While this may be my last fleet update for PistonHeads it's certainly not the end of my time with the TVR; that's a relationship that will continue long after my time at PH has finished, but it's nice to leave on a positive note.
Since the Mazda went in late Summer last year I have relied on the Chimaera as my sole transport and the only way the car seems to have suffered is that its odometer is reading a little higher than it usually does after a winter. Everything else has been faultless and that amazes and pleases me in equal measure. Yes, I go on about it, but in a world of TVR 'jokes' I think it's a message worth shouting.
With all that use it was only fair I shown a bit of affection in return and I was well aware that a service was overdue, but when you rely on the car to get about I just couldn't seem to find a convenient time to get it booked in. It wasn't just the service that played on my mind, I occasionally awoke in a pool of sweat after dreaming of a rotten chassis and a large bill being thrust in my face and was well aware that after a winter of use I wanted a chassis clean down and re-treat, despite Calvin at
Wilton-Morgan
telling me all looked good when it went to him for MoT at the end of last year. So, with all that in mind a Twitter message to Calvin (blame the modern age) and I was all booked in.
Before we get to the service let's cover a bit of dull, but worthy, information. As a daily driver the Chimaera makes (semi) sense if you are willing to keep it in fuel. RFL is non-emissions based so cheap, tyres are small in size and are equally cost effective, the seats are comfortable for hours, the wipers wipe well, there is loads of cabin storage, the boot is bigger than many modern cars, it (well, mine does at least) sits in London traffic for miles without issue, it's small so parking and urban streets are easily negotiated and everyone seems to like it so you are waved out in traffic. Not once do I feel short changed driving it, even after stints in more expensive modern metal. Sure it's compromised for the family man but for me it works well and I can't do enough to dispel the myth that these cars can't be used regularly.
Anyway, the service. My 12K health check has now been done and the car feels great, in addition to the usual service items Calvin was TVR-savvy enough to upgrade a few fuses here and there, add in a more substantial sump plug, give attention to a crack I wouldn't have noticed in the exhaust, fixed my broken fan speed switch and gave it one of the best cleans it has ever had. Not only did the car look new, it drove brilliantly too, the new gearbox oil seeming to cure an occasional reluctance to select first once warm and (maybe it's a placebo thing) seeming to just run a little sweeter too.
So what about the chassis? Well, it seems to be in such good condition it even managed to amaze Calvin! I was sent some photos of a very sturdy and clean looking chassis that belied the miles and ages of the car, I was feeling very lucky indeed as I am told 1999 was a weak year for the Blackpool chassis. I treated the chassis to a treatment of Dynax S50 which replaces the Wayoyl used previously after reading some good reviews online. I will be checking regularly to see how it is performing on my (as I speak) very sturdy outriggers.
I can't recommend Calvin enough, he had my car for a working week and did a host of work to it before providing me with a very reasonable bill (12K services are £480 +VAT). Sure, I'd provided the Dynax myself but he did all the work and many things only an owner would know about, if you are a TVR owner looking to use a company run by enthusiasts then I'd say you should give him a bell when your car next needs work.
Just after I got the car back I lowered the roof and risked a low fuel level for a quick run into London to see a friend. As I arrived the boot solenoid wouldn't release so I was left with little fuel and a roof I couldn't raise. Fortunately I was staying for a day or two so parked it in the coolest flat carpark ever and returned the next morning. No joy. Another day passed and I went to drive home, this time the boot switch worked perfectly! OK, so I have had one problem but it's a 15-year-old switch and I'll (well, Calvin) will replace that on Friday.
Long may we be together, thanks for listening to our tales over the years. It's goodbye from me and it's goodbye from Chim.
FACT SHEET:
Car: 1999 TVR Chimaera 4.0
Run by: Garlick
Bought: December 2009
Purchase price: £12,995
Last month at a glance: Last report, sad times.
