new owner of a nice chim!
Discussion
Hi < 
Took the plunge this weekend and have now purchased a spangily CHIMAERA 500
( thanks Dave ). been down to Halfords and purchased some cleaning stuff , buckets, hoses and countless products. Couple of questions though:
1) I’m told Fabsil is the stuff for my roof , where do i get it from? I’ve seen it on the net , any high st shops? , and i assume i fabric clean the roof 1st and then paint on the fabsil.
2 ) What’s with the radio? my ipod plays though one of the fm frequency’s and works fine with the engine off but when i fire here up nothing comes out of the speakers.
( the V8 channel doesn’t sound to bad though! )
3 ) should i buy a Road Angle or similar device for speed traps and the like? Cops
are snakes so some good advice would be much appreciated here.
4) The CHIMAERA 500 badge on the back is loosing some of its black should i re-place or repare it.
5) The power steering makes a bit of noise only noticed with the roof on is this common? ( sort of wooshing sound).
6 ) when do i stop dreaming about it breaking down.
7 ) when do i stop getting butterflies in my stomach just before going out in here?
8 ) i guess i should now join the TVRCC.
Oh, and i F***ing love it!
if i haven’t mentioned that already. ( i will post a pic soon! ).
Took the plunge this weekend and have now purchased a spangily CHIMAERA 500
( thanks Dave ). been down to Halfords and purchased some cleaning stuff , buckets, hoses and countless products. Couple of questions though: 1) I’m told Fabsil is the stuff for my roof , where do i get it from? I’ve seen it on the net , any high st shops? , and i assume i fabric clean the roof 1st and then paint on the fabsil.
2 ) What’s with the radio? my ipod plays though one of the fm frequency’s and works fine with the engine off but when i fire here up nothing comes out of the speakers.
( the V8 channel doesn’t sound to bad though! ) 3 ) should i buy a Road Angle or similar device for speed traps and the like? Cops
are snakes so some good advice would be much appreciated here. 4) The CHIMAERA 500 badge on the back is loosing some of its black should i re-place or repare it.
5) The power steering makes a bit of noise only noticed with the roof on is this common? ( sort of wooshing sound).
6 ) when do i stop dreaming about it breaking down.
7 ) when do i stop getting butterflies in my stomach just before going out in here?
8 ) i guess i should now join the TVRCC.
Oh, and i F***ing love it!
if i haven’t mentioned that already. ( i will post a pic soon! ). stu 9thgate said:
Hi <
Took the plunge this weekend and have now purchased a spangily CHIMAERA 500 ( thanks Dave ). been down to Halfords and purchased some cleaning stuff , buckets, hoses and countless products. Couple of questions though:
1) I’m told Fabsil is the stuff for my roof , where do i get it from? I’ve seen it on the net , any high st shops? , and i assume i fabric clean the roof 1st and then paint on the fabsil.
2 ) What’s with the radio? my ipod plays though one of the fm frequency’s and works fine with the engine off but when i fire here up nothing comes out of the speakers. ( the V8 channel doesn’t sound to bad though! )
3 ) should i buy a Road Angle or similar device for speed traps and the like? Cops are snakes so some good advice would be much appreciated here.
4) The CHIMAERA 500 badge on the back is loosing some of its black should i re-place or repare it.
5) The power steering makes a bit of noise only noticed with the roof on is this common? ( sort of wooshing sound).
6 ) when do i stop dreaming about it breaking down.
7 ) when do i stop getting butterflies in my stomach just before going out in here?
8 ) i guess i should now join the TVRCC.
Oh, and i F***ing love it! if i haven’t mentioned that already. ( i will post a pic soon! ).
Took the plunge this weekend and have now purchased a spangily CHIMAERA 500
( thanks Dave ). been down to Halfords and purchased some cleaning stuff , buckets, hoses and countless products. Couple of questions though: 1) I’m told Fabsil is the stuff for my roof , where do i get it from? I’ve seen it on the net , any high st shops? , and i assume i fabric clean the roof 1st and then paint on the fabsil.
2 ) What’s with the radio? my ipod plays though one of the fm frequency’s and works fine with the engine off but when i fire here up nothing comes out of the speakers.
( the V8 channel doesn’t sound to bad though! ) 3 ) should i buy a Road Angle or similar device for speed traps and the like? Cops
are snakes so some good advice would be much appreciated here. 4) The CHIMAERA 500 badge on the back is loosing some of its black should i re-place or repare it.
5) The power steering makes a bit of noise only noticed with the roof on is this common? ( sort of wooshing sound).
6 ) when do i stop dreaming about it breaking down.
7 ) when do i stop getting butterflies in my stomach just before going out in here?
8 ) i guess i should now join the TVRCC.
