TVR Chimaera (1993 - 2005) : BLACKPOOL ROCK
Tuesday November 8
Models Covered: (2 dr roadster 4.0, 4.3, 4.5, 5.
0 petrol)
BY ANDY ENRIGHT
If there is such thing as a sensible TVR, then the Chimaera is it. This model most closely follows the styling cues of the classic TVR S series of cars, and has proved to be the best-selling TVR ever. A combination of keen pricing, perceived accessibility and towering performance tempted an unprecedented amount of buyers to sign on the dotted line marked Chimaera, and its not hard to feel a pang of jealousy. As a used purchase the Chimaera looks similarly tempting, with a number of low-mileage cars in the dealer network for MGF-money.
If youre more hard man than new man, the keys to the TVR might well prove impossible to resist.
In billing the Chimaera as the practical option in the range, TVR are dealing in relatives. Dont expect to take it on the school run, out for the weekly shop or on a ski holiday to the Alps. The only thing the Chimaera likes doing to small children is terrifying them with the bark of its engine and near-incinerating them with its exhaust. Should you ever be torn between a TVR Chimaera and a Renault Scenic, the French cars superior door-bin count will clinch it every time.
The Chimaera instead functions well as a softer edged alternative to a Griffith, not so manic or teeth-jarring, but still possessed of awesome muscularity and a malignant nature thats always lurking at the end of the throttles travel. The interior is more adventurous than the Griffiths and the bold curves, aluminium gear knob and fluorescent green instrument faces show the initial workings of an ideas mine that has been plundered in full for the Cerbera and Tuscan cabins. A wide transmission tunnel separates the two occupants, and internal space is at a premium. The thick, non-airbagged wheel and supportive seats could be trimmed in any colour or material the original buyer fancied, and the hood works well, both at waterproofing and windproofing the car.
In mythology a Chimaera is a fire breathing, goat-bodied, lion-headed monster with the tail of a serpent. In truth, the TVR Chimaera is similarly cobbled together from a disparate set of components to form a fire-breathing entity. Except in this case, it all works so well you never notice the joins.
The problem with valuing TVR models is that to a certain degree they are all custom built, meaning youre never really comparing like models. TVR themselves admit that due to the amount of personalisation a customer can build into their car from new, its extremely unlikely that two identical Chimaeras have ever left the factory. As such, its best to arm yourself with at least £12,000, head down to your TVR dealer and see what theyve got.
Of all the TVR models of recent years, the Chimaera was probably the most derivative, drawing on much of the engineering pioneered by the Griffith. This in itself is no bad thing, as the Griffith was released early and the first customers were, in effect, unpaid test drivers. Not all of the Griffiths foibles had been ironed out at the launch of the Chimaera, and you should look for a late and fastidiously well-maintained example. Look for warped front suspension wishbones, damaged hood detailing, recalcitrant electrics, poor panel fit, accident damage and ineffective cooling systems.
Insist on a sheaf of bills and a full TVR service history and walk away from anything that doesnt look up to scratch. With a used TVR, its always best to buy a good example, as remedial fixes can cost major money. There isnt a noticeable shortage of used Chimaeras around so be fussy.
(approx based on a 1993 Chimaera 4.0) Nobody would pretend that a specialist car offering this level of performance was ever going to be cheap to run, and certain aspects of running a Chimaera are just plain expensive. Aside from its healthy appetite for 98RON Super Unleaded Petrol, it also enjoys regular doses of synthetic engine oil. At £85 per top-up with a new set of filters, that doesnt come cheap.
A clutch will cost just under £700, whilst front brake discs are £70 a pair with rear costing a little more expect to budget £75. A headlamp unit costs a surprisingly reasonable £70, whilst one of the Bridgestone rear tyres wont leave much change from £200. Tyres per gallon gauge, anyone?
On the open road, the TVR Chimaera is everything the TVR image promises. Loud, aggressive, heavy to drive and hairy of chest. The V8 engines sound lazy and vaguely transatlantic until you wind them up beyond 3500rpm and they begin wailing. Some owners never get beyond this point, but the best is yet to come.
Keep the needle between 5000rpm and the 6250rpm redline, and the engine will make a noise that will have the hairs on the back of your neck standing bolt upright. Youll lower the lid, search out tunnels and blare through them in third gear, cackling in glee. Thats what owning a TVR is all about. Without any form of traction control, even the base 4.
0-litre car has to be carefully piloted. On a wet and twisty road, youll need to be accurate and measured in your use of the throttle and steering. Drive in a tidy, disciplined manner and the TVR can be hustled along at a fair speed. Try any cruder tactics and youll have to be very quick with the corrective lock, as the car has been developed with the emphasis on handling rather than outright grip.
Get it out of shape and the previously agile Chimaera can feel very big and cumbersome, but the steering is fantastic and the skilled driver will revel in sliding the car about. This is why so many used examples will have accident damage. Beware!
The TVR Chimaera is without doubt the best way to access the joys of TVR ownership. Less intimidating and more thoroughly sorted than the Cerbera and Griffith models, it nonetheless offers 95% of the thrills with a tiny dash of practicality. The best model to plump for is probably a late Chimaera 4.5, and look for one with as low mileage as you can afford.
Remember, a TVR is quite unlike a mass-production car and youll have to put up with a greater probability of unreliability and some annoying characteristics. Itll all become worthwhile as soon as the road opens up and you hear the wail of the big V8. Then youll understand what made the Chimaera TVRs most popular car.
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