Oh dear which one??

[Brithunter]

Ok so we have "found" a couple of likely candidates for the Chimaera purchase but they are both good and I am having trouble deciding between them. Both have the 4.0 lump and both are Blue and for me boths have pros and cons. Add the fact that I am getting conflicting advice on them from good sources makes it harder

So both cars are running Canams engine management. Both have wooden steering wheels though of different makes and design but I like both so ........... both have good wood dash boards. Both sit on standard imolas. Both have the ealry big round push buttons to open the doors. Mileage there is 10k difference between then 58K & 68K.

Car 1 has the early open grill that I prefer and seems to be an HC model as a dyno session gave 270 bhp. Though it's 95 car with a serp engine. Clean engine bay and nicely painted rocker covers anf plenum it also has smooth bore induction and silicone coolant hoses. This one also has electric power steering fitted by Lloyds. Interior is dark blue but at least it's not black but I prefer lighter interiors. Lloyds have serviced the car for some years.

Car 2 is a 96 car with the later split grill design but still retains a lot of Mk1 features. Cannot see if it has any PAS or not and advert does not mention it? Interior is the light beige almost cream with Blue trim and dash top. Quite a restoration including a respray and body off outrigger replacement. New clutch kit fitted: Gear change is smooth and precise. 6,000 mile service; New Diff oil change and Engine oil change, new Antifreeze. Brand new; Water pump, Drive Belt, Ignition Coil, Ignition Amplifier, Automatic Belt Tensioner, Boot Stay Bar, Recondition Alternator. New Style Window Wipers, New Battery Box. Also had the rear tyres replaced for the MOT recently. Extensive service history.

Several members here know car 2 well and say it's a great car and the dealer responsible for a lot of it's maintenance also says it's excellent. Lloyds suggest car 1.

Confused it not the word! Then there is that pale Blue 4.3 that came up on the FB group but the owner is having second thoughts about parting with it. Not heard back from mark so am thinking it's no longer on offer............................... and the 4.3 for some reason attracts me.

[swisstoni]

For what it's worth I would look at the chassis and work back from there.
That's what is going to cause you the most £££ and grief to sort and might take the car off the road completely if it's bad.
Anything mechanical or trim related can be sorted as a rolling resto as required.

[Squirrelofwoe]

swisstoni said:

For what it's worth I would look at the chassis and work back from there.

Very much this.

Totally understand the appeal of the 4.3 car on Facebook, and at £6k(!!!), even with the stuff that needed doing to it I thought it was an absolute steal- might be why he's having second thoughts about selling, or at least selling that cheaply. You could probably spend another £8k or so bringing it up to standard before you'd be out of pocket (vs what a decent 4.3 would then be worth). Far too cheap in my eyes.

Regarding the other two, the one with the outrigger work would appeal to me the most. Presumably if the body was taken off for this they must have decided the rest of the chassis was fine or else it would have been madness not to have attended to it at that time.

PAS wouldn't be a deal breaker for me. Mine doesn't have it and I have to say I quite enjoy the unassisted feeling in a car like this. The only downside is the workout you get performing intricate parking maneuvers- but as a second car is mostly irrelevant.

Another thing I would consider given the mileage of those two cars is the potential for camshaft replacement if they are still running the original- generally around 75k miles I believe. Mine has done 74,000 and I know it's getting worn- mine will be getting done this winter. Something to factor into the cost perhaps.

[Brithunter]

Squirrelofwoe said:

Very much this.

Totally understand the appeal of the 4.3 car on Facebook, and at £6k(!!!), even with the stuff that needed doing to it I thought it was an absolute steal- might be why he's having second thoughts about selling, or at least selling that cheaply. You could probably spend another £8k or so bringing it up to standard before you'd be out of pocket (vs what a decent 4.3 would then be worth). Far too cheap in my eyes.

Regarding the other two, the one with the outrigger work would appeal to me the most. Presumably if the body was taken off for this they must have decided the rest of the chassis was fine or else it would have been madness not to have attended to it at that time.

PAS wouldn't be a deal breaker for me. Mine doesn't have it and I have to say I quite enjoy the unassisted feeling in a car like this. The only downside is the workout you get performing intricate parking maneuvers- but as a second car is mostly irrelevant.

Another thing I would consider given the mileage of those two cars is the potential for camshaft replacement if they are still running the original- generally around 75k miles I believe. Mine has done 74,000 and I know it's getting worn- mine will be getting done this winter. Something to factor into the cost perhaps.

You are talking about a different 4.3 the one your one about is Green not Blue the Blue one beign considered is almost twice the price of that green project one.

[Brithunter]

Have been assured that both have no chassis issues and both have been waxoiled.

[billynobrakes]

I know where there is a 4.3 Chimaera for sale if you email me I will send you details, its a really nice one as well

[mk1fan]

Already offered that one billy on the other thread. Not sure if Brithunter was the one who pm'd me or not.

[Squirrelofwoe]

Brithunter said:

You are talking about a different 4.3 the one your one about is Green not Blue the Blue one beign considered is almost twice the price of that green project one.

