1995 TVR Chimaera 400

[lewis_sharman]

This is my third car, and a hell of a lot different to my previous two! Ive had it about 3 months now, and am loving every second. Mechanically it is very solid, and has had a brand new chassis in 2004. Probably due to have a new cam soon, but not urgently. I have quite a list of things that i want to be doing to it, and plan to use this as a bit of a blog to keep track of all my actions.

This is what it was like when i first got it:


Since then i have re-dyed the interior carpets, moved the numberplate off of the grill and made an aluminium grill to smarten up the front a bit and maybe get a bit of extra air flow. And this is what it looks like now:











My list of things to do are as follows (in no particular order):

- Replace cam (No need - original still in good nick)
- 'Torque V8' induction upgrade (ACT Induction kit fitted and engine in good fettle since dyno run)
- Carbon fibre dash and door cards
- Replace side grills with matching aluminium mesh and clear indicators
- Clear side indicators
- Fix drivers side mirror
- Replace roof rubbers
- New wheels
- Suspension set up
- Geometry set up
- Poly bushes all round and shot blast/powder coat wishbones
- New seats
- New CD player
- Realign doors and bonnet
- Remove pre-cats
- Sleeve exhaust
- New windscreen wipers
- Leven aluminium goodies for the inside

And probably many more as i go along

ETA more things to the list

Edited by lewis_sharman on Thursday 26th March 16:49

Edited by lewis_sharman on Sunday 16th August 08:53

Edited by lewis s on Thursday 25th March 11:11

[Galsia]

Thats beautiful. Looks awesome in red! Is that duct tape on the rear bumper though?

[Ron Burgundy]

Galsia said:

Thats beautiful. Looks awesome in red! Is that duct tape on the rear bumper though?

shhh its supposed to be like that

[lewis_sharman]

Good spot! Unfortunately in early December it had a run in with a chav 206 which cracked the fibreglass (duct tape to avoid water getting into it). It is going into the bodyshop this week though to get sorted as a total non fault claim (he was ttting about and drove into me in a traffic jam). So it should be sorted soon . Two months of insurance companies playing silly buggers is too long though.

[Malam]

Ahhh, a proper car at last!

[lewis_sharman]

Its gone into the bodyshop today to get the back end repaired. Hopefully it wont take too long and they dont encounter any problems!

[scotty_d]

Nice car but the yellow ones are the fastest

[UK Chim]

Im with you scotty Like the stainless mesh. Not sure it would look good on my yellow chim though.

[Forthright MC]

very nice early Chim, nice subtle and tasteful mods too

good luck & enjoy!

[lewis_sharman]

Just got the car back from Hilton Coachworks today, and to say i am pleased is an understatement! i think its better now than before the accident!

Also just got through an ACT Induction kit, so that will be fitted this weekend hopefully, and more pics to post up of the fitting. Now its back i can crack on with my list of things to do!

[lewis_sharman]

Quick update:

ACT induction kit fitted (pig of a job). Also done the side grills and indicators and the carbon fibre dash.

Next on the list is do a full service and then get the radiator repaired (small hole) and fit some silicon coolant hoses.

Carbon dash:

[Forthright MC]

the dash looks fantastic, really works well with the interior colour scheme (magnolia leather?) IMO, sets it off a treat!

nice pic too, very little (aside from a few other Tivs perhaps!) comes close to the view down a Chim's bonnet from behind the wheel IMO!

[scotty_d]

Looking good all coming together now. i have been working away for the last 3 weeks and getting Severer withdrawals. Need a drive soon! bet your radiator is what happened to mine on the nearside you have a little leak bet it is the fan mounts rubbing in to the rad if you find it is pm me as i have some repair tips and a little mod to prevent it again.

Edited by scotty_d on Thursday 26th March 19:32

[lewis_sharman]

Hi Scotty, you can see the leak on the pic below, just above the top hose. You can see the limescale from where it is dripping down the side. It looks like just the joint has cracked slightly but it doesnt seem to lose any water and have been quoted £30 to fix

The induction kit has also now been wrapped in heat shield tape stuff. Wil get some more pics when the silicon hoses are on!

[lewis_sharman]

Not updated this for a while, but since the last time i have added clear indicators, wrapped the induction hose, re-trimmed the interior door cards in alcantara, fitted Cobra 7 bucket seats and made a boot tidy. In addition to that i also refurbed all of the wishbones and added polybushes all round. Tomorrow the gearbox will be coming out to change the spigot bearing, and next month i am changing the carpets to black to match the seats and door cards.

Oh, and i sleeved the exhaust

Edited by lewis_sharman on Sunday 16th August 08:50

[lewis_sharman]

Another new photo:

[the jollyrodger]

very nice,looks like your enjoying doing the work as much as you are driving it.what wheels are you thinking of changing to?

[al1991]

That looks amazing. I wasn't sure of the grill at first, but with the clear lenses it looks spot on. Love what you've done to the interior too, carbon fibre looks ace.

[Flying machine]

Superb job! This is another car that I've always wanted to own - yours look very nice indeed

[lewis_sharman]

the jollyrodger said:

very nice,looks like your enjoying doing the work as much as you are driving it.what wheels are you thinking of changing to?

Either



or



There are a few other bits to come first though

Edited by lewis_sharman on Sunday 16th August 15:38

Edited by lewis s on Friday 7th May 22:44