Highlights

Tidy and very usable 400 in desirable colour scheme
Over £27,000 of work since 2001
2010 £5,000 chassis work including outriggers by TVR specialist
Recently renewed hood and walnut interior trim
Stepper motor and exhaust manifold gaskets in September 2026
Serviced by TVR specialist in September 2025
MOT valid until March 2027 with no advisories

The Appeal

Blackpool’s TVR, one of the world’s truly great motoring minnows, has always walked the fine line between brilliance and bonkers, sometimes not entirely successfully. The Chimaera, however, proves the firm sometimes got the balance absolutely right, delivering a characterful roadster you can genuinely live with day to day.

Case in point is this 1995 240bhp 400. Its relatively high mileage shows how usable and reliable these Rover-engined cars can be. Certainly, its handful of keepers have helped, spending over £27,000 on maintenance, mostly via TVR specialists, since 2001. In 2010, a marque expert gave the car a body-off renovation, crucially including the chassis outriggers. We are told that the blue fabric roof and smart walnut veneers have also been refreshed. More recently, a TVR specialist serviced the car in September 2025, and this year the same firm replaced the stepper motor and manifold gaskets. The current MOT runs to March 2027 with no advisories.

The vendor reports it starts instantly, idles well and drives well, with the engine pulling strongly and running at the correct temperature with good oil pressure. With its original stamped service book, a mostly complete run of MOT certificates from 2001 onwards, and a comprehensive paperwork trail, this Chimaera 400 appears to be a thoroughly well-documented example, ready to be enjoyed.

The vendor says:

“The car has covered 137,600 miles, but that should be viewed in the context of a well-looked-after car with comprehensive history and, crucially, the chassis work all done. It starts instantly, idles well and drives beautifully. The engine pulls strongly, runs at the correct temperature, has good oil pressure, and has no overheating or mechanical issues. This is a high-mileage example that has been maintained regardless of cost throughout its life, rather than a low-mileage car that has spent years being neglected. This example needs nothing and is ready to enjoy immediately. I had Selby TVR Sports & Classic service the car when I purchased it in 2025, and it has covered just over 200 miles since then. Another large invoice from Selby TVR for September 2026 for a replacement stepper motor and the replacement of all exhaust manifold gaskets. A very cheap way into a very presentable and usable Chimaera with a massive history file and significant documented expenditure throughout its life.”

Key Information

Mileage: 137,742 miles (supported by MOT certificates from 2001 to 2026)
Country of registration: United Kingdom
Technical inspection status: MOT valid until 18th March 2027 with no advisories
Technical specs: 240bhp 3,952cc V8 petrol, five-speed manual
Paperwork: Original book pack, stamped service book from new until 2001, extensive history file with over £27,000 of invoices, mostly complete MOT history from 2001 to 2026, two keys

The Detail

Serviced by Selby TVR Sports & Classic in 2025 with few miles since
Stepper motor replaced and all exhaust manifold gaskets replaced by Selby TVR in September 2026
Metallic blue paintwork in good general order for a car of this age and mileage
Scratch noted on the rear three-quarter panel
Stone chips to front end, described by the vendor as nothing out of the ordinary
Blue fabric hood recently renewed
Vendor states all alloys are in very good condition
Quality Toyo Proxes fitted and we are advised of good tread depth across all tyres
Car is supplied with factory space saver tyres as shown
Cream leather interior in good order with some wear to usual high traffic areas
Walnut interior trim recently replaced
Fitted with modern Kenwood stereo
Interior patinated on the driver's seat but presents well overall with no rips or tears
Two keys fitted with new remote fobs sourced in 2025
Vendor reports engine runs at correct temperature with good oil pressure
We are told that the car does not overheat
Recent maintenance detailed above
No advisories for structure or other areas on MOT

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