TVR Chimaera Side Impact Protection

[was8v]

I am very tempted to buy a Chimaera. I need to convince myself that it offers protection in crash situations (boring, I know). A roll bar is an easy cheap addition for peace of mind, however having looked over a bare chassis, the outriggers do not look like they would be much use in a side impact.

I've done extensive web searches, and cannot find out if Chimaeras have side impact protection in the doors.

This picture indicates that Cerberas do have this. Being similar designs do Chimaeras have such protection?

[ButtonIt]

That looks more like a door hinge than a SIP bar...

[crackedfinger]

This is something that worries me too, neither the griff or Chimaera have side impact protection, the outriggers don't count because they are so low. I've thought about how to cage the compartment better, but can't think of nor seen a solution which isn't too extreme.

[V8NRG]

No, Chimaeras do not have any form of SIP in the door.

Your right in that the outrigger will offer next to no protection as it is so low.

Dont rap it round a lampost and you'll be ok.;)

[dbv8]

Also dont pull out in front of an oncoming motorbike

[900T-R]

Indeed, with a backbone car in the classic Lotus/TVR mould the outriggers are supposed to offer side impact protection but alas they're rather too low to offer much resistance to most 'enemy' vehicles on the road.
The girder frame in the Cerbera pic was probably devised to keep those huge doors from sagging in the middle but subject ot how solidly the hinges are attached to the chassis (given the pic there is some bit of tubing at least for the front) should give a half decent intrusion barrier.

[K4TRV]

I guess you've probably worked it out already.

You'll need an additional cage built to meet your safety requirements. Then you'll also have to climb over it to get in. Then you'll neeed a fullharness incase you get thrown onto it whilst driving!!

Some have done this in conjunction with a roll bar behind to meet MSA rules, but usually the roof will not fit, so it becomes a dry day only vehicle !!

I try not to think about it when competing.............

Trev

[Targarama]

This is one of the reasons I upgraded to a T350. By the time you've fitted a cage, side bars, harnesses you will have a race car which is a lot less practical for normal driving.

Or don't crash as has been said. Its the other drives I worry about though...

[900T-R]

Targarama said:

This is one of the reasons I upgraded to a T350. By the time you've fitted a cage, side bars, harnesses you will have a race car which is a lot less practical for normal driving.

Or don't crash as has been said. Its the other drives I worry about though...

The counterpoint view is that for a similar sort of uncorrupted driving experience my only other option would be a classic sports car in the E-type/Cobra/Healey mould which - apart from lacking modern brakes and grip levels - will probably fare a little to a lot worse in a crash, and either will be lots better than a bike... Personally I would want more protection for my daily driving in rush hour traffic in my part of The Netherlands for work (indeed, as you say it's the other drivers I worry about) but used as a leisure vehicle in predominantly light/no traffic situations I deem the compromise to be acceptable in light of the immense levels of involvement and excitement driving my TVR (both of which tend to focus the brain) offers. People do rather more dangerous things in their own time to get a similar rush...

Edited by 900T-R on Tuesday 16th February 16:21

[JR]

K4TRV said:

I guess you've probably worked it out already.

You'll need an additional cage built to meet your safety requirements. Then you'll also have to climb over it to get in. Then you'll neeed a fullharness incase you get thrown onto it whilst driving!!

Some have done this in conjunction with a roll bar behind to meet MSA rules, but usually the roof will not fit, so it becomes a dry day only vehicle !!

You were doing OK until then. You already have your helmet on for the cage protection so some breathable water proofs and it's an all weather car pplus you never have to take the roof off and struggle to put it into the boot because it isn't there.

[K4TRV]

[quote=900T-R........Snippity............I deem the compromise to be acceptable in light of the immense levels of involvement and excitement driving my TVR (both of which tend to focus the brain) offers..... SNIP
[/quote]

..and why I Sprint & Hillclimb a Chimaera..........'cause it totally involves oneself!!

Trev

[K4TRV]

JR said:

K4TRV said:

I guess you've probably worked it out already.

You'll need an additional cage built to meet your safety requirements. Then you'll also have to climb over it to get in. Then you'll neeed a fullharness incase you get thrown onto it whilst driving!!

Some have done this in conjunction with a roll bar behind to meet MSA rules, but usually the roof will not fit, so it becomes a dry day only vehicle !!

You were doing OK until then. You already have your helmet on for the cage protection so some breathable water proofs and it's an all weather car pplus you never have to take the roof off and struggle to put it into the boot because it isn't there.

but I'm too old to climb in and out in a large breathable waterproof cover (hard enough on the bike!!).

Trev

[BeastMaster]

The attraction to me for my Chimaera is the very fact that it is a pure performance car which has not been comprimised in order to save the planet or to over protect myself or other road users. As such the use is limited and I drive it like I would a high powered motorbike.

If I was at all concerned about side impact protection an open top car would not be for me, let alone something as raw a a TVR, would have thought that no air bag would be enough to put you off

If you asking this, I don,t think it is for you IMHO

Andy

[was8v]

Great responses guys

This would be a daily drive in all traffic conditions, and yes I am concerned about crash performance.

Yes its an uncompromised sports car, but it also _has_ to be a regular road car for me.

Perhaps it is the wrong TVR for me and I should save some more for a more modern T350 or tamora.


I do accept that even in a volvo I may be hit by an arctic and stand no better chance.

[JR]

was8v said:

Great responses guys

This would be a daily drive in all traffic conditions, and yes I am concerned about crash performance.

Doesn't sound too good for you really. The only TVR built with crash testing in mind was the wedge series but the Cerb is pretty good otherwise you need a more enjoy life and avoid accidents approach or leave the TVR world.

[Zippee]

Targarama said:

This is one of the reasons I upgraded to a T350. By the time you've fitted a cage, side bars, harnesses you will have a race car which is a lot less practical for normal driving.

Or don't crash as has been said. Its the other drives I worry about though...

Exaxtly the same here. Not so much for me but I'd never live with myself should something happen to my other half as a result.
On the plus side the T350 is also way more of a car than my Chim was....

[BliarOut]

900T-R said:

Indeed, with a backbone car in the classic Lotus/TVR mould the outriggers are supposed to offer side impact protection but alas they're rather too low to offer much resistance to most 'enemy' vehicles on the road.
The girder frame in the Cerbera pic was probably devised to keep those huge doors from sagging in the middle but subject ot how solidly the hinges are attached to the chassis (given the pic there is some bit of tubing at least for the front) should give a half decent intrusion barrier.

Apparently the SIP was introduced when the design team realised the gap between the wheels was slightly less than the width of a Mini.

[rev-erend]

Don't panic - the Griff/Chim both have a rusty outrigger to protect you

[M@H]

TVR Moneypit said:

TBH, if you letting a little bit of death worry you, then a TVR is perhaps not the car for you.

Very true there can be some protection offered from the middle to an extent. I have a rollbar that triangulates up and across the car from the rear outrigger/seatbelt mount/body bolt setup on each side, so at least I have an upright directly behind the seat that could take some loading. Saying that, we are only talking a couple of inches either way between it being that taking a hit first or my pelvis

Fiberglass is pretty strong stuff mind you

[tozerman]

K4TRV said:

You'll need an additional cage built to meet your safety requirements. Then you'll also have to climb over it to get in. Then you'll neeed a fullharness incase you get thrown onto it whilst driving!!

If you have a roll cage fitted then ideally you should ALWAYS use a helmet as even a relatively minor crash can have you banging your head on the cage itself, understandably though for road use a helmet would be a pain in the backside, your call.

Cheers.....Tony..