Ah yes I was referring to the green one, hadn't realised another had cropped up.

[portzi]

Brithunter said:

Have been assured that both have no chassis issues and both have been waxoiled.

IMHO If the Waxoyl has been turned black from oil and road debris, then you will need to clean all this off to investigate the true state of the chassis. Whether it has been repainted in the past or it is powdercoated, as Waxoyl hides all sins. A good quality paint or powdercoat will not rust, unless its get chipped off to reveal the bare metal, this can be rubbed down and a fresh coat of paint applied, so in IMHO theres no need to waxoyl over the top.

[billynobrakes]

mk1fan said:

Already offered that one billy on the other thread. Not sure if Brithunter was the one who pm'd me or not.

Oh well at least he has seen it then

[Byker28i]

Neil Garners has a chim 450, 45K miles and new outriggers
http://www.neilgarner.co.uk/Car_Sales/

[Yex 450]

portzi said:

Brithunter said:

Have been assured that both have no chassis issues and both have been waxoiled.

IMHO If the Waxoyl has been turned black from oil and road debris, then you will need to clean all this off to investigate the true state of the chassis. Whether it has been repainted in the past or it is powdercoated, as Waxoyl hides all sins. A good quality paint or powdercoat will not rust, unless its get chipped off to reveal the bare metal, this can be rubbed down and a fresh coat of paint applied, so in IMHO theres no need to waxoyl over the top.

This is true. My chassis had been waxoyled regularly and looked in good condition and never brought up any advisory notes at 5 MOT's. Once stripped back in a body off chassis refurb it turned out to be rather holed on quite a few bits that the body sat on and the seat belt bracket would not have worked very well if I ever needed it given it was 75% rust

OP, not wanting to put you off buying either car but until you lift the body off these cars you will never see the true extent of the chassis, good or bad condition. If one ticks your boxes and you still have the budget for a chassis refurb at a later date (£2.5-5K depending on what you have done and who by) you will end up with a great car you will enjoy for years as well as being a better car to sell if you ever want to.

[Brithunter]

Byker28i said:

Neil Garners has a chim 450, 45K miles and new outriggers
http://www.neilgarner.co.uk/Car_Sales/

Ahhh yes but that is well beyond the budget as it's £18,500.

[Brithunter]

Well it's a moot point now as car 2 which was Glynn's one has just been sold so now it depends if Mark is still selling his 4.3 Chimaera or not.

[Classic Chim]

Brithunter said:

Well it's a moot point now as car 2 which was Glynn's one has just been sold so now it depends if Mark is still selling his 4.3 Chimaera or not.

I'm glad for Glynn but quite saddened he sold it after putting so much into it.
That car was a total and utter steal considering the cost of work he had done. New riggers, Ecu, every bloody thing
Here's the steering wheel as I took a pic last year at the BIG BAD WEDGE FEST
Glynn also owned a really pucker Wedge before the Chim I think.
This wheel and fitting was possibly around £400 alone.
Such a shame you've missed this car!

[Squirrelofwoe]

That wheel is glorious!

I'm after a similar style for mine at some point as I also want to go back to the wood-look dash. The carbon dash just doesn't sit right for me with my plush door-cards mostly cream interior.

[Classic Chim]

Squirrelofwoe said:

That wheel is glorious!

I'm after a similar style for mine at some point as I also want to go back to the wood-look dash. The carbon dash just doesn't sit right for me with my plush door-cards mostly cream interior.

Class isn't it. The whole car was similar from what I remember. I really liked the car straight away. Normally tells you something.

[Classic Chim]

The problem Brits got is he really needs to pay for a specialist to check over the car and this all adds to the bill, he doesn't want to pay out to find the cars not good so he needs to get it right almost straight away.
Summer is meant to be here, I'm amazed that car took a few months to sell and he reduced the price well below the cars value imho.
Very sad all round to have missed this car.

[Byker28i]

Brithunter said:

Byker28i said:

Neil Garners has a chim 450, 45K miles and new outriggers
http://www.neilgarner.co.uk/Car_Sales/

Ahhh yes but that is well beyond the budget as it's £18,500.

Well, prices are going up, it's had the outriggers done and has a 12 month warranty.
What's your budget? I don't know what Chims price range are these days... seems to be constantly moving up

[Classic Chim]

Byker28i said:

Well, prices are going up, it's had the outriggers done and has a 12 month warranty.
What's your budget? I don't know what Chims price range are these days... seems to be constantly moving up

Agreed. What you can't control is owners letting go of 18-20k cars for less than 14k possibly as low as 12k
Gives a false impression and grabs prices back. Let's not forget the cost involved in creating these modern beauties. Long live Tvr enthusiasts.
Everyone has their reasons and I respect that.

Resale value is one of the good things about Tvr. The o/p will appreciate that if and when He is lucky enough to own one. Seems to me Glynns car and cars of similar standard abroad might fetch a pretty penny if and when you sell.
Best of luck.

Edited by Classic Chim on Thursday 3rd August 17:43

Edited by Classic Chim on Thursday 3rd August 17:45