The TVR Chimaera Buying Guide – The grand tourer for the driver in a hurry

The TVR Chimaera added a dash of comfort to the mechanically similar Griffith’s more aggressive demeanour, arguably creating the most rounded TVR of them all.

When most people think of TVRs, an image of a fire-breathing fibreglass sports car with unruly road manners and supercar trouncing acceleration generally comes to mind. While much of this is not far from the truth, the 1990s Chimaera was a slightly less aggressive addition to the line-up. Sure, it still had the kind of performance you would expect from a 340bhp car weighing just over a ton, but it also took the daily grind into its stride, thanks to a supple suspension setup and it challenged the perception that TVRs were somewhat less than reliable.

That said, this was still a TVR so driver aids (even ABS) were absent from the specifications list, although power steering and even air-conditioning could at least be optioned on. Various detail changes were carried out to the basic Chimaera shape throughout the 11-year production run, with a new front grille, rear lights and wheels introduced along the way. In essence, the Chimaera was a slightly softer version of the contemporary Griffith and shared much with its stablemate including the Rover-sourced engines which ranged from a 240bhp 4.0-litre V8 up to 340bhp for the 5.0-litre models. Most first-time buyers are tempted to go for the top-spec Chimaera 500, however, most owners say that less powerful models are the better balanced cars. Even the base 4.0-litre car is plenty fast enough considering that the Chimaera weighs not much more than a ton.

Owners wanting to add a bit of luxury to the package could spec a full leather interior and heated seats as well as wool carpets and even a decadent set of rear speakers.  As a modern classic the Chimaera offers a level of raw entertainment that is absent from anything currently on sale and the tried-and-tested underpinnings mean that there are plenty of parts and specialists around to help keep them on the road.

TVR Chimaera Engine and gearbox

Engines are reliable and a general check over the cooling system and water mixing with the oil should alert you to any potential issues. Check that the engine restarts once hot, a poor earth connection can make it difficult to start.

Throttle cables can snap and should be checked for fraying. Fan belt failure is a common problem and carrying a spare just in case may help you from getting stranded. There are also a number of aftermarket upgrades that can be carried out to improve the reliability and usability of your car. Hot start kits, manual fan overrides and other upgrades are all available and can be retrofitted relatively easily.

Not much goes wrong with the rugged gearbox, it performs best when warm and difficulty engaging reverse is a common trait. From 1994-on the Rover LT77 was replaced by a Borg Warner T5 gearbox, if reverse is below fifth gear then you have the T5 unit. Clutches last up to 60,000-miles.

TVR Chimaera Suspension and Brakes

Check the springs, shocks and rubber bushes for wear, rust can also corrode some suspension components. Brakes are strong and should only require periodic pad and disc changes. Cars parked up for long periods can have rusted disc surfaces (no big deal, it scrubs off as you drive) and seized caliper pistons.

TVR Chimaera Bodywork and interior

The chassis can exhibit rust around the front wheel arches and it is worth having a look under the car for evidence of preventative maintenance as the factory spec coating is not very durable. A corroded chassis can be very expensive to get right.

As the cars body is made of fibreglass, rust is a non-issue. Instead look for any botched repair jobs or ill-fitting panels. Windscreens on early cars can show milkiness around the edges, this is usually due to inefficient sealing. Not a major issue as the windscreen can be replaced relatively cost effectively. Leaks from the convertible roof can damage the electronics and interior trim, check under the carpets for dampness or signs of corrosion too.

Model History Of The TVR Chimaera

1992:   TVR Chimaera introduced in 4.0-litre and 4.3-litre guises with five-speed manual transmission

1994:   Gearbox changed from Rover LT77 to Borg Warner T5 unit and 5.0-litre engine becomes available. High-output 400HC option offered on 4.0-litre cars taking power up to 275bhp

1996:   Chimaera models receive facelift and 4.5-litre engine now available. optional extra.

1997:   TVR designed taillights replace generic items

2001:   Covered headlights replace exposed units

2003:   The final Chimaera rolls off the production line with approximately 6,000 cars made

Which TVR Chimaera To Buy

The Chimaera may be a far more useable TVR than most of its stablemates but it still requires regular care and attention so bargain-priced ‘deals’ are rarely worth going for. Incremental upgrades make the later cars slightly more desirable, 1996 saw the introduction of a facelift as well as the well-rounded 4.5-litre engine.

Values have been holding steady for some time now and you can still find a well-kept 4.0-litre model for a very reasonable sum. Most cars have relatively low mileages and present well but you should always do a thorough check of the chassis as getting one sorted can be a pricey job. Prices for even the later 4.5-litre and 5.0-litre cars are not exorbitant so we would opt for one of these variants, even if they offer way more performance than you could ever need. Civilised it may be, but the Chimaera is a TVR after all.

TVR Chimaera Specifications

4.0-litre V8

Power:             240bhp

Top speed:      152mph

0-60mph:        4.7sec

Economy:       18mpg est.

4.5-litre V8

Power:             285bhp

Top speed:      158mph

0-60mph:        4.6sec

Economy:       15mpg est.

5.0-litre V8

Power:             340bhp

Top speed:      169mph

0-60mph:        4.1sec

Economy:       15mpg est.

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Text John Tallodi  Photos Newspress, AmoreAutos

Author: David Lillywhite

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