On to a new vehicle adventure - TVR Chimaera

[twobone]

I keep jumping from car to car in search of new experiences.

After the Caterham Super 7, I bought a Mazdaspeed Miata Turbo. It was a nice little device and fun on boost, but just didn't stir my soul.

I recently came across a 96' TVR Chimaera. It ticks all my wish list boxes:
-British
-V8
-Rare
-Interesting
-A bit of a hooligan

Specs:
4.0 Ltr 240HP/260TQ
5 speed Borg Warner
2600 lbs

Glassfibre over steel tube frame
4 wheel independent suspension

Overall the condition is good mechanically. The previous owner imported from the UK to Canada in 2013 and then did a full RHD to LHD conversion over the winter including building a whole new dash, recovering it, new veneer and retrimming the seats.

Check out that exhaust routing. The headers shoot forward and then collect in front into that large collector/CAT and then shoot under the car to exit in two pipes. It has a great rumble and then just howls at WOT.

It could use a respray to address the off-colour touch ups and there are small areas of "dog-eared" interior bits. I lost brake vacuum on the drive home and am going to get all the bugs worked out next week. Fingers crossed this will make a fun cruiser for years to come. So far I'm at less than $20K CDN into it. I figure if I decide to sell in 5 years, it will be legal to import to the US and if all cleaned up might be worth quite a bit more

[flipper35]

I always thought they would be a hoot. Just about any TVR really.

[Scott R]

That engine looks exactly like the one in my 98 Land Rover, is it based on the same?

[twobone]

yes, TVR Engineering took the range rover 3.9 and rebuilt it to high performance spec. Good eyes!

[gwood]

Jeremy Clarkson said owning a TVR was like owning a bear. It was great, until it pulled your head off, which it would.

[GH85Carrera]

That looks like the one Wheeler Dealers did. The chassis was totally rotted out and Ed had to do a chassis swap. It did look like a fun car on the show.

[Porchdog]

I had a '72. It was a hoot, it definitely wanted to kill you.

After I got my SC I tired of the constant "issues" and sold it.

I would love to try a Chimaera

[tcar]

Originally Posted by twobone

yes, TVR Engineering took the range rover 3.9 and rebuilt it to high performance spec. Good eyes!

That's actually a Buick engine (aluminum heads and block) from the '60's.

Rover bought the tooling and the rights from GM, made a few changes and started using it in their cars... as well as the Triumph TR-8.

Also used in the MGB GT V8. It actually weighed less than the starndard 4 banger in the regular car.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by Porchdog

I would love to try a Chimaera

Looks like an unusual, cool car.

I have never even seen one!

[rfuerst911sc]

Looks like a tamed down early Viper, should be a fun car if reliable .

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by gwood

Jeremy Clarkson said owning a TVR was like owning a bear. It was great, until it pulled your head off, which it would.

Top Gear made me want a TVR. Lightweight, crazy HP, no safety aids, bonkers styling. Yes please.

[Heel n Toe]

Enjoy... looks like a fun car.

Side view inspires the idea that it "looks like it wants to grow up to be a Dodge Viper someday."

Originally Posted by twobone

[scottmandue]

Looks like a lot of fun... color me jealous!

[Aerkuld]

Congratulations - good choice! That's the roadster version of the Cerbra I think.

As much as I try to forget the event itself, I actually rented a TVR Cerbra for a week when I married my now ex-wife. I mean, why rent a car for the wedding and then have someone else drive it? The wedding wasn't one of my best decisions, but renting the TVR was. Took it up to Scotland for the week after the wedding and it was fantastic.

Got to give it back at the end of the week before it broke down.
Looked just like this . . .

[herr_oberst]

A while back, probably ten years ago, I was driving through the central Oregon desert. It was hotter than the hammers of hell that afternoon, I was in the middle of bum-fluck-nowhere without a town for miles and miles in any direction. Imagine my surprise when I saw an Alfa Duetto coming at me; red, wire wheels, top down, black tonneau. The guy and gal inside had ball caps, sunglasses and great big smiles. I waved and flashed my headlights to let them know I knew what they were up against.

I also thought to myself "there go two brave souls".

I had a recollection of this event about five minutes ago when I just found out someone bought a TVR Chimaera.

You, sir, are a brave soul! Good luck and happy motoring!

(Side note, my friend John has me looking casually at Caterham 7's as a "fun car" instead of the 550 Spyder replica I have my heart set on!)

[targa911S]

yes but does it leak oil and have a Lucas electrical system? It's not a true British car unless it pees on your garage floor and a bic lighter is brighter than it's headlights....ask me how I know...

[willtel]

TVRs are cool. I think if I went that route I would go whole hog and get one with the Speed Six engine. What a beast.

[twobone]

The basic mechanical are old school.....Buick based v8, mustang style T5, tube frame. They are a bit of a Jumble of other manufacturer parts. They sold 6000 of them in the UK so reasonable parts availability I think. Engine is dry...power steering seems to be leaking a bit. Hopefully his rep lumping of RHD to LHD didn't mess thing up too much.

I loved my super 7. It was literally making me deaf, so I had to sell it

[petrolhead611]

Check the chassis side rails before spending anymore money on it. Check the exhaust manifold bolts torque frequently.
You have the cooking version of the engine.They did a 4.3 and a 4.5 as well, and there was a 5.0 in the Griffiths(same chassis, smaller, lighter shell and appreciating like crazy now).

[twobone]

Petrolhead611 - you say cooking version, I assume you mean the base level engine.

The first question people ask is how do you plan to modify it for more power. From what I have researched, its not really a viable option as the ECU can't really be chipped.

I think it will be just fine. In terms of wight to power it should be about 9.7 lbs per HP which is good scoot for having fun without getting into too much trouble (recognizing I have no traction control or ABS).