1998 Chimaera at auction 28-29 Jan

[sixor8]

Been to view the cars in the next ACA classic auction, there's a recently refurbished Chimaera amongst them:



Here's the catalogue entry. By the lot number, I expect it will actually be on Sunday afternoon, they split the auction across 2 days now because of all the tat... sorry, memorabilia :

https://angliacarauctions.co.uk/classic-auctions/2...

Aside from the number plates which make my teeth itch, I think the battery was flat (door release didn't work, window was left down for access). But it was in lovely condition. The estimate is £14k - £16k. Opinions will vary, but for an auction with no comeback, that is a bit ambitious IMHO, refurb or not.

Also, I know many owners fit aftermarket wheels, the 17" ones I like (Ford RS copies / equivalent maybe?) but the same size tyres have been fitted all round. So the stance isn't quite right.

Being 225/45 x 17, the fronts must get very close to touching on lock. About 9 yrs ago, I had a Chimaera with 225/50 x 15 on the front and they just touched the front outrigger on one side on full lock. Using a calculator, these are even wider in diameter! I have 215/40 x 17 on the front of my Griff.

[Belle427]

Looks a nice car, no mention of chassis or engine work.
Can see it just making maybe the lower end of the estimate.
A lot of money spent restoring to then sell on but circumstances obviously unknown.

[Classic Chim]

That’s a lovely motor.

A Labour of love maybe. Private collection whatever that means.
Says it’s had a full resto so that must include a body off?

Though a dealer that’s 17-20k
Private sale 14-16
Maybe the chap thinks an auction sale might realise him the same or similar as selling through a dealer who will take a chunk out of the sale price and have to prep the car incl warrantee then sell it on.
Knowing Tvr you can usually spot a good one a mile off and from what can be seen of the engine bay and body it looks like a very good 4.0 indeed.

Imagine what that little lot cost to create. Bargain if you want a good one without all the expense.

[TJC46]

Looking at the Engine bay pic shows new front wishbones [white in colour] but what tiny bit of the chassis you can see is a dark colour.

A picture underneath with the car on a ramp would have answered the question.

[Belle427]

Full resto to them may mean has had the outriggers done so care needed when bidding.
Odd there are no chassis pics as they are the first things people would want to see.
Are you allowed to view before bidding or is it just a quick walk around the car park?

[Jordie Barretts sock]

It's, umm not a one off interior.

If it was a 4.5 and didn't have those (in my opinion) awful light covers - looks good don't it? Got it done after I had that accident repaired. Nah, didn't go through insurance mate, I'd be checking my car was still in the garage.

So I'm bound to say, lovely car.

[sixor8]

The door panels aren't standard, the carpet has been replaced. Many owners have the Mk 3 light cover conversion covers fitted (standard for the last few yrs 2001-03), mostly because the light reflectors go rusty and they are no longer available. I had a Chimaera once with the Lupo front light conversion, thses covers look better IMHO.

As the ACA auction page explained, viewing was on Thu and Fri. Over half of the cars are outside (very wet!) but the Chimaera was inside. You'd have needed a torch, lighting not exactly piercing. I'm not after another TVR at the moment so didn't examine it in detail, but considered it worthy of highlighting on here.

They have TVRs regularly at their classic auctions; they last had a Chimaera in Nov 2022 (a 1996 pre-facelift 4.0) along with a 2000 reg Griff.

Edited by sixor8 on Saturday 28th January 09:21

[Jordie Barretts sock]

You mean the door panel have been re carpeted in a different pattern to standard along with the rest of the interior carpet.

Still don't like those light covers.

[Belle427]

Must be a reason it's at auction.
I'd expect that to have shifted fairly quickly privately for the right price as its a lovely quite rare colour with lots going for it.

[sixor8]

Jordie Barretts sock said:

You mean the door panel have been re carpeted in a different pattern to standard along with the rest of the interior carpet.

Still don't like those light covers.

That's what I said: "The door panels aren't standard, the carpet has been replaced." I didn't want to duplicate word carpet. It looks like velour to me anyway. The rest of the replaced carpet is standard.

[Riff Raff]

Well, it sold for £15,552 including the premium. The faired in headlights obviously swung the deal.

[Belle427]

Hope someone bought it and it didn't get bid up to the middle of the estimate by someone.