Just Bought my first TVR Chimaera

[TVRich]

Hello all

I have finally done something I have wanted to do for ages- bought me a Chimaera!!!

I was a member of the TT owners club for the last 2 years but financial commitments meant I had to cash in a bit so I took the opportunity to buy me a Chimaera.

I collect her on Sunday and cannot wait.

So here we go:
1. What's the first thing I should do?
2. Can anyone recommend a good TVR Specialist in or near to Sheffield?
3. What should I be looking for? - Problems etc
4. Is there anyone from South Yorks going to Chimfest that I could tag along with?
5. The dash needs eith re-veneering or replacing with an aluminium unit (aluminium is the way to go for me) is it easy to remove?
6. I am going to be replacing the carpets as they need it. Is Coverdale the best place?

Thanks in advance

Rich

[kevin63]

Congratulations Richard, just to answer a couple of your questions, like the first thing you should do is enjoy it, problems, nah, they don't have em, don't worry, the dash is easy enough, you may loose some blood, but hey what's a bit of blood when you have a TVR, dealers in Sheffield are RT Racing and AAD Doncaster.
Anyway if you see the sun, just take of the roof, and get out there.

[Jasandjules]

Congrats.

First thing to do? Take the roof off, fill the petrol tank - drive 150 miles or so.

[TVRich]

Thanks Guys
Hmmm general theme of getting the roof off ASAP then???

[Bensonv8]

Jasandjules said:

Congrats.

First thing to do? Take the roof off, fill the petrol tank - drive 150 miles or so.

.............Fill up again, and then drive home.

[roborod1969]

firstly buy some new underwear, your probably s-it yourself , especially in the rain.
secondly buy loads of condoms as you'll probably get a few s.t.d's.
serously though, i just bought one today. awesome. already found a few problems.

[SimonV8ster]

TVRich said:

Hmmm general theme of getting the roof off ASAP then???

Well, wait till the rains stops

Only way to find out the 'features'(problems) is too drive the thing so enjoy !!

Edited by SimonV8ster on Friday 27th July 23:53

[WazzaL]

Wait until the rain stops? - Just keep driving and if you start getting wet drive a little faster..!

Make sure the thing is taxed and MoT'd would be my first thing, then as all teh others have said. - Get out there and enjoy the delights of owning such a fantastic bit of kit.

[thenick]

Changing the dash isn't hard really, its just a bit time consuming. There are some good guides around here if you search but it basically involves:

- unscrew 3 bolts to take dash top off
- take a couple of screws out of the heater end and unbolt the heater wheels
- undo the two locking screws on each gauge and remove (being careful to keep all wires in place)
- remove warning lights, attach to new dash
- remove headunit
- unscrew bottom dash plate
- swap over mouning brackets from bottom dash plate to new one
- remove hazzard, light and fog light switches
- screw everything into new dash and re-attach!

Took me an afternoon with a leatherman tool (wasn't at home so no toolkit!!), could probably be done quicker with proper tools.

The results are great though, really smartens the 'cockpit' up!



edit: Yes Coverdale seem to be the people to speak to, i'm currently ordering a set myself but am having trouble sourcing the correct colour vinyl (Portland Grey) to do the edging!

Edited by thenick on Saturday 28th July 11:31

[That Daddy]

Nick,try www.woolies-trim.co.uk for that edgingi am about to go out again and enjoy my Chim and the weather

Edited by That Daddy on Saturday 28th July 12:10

[thenick]

Thanks Simon,

I'll give them a go, though a lot of people seem to think that no one makes Portland Grey any more! The best lead I have so far is a friend of a friend of Dom @ TVR Power who thinks he might be able to get some if I can get him a sample. Coverdale have searched high and low and come up with nothing so lets hope Woolies has some!

[TVRich]

That dash looks the Dogs!!
That's exactly what I am going to be doing. Is this a Leven dash?
Cheers
Rich

[thenick]

Yup, thats the leven one, think its around £150 IIRC though its well worth it. Makes it feel like a different car inside!

[stackmonkey]

Welcome TVRich

As you're in South Yorks, you may as well come to the Amber Hotel meets on tuesday night (separate thread in Midlands part).

have fun with the new car

[TVRich]

Hi Stackmonkey
Where's the Amber hotel?

[TVRich]

Hi TheNick
Just a quick question about the Leven Dash...

How thinks is the aluminium dash? does it sit over the existing wood or does it replace this?

Cheers

Rich

[TVRich]

frazer guest said:

TVRich said:

Hi Stackmonkey
Where's the Amber hotel?

Also there are the regular South Yorks TVR meets up Barnsly way, held on a Wednesday. Its just that I keep on forgetting which Wednesday.

Where in South Yorks are you?

I know about Barnsley, I have spoken with Kevin.
I live in Sheffield
Cheers
Rich

[thenick]

It replaces the whole thing, all the old stuff comes out first!

[Bomber Denton]

What year is the car?

A couple of things I would do for starters...

Treat windscreen with Rain X, when you find out the wipers are tosh it's probably too late.
Treat the roof with Renovo colour restorer then treat with 2/3 coats of Thompsons to proof it (yes the same stuff you use on brickwork)
Get a copy of Steve Heath's 'The Bible'
Carry a can of tyre weld, far easier than jacking the car up!
The pedals are all adjustable, tailor them to your driving position.
Give the chassis a clean and waxoyl.
Also get some Renovo plastic screen cleaner, for a fiver it makes a hell of a difference.
If it has the T5 gearbox select fifth before reverse as it stops the gears grating.

Apart from that, enjoy!

[TVRich]

Picked her up yesterday and drove the 170miles home with a huge smile on my face.

So now the fun begins- on the agenda:
- A damn good clean & detail (I do this in my spare time so I won't be happy until it is looking the busines)
- Carpet clean before I decide wether or not to go for new from Coverdale.
- Rejuvination of the hood
- Definitely the aluminium dash
- Clear front and side indicators (Anyone suggest where I can get them?
- Do i change the stereo? Hmm not sure as I didn't bother on the way home.
- Chimfest on the 12th

I can't wait to get going....