Thursday 8th May 2014

TVR Chimaera: PH Fleet

The last report, but the relationship (in all senses) will live on

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While this may be my last fleet update for PistonHeads it's certainly not the end of my time with the TVR; that's a relationship that will continue long after my time at PH has finished, but it's nice to leave on a positive note.

Since the Mazda went in late Summer last year I have relied on the Chimaera as my sole transport and the only way the car seems to have suffered is that its odometer is reading a little higher than it usually does after a winter. Everything else has been faultless and that amazes and pleases me in equal measure. Yes, I go on about it, but in a world of TVR 'jokes' I think it's a message worth shouting.

With all that use it was only fair I shown a bit of affection in return and I was well aware that a service was overdue, but when you rely on the car to get about I just couldn't seem to find a convenient time to get it booked in. It wasn't just the service that played on my mind, I occasionally awoke in a pool of sweat after dreaming of a rotten chassis and a large bill being thrust in my face and was well aware that after a winter of use I wanted a chassis clean down and re-treat, despite Calvin at Wilton-Morgan telling me all looked good when it went to him for MoT at the end of last year. So, with all that in mind a Twitter message to Calvin (blame the modern age) and I was all booked in.

Before we get to the service let's cover a bit of dull, but worthy, information. As a daily driver the Chimaera makes (semi) sense if you are willing to keep it in fuel. RFL is non-emissions based so cheap, tyres are small in size and are equally cost effective, the seats are comfortable for hours, the wipers wipe well, there is loads of cabin storage, the boot is bigger than many modern cars, it (well, mine does at least) sits in London traffic for miles without issue, it's small so parking and urban streets are easily negotiated and everyone seems to like it so you are waved out in traffic. Not once do I feel short changed driving it, even after stints in more expensive modern metal. Sure it's compromised for the family man but for me it works well and I can't do enough to dispel the myth that these cars can't be used regularly.

Anyway, the service. My 12K health check has now been done and the car feels great, in addition to the usual service items Calvin was TVR-savvy enough to upgrade a few fuses here and there, add in a more substantial sump plug, give attention to a crack I wouldn't have noticed in the exhaust, fixed my broken fan speed switch and gave it one of the best cleans it has ever had. Not only did the car look new, it drove brilliantly too, the new gearbox oil seeming to cure an occasional reluctance to select first once warm and (maybe it's a placebo thing) seeming to just run a little sweeter too.

So what about the chassis? Well, it seems to be in such good condition it even managed to amaze Calvin! I was sent some photos of a very sturdy and clean looking chassis that belied the miles and ages of the car, I was feeling very lucky indeed as I am told 1999 was a weak year for the Blackpool chassis. I treated the chassis to a treatment of Dynax S50 which replaces the Wayoyl used previously after reading some good reviews online. I will be checking regularly to see how it is performing on my (as I speak) very sturdy outriggers.

I can't recommend Calvin enough, he had my car for a working week and did a host of work to it before providing me with a very reasonable bill (12K services are £480 +VAT). Sure, I'd provided the Dynax myself but he did all the work and many things only an owner would know about, if you are a TVR owner looking to use a company run by enthusiasts then I'd say you should give him a bell when your car next needs work.

Just after I got the car back I lowered the roof and risked a low fuel level for a quick run into London to see a friend. As I arrived the boot solenoid wouldn't release so I was left with little fuel and a roof I couldn't raise. Fortunately I was staying for a day or two so parked it in the coolest flat carpark ever and returned the next morning. No joy. Another day passed and I went to drive home, this time the boot switch worked perfectly! OK, so I have had one problem but it's a 15-year-old switch and I'll (well, Calvin) will replace that on Friday.

Long may we be together, thanks for listening to our tales over the years. It's goodbye from me and it's goodbye from Chim.

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FACT SHEET:
Car: 1999 TVR Chimaera 4.0
Run by: Garlick
Bought: December 2009
Purchase price: £12,995
Last month at a glance: Last report, sad times.

[monthefish]

"Long may we be together, thanks for listening to our tales over the years. It's goodbye from me and it's goodbye from Chim."

[Ex Boy Racer]

Very mysterious!!! Where are you going?

[Garlick]

Ex Boy Racer said:

Very mysterious!!! Where are you going?

See here

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[anonymous-user]

Dynax S50 is good stuff. You could treat the outside of the chassis to some Dynax UC as well for peace-of-mind. I just used both on the underside of my recently acquired Defender and was impressed with the end result.

[Clivey]

Still looks good. - I hope to be joining you in Chim ownership ASAP. Why not start a thread in the Reader's Cars section?

[monthefish]

Garlick said:

Ex Boy Racer said:

Very mysterious!!! Where are you going?

See here

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Thanks, but where are you going?

