1996 TVR Chimaera
Highlights
- Fresh 12 months MOT
- Recent £3,500 overhaul by Python Racing TVR specialists
- Full-service history with a comprehensive file
- Only 54,000 miles
- Equipped with Gaz Gold adjustable dampers
The Appeal
Ever since Peter Wheeler took over in 1981, Blackpool-based firm TVR has held two fingers up at the motoring establishment, taking on (and beating) cars from the most prestigious marques at many times the price point.
With a direct lineage to the earlier Griffith, the Chimaera went on to become TVR’s best-selling model. Production began in 1991 and continued through to 2003 and approximately 6,000 Chimaeras were built in total.
Chimaeras would ace many a group test in their heyday and were praised as just about the most analogue performance on sale at the time. Two decades on from the end of production, cars are (rather depressingly) becoming yet more reliant on driver aids to keep them on the road, making an even more compelling case to buy a well-preserved Chimaera.
The challenge is, you’ve got to find one. But not to worry, we’ve done that for you - and it’s a belter.
This 1996 example has just 54,000 miles under its belt and comes with a superb history file, reportedly amounting to full service history from new with renowned TVR specialists. It also benefits from a recent £3,500 overhaul with Python Racing, and the full list of work is detailed below.
The History and Paperwork
- Just 54,000 miles
- Six former registered keepers
- Full-service history with servicing dating back to 1996
- Always maintained by TVR specialists
- Huge history file
- Original book packs included
- Comes with 2 keys
- The vendor will offer the car freshly MOT tested
The Condition
- Popular TVR colour ‘Starmist Blue’
- Full leather blue and cream interior
- Presented in very good condition for a car of this age and type
- Thanks to the low mileage, there’s little in the way of wear to report
- Refurbished wheels
- New hood
- Sits on 4 Continental tyres
- Chassis fully treated with Dinitrol
- Wiper system fully replaced
- The doors appear to fit well both sides
- Modern DIN stereo fitted
To our eyes, the Chimaera is one of the more restrained-looking TVRs - especially compared with the Tuscan or the closely related Grithith. That’s no bad thing in our view and no doubt those pretty roadster lines helped make this TVR’s best-selling car. This is the earlier pre-facelift model and certainly is the purest iteration in terms of its design.
They’re a very usable convertible too, with an easy-to-use hood that looks to be in great order on this example. The vendor demonstrates that this replacement item stows away neatly and fits tightly one raised. The bodywork looks to be in good shape, the doors fit well and the paint retains a deep lustre across all panels.
Inside, the interior clearly benefits from the low mileage as we can’t see much in the way of wear to report. The cream and blue leather is very tasteful and makes this a car you could readily use for long-distance touring as well as the odd B-road blast.
The Mechanics
- 4.0-litre Rover V8
- Five-speed manual gearbox
- The vendor points out that this car features the superior Borg Warner, gearbox, improved alternator and power steering
Recent overhaul by Python Racing includes:
- Steering rack refurb
- A plethora of electrical issues seen to
- Manifold gaskets
- 2x engine mounts
- Vacuum hoses
- Replaced diff
- New drive belt
- Full service
- Brake service
- New drive shaft bolts
- Other recent works in the last few thousand miles include:
- HT leads replaced
- Coils and ignition amplifiers
- Cleaned stepper motor
- New starter motor
- New hood
- Refurbed wheels
- Upgraded discs and pads all round
- New power steering pump and hoses
- Belt tensioner
- Gaz Gold adjustable dampers
- Wiper system replaced
- Chassis fully treated with Dinitrol
- Wishbone thrust washers all round
- Front upper and lower bushes replaced
- Front lower ball joints
- Distributor cap
As the above list shows, this TVR has enjoyed a great deal of recent work ensuring it’ll be ready for its next custodian. With the 4.0 V8 Rover engine, this should be a far more reliable TVR experience compared to the Speed 6 models, and the vendor points out several other desirable features this later (yet still pre-facelift) example has including the Borg Warner, gearbox, improved alternator and power steering.
This has to be amongst the most usable examples we’ve seen in recent times. Don’t miss this excellent opportunity to make it yours.
BEFORE YOU BUY
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Vehicle specification
- Year 1996
- Make TVR
- Model Chimaera
- Colour Dark blue
- Odometer 54,000 Miles
- Engine size 3998
Listing Details
- Seller Type Private
- Town Braintree
- Location Essex
- Country United Kingdom
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