This is not one for the faint hearted, lightweight, huge power and rear wheel drive. This TVR is an incredible, raw driving machine.
Finished in Starlight Blue with Navy and Magnolia interior.
TVR manufactured the Chimaera between 1991 and 2003. The Chimaera was designed by Peter Wheeler, John Ravenscroft and apparently also Peter’s dog Ned, who bit the prototype body in a way that inspired the front indicator recess. Based on the Griffith running gear and chassis, the Chimaera was marketed as a slightly more luxurious grand tourer and was given slightly softer suspension set up, with Bilstein dampers and a rear anti-roll bar for the perfect balance between road feel and comfort.
The thunderously loud 5.0L V8 catapults you along the road. Not just a point and squirt machine, our Chimaera handles with grace and precision. We really cannot overstate what a tremendous drive this is.
Original TVR V8 engine upgraded and rebuilt to a 5 litre capacity at approximately 71,000 miles in 2011. At this point the vehicle was fully registered as a proper Chimaera 500.
Our Chimaera has just visited Kerridges in Needham Market, local TVR specialists for a MOT.
Specification:
– Using the V8 Developments modified heads and inlet with 45mm bore trumplets and 72mm throttle inlet.
– Megasquirt MS2 ECU controlling fuel and spark.
– Ford Gen 2 Coil packs.
– Wideband Innovate MTXL AFR sensor, gauge fitted but hidden out of sight.
– Smooth bore silicone induction pipes, with KN filter.
– Real Steel Viper Typhoon cam.
– Baffled sump.
– 16-row oil cooler.
– Clive Ford Y piece, standard centre box exhaust system.
– AP Racing clutch fitted at 71,000 miles, to 5 litre TVR specification.
– Gearbox rebuilt at 71,000 miles.
– New BTR diff fitted in 2017 with new bushes (supplied and fitted by Central TVR)
– Gaz Gold suspension.
– Front double anti-roll bar, rear anti-roll bar.
– Front and rear droplinks replaced.
– Electric power steering to Chimaera PAS rack
– 4 pot Sierra Cosworth calipers and 283mm discs at the front, new Mintex pads in 2018.
– Lupo headlight conversion.
– New outriggers fitted in 2012.
– New folding hood and Targa panels recovered in 2016 by Classic Car Services.
– Refurbished wheels and tyres fitted in 2016.
– Wheel alignment and geo check carried out by James Agger Autosport in 2016.
– Original alarm replaced to include central locking control and remote boot opening.
A previous owner rebuilt the engine in 2011 converting it from a 4 litre to a 5 litre, using parts from various suppliers including Real Steel and V8 Developments. Also carried out the conversion of the engine from distributor based spark to coil controlled by a Megasquirt ECU which also controls fuel injection. The same owner also carried out a significant amount of work to the mechanical side of the car, including new shocks, uprated anti-roll bar, replacement outriggers, recon gearbox, new clutch and also fitted a pair of newer seats from 98 Chimaera.
A recent visit to the rolling road at Northampton Motorsport as part of a Sporting Bears charity event allowed an opportunity to have a run on the rollers, where it was found to be putting out 280bhp and 305lb/ft torque. The staff from Northampton Motorsport said the power and particularly the torque was pretty good for a 5 litre TVR engine.
It was badged as a TVR Chimaera 500 and is correctly recorded on the V5 logbook as a 5 litre. It has a modified 5 litres TVR (Rover) V8 engine. To avoid any confusion it left the factory as a 400, 4 litre and has been rebuilt and converted to 500 specification.
The roof panels have been recovered during my ownership and the rear folding section replaced. I took the opportunity to change the rear window to a lozenge shape which makes folding the roof much easier and allows the rear section to fold into the car further than the standard roof.
The GKN diff was replaced in 2017, opting for the more expensive option of getting a brand new BTR diff fitted (as fitted to the later Chimaeras in place of the GKN diff) by Central TVR. This is possible with their GKN/BTR chassis conversion plates. The speed sensor and diff bushes were replaced at the same time.
It has 94400 miles on the clock, was first registered in 1994. The previous owner recently fitted a new Exide 640CCA battery, new Mintex pads to the front, replaced the manifold gaskets and changed the oil and filter.
