1995 TVR Chimaera

Perhaps the most ludicrous creature in classical mythology, the Chimaera was said to be a fire-breathing, many-headed beast, featuring the heads and other body parts of various other animals, including lions and goats. An apt name, then, for a car featuring a powerful Rover V8 engine, a ‘proper’ chassis, and an evocatively styled body. 

It still looks great today, three decades later, being instantly identifiable as a long-legged sports car which means business. And it ensures you’ll be happy to undertake plenty of long drives thanks to its well appointed interior, with leather upholstery, thick carpets, and walnut veneers. So clearly it’s not a stripped back track day car, instead it’s a thoroughly capable sports car ready to show you what that four-litre V8 can do. 

This Chimaera has remained with the same owner since 2003, and comes with plenty of invoices for work carried out over the years. This includes having the outriggers replaced in 2020 at a cost of £1,500. The registration number ‘E654 TVR’ is included in the sale.

Of course there has been some wear and tear in the past three decades, but the paint and bodywork looks good for its age, and the car has benefitted from the odd piece of cosmetic work over the years such as new dashboard veneers and powder coated wheels. 

So this Chimaera offers a great opportunity to acquire a 90s icon which still holds its own on today’s roads and will satisfy the need for a V8 in your life. 

History and documentation

• Registered 1 Aug 1995

• Purchased by the current keeper in 2003

• Owner’s handbook in leather document binder 

• Invoices on file for parts and servicing

• ‘TVR History’ printouts for work carried out in 2004-07

• Service invoices as follows: Unknown date @ 78,226 miles, May 2016 @ 81,259 miles, Jan 2020 @ 90,617 miles

• One key

• Current MOT expires 29 Apr 2025

• V5 present in owner’s name

• The registration number ‘E654 TVR’ is included in the sale

• HPI clear

• The vendor informs us that the previous owner was a mechanic and used to run Bradford TVR club.

Interior

• The beige interior of this TVR looks good for its age and is a comfortable place to spend a long journey

• Leather upholstery to the seats, dashboard, and door cards 

• There is some wear to the driver’s seat bolster 

• Thick-pile, leather-trimmed carpets

• Driver’s footwell carpet is a little worn

• The walnut veneer dashboard has previously been replaced 

• Full set of analogue gauges keep the driver well informed 

• Kenwood radio/CD player with USB connectivity

• The seller assures that everything in the interior functions as it should

• Wooden TVR steering wheel

• Aluminium wiper stalks, handbrake lever and gear knob 

• Polished sill plates branded ‘Mole Valley TVR’

• Luggage space behind the seats 

• The spacious boot to the rear is fully carpeted, and clean and tidy

• Fuel filler cap located under the bootlid 

Exterior

• The black paintwork on this Chimaera features an attractive metallic shimmer (Known as moon raker black in the TVR world)

• It sits upon a well sculpted body which looks suitably powerful

• The body panels appear to be straight and free from dents

• There are a few age-related scratches in the paintwork, but nothing major

• The offside rear wing has previously been resprayed by a TVR specialist

• Outriggers replaced in 2020

• The black fabric roof looks clean, but could possibly do with some re-stitching in the corners

• Nearside wing mirror has paint flaking of the top that has been touched up.

• The car sits on 16-inch five-spoke alloy wheels

• These look generally presentable, with a few grazes here and there

• The wheels were reportedly powder coated when the current owner acquired the car

• There is some cracking in the sidewalls of the rear tyres 

• The vendor informs us that the front tyres were replaced in 2022

Mechanical

• 3,952cc Rover V8 engine produced 240 hp and 270 lb ft when new

• MOT passed on 30 Apr 2024, with the only advisory being for play in the front wheel bearings

• The battery was replaced in 2023

• The suspension bushes (24 of them) were replaced in 2013 at 78,226 miles

• In 2020 the coolant hoses and pipe were replaced with silicone and stainless steel items

• The fuel hoses were replaced at the same time

• A new alternator was purchased from TVR parts in March 2020 

• Plug-in trickle charger wired in , with a plug in the passenger footwell this all comes with purchase of the car.

• The clutch was reportedly replaced at 55,638 miles

• A louder aftermarket exhaust has been fitted, but the original remains with the car should the next owner wish to refit it

• Full TVR 12000 miles service completed at the end of April by Aeromotive sports and performance TVR specialists.

Summary

Costing half as much as a Porsche 911 when new, but still beating it to 60 mph,  it’s easy to see why the Chimaera became TVR’s best-selling model. It had — and still has — the appealing combination of a sizeable V8 engine underneath a well sculpted bonnet, and a comfy cabin. 

So whether you’re looking for performance, ‘90s nostalgia, or a fantastic exhaust note, there’s something for everyone on offer here. 

To arrange a viewing, please request this in the Q&A section. You can click through to the seller's profile and use the 'Email Me' function to arrange a viewing privately. This seller is located in Bradford, West Yorkshire.