Chimera with a/c
Discussion
Just initial thoughts on returning to the TVR fold after 8 or 9 years away, previously owned Tuscan Mk1, Cerbera 4.5 and Tamora. This time thinking about a Chimera, possible restoration. My question is, did any of them come with A/C? I found the Tamora almost unbearable on a summer drive into France with no a/c to the degree that it put me off ever owning a sports car without it.
Can it be retro-fitted?
Cheers
GG33
It was an option, mine originally had it being a Clubman for Japan. Very rare though seemingly, so rare that when the UK dealer bought the car prior to my ownership, they took it off to fit to a Tuscan owner who was paying silly money to have it retrofitted!
You will find a recirc button on the right hand side of the centre console where your leg sits - looks identical to the window switches. The AC switch is built into the temperature control dial - turn it fully cold and it clicks a microswitch.
Plenty of aftermarket things originating from the hot rodding community if you wanted to go that route, which would be significantly cheaper.
TL;DR: if you want it factory fitted, import a Chimaera from Japan. It'll also benefit from not having rust, and potentially the factory option roll-over bar. Occasionally you see a UK optioned car pop up for sale - saw a 400 in Northern Ireland at the back end of last year with AC commanding strong money.
You will find a recirc button on the right hand side of the centre console where your leg sits - looks identical to the window switches. The AC switch is built into the temperature control dial - turn it fully cold and it clicks a microswitch.
Plenty of aftermarket things originating from the hot rodding community if you wanted to go that route, which would be significantly cheaper.
TL;DR: if you want it factory fitted, import a Chimaera from Japan. It'll also benefit from not having rust, and potentially the factory option roll-over bar. Occasionally you see a UK optioned car pop up for sale - saw a 400 in Northern Ireland at the back end of last year with AC commanding strong money.
Edited by geordiepingu on Tuesday 29th June 09:55
Mine has Aircon, the only part that may be difficult to source for retrofitting the original equipment is the evaporator, I have no idea what that is off of.
A quick google suggests to me that it may be cheaper to fit a new universal one than bother with original equipment.
https://www.carbuilder.com/uk/universal-air-condit...
A quick google suggests to me that it may be cheaper to fit a new universal one than bother with original equipment.
https://www.carbuilder.com/uk/universal-air-condit...
I had a Chimaera with aircon a few years ago, they are rare but there are some UK cars. That was a 2001 500 so pretty much the hen's teeth model anyway! UK car tax website says it is still out there some where and changed hands last year.
As someone said, it was a microswitch on the extreme cold end of the temp control, so it was pretty much on or off! It worked, but perhaps an after market kit would actually be better?
As someone said, it was a microswitch on the extreme cold end of the temp control, so it was pretty much on or off! It worked, but perhaps an after market kit would actually be better?
My ‘99 450 has factory fitted aircon, although the system currently has a leak and ideally could do with a new compressor.
A few years ago it needed a new condenser (the radiator-like thing that sits in front of the coolant radiator). I had it done by Alpinair in West London, just off the Hanger Lane gyratory IIRC. They did a good job.
As mentioned, the system activates when the temperature control is at fully cold, which unfortunately means you can’t run it in conjunction with hot air for the drying effect. I sometimes ponder fitting an override button, which would presumably just have to short the microswitch.
When it’s working, it’s quite powerful. The compressor is of course designed to cool the cabin of a Range Rover.
A few years ago it needed a new condenser (the radiator-like thing that sits in front of the coolant radiator). I had it done by Alpinair in West London, just off the Hanger Lane gyratory IIRC. They did a good job.
As mentioned, the system activates when the temperature control is at fully cold, which unfortunately means you can’t run it in conjunction with hot air for the drying effect. I sometimes ponder fitting an override button, which would presumably just have to short the microswitch.
When it’s working, it’s quite powerful. The compressor is of course designed to cool the cabin of a Range Rover.
Forums | Chimaera | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff