Highlights

Just 19,224 miles and three owners from new
Covered only around 1,200 miles during the last owner’s sixteen year custodianship
Running and driving exceedingly well and benefiting from a recent oil service
Retains its original chassis which looks to be in very fine shape
Accompanied by an extensive history file and service record

The Appeal

In a world of driver aids that make even the most powerful of today’s performance cars fairly fool-proof, there’s something rather refreshing about the analogue nature of a TVR and the visceral experience it provides.

This 1996 Chimaera has been cherished and driven incredibly sparingly throughout its life. Few examples are in such good condition as this, having covered only approximately 1,200 miles in the hands of the previous owner. It retains its original tubular chassis and is impeccably presented inside, outside and under the bonnet.

If you’ve always fancied a prime example of one of these monsters, this is most certainly the car to buy.

The History and Paperwork

Originally registered to Nigel Mansell Sports Cars Ltd in May 1996
Sold to Broughton TVR shortly afterwards and their name is still visible on the sill plates
The second owner kept the car until 2006, at which point it had covered approximately 18,000 miles
The third owner covered around 1,200 miles in their sixteen years custodianship, during which time it was on display in their collection
We’re informed it was never used in inclement weather by last past owner who spent considerable more time maintaining the car than they did using it
Detailed record of service history, revealing a comprehensive program of preventative maintenance
The vendor informs us a new MOT test shall be carried out when the auction finishes although it does have a current MOT valid until March 2023
The vendor is able to assist with delivery of the car subject to an agreement with the next owner
The mileage was misrecorded during its 2007 MOT test and there is a letter in the history file confirming this error
It has not been MOT tested every year, (four times since 2006) which depended how much the previous owner used it
V5C present
Numerous stamps in the service book from main dealers and latterly TVR specialists

The Interior

Cream leather interior
Beautifully preserved with minimal wear
Ergonomic layout, optimised for spirited driving

This Chimaera’s interior has weathered admirably with incredibly little wear to be seen. Besides the lightest of creasing to the upholstery and the slightest of abrasions to the sill plates, everything is in fine condition with absolutely no damage we could discern.

As with any TVR, driving experience comes first and foremost and so everything is ergonomically laid out for brisk progress. The small sports wheel, manufactured by Personal, is the perfect instrument for reacting quickly to oversteer and the pedals are nicely spaced for heel and toe. Speaking of gear changes, the gear lever is easily within reach of the wheel and fits perfectly in the palm of your hand.

The leather seats prove both supportive and comfortable, making this a great GT car for road trips. Despite being finished in cream, there’s very little discolouration to the upholstery even after all this time, which is testament to how well this car has been looked after.

The dashboard is in great shape with no UV damage to the top and we’re informed all the instrumentation and switchgear operates flawlessly. The carpets display only minimal wear and it retains the original overmats.

The vendor reports that the interior is entirely original, including the anti-theft device and circuit breaker system.

The Exterior

Starmist Blue Metallic paintwork presents really nicely
The soft-top is in excellent order
Alloy wheels refurbished
Original chassis
The engine compartment was detailed not long ago

As you’d expect having seen the interior, the exterior of this TVR is immensely smart also. The Starmist Blue Metallic continues to shine and complements the cream leather upholstery. The only flaw to the paint the vendor identifies is that a ten millimetre area of paint under the nearside rear light has been carefully touched in as the original finish had started to lift. This is barely noticeable from most angles and doesn’t detract at all from the overall spectacle.

The bodywork remains very straight and the doors continue to close well. Anyone familiar with TVR will know the tubular chassis can be rather troublesome but as this car has been used so little and looked after so well, the original chassis is still in very good shape. The four wishbones were repainted in their original colour when the bushes were changed which is documented in the history file. The vendor points out that the side rails remain in great shape also, which is unusual with TVRs of this vintage.

Being a convertible, the soft top is in great order. The fabric remains in lovely condition and the rear window is still clear. The alloy wheels were refurbished when the last set of tyres were fitted and so present extremely well. We’re informed the tyres are in great condition all round and a spacesaver is provided inside the boot.

The Mechanics

4.0-litre Rover V8 engine
Five-speed manual gearbox
Recent oil change

If the roads are greasy and you’re not paying attention a TVR will bite you, and learning to master these cars is a satisfying part of owning one. The vendor comments that this TVR remains as tight and responsive as when it was new and there are no faults to report.

It’s impeccably smart under the bonnet as the engine compartment has been detailed. Some components have been painted red in order to be colour matched to the block and some of the hoses too are red.

The previous owner upgraded the brakes, fitting new pads all round with cross drilled discs. The front brakes were vented and fitted with Green Stuff pads.

It’s hard to beat that combination of a manual gearbox and a big V8 driving the rear wheels. With a limited-slip differential and around 240 horsepower under your right foot, you can spend a lot of your time sideways in a Chimaera.

Summary

Seldom do you find a TVR of this age in such fabulous condition.

This Chimaera ticks all the right boxes and would be a worthy addition to any sports car collection.

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