Garaged

[bobby boy]

Do you need to keep a chim in the garage or will it be ok to leave it out on the drive at night

My garage is full of bikes etc and i have read that they tend to leak or maybe i could cover it at night

bobby boy.

[chris43]

They don't all leak, just some!
Make sure that you have a good working alarm system though and invest is a decent cover.

>> Edited by chris43 on Saturday 26th June 10:30

[verysideways]

If you leave a Chim out in the wet, make sure it gets used EVERY DAY.

I had mine as an only car for a couple of months (then changed job so needed something else as well) and if i left her for a few days outside she got "funny". Using her every day and she was fine.

VS

[bobs4c]

Mine lives outside and doesn't suffer in any way from the weather - no leaks.

In Winter I use a roof cover from the TVRCC website. This keeps it completely dry and improves security. Only problem with the cover is that it rubs the paintwork on the bonnet in windy dusty weather.

[chris watton]

For piece of mind, a Leven Hood cover is great, it keeps the inside of the car dry, and stops any cat hairs/bird poo from getting on the roof, I know!!! lol

Chris

[hut49]

Discovered one of our 3 cats standing on the roof of the Chimaera sharpening her claws on the fabric! We're not on speaking terms any more!

[Voltaire53]

I keep mine outside all the time (now that the garage is clear I shall probably use it more in Winter this year though) and use her regularly and, after a bit of work at the specialist to make sure all the seals are OK etc she doesn't leak at all (touch wood).

If you do this for a long time I'd recommend Fabsil on the roof twice instead of once a year though.

[Billybig]

Not had mine long (9th May) but I use a classic additions car cover, it stays on the street. The cover is already coated in pigeon sh1t tree sap etc. I use bungy rope to keep it securely fastened, otherwise wind plus any dirt on the chim will lead to scratches, and am very happy. Will get the chassis cleaned hammerited and waxoyled in the next 4 weeks too.

I use it once - twice a week and haven't had any problems yet.

If you do go for a full car cover get one that isn't 100% waterproof. If the car isn't bone dry when going under any moisture trapped inside could cause the paint work to bubble according to the good people at classic additions.

[TDTH1975]

Mine sits on a side street in London all day every day except weekends. a year later and only one leak because i didn't put the leven hood cover on in a thunder storm. I would say your safe.

[tommomic]

Never had an problem leaving the Chimaera outside, either with leaks or security. Dont bother very often with putting it in the garage as its used too much and the RV8s really are pretty robust cars - especially if you find one w/o leak issues, and compared to my old Cerbera which did not always appreciate a good British downpour. Even that car, which compared to the Chimaera was (very) fragile, only ever had a few easily fixed leaks and had to be damp started once.

Only words of advice would be:

1. Make sure you regularly waterproof the hood (Renovo / Thompsons / Fabsil). The previous owners and myself have done this, and its obviously helped as there has never been a leak.

2. Get yourself a Leven hood cover (www.leventechnology.co.uk). I find the full covers a bit of a bind, but the hood cover is great - keeps the roof in top condition and acts as a good security device. Highly recommended.

<img src="http://www.leventechnology.co.uk/tvr_images/hood_cover.jpg">

3. Waxoyl the chassis every year (unfortunatly this applies to all TVRs of all ages - thanks Bristol Avenue!).

Drive it often, treat it every now & again to a pint or 2 of preserving chemicals, and not parking it in the garage everynight shouldnt even be an issue.

Cheers,
Tommomic

>> Edited by tommomic on Tuesday 29th June 15:54

>> Edited by tommomic on Tuesday 29th June 17:23