1998 TVR Chimaera

This wonderful TVR Chimaera is finished in Rosso Pearl with a Magnolia hide interior. It’s a great colour combination and the red coachwork makes a refreshing change from the more usual colours.

With just 32,000 miles on the clock, ‘R675 RRX’ has been with the seller for the past two summers and around 1,300 miles during which time he’s had “great fun” driving it.

It hasn’t cost him a penny in repairs either, and given it flew through the last MoT with no advisories, that’s gotta be a good omen. Now for sale with a very reasonable estimate, here’s your chance to get an unusually attractive TVR Chimaera at a autumnally appropriate price tag.

Rosso Pearl is a helluva colour, isn’t it? Bright and bold and contemporary, it breathes new life into a shape that wasn’t exactly gasping its last in the first place.

It also contrasts beautifully with that black hood. Made of mohair, the multi-section design fits together very well, sealing nicely when it’s in place and giving the full-fat, high-fidelity, uncensored sportscar experience that is the Chimaera when it’s down.

It’s also got a clever party trick in that the central section can be removed, leaving the rear section up, a targa-like arrangement that gives a little more protection from the weather while still offering the open-air experience we all love.

The five-spoke alloy wheels look great? Just 16-inches in diameter, their relatively diminutive size allows for a decent sidewall height to the benefit of looks, handling and ride. They’re in great shape too, with no evidence of kerbing, scuffs or other damage. 

They are fitted with Nankang Ultra Sport tyres on the rear axle and Bridgestone Potenza on the front.

As for flaws, this is a very useable example which means there are a few bits and bobs those with a leaning towards the concours scene will want to rectify.

The bonnet has a few small cracks/crazing in the finish, for example, as does the panel below the boot lid. There is a small dent on the nearside rear quarter directly above the rear light and another above the nearside headlight.

The stonechips are also perhaps more numerous than you’re used to seeing.

The interior is a riot of magnolia and red leather over deep red carpets and is all the better for being so unashamedly OTT. There is a little wood there too, plus some brushed alloy and a full suite of ivory-faced instruments – but it’s mainly red and cream.

The alloy gearknob is fat and round. The leather Personal steering wheel is beautifully sculpted, The seats grip you tightly. Traction control and ABS come courtesy of your right foot and the unassisted steering is heavy, as is the gearchange.

Few cabins are as purposeful and exotic as this and the way TVR combines form and function make for a very rewarding ownership and driving experience.

This one is also in a great condition too, with nothing more than a mild patina and if we told you it was half-a-dozen years old rather than a quarter of a century you’d probably believe us.

In fact, the only pressing issues are a damp smell from the interior that you will want to investigate. A couple of areas of carpet in the rear are discoloured, which might give you a clue as to where the water is coming in.

The leather covering to the driver’s seat is a little loose and creased, so you might like to add that to your medium-term plans.

Other than that it all looks good including the boot, which containing an AccuMate battery trickle charger and a Pioneer CD multi-changer that supplies music to the Kenwood headunit and Pioneer speakers that are fitted in the cabin.

As you can see, the Chimaera fires into life with that characteristic roar and idles beautifully, converting petrol into noise better than almost anything when prodded. (Turn the volume all the way up from 2:58…)

The low-compression V8 - a higher compression four-litre was available but that seems to be less reliable than this one - shows 30psi on the oil pressure gauge. Nor are there any warning lights on the dashboard, which should help you sleep a little easier.

But then you’d expect nothing less given its service history, which can be summarised as follows:

• 20.11.1997 - customer handover stamp at 19 miles by Hawthorns SHG-TVR
• 23.03.1998 and 1,084 miles - 1000-mile service by Hawthorns SHG-TVR
• 03.12.1998 and 5,950 miles - 6000-mile service by Henley Heritage TVR 
• 26.07.1999 and 10,935 miles - 12,000-mile service by The Chequered Flag
• 20.07.2000 and 14,595 miles - 18,000-mile service by G&M Autos
• 19.11.2001 and 20,000 miles - 24,000-mile service by Offord Limited, a TVR specialist 
• 17.01.2003 and 23,786 miles - 30,000-mile service by Motorvation Motorsport
• 03.11.2004 and 26,043 miles - 36,000-mile service, clean and Waxoyl chassis gussets plus a new wiper relay by Elmwood Vehicle Services

Other routine maintenance work includes:

• 21.05.2012 - new Bosch Powermax fuel pump from Powerspark 
• 20.11.2017 – Waxoyl to underside, replacement passenger seatbelt mechanism, and alarm system fault remedied by Techniques
• 22.11.2017 - wiper motor upgrade kit by Techniques
• 27.03.2018 - technician inspection ahead of a track day led to a new fuel hose and PAS fluid top-up by Prestige Performance Cars
• 02.09.2019 – installation of a security system by Solutions
• 20.09.2019 - new high-torque starter motor and cabling by Techniques
• 15.07.2021 - new clutch slave cylinder and power steering pump by MTR vehicle repairs

The engine bay is grubby but a few hours of elbow grease would see that rejuvenated. 

The underside looks good with only a few minor scrapes, the kind that are inevitable on a car that sits this low. The application of extra rust-proofing over the years seems to have done the trick and it doesn’t appear to need any attention, cosmetic or otherwise.

The TVR’s MoT certificate is valid until May 2024 and it was issued, like so many before, with no advisory points being raised.

The recent Vehicle History Check is clear and it comes with three keys, a selection of old MoT certificates and expired tax discs in addition to a host of old invoices and bills.

The TVR Chimaera isn’t for everyone. If you like your sportscars quiet and undemanding, then this ain’t for you and Mercedes or BMW would love your business. 

If, however, you like your sportscars extrovert and playful – and with a power-to-weight ratio like this it can be very playful - this one has your name written all over it.

And, because it’s autumn and winter will soon be here, the seasonally adjusted price is probably lower than you think because we estimate it should fetch between £15,000 and £20,000, which seems like fine value to us.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are strictly by appointment.  To make a booking, please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.