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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 12 ก.ย. 2024
- Having discovered how to make my camera work in the dark (sort of), I decided to attempt to show you around my 1996 TVR Chimaera 400.
I work around these cars daily, so unlike the Citroen, Reliant, Iveco or Hillman content (some of which still hasn't happened), this is more of a 'busman's holiday'!
My books, should you be short of reading material, or struggle to sleep, are available here:
Chimaera/Griffith: www.veloce.co....
S-Series: www.veloce.co....
Strangley drawn to the flashing security light in the background. Nice Trev, I like muscle cars.
Honestly, a crane fly about 10 metres away would set it off!
Great to see it in the ‘flesh’.. lovely car mate!
Thanks a lot!
Love 'em. Any TVR content will be very welcome. As long as your exposure doesn't involve a dirty mac, we're all fine.
Not this time!
Richard, you just popped up. Good video and good books. Definitely worth a read before and after you purchase a TVR. Yes, you can really drive them. I'm in Canada and think nothing of taking ours on a 1500 mile road trip through the Rockies. Or a 1,000 mile trip out on the prairies - in 100 degree heat. They are a good basic car, hand built with foibles, but a good basic car.
Thanks!
Writer, TH-camr and Mechanic? What a legend
Great video mate - the 420 SEAC was my wet dream as 14 year old and always loved them and yours sounds amazing.
The 420SEAC was an animal (and the 450SEAC even more so!) Not the best cars to drive, granted, but they sound even better, and were biblically first. I remember the first 450SE I drove - I burst out laughing when the rear tyres span up in third gear...in the dry.
Another excellent video from you Richard. Really good insight regarding TVR. I am really looking forward to more episodes of Trevor. Thank you
Glad you enjoyed it
Fascinating insight ..
I know the engine very well but never worked on a TVR .. and maybe only a handful of Citroens so this old ex Austin Rover and Toyota mechanic is learning new things ..Thank you !
Peace and love brother 👍🏻☮♥️
One of the ex TVR engineers works for the railway now or at least he did, and I've had the pleasure of meeting him, used to jump on my train at the depot with his bicycle, nice bloke indeed !
That book is a mighty fine read.
I'm not especially interested in TVRs, but I couldn't put the Chimaera book down. It is a good mix of technical and storytelling for me.
Cheque's in the post mate!
Much better image exposure, even when only illuminated with a torch.
Love a Trevor. Especially ones in black or BRG. They don't need to go fast, just burble around and enjoy the whole English sports car thinginess of it all, and let people wonder what it could do if it wanted. The editor of Pistonheads had a 400 and the people at the rolling road were shocked when it actually made over 200bhp! Possibly the only one ever to do so. That misses the point though. Driving down country lanes and parking up outside a nice pub in summer is the thing. Crappy or not, the dash still looks amazing with the lighting and the engine turned alloy panel.
Yup, totally agree. Don't get me wrong, the 500 models can genuinely gut-punch you down the road (assuming they're in good fettle - many aren't) but the 400 by modern standards isn't really about that. It's more the sense of occasion it brings that makes it enjoyable, and the overall package.
There is something strangely fascinating about TVR :)
Nothing strange about it!
Always love learning about cars I'll never drive or possibly even see in person ☺️
Bloody great up load Glad it was 30 mins plus Cant wait for the next lot Cheers !!!!!!!!!!!!
Nice to see, I am Blackpool born and bred and used to pass the factory, recently demolished every day on my way to work. Also I am a big Rover V8 fan with 1 4.6 Gems P38, an Overfinch Tuned 4.6 with pocketed pistons and Mark Adams Chips and other goodies currently in build along with a 3.5 90 and 3.5 110. I have to say the Rover V8 if cared for a run on the right oil and with good cooling is one of the best and most versatile engines.
Hello, Are TVR recommending the right oil on the build plate? And what oil do you recommend? Thanks
@@gairnmclennan5876 For a Rover V8 Valvoline 20 50 due to the high Zinc content. Recommended by most of the well known Rover V8 specialist's.
