Anyone know this Chimaera 450 SC for sale?
Discussion
I went all the way to Cornwall to look at in 2017 (I think it was July) when I was, ahem, 'between' Chimaeras. I remember the retro bonnet badge, wheels the same too I think.
Quite impressive spec, but the main chassis rails underneath at the front has flaked off powder coat and heavy surface rust. Perhaps rectified?It was chucking it down so I wasn't able to look underneath more. Couple of minor things too but I'm a bit hazy on it. I think it was about £18k asking price at the time?? Epic sound and nice paint too, 3 yrs ago anyway.
By the MoT history, it's been off the road for 3 years; passed in May 2017 and then again in Nov 2020.
Quite impressive spec, but the main chassis rails underneath at the front has flaked off powder coat and heavy surface rust. Perhaps rectified?It was chucking it down so I wasn't able to look underneath more. Couple of minor things too but I'm a bit hazy on it. I think it was about £18k asking price at the time?? Epic sound and nice paint too, 3 yrs ago anyway.
By the MoT history, it's been off the road for 3 years; passed in May 2017 and then again in Nov 2020.
Thanks for the reply and info.
Sounds like you went to look at it when it was for sale prior to the current owner buying it. Seems as though it has had the current owner for 3 years since that time.
Did you drive it?
Seems like the previous owner had it for 8 years prior and did all the mods. Seems like current owner bought it then pretty much never used it which is weird. Unless it needed a chassis refurb and they never got round to doing it maybe.
Sounds like you went to look at it when it was for sale prior to the current owner buying it. Seems as though it has had the current owner for 3 years since that time.
Did you drive it?
Seems like the previous owner had it for 8 years prior and did all the mods. Seems like current owner bought it then pretty much never used it which is weird. Unless it needed a chassis refurb and they never got round to doing it maybe.
No I never drove it. It really was biblical rain at the time. I remember being demonstrated that you had to rev it it slightly for a minute or two from cold before it would idle unaided. That along with the seats and their condition (not a fan of the Tuscan seats personally) put me off a bit to be honest.
I do remember the original PH classified photo showed it on somebody's drive but I arranged to see it where the seller worked at his small business in the town centre. I'm not even sure where it was, perhaps Truro or Redruth?
I do remember my tentative / cheeky offer of under £15k (I think
) being rebuffed at the time!
I do remember the original PH classified photo showed it on somebody's drive but I arranged to see it where the seller worked at his small business in the town centre. I'm not even sure where it was, perhaps Truro or Redruth?
I do remember my tentative / cheeky offer of under £15k (I think
) being rebuffed at the time!Classic Chim said:
That’s a cracking looking car. Thousands and thousands of pounds worth of mods,
(Chassis might need a re furb ) that’s a bit strong, it might but 90% of cars only need new riggers,,,!
Lovely colour and wheels.
I bet it goes like a rocket.
I've requested some pics of the underside. Always a worry when there are tons of pics and not one from the underside. If it were mint I'm sure there would be plenty.(Chassis might need a re furb ) that’s a bit strong, it might but 90% of cars only need new riggers,,,!
Lovely colour and wheels.
I bet it goes like a rocket.
Love the colour and one of my fave TVR colours. Not a fan of the grey interior but love the front/rear lights.
I'm guessing it might be a decent handful but wondering if it might be a more suitable option for me than my current 500. Sounds odd as has even more power but a 450 with SC and different ECU might be more what I'm after. Shame it's miles away. Also small case of needing to sell mine.
Which just reminds me.....I've forgotten about my 500 and left it at Bespoke and not picked it up yet! Must call Martin and apologise and get it picked up!!
rockits said:
Nice story. Love a good car potential purchase travel story.
Did you regret not buying it or it wasn't that memorable?
What did you buy in the end?
I bought a cheaper 4.0 litre in the end; aftermarket systems I saw the advantage of though, so I bought one with a canems conversion. The lack of power steering, extremely heavy clutch, leaked a bit (no garage) etc. and just fancying a change meant I sold it in 2019, and its just resold again. Had a Cerbera 4.5 from 2018 to late 2019 too, that was expensive.....Did you regret not buying it or it wasn't that memorable?
What did you buy in the end?
