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1999 TVR Chimaera

At a Glance

Full Engine Rebuild With Warranty | +£13k Recently Spent | Maintenance Records | Exceptional

  • Mileage~66,297 on clock
  • TransmissionManual
  • Engine5.0-litre
  • LocationStanford-le-Hope, Essex

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CURRENT BID£6,250
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ENDS IN: 56 Days 12 Hr 51 Min51 Sec

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£6,250

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Video #2

Introduction

Dom Ginn
Professional Consigner

A British two-seater with a lightweight fibreglass shell and a thrilling 5.0L V8, the TVR Chimaera manages the perfect blend of power and excitement.

TVR is notorious for doing things a little differently. The Blackpool-born company was founded in 1947 and has produced some of the most iconic lightweight sports cars the UK has ever seen.

The Chimaera hits the sweet spot between a highly focused performance car and a useable weekend toy. Under the lightweight fiberglass bonnet you'll find the Rover V8 - simple and strong mechanics. And underneath the body, the Chimaera was based on the same tubular chassis as the Griffith, but with softer suspension and more luggage space.

As the car matured it quickly became TVRs best-selling model, surpassing the Griffith and despite its laid-back setting, many actually preferred the handling balance of the Chimaera.

This TVR comes to market from around one year's ownership with our vendor, it has benefited from a great deal of work and servicing carried out over its years. Recent works have included a new roof cover and back window, costing ~£900, new alternator and belt, costing ~£600 and new wiring loom, completed by Powers Performance, at ~£2,000. A full engine rebuild was completed just before our vendor bought the car in 2023 with just over ~£9,500 spent on the build and update having only covered around ~3,000 miles since then, the engine rebuild is still under warranty until February 2026.

A service from Powers Performance was completed in January 24 to keep up the engine warranty. The Chimaera has been kept in a garage when not on the road, and has mainly only been used in spring and summer. It is estimated that over ~£15,000 has been spent on the TVR over the past ~5 years, with all the time and effort spent on the car, its set up to drive every day, without any worry or concerns.

The Chimaera comes with a current MOT valid until 24.01.2025.

This listing was written from information supplied by Dom after meeting Toby the owner, and having visited and photographed the vehicle.

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Secure Auctions

We verify all our sellers and buyers to keep our community safe whilst also providing the highest levels of website security.

Full Transparency

8 out of 10 people that buy cars via our service don’t feel the need to visit due to the transparency and thoroughness of our listings.

Vehicle Delivery

We're there every step of your buying journey and will even arrange pick-up and delivery of your new vehicle.

Video #2

Meet the owner

I know I'm a little biased, but I truly believe this is one of the best Chimaera's on the road today!

This example comes to market through Toby, the current owner, he lets us know, "I've loved every moment of ownership with the TVR. Quick, responsive and just an absolute animal out on the road. There's nothing I don't like about it".

Toby has had extensive restorative work completed on the car over his ownership with the Chimaera carrying a great service history behind it also. Toby tells us, "As you can see from the paperwork this has had lots of work done. The recent works have been mainly focused on mechanical upgrades and I'm really proud of what I've achieved with how the car performs now".

Although the car had been well loved and has had plenty of effort put into it, the reluctant sale is one that is required, Toby said, "I would love to keep the car as it puts a big smile on my face when out driving in it, however, I need to put the money towards getting married later next year. The funds raised from the sale will go a great way to support our big day".

Should any further questions be required, Toby will be happy to answer these in the comments section below.

Toby
Vehicle Owner

Ask Questions

CONTACT OWNER
EXTERIOR VIDEO
Video #2

Exterior

The TVR's sleek curves, muscular stance, and aggressive lines are not just for show; they're a bold statement of performance and style.

Wheels and Tyres

Fitted with a staggered wheel set up designed for performance, the front is fitted with 17" wheels and the rears at 18".

The multi-spoke wheels are upgraded SP12 alloys finished in anthracite grey. These show in great condition having been replaced by the previous owner in October 2019 and show no signs of any concerning damage during our visit.

The Chimaera is fitted with Toyo Proxes TR tyres 215/40 dated from 2019 to the front. To the rear, Toyo Proxes Sport tyres 245/35 from 2019 were fitted. All tyres appeared to be in good visual condition, with no initial concerns on the tread remaining.

Bodywork

The body on the TVR is generally in great condition, and being fibreglass, doesn't suffer from corrosion. While looking over the Chimaera during our visit, we found that the car maintains great visual panel gaps with both doors, the bonnet and boot open and close smoothly.

We did not observe any major scratches, but we did spot a mark to the drivers side headlight edge.

Our high-resolution images and videos provide a detailed look at these observations, so please take the time to review all the media files to assess the car's condition for yourselves.

