Hi Simon just discovered this video today. Its my old car! Great to see it still looks great. I had it from 2009 till 2014 in that time I replaced the roof the original was a dull Brown and the stitching was starting to go. It was looked after by TVR power as they are conviently near my own factory in Coventry. They fitted the Alum rad and yes unfortunately it was my idea for the Blue silicone hoses. Apologies!! I bought it from an older gentleman who like me really looked after it well. I remember painting the stereo surround green as the veneer was split terribly. Not a bad job for a rattle can and laquer eh? Have some great memories driving this car the sound of the 4 litre to me always sounded richer than the bigger engine's. Enjoy
I've owned my 4.0L for 16 years now. Brilliant cars. Just a few points from the video: The solid roof panel isn't carbon fibre. It is fibreglass but has a carbon fibre effect on the inside. The "billet" switchgear on the indicators, handbrake and steering wheel adjuster are aftermarket. The car was designed for Peter Wheeler, the then owner of TVR and he insisted that he should be able to fit in it so anyone up to 6'4" tall should be fine.The "headers" you mentioned are not "headers" they are where the headers meet in the Y piece or "elephant's trunk" and yours is not standard, Yours has the Clive Ford replacement so the main Cat is not present. It's not meant to rev past 6250rpm. It's all about the torque. Low mileage does not necessarily mean a good car. Quite the reverse can be true.They hate standing and love to be driven. That gearchange looks a bit stiff. Assuming it's the T5 gearbox (which it should be on that year) then changing the (ATF) fluid would make it much lighter and smoother. I agree on the blue hoses looking awful. Black silicone replacements are the way forward. Looks like a good car but make sure the outriggers are checked regularly; that;s their weak point. Oh and by the way, there are a few turbo'd and supercharged cars around now. 😁
Chimaeras are wonderful. I have a 1998 4.5. You obviously love yours as much as I love mine. Tips: 1) Get a remote control boot release. It saves a lot of faffing around. 2) Don't leave the car out wet if it's going to freeze. The door mirror microswitches freeze solid and you can't open the doors. 3) Get a manually operated fan override switch fitted. I have one on the steering column and it's very useful. 4) Get a buzzer fitted to warn you if you've left your lights on. I've flattened my battery many times and the car is a sod to get into with a flat battery. 2 suitcases in the boot: I've had a tent, two sleeping bags, 2 pillows and 2 carry mats, 3 suitcases and God knows what else in the boot. There's also tons of room behind the seats. Put's any Porsche to shame and Lotuses die of embarrassment. Looks a clean car. Low mileage but those Rover V8s are almost bombproof anyway if you get them serviced regularly by an expert. I use SD Autotec in Wetherby, Aeromotive in Birstall or Lawfield Engineering in Blackpool. All experts. As for mods, I wouldn't bother. I have replaced the Bilsteins (which were knackered) with Gaz Golds, I put Mintex brakes on (I believe in stopping) and I'm putting an Emerald ECU on as it improves starting and idling. That's it. I don't want to bugger up a great car. Have fun!
What great comments, we really appreciate you taking the time to watch our video, thank you 🙏🏼 . We’re sure Simon will carry out many of your suggested improvements. All the best.
Very nice, I had an S, a V8S and finally a Griffith 500. All were reliable, used for long distance touring and never let me down. All sounded great and were a lot of fun to drive. Your Car looks stunning and I’m sure you’ll have a lot of fun driving it 👍
I love watching Chimaera videos as it makes me want one more and more! Its definitely on my shopping list! They also did a 4.3 btw and the older models didn't have the mirror microswitches to get in. Instead, they had a mechanical push button on the body to the rear of the door on the top edge. Another fun quirk is that the steering column, key barrel and keys and stalk, come from a Cavalier! Mk3 specifically but the older mk2's share the same keys too! Always makes me smile as I own three mk2 Cavs and thinks its funny that I can pretend they're TVR keys 😁
Great vid Simon - incidentally my 4.0HC (from Amore) is being delivered next week - Starmist Green but with Portland grey interior - you're video just gave me butterflies. Subscribed !
Never too old fella I am 70 years young and still love the right foot stuff. Need to go a little steady in these as I have found out when spining on a few round abouts. Probably something to do with old age as reactions not quite what they were but what the hell !! This car "CHIM" Will be with me untill they take me away to an old folks home.. Getting in and out is and never will be a problem trust me If needs be I will rigg up a bloody crane in the garage L.O.L........ and slide in from the top Who wants to get out ???? I will sleep in there if need be !! Great cars great fun and for those that say they are a load of Blackpool rubbish have simply not had one or just dont get it either way their loss not ours !!! OVER AND OUT !!!
