Monday 1st February
TVR Chimaera 400: PH Carpool
Take two at TVR ownership for this PHer and it's happy days so far!
Car : TVR Chimaera 400
Owned since : September 2015
Previously owned : TVR Chimaera 450 (picture attached...), MG ZS 180, other boring things
Steve's first Chimaera...
Why I bought it :"My love for TVRs started when I was tiny, and had no interest in cars. I was in the back of Dad's car, waiting at a petrol station when this noisy topless thing pulled up. It was a Chimaera, and that was that. I've lost bets over the things. I once had to shave my hair when plans to buy one didn't come to fruition. I'm besotted by TVR and am very excited to see what Les Edgar is releasing in the next year or two."
"This particular car was owned by a long standing member of the hooning/PH/TVR fraternity, the well known and respected Oggs. I was actually shown around the car by him after he offered when I started seriously looking at buying a car. It felt like fate that I would be in a position to buy one at the time. Oggs was looking to part, and we reached a deal in his garage in the middle of a downpour."
Brit car community hugely appealing to Steve
What I wish I'd known :"I've lusted after a TVR for so long, and spent so much time researching them that I think I was pretty well versed in what to look for when buying one. I do, however, wish I had known how quickly a TVR could bite when coming out of a roundabout! I bought a Chimaera 450 last year and promptly had an accident. I needed to get back in the saddle, I felt incomplete without one, and a year later sorted it all out."
Things I love :
"It's loud, properly loud, it's fast and it's British - what's not to love? I've had a kid stop his father on the pavement and shout "Wow daddy, what's that?" to which he replied "A TVR son" - passing the TVR fandom torch on hopefully. The community around these things is huge; you get a truck load of new friends when you buy a TVR."
Things I hate :
"There is nothing I hate about my TVR. She's had niggles, sure. But I fully understood this before ownership."
This one's a keeper!
Costs :"Insurance is fine on a classic policy, even for someone with points and write-offs against their name. The cost of fuel is negated by pleasure received from driving. Parts are available through the community and advice is only a forum post away. I have been helped over the years by Bespoke Performance in Ware, and the car has been to them under it's previous ownership."
Where I've been :
"Well, I've been further than I got in the other one! I went to all the local end of season car shows, managed to get to the Brands Hatch Sunday Service and continue to nip out for a run when able to. Being used all year as much as it can be, the car suffers from fewer problems when driven regularly. Crucially, my good lady has also suggested going for a drive occasionally!"
What next?
"I don't fly. The intention is to tour Europe in the car, luckily I have an understanding partner! The car is to be loved and improved upon where needed. Eventually I'm going to need a full chassis refurb and respray, two major costs that I am starting to save for. The colour may change; I've always fancied the blue/green flip paint or reflex charcoal, colours which may not be on other Chimaeras. Oggs had the car for a long time, I hope to beat his record."
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