I'm TVR-less at the moment. After 18 months with a Boxster I now have an SLK 350. Yes, the draw of a 7G automatic has infected my advancing years and arthritic knee.
Edited by sixor8 on Friday 4th December 22:22
LOL....yup we aren't getting any younger but while I can still manage a clutch I'll keep going.
I've had a 987 Boxster too and great cars. Enjoyed it.
I did the same and went cheaper 400 first then better/newer 400 then full fat original Chimaera 500. Trouble is its red and I'm not a fan of reds and a sucker for blues which is why this one appealed.
Never had an SLK but had a few R129 SL's including an SL60 and an R230 SL55. All great cars but looking for something that sits somewhere in between a really rare TVR and the above. Doesn't seem to really exist though or not many options if it does.
I've had a 987 Boxster too and great cars. Enjoyed it.
I did the same and went cheaper 400 first then better/newer 400 then full fat original Chimaera 500. Trouble is its red and I'm not a fan of reds and a sucker for blues which is why this one appealed.
Never had an SLK but had a few R129 SL's including an SL60 and an R230 SL55. All great cars but looking for something that sits somewhere in between a really rare TVR and the above. Doesn't seem to really exist though or not many options if it does.
Out of interest when you went to look at it was the seller the previous owner before the current owner. So they had done all the mods and had the car for six years?
Keen to try to contact that owner to find some more out about the car. If it was and you have any contact details it would be great if you could message them to me please.
Keen to try to contact that owner to find some more out about the car. If it was and you have any contact details it would be great if you could message them to me please.
rockits said:
Out of interest when you went to look at it was the seller the previous owner before the current owner. So they had done all the mods and had the car for six years?
Keen to try to contact that owner to find some more out about the car. If it was and you have any contact details it would be great if you could message them to me please.
I have no contact details any more and I really can't remember for sure if the seller at the time had done the conversion, but I think he had because he had receipts for the money spent.Keen to try to contact that owner to find some more out about the car. If it was and you have any contact details it would be great if you could message them to me please.
I see you've asked questions via the collecting cars website and that's the best way I reckon. A V5c for it was issued in November 2017 which was likely the last change of owner, unless it was lost or the owner / registered keeper had moved house. I note in the description that it says the wheels are 17" all round but the rears in the photos are 18".
It was over 3 years ago and I've just seen the reply from the seller. I'm now wondering if what I thought at the time, in the rain was surface rust was brown waxoyl.
All original including the outriggers......Edited by sixor8 on Saturday 5th December 08:52
sixor8 said:
I have no contact details any more and I really can't remember for sure if the seller at the time had done the conversion, but I think he had because he had receipts for the money spent.
I see you've asked questions via the collecting cars website and that's the best way I reckon. A V5c for it was issued in November 2017 which was likely the last change of owner, unless it was lost or the owner / registered keeper had moved house. I note in the description that it says the wheels are 17" all round but the rears in the photos are 18".
It was over 3 years ago and I've just seen the reply from the seller. I'm now wondering if what I thought at the time, in the rain was surface rust was brown waxoyl. All original including the outriggers......
No worries, thanks for checking. Yes, I have bid on the car on the CC site and asked some questions that Ric has kindly responded to I have also been in touch with the seller.I see you've asked questions via the collecting cars website and that's the best way I reckon. A V5c for it was issued in November 2017 which was likely the last change of owner, unless it was lost or the owner / registered keeper had moved house. I note in the description that it says the wheels are 17" all round but the rears in the photos are 18".
It was over 3 years ago and I've just seen the reply from the seller. I'm now wondering if what I thought at the time, in the rain was surface rust was brown waxoyl.
All original including the outriggers......Edited by sixor8 on Saturday 5th December 08:52
It is a tough one as I have learnt over the years browsing around that modified TVR's rightly or wrongly seem much harder to sell at the same price or a premium over a stock original car. Some seem to spend many thousands and never see much of a return on that often. Nothing wrong in that of course to enjoy your passion at a cost. It is not always about money sometimes.
I guess it is finding a buyer that will see the value. I can see it from both sides so understand it either way. One specialist I have been in contact with in the past won't work on any modified cars full stop.