I saw that BOM shirt, I like how all car youtubers are intertwined with each other in one way or another because we all watch each other lol
BOM are an inspiration to people like me. I owe them more than they will know.
Yay exposure! Light police say "Well done."
Just found your video having bought a 2001 4.5 chimaera and had already bought your book which is very informative, thank you for posting a really interesting video.
Thanks Anthony, enjoy it! Chimaeras are great!
That's a fine looking car you have there! It's been a decade or so since I sold mine, but I still miss it. No other car I've owned has done the whole "grand touring" thing better.
I have a feeling the SM will...!
Man, you have to get that sexy beast back on the road! The burble of the engine at idle would never grow tiresome 😂😂
Do you know, they do get a bit boring for me (but then I'm surrounded by them!) But yeah, I do need it on the road.
Keep it up, like your videos. Hubnut has moved on from actually working on cars, which I prefer, so subscribed to you now.
Thanks for the sub! I think HubNut still works on cars too, but in fairness to him it's probably quite difficult when you don't have a ramp, and he's good at the review stuff so I guess he does little bits of all of it. I just do whatever I have to hand!
Love these. Best sounding v8! I've always thought they are just so cool!
This was a treat as I maybe might be in the market for one of these.
Thanks.
Greetings from Sweden.
They're great cars, honestly!
Awesome v log deffo need a hubnut cameo on this doing a test drive once you've sorted it
Ian @HubNut is always welcome to do what he wants with any of my cars, though we all know that what he really wants, is Vecky.
I think a lot of criticism about reliability is unfair. TVRs are hand built cars so you can’t expect perfect build quality and reliability. Lotus have their issues, as does any hand built sports car. Even mass market car manufacturers have reliability issues with certain models, the difference is that they don’t get nearly as much bad publicity
Exactly that.
It's easy for people to form opinions on soundbites which are readily repeated....TVR fell foul of it unfortunately. Not many people talk about reliability of early to mid 2000 VAG products but the stats tell the real story...
Awesome video, got here via Number 27. Quite right about the expectations from TVRs!
Welcome aboard!
I worked in the parts department of a couple of TVR dealerships way back. I always liked the 4 litre Chims and Griff's. The pick of the wheeler cars in my view. Be interesting to have a video on a 350 FHC if you ever get one in. A rarity I know and perhaps not a looker, but I always fancied one as I'm more of a coupe fan.
Funny you mention the 350i FHC....
Finally, some exposure ;)
No wipers, little bit ropey in places - reminds me of "Rob" when we did the auto test, relying purely on rainex and 'real-wheel-steering' :D
Loved the vid... I've a '95 4.3 Chim totally original too... looking forward to the next....
A '95 4.3?! Bloody hell, I don't think I've seen one of those before.
@@UPnDOWN L plate so that's '95 I think.... maybe its a very early 4.3.... never a dull day with TVR 🤣😁I've subbed too 👌
Fantastic! I have the same model Chimaera, same engine, same layout, same year and pretty much the same issues give or take. I'll definitely follow this series of videos and what you've described so far in terms of jobs to do is pretty much my list for the year or two ahead.
This winter for me it will be pulling the engine and changing the bearings (mains and big ends) and oil pump time. My car has done ~100k ish (the speedo was wired up backwards when I bought the car so I don't know the true mileage) but I think I've caught her just in time.
It's a bit of a struggle for me working in a small single garage but like you say everything is pretty straightforward to do and I can do the majority of work just off decent jack stands. Overall I love working on this car and I agree the driving experience is great too especially as a touring car.
Truly looking forward to your videos. By the way, is your business name Southways? Cheers!
Yes, it is. I'm treading a fine line between work and play here!
I worked as a mechanic at the TVR Centre Barnet from 1988-1998, interesting times!!! I could tell you some stories if you have a spare few weeks 😄 looks like you have a Blackpool Chimera there and not a Malaysian built car.
Well, I'm writing a new book and hope to include some tales from the shopfloor in that, so if you have the time...
@@UPnDOWN sounds good 👍messaged you on FB.
Thank you for sharing this video.
Great video, I may have to purchase your book for a little look, know what you mean about the TVR's being mechanical remember being told the Tuscan I drove was very mechanical, I beleive it did not have ABS and you had to go down through the gears. The sound of the Rover V8 is always a glorious noise.
No TVR ever had ABS, other than the newest prototype. Whether that ever ends up as a production car or not, is anybody's guess!
"Check out the LINES" at 2:18 :) For a second there I could have sworn it was late Kenneth Williams talking.
That's a new one! I can't do an impression of him if I try, normally!
Chimaera and V8S are my favorites of the TVR range, I'll disagree with others on black, I think purple or yellow fits a TVR more but then again I grew up with the wild Reflex Purple Tuscans on Gran Turismo, BRG splitting the difference between the two.
The 450 and 500 are certainly more performance oriented but it's such a strange car to consider as only a burbly cruiser.
You're right in the reputation being established for them as brute-ish cars, but I really like demystification.
Now seem very Corvette in their own way and the dash is just magical.
It's special, for sure.
And I have to ask about that Alfa 75 next to the SM, another really interesting car.
I was never a fan of black Chimaeras, until I got this one. Now it's one of my favourite colours on them!
I don't think they're "only a burbly cruiser", but I do think they're suited to that role far better than people give credit for. They're a bit on the soft-side for track work, and down a tight B-road they're a little uncouth (though very smile-inducing, which is the main purpose, surely?) The 500 is a little stiffer too, don't forget; it's a Griffith 500 setup underneath.
I suppose 'general purpose sporty muscle car' might be more accurate?!
The Alfa 75 (which is now getting mentioned a lot) belongs to a mate. I'll ask if he wants to do something with that.
@@UPnDOWN That's a very thorough reply man, thanks a bunch
Smile inducing undersells it. I saw a lot of exotics on a trip years ago to Monaco, by far the one that resonated was a Paris Blue Tuscan, I'd probably lose my mind if I saw a Chimaera. Right up there with a chance encounter DeLorean I saw.
Very interesting on all accounts.
Keep it up!
I'd forgotten about beating your 1/4 time in the Alfa 😄 seem to remember a drag onto the M27 too. Might have been on the way to the 1/4 day...set the tone for the day
Worth pointing out that the Chim actually got a faster time than the Alfa, it's just the Alfa got to the line first.
I always think of Chimaeras as quite big cars for some reason, but they’re probably about the same as my little MR2.
They're about MX-5 sized.
@@UPnDOWN yeah, it’s mad. I’ve never been in in one but I’ve seen them on the road and I’d swear they were way bigger than an MX-5. Some weird trick of geometry.
@@UPnDOWN Yes wikipedia shows they are exactly the same wheel base 90 inches. I have a golf GTI very stable at crazy speeds (on a track) wheelbase 100 inches, and you would think it's a small car.
Hello, I went looking for the esstential buyers guide for the Chimaera in Amazon. However, can only find the S Series. Where can I locate the guide please
Now I dream of a TVR running gear and a BX body badly bodged together.
Interestingly Euro-bodged together. More plastic filler, Jeeves, more filler!
@@jwsoaresjones1560 😁 you are planning a far better job than what I imagined first if you get to the filler stage. Do you envisage cutting and welding the doors to create a BX coupé ?
Hmmmm...
A TVR is on my list of cars I want to drive one day.
Pick the right one and you won't regret it.
@@UPnDOWN I first finish my Reliant Kitten Estate (1977, LHD, a survivor in the Netherlands). And then save some money.....
Black has got to be the best colour for TVR… in the dark… me not being a fan of the body styling… 🤣 in fact in this part of the world I think I’ve got as much a chance of seeing TVR on the road as I have of buying a Formula 1 team (it’s a long term project…)! 🏁
I love a TVR, l mean, don't get me wrong Iam not mad enough to own one,but I tip my hat to every owner who has ever blipped the throttle for my ears pleasure 👍.
Honestly, this kind of TVR really isn't all that 'mad'. Some of the later ones, sure, but the Chimaera is good value and a good car overall.