Paint

The TVR paintwork has a smooth and even finish across all the panels. The dark blue tone is a really timeless colour for this sports car and is consistent, looking great across each section having been resprayed in 2020.

The main images shown of the TVR reflect the sunset as we were taking the photographs of the car, a testament to how the colour changes with the light.

We noted some minor signs of stone chipping when looking over the exterior and marking to the inside door sills when reviewing the interior.

The images are taken from a few different angles to show off the car as you would see it if you were standing there yourself. Please take the time to fully assess these high-resolution images and videos of the car to form your own opinion about the condition of the paint.

Glass and Trim

The glass and trim sections on the TVR were in great condition, consistent with the car's age; we didn't notice any cracks or discolouration during our visit. The window seals looked good, with just some usual signs of age.

The soft top roof has been repaired by the current keeper in October 2023 and is in excellent condition, including the plastic rear window, which is free from any discolouration or damage.

The rear lights show in good condition too, although the fronts could benefit from some restorative work. When we looked over the car, the drivers side wing mirror was quite loose which would need fixing by the future owner.

Check out the exterior gallery and review video. We guide you through all areas of the car as if you were standing there yourself, so you can see in greater detail how the car is presented.

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INTERIOR VIDEO
Video #2

Interior

A cream and blue leather interior perfectly blends luxury and performance, showcasing the TVR designers' focus on both comfort and speed.

Seats and Carpets

The TVR features seats finished in comfortable blue leather with contrasting cream backs and sides, these appeared to be in good condition, but did show some marks on the seats and signs of wear on the seat bolster sections. The seats also show with signs of patina with some creasing to the leather.

The main flooring in the interior is in good condition and compliments the interior very well. Both front carpet mats had been replaced in 2017. There were some slight signs of more recent wear to the drivers base section where the pedal foot had worn against the carpets. On the rear bench of the TVR, there was a small mark on the carpet section. Over in the boot, this area showed without concern.

We cover the cabin area of the Chimaera in more detail in our interior review video.

Dashboard

The blue leather dash looks to be in great condition, free from any significant marks. The dashboard presented really well, with no visible cracking or warping when we visited the car and showed ~66,297 miles on the clock.

The carbon weave sections looked great and added a luxury look to the dash. All the numbers and dials on the dash appeared clear and legible. The white dials showed well and looked smart on the drivers section.

The gauges, switches, and controls all appeared to be in great condition, with surfaces free from fogging or scratching.

Our interior gallery section offers a closer look at the TVR dashboard.

Steering Wheel / Gear Stick

The black TVR 'Personal' wheel features a leather covered rim with black metal 3-spoke centre section. The steering wheel is in great condition, with no signs of major damage or wear, just minor notes of usage.

The gear stick also shows very well, along with the handbrake, presented in a smart polished silver finish.

Additional images of the cabin area, including the steering wheel, are available in our "Interior Gallery" section for more details on what the Chimaera has to offer.

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'ON THE ROAD' VIDEO
Video #2

Mechanics

With a full engine rebuild carried out in 2023, the updated 5.0L V8 is a real powerhouse, capable of delivering ~ 316 BHP, 0-60 MPH in ~4.0 seconds and on to a top speed of ~167 MPH.

Engine and Gearbox

The engine in the TVR fires up without hesitation and sounds fantastic with its wonderful V8 burble. Showing in great visual condition, we noted no issues, smoke, or unusual noises.

Gear changes were slick and showed no concerns with performance or whilst driving along the roads.

Take a look at our "On the Road" video, where we cover the engine start-up and take the Chimaera around the local area to learn more about the car.

Suspension and Brakes

We noted no knocks, bangs, or other issues with the suspension while on the road, and it gave us no concerns regarding its performance or handling. The suspension has been upgraded with Protech shocks fitted in November 2017.

The brakes felt great and were easily able to bring the TVR to a firm stop.

We cover the underside of the car in our 'Mechanical Gallery' section. Head over to our video section, where we've summarised our visit in more detail for you to view. We take you through the mechanical elements of the car and give you an overview of what's on offer.

The Drive

Out on the road, the TVR is a great deal of fun. It turns heads, often before you can even see it, thanks to the impressive engine sounds.

Toby, the current owner lets us know, "The unadulterated muscle of the old V8 block with no driver aids is what I love most about the drive. It's all about raw power and is a true drivers' car".

Our 'On the Road' video provides an overview of the car and its performance while driving.

Electrics and Other

The TVR features an aftermarket Sony CD player which also has Bluetooth.

The car is equipped with power steering and the non-aircon model.

An interesting note on the TVR is that the doors open via a button located in the wing mirror, a unique feature which takes a little while to get used to, although functional.

All switches, dials, and gauges appear undamaged and in great condition. The boot area holds a toolkit and spare wheel with tyre.

