Full Description
SORRY NOW SOLD – SIMILAR WANTED
An adrenaline-charged very late TVR Chimaera 450 with just 24,447 miles.
EQUIPMENT
Hand laid glass reinforced polyester resin body, jig formed tubular backbone chassis, laminated front windscreen, semi-frameless door windows, single piece carbon fibre roof panel, hand trimmed mohair fold down rea r header, electric boot release, electric mirrors, electric windows, alarm and engine immobiliser, Chimaera tread plates, remote locking. Factory options; Cerbera seats, Monza steering wheel, Leven TVR Products polished aluminium interior fittings, 16in front wheel upgrade (to match rear). Dealer accessories; Gold badges, ACT sports exhaust upgrade, AccuMate battery conditioner.
EXTERIOR
Penned as a slightly more subtle but no less potent version of the legendary TVR Griffith, the Chimaera retains the instantly recognisable TVR styling cues and all of the magic and flamboyance. Finished in original TVR Titanium Grey (code PPG011), the superb uniform paint finish accentuates the curvaceous lines beautifully. Only very minor paintwork imperfections can be detected upon close scrutiny which are reputed to have been present from new. Due to the very late production of this example and regular protection against the tubular frame and chassis outriggers are perfect and offer peace of mind. The removable roof panel and fold down rear header are simplistic and effortless to use with a tailored stowage bag for the panel to be neatly hidden away in the boot. There is a tiny rub mark to the edge of the outer fabric on the rear header. All trim sections and optional gold badges are complete and in excellent order. A stunning unmolested example resonant of its low mileage credentials. Exhilaration guaranteed.
INTERIOR
The upgraded Cerbera sports seats were an expensive factory option along with the Monza steering wheel and beautifully machined polished aluminium interior fittings from Leven TVR Products. The navy seats trimmed in full hide are in remarkable order with only light aging to the driver’s upper bolster. The large padded central tunnel and padded dash top are trimmed to match the seats and the contrasting walnut fascia and polished interior fittings complement each other beautifully. This example incorporates vinyl inner door trim, a feature on only the very late Chimaera’s. Beautiful heating control wheels and the ingenious central door release knob are machined from solid aluminium bar stock with fluted edges. All functions and controls operate perfectly and the AccuMate battery conditioner is professionally wired in and neatly positioned in a compartment behind the passenger seat. A wonderfully ostentatious interior with all the TVR wizardry and sporting prowess exactly as the manufacturer intended.
ENGINE & TRANSMISSION
At the heart of this ferocious TVR Chimaera 450 is the aluminium V8 engine of 4546cc displacement. Developing 285bhp and 300lb.ft of torque in a vehicle weighing just 1060kg, performance is truly a white knuckle experience to set the pulse racing. An expensive ACT sports exhaust upgrade system further improves performance and enhances the satisfying TVR thunderous rumble. The five speed manual transmission offers direct short throw changes and the spherical aluminium gear knob is a superb finishing touch.
WHEELS, TYRES & BRAKES
The TVR Spider wheels were upgraded as a factory option to incorporate 16in front rims to match the rear as opposed to the standard 15in front items. These alloy wheels are beautifully preserved with only miniscule faint scratches visible and three still have the TVR transfer visable. Matching Toyo Proxes tyres of size 225/45 R16 and 245/45 ZR16 front and rear respectively have masses of tread remaining. Factory upgraded larger discs brakes are capable of taming the explosive performance on offer.
HISTORY FILE
Registered new on 18th June 2003 by TVR Main Agents Walldonway Ltd of Kent, this example not only comes with a private registration with ‘TVR’ suffix, it is reputedly one of only three very late cars registered on a 03 plate. Of the three it is said that one remains in a museum and other sadly written off! Having had just three enthusiast owners from new and covering a mere 24,447 miles, this cossetted example has been preserved impeccably with complete service history from new.
The original TVR black leather wallet houses the service booklet with no less than 12 stamps, all from the supplying main dealer or TVR independent specialists to fully document the regular fastidious maintenance. The most recent stamp being in November 2014 at 24,118 miles, this car really has wanted for nothing. The often misplaced Chimaera handbook remains at the back of the wallet. Completing the impressive history file is a large collection of MOT certificates and specialist invoices, and there are two sets of keys with alarm fobs and supplying dealer keyrings.
HPI Clear.