Fantastic review of a great car Simon. Ive been thinking of getting a Chimaera, but not sure which engine...!!! What would you recommend from the 4.0, 4.0HC, 4.3, 4.5 or 5.0 ? I know the 4.3 and 4.0HC are early models and the 4.5 is most recent. As these cars weigh around 1080kg, it wont make much difference. But is there a particular engine that has the least amount of issues? Thanks.
Lovely example; I had a beautiful black 400HC up to a few months ago here in Canada. Chimaera’s look great in dark colours, and I particularly like the green of yours. I do want to say I am 100% with you on the coloured coolant hoses! Prefer originality, so standard black hoses look best. Black silicone hoses are technically better, but even those don’t have the correct appearance.
Simon great video. Love the green roof on that Car. Im thinking About buying the same car. I want to change the black roof to green. Any idea i that is possible?
Hey Severin, thank you, I too really think the green roof looks great against the green body colour. Honestly these Chimaeras are great value, but make sure you check the chassis as cheaper ones are often in need of attention. The best place for advice for parts and technical stuff is the TVR Chimaera Facebook page. There was a great car, recently on there for £15K, low mileage with a replacement chassis. Good luck. 👍🏼
I'll stick to my 4.0 it still sounds the same and sups less juice. Getting a hard top targa convestion done on it by Sreve Edwards. They look like a mini Cerbera and muxh nicer than the standard monair .
Hi Simon just discovered this video today. Its my old car! Great to see it still looks great. I had it from 2009 till 2014 in that time I replaced the roof the original was a dull Brown and the stitching was starting to go. It was looked after by TVR power as they are conviently near my own factory in Coventry. They fitted the Alum rad and yes unfortunately it was my idea for the Blue silicone hoses. Apologies!! I bought it from an older gentleman who like me really looked after it well. I remember painting the stereo surround green as the veneer was split terribly. Not a bad job for a rattle can and laquer eh? Have some great memories driving this car the sound of the 4 litre to me always sounded richer than the bigger engine's. Enjoy
I've owned my 4.0L for 16 years now. Brilliant cars. Just a few points from the video: The solid roof panel isn't carbon fibre. It is fibreglass but has a carbon fibre effect on the inside. The "billet" switchgear on the indicators, handbrake and steering wheel adjuster are aftermarket. The car was designed for Peter Wheeler, the then owner of TVR and he insisted that he should be able to fit in it so anyone up to 6'4" tall should be fine.The "headers" you mentioned are not "headers" they are where the headers meet in the Y piece or "elephant's trunk" and yours is not standard, Yours has the Clive Ford replacement so the main Cat is not present. It's not meant to rev past 6250rpm. It's all about the torque. Low mileage does not necessarily mean a good car. Quite the reverse can be true.They hate standing and love to be driven. That gearchange looks a bit stiff. Assuming it's the T5 gearbox (which it should be on that year) then changing the (ATF) fluid would make it much lighter and smoother. I agree on the blue hoses looking awful. Black silicone replacements are the way forward. Looks like a good car but make sure the outriggers are checked regularly; that;s their weak point. Oh and by the way, there are a few turbo'd and supercharged cars around now. 😁
The 4l is a bit slow .
Chimaeras are wonderful. I have a 1998 4.5. You obviously love yours as much as I love mine.
Tips:
1) Get a remote control boot release. It saves a lot of faffing around.
2) Don't leave the car out wet if it's going to freeze. The door mirror microswitches freeze solid and you can't open the doors.
3) Get a manually operated fan override switch fitted. I have one on the steering column and it's very useful.
4) Get a buzzer fitted to warn you if you've left your lights on. I've flattened my battery many times and the car is a sod to get into with a flat battery.
2 suitcases in the boot: I've had a tent, two sleeping bags, 2 pillows and 2 carry mats, 3 suitcases and God knows what else in the boot. There's also tons of room behind the seats. Put's any Porsche to shame and Lotuses die of embarrassment.
Looks a clean car. Low mileage but those Rover V8s are almost bombproof anyway if you get them serviced regularly by an expert. I use SD Autotec in Wetherby, Aeromotive in Birstall or Lawfield Engineering in Blackpool. All experts.
As for mods, I wouldn't bother. I have replaced the Bilsteins (which were knackered) with Gaz Golds, I put Mintex brakes on (I believe in stopping) and I'm putting an Emerald ECU on as it improves starting and idling.
That's it. I don't want to bugger up a great car.
Have fun!
What great comments, we really appreciate you taking the time to watch our video, thank you 🙏🏼 . We’re sure Simon will carry out many of your suggested improvements. All the best.
Very nice, I had an S, a V8S and finally a Griffith 500. All were reliable, used for long distance touring and never let me down. All sounded great and were a lot of fun to drive. Your Car looks stunning and I’m sure you’ll have a lot of fun driving it 👍
I love watching Chimaera videos as it makes me want one more and more! Its definitely on my shopping list! They also did a 4.3 btw and the older models didn't have the mirror microswitches to get in. Instead, they had a mechanical push button on the body to the rear of the door on the top edge. Another fun quirk is that the steering column, key barrel and keys and stalk, come from a Cavalier! Mk3 specifically but the older mk2's share the same keys too! Always makes me smile as I own three mk2 Cavs and thinks its funny that I can pretend they're TVR keys 😁
Just purchased a 2001 4.5 litre Chimaera, it’s absolutely wonderful, really enjoyed your review. 👍
Enjoy your 4.5 Chim Anthony. Thanks for the nice comments about the review. All the best Simon
Nice one Simon, great car, great colour, great sounds..smiles for miles
Love the sound of a TVR 😍 great vid and road test 👌
Thanks guys 👍🏼
Lovely motor! The Chimaera also comes in a 4.3ltr for info. They are more rare though. Enjoy the car
We didnt know that Guy, thank you for advising. All the best Vint-tro.
Also comes in 5.0
Great vid Simon - incidentally my 4.0HC (from Amore) is being delivered next week - Starmist Green but with Portland grey interior - you're video just gave me butterflies. Subscribed !
Thanks Jon. I'm sure like Simon, you'll love the Chimaera. Enjoy my friend. Cheers Vint-tro.
Great video! Waiting for mine Chimaera in same color combo!
They really cool cars Geert. Enjoy your car when it arrives. 👍🏼
@@VINTTRO thanks!
Another great video Simon and a cracking car.
Thanks John. There is a follow up video on the TVR coming this week. 👍🏼
Hey Simon my man,yeh boy nice car man, safe respect
Off to collect a 500 tomorrow 😎
Great cars Simon. We’re sure you’ll love it. 👍🏼
I need to get one before I get too old lol!
This lovely example has been completely repainted and chassis protection carried out. It may become available for sale soon.
Never too old fella I am 70 years young and still love the right foot stuff. Need to go a little steady in these as I have found out
when spining on a few round abouts. Probably something to do with old age as reactions not quite what they were but what the hell !! This car "CHIM" Will be with me untill they take me away to an old folks home.. Getting in and out is and never will be a problem trust me If needs be I will rigg up a bloody crane in the garage L.O.L........ and slide in from the top Who wants to
get out ???? I will sleep in there if need be !! Great cars great fun and for those that say they are a load of Blackpool rubbish
have simply not had one or just dont get it either way their loss not ours !!! OVER AND OUT !!!
Love it bro !
Thanks David 👍🏼
Entre une Ferrari et une TVR je prends l'anglaise avec bonheur !
V8 rover ❤️
TVRs have the highest smiles per mile rating of any car.
Nice video mate just a shame u didn’t open her up at Least Once in any one gear.
Thanks Buddy, I’m doing another video soon, so I will incorporate an ‘open up in each gear’ 👍🏼
Fantastic review of a great car Simon.
Ive been thinking of getting a Chimaera, but not sure which engine...!!!
What would you recommend from the 4.0, 4.0HC, 4.3, 4.5 or 5.0 ?
I know the 4.3 and 4.0HC are early models and the 4.5 is most recent.
As these cars weigh around 1080kg, it wont make much difference.
But is there a particular engine that has the least amount of issues?
Thanks.
Lovely example; I had a beautiful black 400HC up to a few months ago here in Canada. Chimaera’s look great in dark colours, and I particularly like the green of yours.
I do want to say I am 100% with you on the coloured coolant hoses! Prefer originality, so standard black hoses look best. Black silicone hoses are technically better, but even those don’t have the correct appearance.
Thanks Rob, appreciate your feedback. I’ll get those hoses changed soon. Take care my friend. 👍🏼
Nice motor...
You should have the roof off, the experience is even better that way
Simon great video. Love the green roof on that Car. Im thinking About buying the same car. I want to change the black roof to green. Any idea i that is possible?
Hey Severin, thank you, I too really think the green roof looks great against the green body colour. Honestly these Chimaeras are great value, but make sure you check the chassis as cheaper ones are often in need of attention. The best place for advice for parts and technical stuff is the TVR Chimaera Facebook page. There was a great car, recently on there for £15K, low mileage with a replacement chassis. Good luck. 👍🏼
So how do you get in the car if it has a flat battery?
There is a way in but not to be revealed unless you own one for obvious reasons
The 4.5 is a better ar .
Cams wear quicker though….
I'll stick to my 4.0 it still sounds the same and sups less juice. Getting a hard top targa convestion done on it by Sreve Edwards. They look like a mini Cerbera and muxh nicer than the standard monair .