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Video #2

History and Paperwork

Coming to market covering a modest ~66,297 miles, the TVR has had a full engine rebuild, full servicing in 2023 and an estimated ~£15,000 spent on restorative work in recent years.

The TVR comes to market from around a year ownership with Toby and with relatively low mileage considering its ~25 years on the road. There has been a great amount of work carried out on the Chimaera over its history with some major recent mechanical upgrades. It comes with a current MOT valid until 24.01.2025.

This model is the manual version with power steering. This vehicle also features a comprehensive service history, MOT certificates, and includes paperwork for the engine work, services, chassis work and outriggers and was previously owned by a TVR club area representative. The car was resprayed before Toby took ownership.

As mentioned, during Toby's ownership, there has been a new roof cover and back window, costing ~£900, new alternator and belt, costing ~£600, new loom completed by Powers Performance, at ~£2,000. A service from Powers Performance was completed in January 24 to keep up the engine warranty. Kept in a garage when not on the road, the TVR has only mainly been used in spring and summer.

The full engine rebuild, carried out in 2023 is still under warranty with Dom of Powers Performance. The 1.5 Year Engine Warranty remains with Powers Performance until February 2026. Since the engine rebuild, only around ~3,000 miles have been covered.

In January 2023, the current owner Toby, decided to invest a large amount of time and effort on upgrading the TVR. Toby took the car to Powers Performance to give the car its full rebuild. With the engine build now completed, there was just over ~£9,500 spent on the build and update, with a further ~£2,500 spent on servicing in June 2023.

Other historic works has also included; all new gaskets, bearings, seals, filters, plugs, small and big end bearings replaced, along with TVR885 camshaft. rockers, lifters, oil pump, top hat liners, starter motor, new clutch, new engine mounts, coolant hose kit, battery, track rod end, drop link, ball joints, gaiters, door solenoids and washer pump has also been replaced.

The TVR has also benefited from chassis outriggers being powder coated in July 2020, wishbone bushes upgrades in January 2020. The chassis had its outriggers checked and powder coated in 2020. Other works included new SP12 Wheels in 2019 and upgraded Protech shocks and braided hoses in November 2017.

We’ve done all our usual seller checks including photo ID, V5 and actioned a HPi check on the vehicle.

We've summarised our own view on the car based on information gained from the seller in the listing above, however, and as you can see, we go to great lengths to photograph and video the car in hi-resolution detail - this has been done for you to make your own assessment from the comfort of your sofa. So please sit back, have a cuppa and take your time to review everything on this listing in order to make your own assessment on the vehicle's condition. Viewings are also welcomed with all our listings, so please get in touch with us to arrange a suitable time - we just need to speak to you first and receive a valid photo ID before confirming.

If there's anything you're unsure about, no matter how small, then please first ask the owner in the comments area below before placing your bid/s, as bids can't be retracted and form a binding contract if you win the car - just like a traditional auction house.

Service History
Date Type Mileage
26.01.2024 Service 65,595
25.01.2024 MOT 65,694
04.01.2023 Engine Rebuild and Service 62,166
20.12.2022 MOT 62,167
05.05.2021 Service 60,328
10.11.2020 MOT 60,178
28.07.2020 Chassis Outrigger Replaced & Service
13.11.2019 MOT 58,454
29.10.2018 MOT 57,324
27.04.2018 Oil Change & Check Over
06.11.2017 MOT 55,670
19.05.2017 Service 54,383
22.11.2016 Service 53,708
11.11.2016 MOT 53,654
30.10.2015 Clutch Master & Slave 1,546 (Inaccurate Reading)
07.09.2015 MOT 51,343
21.07.2014 MOT 46,898
19.07.2013 MOT 46,241
25.07.2012 MOT 45,488
08.07.2011 MOT 42,241
30.09.2010 Service 40,294
18.08.2010 MOT 39,929
15.07.2009 MOT and Service 38,720
02.07.2008 Service 37,687
24.06.2008 MOT 37,693
05.04.2007 Service 36,324
03.04.2007 MOT 36,326
13.03.2006 MOT 35,530
12.08.2005 Service 34,704
25.02.2005 MOT 34,555
09.07.2004 Service 31,039
14.03.2004 MOT 28,209
04.02.2003 MOT 23,412
28.01.2000 Service & Brake Fluid 10,089
VIEW ALL
Key Details
  • ModelChimaera 500
  • TransmissionManual
  • Reg. Date01.03.1999
  • CC4,997
  • Mileage~66,297 on clock
  • ColourDark Blue
  • Interior ColourCream and Blue
  • Interior TrimLeather
  • Chassis #SDLBA04R0WB002585
  • Engine #37A50P7053
  • Matching #sYes
  • Last Service04.01.2023
  • Engine RebuildYes
  • MOTYes - Exp 24.01.2025
  • HPi ClearYes
  • Former Keepers9
  • Tyre TreadGood
  • Tyre BrandToyo
  • Tyre Age2019
  • # of Keys2
  • LHD or RHDRHD
  • Warranty CompanyPowers Performance
  • Warranty ProductEngine Rebuild Warranty
  • Warranty DurationUntil February 2026
  • VisitedYes
  • Sale TypePrivate
  • Owned~11 months
  • Key FeatureEngine Rebuild + Great History
  • Vehicle RegistrationT50 RFH
  • Fuel TypePetrol
  • Body TypeSports
  • Auction ID2129
VIEW ALL
VIEW ALL
Video #2