Oh, and i F***ing love it!
if i haven’t mentioned that already. ( i will post a pic soon! ). OK Stu, congrats on buying the Chim, I'm sure you'll have loads of fun with it.
Toa answer your questions
1) Fabsil is normally obtainable from camping shops if you've got any near you.
2) Trust me, the exhaust note is far more entertaining than anything they ever play on the radio
3) Depends on how fast you intend driving
I use a TomTom GO with the Pocket GPS downloadable camera database. It kills 2 birds with one stone, I dont get lost, or flashed 
4) If you've got the skill you couyld try repairing it. Personally I like the Leven plastic coated ones, so I'd probably replace it.
5) It depends how loud it is, but power steering does make some noise. Unless its drowning out the sound of the engine, or pouring fluid all over the floor, I wouldn't worry too much at the moment.
6) It'll break down soon enough
It all depends on how skilled you are in car repair whether you turn a drama into a crisis. Unless you're very unlucky, most "breakdowns" are relatively minor things that can usually be fixed yourself, if you can be arsed. 7) If you mean due to the power, then hopefully never, as it means you'll respect the car and not end up in a ditch. If its just due to it being a new car, the feeling eventually diminishes, but the big grin when you drive it, never goes
8) Up to you really. I joined last year for their insurance scheme. I'm not using their insurers this year, but still going to keep my membership to the TVRCC. Sprint is an interesting read, the website has got some useful info on it, and at the end of the day, £30 is less than a tank of fuel
Perfect advice from Geoff.
You can get Fabsil from Millets, but don't buy the aerosol as you will get it everywhere - get the tin as it paints on easily with a brush. Use the search feature on this forum and you find plenty of advice on how to prepare the fabric then paint it on.
Don't panic about the potential problems, you have done the right thing by jumping in!
You can get Fabsil from Millets, but don't buy the aerosol as you will get it everywhere - get the tin as it paints on easily with a brush. Use the search feature on this forum and you find plenty of advice on how to prepare the fabric then paint it on.
Don't panic about the potential problems, you have done the right thing by jumping in!
Edited by jason1788 on Thursday 20th July 07:55
Did you know that by using those FM transmitters you are breaking the law, i.e. you need a licence to broadcast radio in the UK... however that said, mine doesn't work very well either!!!
TVRCC is worth while... I didn't get my insurance through their schemes. However, the local meetings are a good chance to catch up with other TVR bods, Sprint is interesting mag, and I saved £150 from a TVR discount scheme on servicing.
Congrats on your new car... and many pleasurable times ahead.
TVRCC is worth while... I didn't get my insurance through their schemes. However, the local meetings are a good chance to catch up with other TVR bods, Sprint is interesting mag, and I saved £150 from a TVR discount scheme on servicing.
Congrats on your new car... and many pleasurable times ahead.
Edited by Red V8 on Thursday 20th July 09:03
stu 9thgate said:
Hi <
Took the plunge this weekend and have now purchased a spangily CHIMAERA 500 ( thanks Dave ). been down to Halfords and purchased some cleaning stuff , buckets, hoses and countless products. Couple of questions though:
1) I’m told Fabsil is the stuff for my roof , where do i get it from? I’ve seen it on the net , any high st shops? , and i assume i fabric clean the roof 1st and then paint on the fabsil.
2 ) What’s with the radio? my ipod plays though one of the fm frequency’s and works fine with the engine off but when i fire here up nothing comes out of the speakers. ( the V8 channel doesn’t sound to bad though! )
3 ) should i buy a Road Angle or similar device for speed traps and the like? Cops are snakes so some good advice would be much appreciated here.
4) The CHIMAERA 500 badge on the back is loosing some of its black should i re-place or repare it.
5) The power steering makes a bit of noise only noticed with the roof on is this common? ( sort of wooshing sound).
6 ) when do i stop dreaming about it breaking down.
7 ) when do i stop getting butterflies in my stomach just before going out in here?
8 ) i guess i should now join the TVRCC.
Oh, and i F***ing love it! if i haven’t mentioned that already. ( i will post a pic soon! ).
Took the plunge this weekend and have now purchased a spangily CHIMAERA 500
( thanks Dave ). been down to Halfords and purchased some cleaning stuff , buckets, hoses and countless products. Couple of questions though: 1) I’m told Fabsil is the stuff for my roof , where do i get it from? I’ve seen it on the net , any high st shops? , and i assume i fabric clean the roof 1st and then paint on the fabsil.
2 ) What’s with the radio? my ipod plays though one of the fm frequency’s and works fine with the engine off but when i fire here up nothing comes out of the speakers.
