k. Was a bit on the pricy side, but as it's my first Trevor I wanted to make sure I got a goodun! Pics will hopefully be up at the weekend when I pick it up.

I've just got to wait for the blimmin V5 for my R26 to come through first so I can actually sell it! Bloody post strike.

Olls

[kailear]

Mine is left on the street in London. I had a cover made for it by Covercraft http://www.covercraft-europe.com/homepage_car.html which I am very pleased with. They will send you a fabric sample; there are three types. I chose the Noah over the slightly more expensive Weathershield because it is a much heavier multi-layer fabric which is better for security and protecting against minor knocks. The cheaper Evolution fabric I thought a little too abrasive. Takes a couple of weeks for the cover to be made as they are all custom cut which ensures a very snug fit. If you need a parking permit to be visible they will send you a kit.

I also bought the first Chim I went to see at Fernies and then went back a couple of weeks ago to look at a Cerb. It is like an expensive sweet shop but they are very good guys.

[gier]

I had one of the covers mentioned above. Was not satisfied at all. Now I have a Hamilton cover and is the best you can get, according to my opinion.

Also invest in a Leven topcover.

Take care and enjoy your car.

Hans
Netherlands

[MrE]

I bought a covercraft cover recently and I think it's very good. It fits the car excellently and it's certainly waterproof. I opted for the lightweight version as I wanted to be able to pack it up quick and small, it comes with a bag thats about the size of a pillow case. However, the covercraft jobbies are really expensive and it's left a nagging feeling that I paid too much.

Aside from covers, how did you get on with the R26? I'd considered one myself before getting the chimaera. Must admit I had completely forgotten the R26 existed after getting my first TVR!

[Chugger]

gier said:

I had one of the covers mentioned above. Was not satisfied at all. Now I have a Hamilton cover and is the best you can get, according to my opinion.

Also invest in a Leven topcover.

Take care and enjoy your car.

Hans
Netherlands

Same here switched to a lightweight breathable from http://www.classicadditions.com/ very, very impressed. The car dries out even after its been soaked and the cover hasn't worn at all. It also comes with a locking mechanism (additional cost)

[Paul M]

Chiefbadger said:

Thanks for the welcome chaps!

Unfortunately, a garage is not an option, so I think a cover is the only way to go. Fernie's are supplying me with one, so I'll see how it goes and then decided on whether I need to upgrade.

The car is a 98' Chimaaera 400 in Starmist Blue with Butterscotch/biscuit leather and a prussian blue dash. Getting Fernies to fit all the Leven bits and bobs internally this week - stalks, handbrake etc. Only other thing I'm changing at the mo is the orange repeaters for clear on the side.

Very tempted to go down the cherrybomb route, but thought it deserved a couple of months as standard first.

The car is immaculate and is currently on 31k. Was a bit on the pricy side, but as it's my first Trevor I wanted to make sure I got a goodun! Pics will hopefully be up at the weekend when I pick it up.

I've just got to wait for the blimmin V5 for my R26 to come through first so I can actually sell it! Bloody post strike.

Olls

Sounds like a very nice example and in my favourite colour
Mine has the clear side repeaters and they do look better than the orange IMHO
I would personally just enjoy the "standard" soundtrack then take it from there. Obviously you won't be putting your radio on much if at all

[s5tuart]

Hi Geir.
I am sorry you have said my covers are not good.
I have no record of ever sending one to Holland nor to Chugger in fact. I don't think we are talking about the same thing!
I have only sold through ebay and have always offered a full money back guarantee if the buyer is not happy in any way.
If it is a cover that I have sold you please give me all the details and I will refund you both, AND you can keep the covers. Thanks. Stuart

[gier]

Dear Stuart,

I ordered the tailor made Weathershield and was very unhappy with the product. It was returned and refunded.

Am not sure I ordered it through your company, but as far as I remember it was ordered at the original importer. If this is you, you will have me in your database, being:

Hans de Gier
Plaswijk 1
Vinkeveen
Netherlands

But, as I have not ordered through Ebay, most probably we are not talking about the same thing.

[s5tuart]

Phew!!!
Not the same company thank goodness.

[Chugger]

gier said:

Dear Stuart,

I ordered the tailor made Weathershield and was very unhappy with the product. It was returned and refunded.

Am not sure I ordered it through your company, but as far as I remember it was ordered at the original importer. If this is you, you will have me in your database, being:

Hans de Gier
Plaswijk 1
Vinkeveen
Netherlands

But, as I have not ordered through Ebay, most probably we are not talking about the same thing.

Same here, fret not Stuart!

[fluffychim]

Classic Additions lightweight for my Chim too. She lives outside and is temperamental if her electrics get too damp.

She's a daily drive too so the cover just rolls up and pops in the boot so I can put it on at work if the weather's dodgy. You'll need a big bin bag or plastic box big enough to hold the cover though because if you're storing wet cover in boot it does tend to release a lot of water and soak the boot!

BTW - you'll not regret your impulse purchase, enjoy.

[spend]

The cars shouldn't leak... I use a hood cover just to keep the material clean. Anal cleaning & greasing of the electrical earths & block connectors is well worth it (particularly if they have been subjected to leaks in the past) IMHO. Addition of a rubber strip under the bonnet to make water flow away from inner wings to the front (drips on the chassis and engine + clutch & brake res..) is worth it as well. It seems many cars are missing drain holes in teh undertray, just make sure this doesn't hold standing water to corrode the fan/lights.. circuits.

Not anti covers, but I really feel that the cars get frequently slagged off for poor electrical reliability just because these water ingress issues have been neglected Working around the problem is never the same as fixing it in my book.

Dave

[fluffychim]

spend said:

Not anti covers, but I really feel that the cars get frequently slagged off for poor electrical reliability just because these water ingress issues have been neglected Working around the problem is never the same as fixing it in my book.

Dave

I'll consider myself told off then! To be honest I wouldn't know where to start anally greasing my whatever-you-called-them! Or what with for that matter! Not read that bit in the bible yet - still very new at this.

I also park under pine trees so the cover does help avoid needles, sap and bird mess getting all over the car.

[spend]

fluffychim said:

I'll consider myself told off then! To be honest I wouldn't know where to start anally greasing my whatever-you-called-them! Or what with for that matter! Not read that bit in the bible yet - still very new at this.

I also park under pine trees so the cover does help avoid needles, sap and bird mess getting all over the car.

You little minx, trying to stir it up! Just making the point that TADTS is too often used as an excuse. The side effects of leaky cars are not pleasant, smelly/rotten carpets/trim, random electrical gremlins.... Covers to keep car clean are fine, but please also note reports of paintwork problems that can occur (bubbles etc) if the bodywork has any flaws. Thats not doom 'n gloom stuff - just things to watch out for & treat before they become expensive

Dave