There are some weird anomalies often on V5 registrations. I bought a 206 GTi 180 2 years ago that had no V5 as it was lost in old persons possessions. I still haven't got around to applying for the V5 yet due to constant higher priority burdens on my time!
Unfortunately the car is a fair way away from me and I have little to no time as I would love to go to see it. I think realistically my chances are slim to none over the next week due to heavy workloads/commitments.
I have a small IT/tech business and been trying to find a partner, a business to merge with or a new person to come in to learn the trade also business/life/finance etc. but it is proving hard. Too much business and nobody to share it with seems like a crime but decent cost effective IT/tech people seem think on the ground. Plenty out there but most are useless or not cost effective.
I'll see how it goes but no real idea what I think it is worth as a number. You said it was up for £18k when you looked at it and bid £15k so guessing it went for a smidge under £18k maybe £17k. Values were probably stronger then as the market and economy is clearly very weak in this area due to the last year of weirdness. Who knows?!
I take it the 206 has no VED (car tax)? You can't buy it without a V5c.
I'm doubting my memory about the chassis on the TVR now but there really is only one way to check without photos and that's inspect it in person. Or try to price in what may be required. Philip Phedonis and others will inspect for a charge. Philip's charge is a min £220 and Cheshire is a fair way from London.
You're right about modified cars even if it's for the better, you hardly ever get back what is spent. Just an ECU conversion alone, unless you do it yourself, is £2500.
Edited to add: I've looked at the photos and there is no low oil pressure light on with the engine not running. The battery light is on OK though, and it may be due to engine mods that the sender isn't connected to the light in the speedo, but if it were my car, I'd want it working.
I'm doubting my memory about the chassis on the TVR now but there really is only one way to check without photos and that's inspect it in person. Or try to price in what may be required. Philip Phedonis and others will inspect for a charge. Philip's charge is a min £220 and Cheshire is a fair way from London.
You're right about modified cars even if it's for the better, you hardly ever get back what is spent. Just an ECU conversion alone, unless you do it yourself, is £2500.
Edited to add: I've looked at the photos and there is no low oil pressure light on with the engine not running. The battery light is on OK though, and it may be due to engine mods that the sender isn't connected to the light in the speedo, but if it were my car, I'd want it working.
Edited by sixor8 on Saturday 5th December 11:20
sixor8 said:
I take it the 206 has no VED (car tax)? You can't buy it without a V5c.
I'm doubting my memory about the chassis on the TVR now but there really is only one way to check without photos and that's inspect it in person. Or try to price in what may be required. Philip Phedonis and others will inspect for a charge. Philip's charge is a min £220 and Cheshire is a fair way from London.
You're right about modified cars even if it's for the better, you hardly ever get back what is spent. Just an ECU conversion alone, unless you do it yourself, is £2500.
Of course you can buy a car without a V5c! What rubbish!I'm doubting my memory about the chassis on the TVR now but there really is only one way to check without photos and that's inspect it in person. Or try to price in what may be required. Philip Phedonis and others will inspect for a charge. Philip's charge is a min £220 and Cheshire is a fair way from London.
You're right about modified cars even if it's for the better, you hardly ever get back what is spent. Just an ECU conversion alone, unless you do it yourself, is £2500.
Edited by sixor8 on Saturday 5th December 11:02
This Chimaera looks lovely, I'd change the seats and wheels, and I suspect it won't make the cheeky offer of £15k that was made a few years back.
sixor8 said:
I take it the 206 has no VED (car tax)? You can't buy it without a V5c.
I'm doubting my memory about the chassis on the TVR now but there really is only one way to check without photos and that's inspect it in person. Or try to price in what may be required. Philip Phedonis and others will inspect for a charge. Philip's charge is a min £220 and Cheshire is a fair way from London.
You're right about modified cars even if it's for the better, you hardly ever get back what is spent. Just an ECU conversion alone, unless you do it yourself, is £2500.
If you list what you get including rolling road time and then add on the reliability and future proofing benefits it’s really very cheap.
New wiring loom and engine sensors including modern relays
Coil packs and associated silicone plug leads etc, map sensor
Crank multi point trigger wheel and very accurate timing ta boot
A linear torque curve and what should be very accurate throttle response ( controllable power )
Better road manners and just general engine running.
