The TVR Chimaera Sports Car

                                                         TVR Chimaera

                                              from Classic to Modern

     The Chimaera sports car, a two seater convertible, was launched at the British Motor Show in 1992, and was designed to be more of a GT than its sister model, the Griffith.

     The body styling of the Chimaera followed the format of the classsic TVR S-Series and, between 1993 and 1998, it became the best selling TVR of all time, far exceeding that of the enigmatic Griffith.

     Although, at that time, the TVR S-Series was sellng well, it soon became apparent that, in the Griffith and Chimaera, the future of the company was in V8 powered sports cars.

     The addition of a larger boot, rear anti roll bar, and softer suspension emphasised the long distance Grand Touring image of the Chimaera.

     In fact, the two cars had very similar mechanics and chassis, with other features including:

• Independent suspension all round using coil springs and anti roll bars
• Servo assisted 10 inch vented discs at the front and 10.7 inch discs at the rear
• Rack and pinion steering
• Multi-point fuel injection

     Although the car was planned to be powered by the all new AJP8 engine that had been designed and built by TVR, development difficulties prevented its addition.

     In its place, the company reverted back to a range of modified Rover V8 engines including:

• 240 bhp 4 litre, 275 bhp 4 litre high compression, 280 bhp 4.3 litre, 285 bhp 4.5 litre, and 340 bhp 5 litre variants

     Furthermore, it was decided to replace the Griffith with the Chimaera, but due to the success of the former, this did not materialise until 2000.

     The 4.3 litre variant was replaced by the 4 litre high compression unit, which itself was replaced by the 4.5 litre in 1996, with the basic 4 litre being phased out in 1998.

     The top of the range 5 litre variant was introduced in 1994 on the back of the phenomenal success of the Griffith 500.

Technical Data                    4.0                4.3              4.5              5.0
Production                    1993-1998   1993-1996  1996-2001   1994-2001
Engine, cc                          3947             4280             4495           4988
Cylinders, bhp                  8, 240           8, 280           8, 285         8, 340
Top Speed mph                  152               158               160              175
0-60 mph, secs                  5.1                4.6                4.7               4.1
Torque ft/lbs                      270               305               310             320
0-100 mph, secs               12.5              11.3              11.2             10.2 

                                          1997 TVR Chimaera 4 litre                                                                         With good looks and performance to spare                                                                                      Very tasty

                                                         TVR Chimaera

                                                1994 TVR Chimaera

                          TVR Chimaera, MGB GT V8, Reliant, Morgan

                                                         Full Screen                                                                                                                                 Full Screen

                                                                                   Full Screen

     The Chimaera sports car was first produced very early in 1993, whilst UK production of the Griffith was temporarily halted in December 1992.

     The 4 litre and 4.3 litre engines were fitted with a catalytic converter in accordance with 1993 regulations.

     In 1994, the gearbox of the Chimaera and Griffith 500 was changed from the Rover SDI unit to the Borg Warner T5, a much more robust unit.

     In 1997, the Chimaera underwent minor styling changes to the front and rear of the car in line with those on the TVR Cerbera. This involved:

• The wire mesh front grille was replaced by a single strip across the intake
• Rear bumper strip and boot lid were redesigned
• Alternative boot hinges and rear light clusters
• Interior was updated

     In 2001, it received the enclosed headlight assembly as used in the Griffith, in place of the existing recessed style, and minor suspension changes to improve road holding and ride.

     The 4.5 and 5 litre variants displayed "450" and "500" badges, positioned at the rear of the car, although the 4 litre version was only fitted with a plain Chimaera badge.

     Up to 1997, both Griffith and Chimaera used pressure on a silver disc at the top of the rear wing to open the doors from the outside.

     From the inside, a gnarled twist knob near the handbrake was turned to open either driver or passenger door.

     After 1997, a small electronic push button on the underside of the door mirrors opened the doors from the outside.

     The reason for the change was that TVR wanted the exterior of both cars to contain smooth, uninterupted lines with no protrusions.

     Even the filler cap was situated in a small recess under the boot lid. 

     In 2001, it was finally retired, and the Chimaera 450 sports car was the only variant being built at the end.

     Over 6000 units were produced, but only about 600 were the Chimaera 500 variant.

     These highly desirable cars were distinguishable by their rocker covers being coloured purple, and by their very distinctive Griffith style wheels.

     The presence of over 6000 Chimaeras meant that this single model accounted for more cars than the company had produced over the previous twenty five years.                         

SPORTS CARS FOR SALE

     A high mileage Chimaera would fetch in the range £6,000 to £12,000, with a low mileage version selling for £15,000 to £20,000, and a really exceptional example would command in the region of £35,000.

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