( the V8 channel doesn’t sound to bad though! ) 3 ) should i buy a Road Angle or similar device for speed traps and the like? Cops
are snakes so some good advice would be much appreciated here. 4) The CHIMAERA 500 badge on the back is loosing some of its black should i re-place or repare it.
5) The power steering makes a bit of noise only noticed with the roof on is this common? ( sort of wooshing sound).
6 ) when do i stop dreaming about it breaking down.
7 ) when do i stop getting butterflies in my stomach just before going out in here?
8 ) i guess i should now join the TVRCC.
Oh, and i F***ing love it!
if i haven’t mentioned that already. ( i will post a pic soon! ). 1.Fabsil work very well, but not the spray, just paint it on. Can get it from Millets, other camping shops or Halfords in the Caravan section.
2. Not sure about this, any issues with other radio channels, if not get one of those things that plug into the cassette.
3. Up to you, but I find that the Road Angel Compact is excellent and fits nicely.
4. Either, buy a new one or Leven Technology can repair it and put a nice coating on it too. www.leventechnology.co.uk/index.htm
5. Perfectly normal so don't worry.
6. Now they are fine, just use it regularly, keep it maintained and check fluid level frequently to ensure they are all at their optimimum (main ones are oil and coolant)
7.Pass
8. Up to you, but I am a member and enjoy the monthly magazine that you get. Also quite a few events that you may want to come along too, and lots of regular local meets where anyone can turn up.
Edited by aaandy on Thursday 20th July 10:12
Hi Stuart,
Welcome to the fold - a great choice of motor
if i may be so bold.
I agree with most of what has been said already, although i use the Renovo kit for the roof.
One other recommendation i would make is to invest in some driver training. I have been driving for almost 30 years now, but recognised that the Chim is "something special".
I have been on the Ride Drive course, and also Ultimate Car Control, and found that the combination of on-road driving, together with the track-based training provided by UCC to be a fantastic aid in getting maximum SAFE pleasure from my car.
Oh, and don't be fooled by the word training. My Ride Drive Instructor is the first person ever to sit in my passenger seat and tell me to drive faster. (need to be careful what i say as he is a serving police officer who frequents these pages).
Enjoy your car, have great fun, and be safe - it may just bite you in the wet"
Welcome to the fold - a great choice of motor
if i may be so bold. I agree with most of what has been said already, although i use the Renovo kit for the roof.
One other recommendation i would make is to invest in some driver training.
I have been driving for almost 30 years now, but recognised that the Chim is "something special". I have been on the Ride Drive course, and also Ultimate Car Control, and found that the combination of on-road driving, together with the track-based training provided by UCC to be a fantastic aid in getting maximum SAFE pleasure from my car.
Oh, and don't be fooled by the word training. My Ride Drive Instructor is the first person ever to sit in my passenger seat and tell me to drive faster. (need to be careful what i say as he is a serving police officer who frequents these pages).
Enjoy your car, have great fun, and be safe - it may just bite you in the wet"
, i was so looking foward to cleaning it after work ! 
Congratulations on your purchase,I've had mine five months now,you won't regret it!!
Just a thought on your "whooshing" noise if it's coming from the passenger footwell it may be that you need to top up your coolant,I had this problem and thought it was the PAS but a litre or so of water sorted it out.Alternatively just leave the roof off then you can't hear it.
Just a thought on your "whooshing" noise if it's coming from the passenger footwell it may be that you need to top up your coolant,I had this problem and thought it was the PAS but a litre or so of water sorted it out.Alternatively just leave the roof off then you can't hear it.
Well done chap! I will keep an eye out for it. Have you tried the Britten Centre car park yet 
There is quite a few TVR's round these parts and if you need some small work done on it there is a nice little garage near me who I would recommend they are very good and take extra care than most garages.
There is quite a few TVR's round these parts and if you need some small work done on it there is a nice little garage near me who I would recommend they are very good and take extra care than most garages. Edited by scared but happy on Saturday 22 July 09:44
Great looking car chap,sure you'll love it!
I found TVRCC worth joining for the 'Sprint' mag alone,went to a few of the meets last year,but have ended up doing more with 'Piston Heads' this year due to my own preferences.
My 'Chimaera500' badge was also looking very sorry for itself when i bought my car about 15 months ago,but it's come up a treat now after using Auto Glyms 'Bumper Care',definitely worth a go,
No doubt will see you and the tasty Chim around
Harley
I found TVRCC worth joining for the 'Sprint' mag alone,went to a few of the meets last year,but have ended up doing more with 'Piston Heads' this year due to my own preferences.
My 'Chimaera500' badge was also looking very sorry for itself when i bought my car about 15 months ago,but it's come up a treat now after using Auto Glyms 'Bumper Care',definitely worth a go,
No doubt will see you and the tasty Chim around
Harley
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