More power where you want it.
Better fuel return figures and cleaner engine internals when on cruise mode. Less flooding when cold and hot and if you stay Catted barely a sniff of exhaust gases, very reasonable when in built up areas lol.
Things like chugging through a village in 4th at 30 then the open road and such torque from the mapping it fires you to 100 if you so wish so effortlessly without touching a gear.
It’s very enjoyable stuff but mostly it’s the reliability and confidence it gives you to just drive on and on.
Mine removes the stepper motor and now has a real consistency in how it manages low revs hot or cold.
I love the thing lol
Best 2k I’ve spent on anything
I'm doubting my memory about the chassis on the TVR now but there really is only one way to check without photos and that's inspect it in person. Or try to price in what may be required. Philip Phedonis and others will inspect for a charge. Philip's charge is a min £220 and Cheshire is a fair way from London.
You're right about modified cars even if it's for the better, you hardly ever get back what is spent. Just an ECU conversion alone, unless you do it yourself, is £2500.
If you list what you get including rolling road time and then add on the reliability and future proofing benefits it’s really very cheap.
New wiring loom and engine sensors including modern relays
Coil packs and associated silicone plug leads etc, map sensor
Crank multi point trigger wheel and very accurate timing ta boot
A linear torque curve and what should be very accurate throttle response ( controllable power )
Better road manners and just general engine running.
More power where you want it.
Better fuel return figures and cleaner engine internals when on cruise mode. Less flooding when cold and hot and if you stay Catted barely a sniff of exhaust gases, very reasonable when in built up areas lol.
Things like chugging through a village in 4th at 30 then the open road and such torque from the mapping it fires you to 100 if you so wish so effortlessly without touching a gear.
It’s very enjoyable stuff but mostly it’s the reliability and confidence it gives you to just drive on and on.
Mine removes the stepper motor and now has a real consistency in how it manages low revs hot or cold.
I love the thing lol
Best 2k I’ve spent on anything
Edited by sixor8 on Saturday 5th December 11:02
Thanks for everyone's thoughts and opinions. Always welcomed and appreciated.
Yes, you can buy a car without the V5 and you can also tax it too. Thr trade have been doing it for years. I don't drive the two Pug Gti's much at the moment the last year or two as have been manic with work. Also been trading part time on top of that as well!
I have trade plates for when I need to take it to the MOT or for a shake down run after any work to keep it fit and healthy.
Shame I didn't see this one 3 years ago but maybe there is a silver lining as it might be worth less now than 3 years ago.
Not heard of the OMEX ecu so will do some research.
Yes, you can buy a car without the V5 and you can also tax it too. Thr trade have been doing it for years. I don't drive the two Pug Gti's much at the moment the last year or two as have been manic with work. Also been trading part time on top of that as well!
I have trade plates for when I need to take it to the MOT or for a shake down run after any work to keep it fit and healthy.
Shame I didn't see this one 3 years ago but maybe there is a silver lining as it might be worth less now than 3 years ago.
Not heard of the OMEX ecu so will do some research.
Tyre Smoke said:
Of course you can buy a car without a V5c! What rubbish!
This Chimaera looks lovely, I'd change the seats and wheels, and I suspect it won't make the cheeky offer of £15k that was made a few years back.
You have misinterpreted my sentence. It's buy the VED without a V5c, not buy the car! I'm well aware of that. This Chimaera looks lovely, I'd change the seats and wheels, and I suspect it won't make the cheeky offer of £15k that was made a few years back.
I'm unaware how you can buy VED without it. I thought you'd at least need the new keeper supplement. But there's a time limit on these unless you start up a d/d.
Driving a car round on trade plates is another thing....
Edited by sixor8 on Saturday 5th December 13:40
I taxed it originally somehow without the V5 when I bought it but that was a couple of years ago now and not been taxed since.
I only use the trade plates when I collect a car, drop a car off, take it for an MOT or to do a shake down run/check all is OK after any works on the car. I don't drive any cars outside this on trade plates. For this use the cars are always taxed fully.
I only use the trade plates when I collect a car, drop a car off, take it for an MOT or to do a shake down run/check all is OK after any works on the car. I don't drive any cars outside this on trade plates. For this use the cars are always taxed fully.
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