[mike parfitt]

Garlick - all the best for the new role - will miss your musings and updates, as they are 'real world' motoring focused from someone in my my neck of the woods with the same car and demands. I've used TVR's as my daily drivers since 1993 - the wedge to 2005 when it was joined by Chimaera. The chim (also a '99) lives outdoors in SW20 (the wedge has the garage!) and agree with you on the plus points - but you forgot to mention the zero depreciation!

[turbo-ww]

monthefish said:

Garlick said:

Ex Boy Racer said:

Very mysterious!!! Where are you going?

See here

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Thanks, but where are you going?

I'm sure we'll find out in time - Be patient...

[JPW231]

Love my Chim too.

A few little things like the door solenoid going and the mirror frame fatiguing, otherwise I agree they're a great car with few problems! :-)

[Garlick]

Thanks guys.

I may write about the TVR in my new 'home' but starting something in the RC forum is a great idea...for those on Twitter I do talk about life with the TVR on there (a little too much if I'm honest!)

[anonymous-user]

In my experience, the most reliable "classics" ARE those used everyday by their owners! Sure, the miles rack up a bit quicker, and you might wear out things like tyres and brakes a bit quicker, but using these sorts of cars everyday seems to help prevent those annyoing little niggly failures, well possibly with the exception of the boot release switch...... ;-)

[Al 450]

Garlick said:

the wipers wipe well

Really? Are you sure? I think the wipers on my Chim are possibly one of it's all-time worst features. They wipe slowly, rise halfway up the screen on the motorway because there is a lot of slack in the mechanism and at speed or with a semi-dry screen often get stuck at the top of the stroke necessitating me reaching out of the window (or the roof when off) to persuade them back down.

Maybe it's just mine then.

[Garlick]

Al 450 said:

Really? Are you sure? I think the wipers on my Chim are possibly one of it's all-time worst features. They wipe slowly, rise halfway up the screen on the motorway because there is a lot of slack in the mechanism and at speed or with a semi-dry screen often get stuck at the top of the stroke necessitating me reaching out of the window (or the roof when off) to persuade them back down.

Maybe it's just mine then.

Seriously, mine are fantastic. Fernhurst adjusted them a year or so ago and they've been great since then.

[Al 450]

Garlick said:

Al 450 said:

Really? Are you sure? I think the wipers on my Chim are possibly one of it's all-time worst features. They wipe slowly, rise halfway up the screen on the motorway because there is a lot of slack in the mechanism and at speed or with a semi-dry screen often get stuck at the top of the stroke necessitating me reaching out of the window (or the roof when off) to persuade them back down.

Maybe it's just mine then.

Seriously, mine are fantastic. Fernhurst adjusted them a year or so ago and they've been great since then.

Hmmm maybe I need to take a closer look. I thought it was one of those 'features' that you grow to love and accept.

I ran mine as an everyday car for two years, it's totally do-able as long as you can put up with the cost of doing so. The 6000 mile service interval, waking the neighbours at 6am every day, stop start traffic and sympathy for the car in sub-optimal conditions (rain and salted roads) are all factors you want to consider.

In the end I found it cheaper to buy a second car, I also felt too bad exposing it to the horrors of our winter roads. Plus driving in stop start traffic in the TVR drives me absolutely mad.

[X5TUU]

Another excellent write up and once again adding credence to the value and usability of a TVR ... I for one will def miss these updates and often look forward to the next instalment

I wasn't surprised when I saw on Twitter that the solenoid had miraculously started to work again ... I have an Audi with similar fun switches

[Jimmy T]

Good write up as ever.

As I said on Twitter Garlick, good luck with the new venture, whatever, wherever it might be.

[Richair]

All the best Garlick! Thanks for your efforts in making PH a great place for us all to hang around over the years, good luck in your new venture.

Surely we now need a new TVR carpooler to entertain us!?

[Andy JB]

Well good luck Garlick - enjoyed your write-ups especially the Chimaera

As for the few mandatory critiques which followed the OP, for balance can i say having owned my example for 10 years & SORN it over winter & used infrequently by daily standards, my example hasn't suffered from infrequent use at all, although it is well maintained they can suffer from neglect if laid up. Never heard of the wiper situation before and mine always been fine even if the washer detached itself once, but that was my fault.

On balance for a 20 year old car the issues are few and far between and cheap to fix yourself with good professional support. Garlick has provided a good balance of realworld ownership & concurred what a good second car these can be.

On a run up to Ty Croes circuit last weekend nothing could touch it for sheer all round pleasure on road/track

[leedsutd1]

Garlik, Whats your Twitter name ?
Good luck with your new venture ,thanks for the write ups of your cars and the other stories we have read,

[Garlick]

again for the kind words and best wishes