All Images

Exterior

Interior

Mechanics

History and Paperwork

All Videos



Vehicle Location

Stanford-le-Hope

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    Auction Bidding

    Live Bidding
    Current Bid £6,250
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    Auction Ends Thu 19th Sep at 8.00pm
    Bidding History
    Previous Bids  9
    £6,250 bid by MKew2918.09.24 @ 10:43:30
    £6,000 bid by Chopper17.09.24 @ 21:19:34
    £5,750 bid by OZZYPAUL17.09.24 @ 20:07:36
    £5,500 bid by Chopper17.09.24 @ 19:52:04
    £5,201 bid by Slevous16.09.24 @ 22:30:28
    £5,000 bid by Chopper15.09.24 @ 08:03:43
    £4,600 bid by scrumpytim11.09.24 @ 21:49:37
    £4,000 bid by karplased05.09.24 @ 15:37:06
    £2,000 bid by Gadger05.09.24 @ 13:00:22
    SEE MORE BIDS SEE MORE BIDS
    2096
    Ask Owner
    Post a comment or ask the owner a question about the car.
    12 Comments
    NWilliamd
    NWilliamd
    13 hours ago

    Hello Toby, cancel that, I’ve just seen the report.

    NWilliamd
    NWilliamd
    14 hours ago

    Hello Toby, I’m very interested in your car, the only thing I’m wanting to know is if it has ever been an Insurance Category. Regards, Nigel.

    oldhens
    oldhens
    1 day ago

    Hello, can I ask why you’re selling after such a short ownership?

    TobyF
    TobyF
    Seller
      oldhens
    1 day ago

    getting married so need to free up some capital!

    OZZYPAUL
    OZZYPAUL
    2 days ago

    Can you describe the work that was carried out please as the description is quite brief? Also please can you let us know who did the out rigger work as it doesn’t say on the receipt?

    Thankyou!

    TobyF
    TobyF
    TobyF
    Seller
      TobyF
    2 days ago

    Major engine work (full rebuild) is specified on those invoices, does that answer your question?

    TobyF
    TobyF
    Seller
      TobyF
    2 days ago

    Outriggers – Redlands TVR

    OZZYPAUL
    OZZYPAUL
      TobyF
    1 day ago

    Thanks Toby, yes, was just wondering if the outriggers had been replaced or just repainted/coated

    TobyF
    TobyF
    Seller
    12 days ago

    Hi Cerberos,

    If you see the work carried out in 2020 you will see the necessary work on the outriggers was undertaken.

    Best,

    Toby

    Cerberos
    Cerberos
    12 days ago

    Chassis is the key issue on these; has it ever had its outriggers replaced or the frame?
    I see the pictures posed but the outer corners of the outriggers seem to have avoided the lens

    TobyF
    TobyF
    Seller
      Cerberos
    12 days ago

    see above

    MORE COMMENTS MORE COMMENTS

    Insurance Quote


    Average annual insurance premium for a TVR like this is £201 via our trusted partner ClassicLine.
    GET AN INSURANCE QUOTEAnd get 10% off when you mention us.

    *Quote is based on a garaged vehicle in CV32 5QY (Leamington Spa), travelling 3,000 miles per year, 1 driver who is 45 years of age and is free on accidents and convictions – valid Summer 2024.

    Delivery Calculator


    Vehicle Location

    Stanford-le-Hope

    Key Bidding Facts

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    A reserve is the minimum price that the seller will let the car go for. We work with sellers to set realistic reserves in line with market pricing – we don’t take on vehicles with unrealistic pricing. Reserve met / not met labeling may or may not be announced during the auction – this is just like a traditional auction house, i.e. bidders may only know when they’ve been successful at the end of the auction.

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    Auto-Extending Bidding – we’ve developed auto-extending auctions that mimic traditional auction house bidding; it’s a key feature to make sure classic vehicles achieve their true worth. Bids placed in the last one minute automatically extend the auction by two further minutes. So there is no need to leave bidding to the last second.

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