They’re not a difficult car to own
I’ve three cars the TVR is my reliable one
Love the video, TVRs are a fascination of mine too. The Wheeler era cars are fabulous, love to see some more on here. Confession time: I "share" a TVR with a mate, & I/we fully agree with your bulldog spirit/flag wearing loud & brash comments, it's not me//us really (do love a thrash though) - the idea of rumbling through the countryside in convey for a cup of tea & a scone makes me shudder personally, but it takes all sorts to make a world. Ours is a Cerbera, with the 4.2/4.5 AJP, & you're dead right, it's a funky, fun car, brilliant to drive, if not to be driven in (Mrs is not a fan, but then, she's not a fan of most of my car choices...). It's one part normal car/nine parts batsh!t. The design ideas are really well thought out, but some of the build ideas are, er, interesting...! Back in the day when our eldest was a baby, I did toy with the idea of one as a daily - but went for the e36 M3 saloon instead. Now having access to both, I realise that would have been a daft decision leading to back destruction, insanity & divorce...you're dead right, it's not a sensible daily, it's a specialist car that needs the right people who know what they're doing. Save it for the fun trips, not taking the cat to the vets. Also, these guys worth a try for the headlamps? www.chromerestorationspecialist.co.uk/services/headlamp-re-silvering/
Thanks Mark. The Cerbera is wonderful - much more cost intensive than a Chimaera, but then more advanced too, and I personally believe the Cerbera is the best-driving car TVR ever made.
Yes I'd heard of those guys, thanks. Actually contacted them last week.
@@UPnDOWN for some reason I thought the Cerbera was just a hardtop version of the Chimera, but looking into it now I'm very wrong!
T5 boxes are always coveted but they actually aren't great in many respects. The LT77 & latterly R380 was hugely underrated. I know of a few people who "upgraded" to the T5 but went back to the Rover box. I'm guessing the cam has worn on yours if it's feeling a bit lethargic, as you know extremely common. Powers do their own profile as used in later factory cars (TVR885 profile) which I've used to good effect in a 4.6 I built for my older TVR conversion.
TVRs never got the R380, sadly. That was a decent box. LT77 can shift nicely, but they're heavy as hell and require engine-out on Chimaeras/Griffiths to swap the clutch on, so a bit of a pain.
No idea if the cam has worn on mine or not. It's only done 50k or so, so it might be OK. If it needs it, I'll stick an MC1 in it. They drive very nicely in the 400, but of course they're not exactly powerful or revvy even when they're in A1 condition.
@@UPnDOWN 50k is end of life for a cam. I've got an MC1 in my 400, the warrior heads are a good addition too.
Great video, came for the Citroen’s but love hearing you talk with such knowledge about these. Cerebra or Chimera?
Neither, it's Cerbera and Chimaera 😜 Both very different cars, despite looking similar. Chimaera much easier and cheaper to own, but Cerbera a bit more special, and a lot faster! They're also the best driving TVR, in my opinion. Love the Chim, though I'd have a Griffith personally, I just couldn't afford one.
One more, just bought your book.
Ah nice one, thanks! I hope it helps!
Here after watching No27 but as a Chimaera owner made up you have one too
Surrounded by the things!
@@UPnDOWN a quick one then
My wiper motors dead is there a straight replacement or is it send off for repair?
Repair. There are more than one type, too.
I want to go out and get one now ;-)
You know what to do...
Looks like the book is popular get them to do a reprint. only one in Amazon and it's 20 quid.
None at Veloce themselves?
@@UPnDOWN Sold out :)
I am a whimp but I do have a Chim and I am Welsh which catagory do I fall into apart from the one that can't spell ???????????? where are you based ??
Hants
Do they all realy have a rude drawing hidden in them or again is this a myth put out by TVR
I don't even think that one was put out by TVR, but no, they don't. Occasionally you'll find something doodled, but I've seen more cars where owners or a third-party have added their own artwork and pretended it was factory. A fair few Chimaeras and Cerberas received a stencil of Gary Numan's face, though. Something about one of the bodyshop guys liking Gary Numan (who also owned a TVR).
@@UPnDOWN I thought that was a crude Top Gear gag and not actual folklore legend. Very interesting.
I'm just having a quick look on Autotrader for a TVR...
Great video :) thanks .
