Help buying a Chimaera
Discussion
Hello everyone!
I've been reading the forum for a while and I wanted to see if I could get some help. We're thinking of buying a TVR Chimaera but I'm an expat living in Spain. All my family is in the UK and we visit regularly but the plan would be to take it to Spain (sunny weather to enjoy it!). We have already taken my MGB roadster and it's living a relaxing life in Spain and now we'd like to add a Chimaera to the car family.
We've asked the Spanish what we have to do to register the car here and they have never heard of TVR, let alone a Chimaera!! So they've told us they'd need to see some TVR papers first (to check out details such as gas emissions, engine details, etc) to see if it can be registered in Spain.
I've tried to look for a sample or model of TVR documents but obviously that isn't available. Could anybody tell me what the paperwork says, we don't need personal details, just general vehicle details and whether the car has European valid documents.
Thanks in advance!!
I've been reading the forum for a while and I wanted to see if I could get some help. We're thinking of buying a TVR Chimaera but I'm an expat living in Spain. All my family is in the UK and we visit regularly but the plan would be to take it to Spain (sunny weather to enjoy it!). We have already taken my MGB roadster and it's living a relaxing life in Spain and now we'd like to add a Chimaera to the car family.
We've asked the Spanish what we have to do to register the car here and they have never heard of TVR, let alone a Chimaera!! So they've told us they'd need to see some TVR papers first (to check out details such as gas emissions, engine details, etc) to see if it can be registered in Spain.
I've tried to look for a sample or model of TVR documents but obviously that isn't available. Could anybody tell me what the paperwork says, we don't need personal details, just general vehicle details and whether the car has European valid documents.
Thanks in advance!!
fatboychim said:
Or the op here or his mate "John"http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Wow! Thank you all so much!! I've been reading the forum as much as possible before writing and I noticed you were all a very helpful and nice bunch of people 
You have surpassed my expectations replying so quickly and efficiently!!!
Well, I'll try and get in touch with those people, see if they have managed to register a TVR in Spain (some people keep British plates but it's a faff to drive to the UK every year for an MOT and it's expensive!)
I don't think we'll have to change the radiator as we live in the northwest and it isn't much hotter than England. It's very green and hilly and it's a bit like Ireland. We don't have flamenco or bullfighting here and it's of Celtic origin so they even play the bagpipes!! We wouldn't even really need aircon but in any case it's good to take both things into account!
You have surpassed my expectations replying so quickly and efficiently!!! Well, I'll try and get in touch with those people, see if they have managed to register a TVR in Spain (some people keep British plates but it's a faff to drive to the UK every year for an MOT and it's expensive!)
I don't think we'll have to change the radiator as we live in the northwest and it isn't much hotter than England. It's very green and hilly and it's a bit like Ireland. We don't have flamenco or bullfighting here and it's of Celtic origin so they even play the bagpipes!! We wouldn't even really need aircon but in any case it's good to take both things into account!
I have been exchanging with a forum member who lives in Spain on this issue and not surprisingly the best solution appears to be to retain UK plates and get back to the UK for an annual MOT. There have been suggstions that when orioginally sold the TVR was banned in Spain-- that is hearsay.
SILICONEKID343HP said:
First job you will need an alloy radiator because of the climate and maybe choose one with aircon . My advice would be buy the most expensive one you can afford and keep it standard .
....apart from the radiator 
A properly maintained standard car shouldn't have overheating problems.
Thanks everyone!!
It would be great to find someone who has registered it in Spain (Spanish number plates). I think most Brits over here just keep the UK registration and go to pass MOTs in the UK (or don't at all…) which isn't very legal, but the Spanish don't make it easy at all (damn paperwork!)
Driving over here is bliss, hardly any traffic, great roads, good weather, the economic situation isn't the best though, but you should all come over in your TVRs on a ferry and do a tour! I saw the pics from a group of TVR owners who did that, it seemed like fun!!
Hey, a Chimaera 450 for 9000 pounds…good deal or run for cover?
It would be great to find someone who has registered it in Spain (Spanish number plates). I think most Brits over here just keep the UK registration and go to pass MOTs in the UK (or don't at all…) which isn't very legal, but the Spanish don't make it easy at all (damn paperwork!)
