The TVR Chimaera Is a Quirky, Weird V8 Sports Car
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Date: 2022-03-31
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Comments and reviews: 9
autos
Friend of mine had one of these in the late 1990s. Bought it for a good price, looked after it, daily drove it, sold it a few years later. For a net profit. Unbelievable.
They do take a fair bit of looking after; the chassis tubular frame is the main worry. There are UK companies that make replacement chassis, so it is feasible to save one that's too far gone. All the panels are fibreglass, so they won't ever rust. The engine can be kept going forever. There's nothing complicated about the brakes, etc.
Interiors; well, any old interiors shop is going to be able to do as good a job as TVR did in the factory! If you do strip out the interior, be prepared to find graffiti underneath the coverings.
Fun fact. The tail lights on the TVR got re-used on the McLaren F1. McLaren picked because they thought that TVR must have homologated it. Nope. They'd nicked them off a model of bus.
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Friend of mine had one of these in the late 1990s. Bought it for a good price, looked after it, daily drove it, sold it a few years later. For a net profit. Unbelievable.
They do take a fair bit of looking after; the chassis tubular frame is the main worry. There are UK companies that make replacement chassis, so it is feasible to save one that's too far gone. All the panels are fibreglass, so they won't ever rust. The engine can be kept going forever. There's nothing complicated about the brakes, etc.
Interiors; well, any old interiors shop is going to be able to do as good a job as TVR did in the factory! If you do strip out the interior, be prepared to find graffiti underneath the coverings.
Fun fact. The tail lights on the TVR got re-used on the McLaren F1. McLaren picked because they thought that TVR must have homologated it. Nope. They'd nicked them off a model of bus.
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Jack
Brit here. I have a later 97 Chim 450 with the 4. 6 version of this engine. It. Is. Epic! Later cars had a nicer interior finish (just) with all the plastic switches being replaced with lovely milled aluminium parts. Don't know what condition this one was in but if Doug had pulled on his brave pants and kept his foot in the accelerator, very few cars can put such a smile on your face EVERY time you rev it out. Feels every bit a 4. 5 second to 60 car. Just brilliant. Parts supply is surprisingly good as TVR used a great deal of mainstream parts - and the is good support for the bespoke stuff from UK specialist suppliers. Love these things, every petrol head should try one
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Brit here. I have a later 97 Chim 450 with the 4. 6 version of this engine. It. Is. Epic! Later cars had a nicer interior finish (just) with all the plastic switches being replaced with lovely milled aluminium parts. Don't know what condition this one was in but if Doug had pulled on his brave pants and kept his foot in the accelerator, very few cars can put such a smile on your face EVERY time you rev it out. Feels every bit a 4. 5 second to 60 car. Just brilliant. Parts supply is surprisingly good as TVR used a great deal of mainstream parts - and the is good support for the bespoke stuff from UK specialist suppliers. Love these things, every petrol head should try one
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sKoggs
The last 2 cars have been extra quirky and I love it. Everytime I think Doug has exhausted the options of super quirky cars to show us he proves me wrong. He really is the best example of someone who loves the car industry and it's history in it's purest form. If he had to choose between reviewing this TVR or a million dollar hypercar I bet he would pick this every single time.
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The last 2 cars have been extra quirky and I love it. Everytime I think Doug has exhausted the options of super quirky cars to show us he proves me wrong. He really is the best example of someone who loves the car industry and it's history in it's purest form. If he had to choose between reviewing this TVR or a million dollar hypercar I bet he would pick this every single time.
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Achim
So to add to Dougs explanation of what became of TVR, they now have prototyped a new car together with Gordon Murray Engineering and are accepting deposits so it's very likely that there will be TVRs for sale again in the coming 1-2 years.
Edit: Also they have been actively participating in the 24h of Le Mans and actually did really well so calling them dead is a bit weired.
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So to add to Dougs explanation of what became of TVR, they now have prototyped a new car together with Gordon Murray Engineering and are accepting deposits so it's very likely that there will be TVRs for sale again in the coming 1-2 years.
Edit: Also they have been actively participating in the 24h of Le Mans and actually did really well so calling them dead is a bit weired.
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Chris
To address the point at the end, I don't think any ever were built in left-hand drive from the factory, but it is possible to convert them.
Also, I'm pretty sure (from experience with mine) that you can fold the roof down further than that. Or put the rear section up and drive it with the centre panel out like a targa.
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To address the point at the end, I don't think any ever were built in left-hand drive from the factory, but it is possible to convert them.
Also, I'm pretty sure (from experience with mine) that you can fold the roof down further than that. Or put the rear section up and drive it with the centre panel out like a targa.
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john
My bro's had 4 TVRs now, an S3 a V8S and 2 Griffith 500s, yes they're weird, yes they're dangerous, but if you want thrills and can drive go for it. Personally I prefer the Caterham, so Doug! when are you going to get into a Caterham? Knees either side of the wheel and no shoes should do it
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My bro's had 4 TVRs now, an S3 a V8S and 2 Griffith 500s, yes they're weird, yes they're dangerous, but if you want thrills and can drive go for it. Personally I prefer the Caterham, so Doug! when are you going to get into a Caterham? Knees either side of the wheel and no shoes should do it
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Twisted
TVR are my favourite car manufacturer. My Dad had an TVR S2 when I was little. Brilliant and weird cars. Lots of power, insane styling and no safety features My dream car is the TVR Sagaris Also TVR Exist today. Planning to build a new Factory in Wales.
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TVR are my favourite car manufacturer. My Dad had an TVR S2 when I was little. Brilliant and weird cars. Lots of power, insane styling and no safety features My dream car is the TVR Sagaris Also TVR Exist today. Planning to build a new Factory in Wales.
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Neil
I love how the sound of the V8 was rumbling at the stop light. You hardly hear sports cars like that in our country of Jamaica. Takes me back to the 80s when the big V8s were still rumbling around. Sounds like a Man's car! Big up Sir Doug Demuro.
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I love how the sound of the V8 was rumbling at the stop light. You hardly hear sports cars like that in our country of Jamaica. Takes me back to the 80s when the big V8s were still rumbling around. Sounds like a Man's car! Big up Sir Doug Demuro.
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Beni
I dont find it odd to have the roof stored this way, i would value the cargo space much more than having your view somewhat impeded.
Same for the fuel cab, why not have it in the tunk, no visible fuel cab on the outside so it looks clean.
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I dont find it odd to have the roof stored this way, i would value the cargo space much more than having your view somewhat impeded.
Same for the fuel cab, why not have it in the tunk, no visible fuel cab on the outside so it looks clean.
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