Glad you liked it!
With your type of car I used to fit replacement targa tops and interior trim , I hated the design of which you had to physically get I the boot and undo the studs with just a spanner in the far corners loosing 10mm spanners to a point of tieing one to my wrist to stop this happening lol
My question is this how the hell do you get a door card off without getting your arm stuck then having to finish removing it to release your arm ??? 😆
If you ever see that model with the 3 bolts in the back window like the Griffin then it's a good chance I did it and your welcome 😉
Oh yes u can't spell chrimmmmm era lol
I don't have problems with the doorcards, I just remove the speaker, reach in and up to the top (behind the ashtray) then rotate elbow 90deg to reach all the nuts. I've never had a problem!
TVR sounds good mate,did you finish Cecily?
Yes, but there is A LOT of video footage to sift through. I tend to waffle on a bit (you may have noticed!) That makes editing a nightmare, but more Cecily stuff is on the way. Eventually, Betty too!
Did I hear you say you have a BX 16v for sale? I am looking for one and would be very interested. Love the videos by the way.
Hi Nigel, yes I will do eventually. It's featured briefly in one of the other videos (RGM, possibly?) Nobody wants them as a project, so I'll have to do it up first.
could Trevor's engine be shoehorned into Vecky to make her a racing van? Asking for a friend.............
Yes, but I don't want to entertain thinking of such things!
I love TVRs I love near the old factory. I the story about the dog bitting a styling model and the bite staying. But that may just be a myth put out by TVR hope it isnt
It's a myth, I'm afraid (at least that's what I'm told by ex-factory workers), though it probably was 'leaked' by TVR themselves!
@@UPnDOWN they are great at self promotion and making beautyful cars.
Gear gator well/hand brake is gonna be a constant pain to keep clean. I think the Chimera 4.0 rolling road could produce around the 225bhp, which puts it up against a similar aged 911 996 Carrera, not that bad. For 14-17k they are a great buy, there will always be something faster than you. I gave up... I have some long time purchases which were top of their game when new but never sold them, two years later they were not super quick. I don't care anymore, its more fun slower and fixing than being the quickest. And let's be honest, no-one gives a crap about the newest fastest car, you have more interest from something unusual and cool. If you want quick buy a Tesla which is as interesting as a Hotpoint fridge.
Edit- just saw a Wedge FHC on the ramp. mmmm.......
Anything cream in that interior is going to be a pain to keep clean - you should see my C6 interior, though! As for the Chim, 225bhp (on an accurate dyno) is more than they normally get (my silver one hit 229bhp on someone else's dyno, before we got one put in, but I didn't believe it, and never got a chance to put it on ours, sadly) but as you say it's missing the point. As a package, the Chim is hard to beat, regardless of the engine. This one will be set up to cruise more than sprint around.
The boot light wont work on My 1998 Chimaera, any common problems that cause this? (checked the bulb!)
You have a boot light?!
@@UPnDOWN Ha, yes just to the left of the boot lock as you look into the boot, cant find a switch to trigger it though
What year is it? A very late one? I've never seen any TVR with a boot light other than (if memory serves) a Tamora.
@@UPnDOWN Its a 1998 R, the boot light is the same type of fitting as a rear number plate light, just mounted in the rear boot lip pointing inwards, it looks good, but could have been an aftermarket job,
IF you treat a VW golf like a VW golf it will fall apart aswell. Both comfort and mechanical systems. You need a citroen saxo if you want something bulletproof.
Funny you mention the Saxo...
@@UPnDOWN Honestly. The amount of abuse french cars get because people think they are shit or by just being owned in france should have deseved them a much better reputation by now.
My 400 is stock and dyno'd at 224, which is a more realistic BHP
My silver one (shown in the vid) was dyno'd at 229bhp. I'm not totally sure it was accurate, to be honest.
What's the bare chassis on the lift?
I talk about it more at the end
Why Google exposure? Just wondered.
I think it was a joke.
It was a joke based on previous efforts being too dark to see anything.
I'm sorry my attempt at humour seems to have fallen flat 😐
@@UPnDOWN Now, it comes to light...