Driving over here is bliss, hardly any traffic, great roads, good weather, the economic situation isn't the best though, but you should all come over in your TVRs on a ferry and do a tour! I saw the pics from a group of TVR owners who did that, it seemed like fun!!
Hey, a Chimaera 450 for 9000 pounds…good deal or run for cover?
Quite a rare colourI think that's what most Brits do, they just keep British plates and do MOTs in the UK or don't at all (which isn't very legal). Unfortunately the Spanish aren't very helpful so I'm not surprised people keep UK registration.
The best would be to find someone who has registered their Chimaera with Spanish plates. Over here they don't want to bother checking stuff out and they just told us to show them the car's papers which is very silly as we don't have the car yet! We wanted to find out procedures before purchase but they don't make it easy!
The best would be to find someone who has registered their Chimaera with Spanish plates. Over here they don't want to bother checking stuff out and they just told us to show them the car's papers which is very silly as we don't have the car yet! We wanted to find out procedures before purchase but they don't make it easy!
My advice for Spain is to stay away from registering it under Spanish plates. Number of reasons really...one it will cost you a lot for inspections and getting the necessary paperwork in place. Two you will probably not be able to get fully comprehensive insurance here in Spain for this type of car. Three the conversion of the necessary requirements for right had. To left hand might cause a few cost issues.
I did hear that TVR was banned from being registered in Spain and to be honest I have never seen a Spanish registered one. Apparently it was due to the safety issues. I.e they do not conform to the EU regulations at time of manufacture. I,e air bags and abs. Etc......... How true that is I don't know
I did hear that TVR was banned from being registered in Spain and to be honest I have never seen a Spanish registered one. Apparently it was due to the safety issues. I.e they do not conform to the EU regulations at time of manufacture. I,e air bags and abs. Etc......... How true that is I don't know
My advice for Spain is to stay away from registering it under Spanish plates. Number of reasons really...one it will cost you a lot for inspections and getting the necessary paperwork in place. Two you will probably not be able to get fully comprehensive insurance here in Spain for this type of car. Three the conversion of the necessary requirements for right had. To left hand might cause a few cost issues.
I did hear that TVR was banned from being registered in Spain and to be honest I have never seen a Spanish registered one. Apparently it was due to the safety issues. I.e they do not conform to the EU regulations at time of manufacture. I,e air bags and abs. Etc......... How true that is I don't know
I did hear that TVR was banned from being registered in Spain and to be honest I have never seen a Spanish registered one. Apparently it was due to the safety issues. I.e they do not conform to the EU regulations at time of manufacture. I,e air bags and abs. Etc......... How true that is I don't know
You've confirmed what I've suspected all along…that registering the car here will be a nightmare (or perhaps even impossible!). Unfortunately we have now been bitten by the TVR bug, so we may buy one anyway and see what happens…It is a faff (and expensive) to drive to the UK for MOTs but this is a car that it may be worth for, as it seems like such a fun drive!
Now the search for a suitable vehicle will begin!!! Exciting!
Now the search for a suitable vehicle will begin!!! Exciting!
tvrmallorca said:
I did hear that TVR was banned from being registered in Spain and to be honest I have never seen a Spanish registered one. Apparently it was due to the safety issues. I.e they do not conform to the EU regulations at time of manufacture. I,e air bags and abs. Etc......... How true that is I don't know
Would be a bit weird as the Chimaera and Griffith were the only TVRs to get full European Type Approval at some point (1994). But then again... southern European countries' (and Belgian
) road authorities seem to have done pretty much exactly as they please irrespective of European directives anyway...Well spain has its own rules....unfortunately....I have two TVR's and its a big grin driving them here.... no one really knows what they are :-)
I am now shipping them back and forth to the UK. One its cheaper than driving them all the time and two it saves on the miles. Just make sure your insurance covers you for europe :-)
I am now shipping them back and forth to the UK. One its cheaper than driving them all the time and two it saves on the miles. Just make sure your insurance covers you for europe :-)
Well, we've managed to speak to someone in Spain who seems to think it should be possible to register it in some way or another. He said if we were able to provide him with a VIN number (or at least the first part of the number which is the same for every car) he can tell us what to do.
Could anyone help us find out these numbers (not the personal details or anything but the general number) so that he can find out if it has Spanish or European certificate?
Could anyone help us find out these numbers (not the personal details or anything but the general number) so that he can find out if it has Spanish or European certificate?
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