TVR Chimaera 500 1997
General description :
Equipment
Jaguar Racing Green metallic paintwork, Leather upholstery, Staggered Chimaera 500 alloy wheels, Green mohair removable roof panel with folding rear section, 5-speed manual transmission, Limited-slip differential, Power-assisted steering, Burr walnut interior trim, Personal leather steering wheel, Electric windows, Cassette radio, Remote boot release, Central locking, HID headlight upgrade, Afterburner LED rear light upgrade, Maintenance charger, Factory immobiliser, Remote central locking, Spare key.
Exterior
Finished in special order Jaguar Racing Green this rare Chimaera 500 is one of only 650 ever produced. In line with the mileage the condition of the car is excellent. The sculpted body remains in fine order with a deep shine and other than a couple of minor imperfections in the paint there are no major defects to speak of. The car was treated to a new mohair soft-top in 2015 and the condition is still immaculate; the rear screen is perfectly clear and we’re pleased to report there are no leaks. The car further benefits from brighter HID headlights and subtle Afterburner LED rear lights. Better still, following a recent inspection the underside of the car was found to be in good solid condition with no outrigger issues to report. The staggered 500-specific wheels are perfect.
VIEWINGS WELCOME BY APPOINTMENT ONLY /// ADDITIONAL PHOTOS AND VIDEOS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST
Interior
Trimmed in pale leather with complementing beige carpets the cabin is bright and airy – especially with the roof off. The sports seats are in fantastic original condition with only light patination to evidence the mileage and, having never been re-connolised or left to bake in the sun, the upholstery is still notable supple. The cabin is lifted further with lashings of brushed aluminum and glossy burr walnut trim. Other commonly worn items such as the steering wheel and gear knob present immaculately, and the original carpets are very clean indeed. In the boot you’ll find a pre-wired maintenance charger and a handy rain cover.
ENGINE & TRANSMISSION
Lifting the bonnet reveals a very tidy engine bay, not overly dressed but in superb original condition with the eye-catching 500-spec purple rocker covers signifying the V8’s 5-litre displacement. The car is accompanied by an outstanding maintenance record and was last serviced in May 2023 at 53k miles. The service book is stamped at very close mileage intervals and the car has only ever been looked after by TVR and prominent marque specialists.
History File
This beautiful Chimaera 500 was first registered in August 1997. In the hands of only 5 registered keepers the car has driven 53k fully documented miles from new. The maintenance book is stamped with 22 main dealer and specialist entries, as detailed below. The History File is complete with the original TVR ring binder, a raft of invoices and MOT certificates, an original sales brochure, and the spare key.
Under current ownership the car has been professionally stored with a reputable TVR specialist. Recent maintenance work includes a steering rack rebuild with new mounts and tie rod ends, new power steering fluid pipes, new tank-to-engine fuel lines, new front dampers and bushes, a new battery, washer motor, new plug leads and insulators, a diff oil change, a gearbox oil change, and a recent service carried out in May 2023 at 53,685 miles.
27/08/1997 at 1,031 miles – TVR17/03/1998 at 5,952 miles – TVR18/09/1998 at 12,178 miles – TVR09/03/2000 at 19,628 miles – TVR21/08/2001 at 29,242 miles – TVR23/08/2002 at 32,414 miles – TVR28/08/2003 at 34,410 miles – TVR23/08/2004 at 35,792 miles – TVR18/08/2005 at 36,859 miles – TVR06/09/2006 at 37,188 miles – TVR21/08/2007 at 37,706 miles – TVR15/09/2008 at 38,045 miles – TVR17/08/2009 at 38,660 miles – TVR08/09/2010 at 38,730 miles – TVR25/03/2011 at 38,908 miles – TVR19/03/2012 at 41,819 miles – TVR specialist30/04/2013 at 43,873 miles – TVR specialist08/04/2014 at 45,170 miles – TVR specialist08/04/2015 at 46,439 miles – TVR specialist15/03/2016 at 47,419 miles – TVR specialist28/03/2017 at 48,823 miles – TVR specialist24/04/2018 at 50,456 miles – TVR23/05/2023 at 53,685 miles – TVR specialist
1997 TVR Chimaera 500 is listed for sale on ClassicDigest in Hampshire by 4Star Classics for £21995.
Car Facts
Car type : Car Make : TVR Model : Chimaera Model Version : 500 Engine size : 5.0 Model Year : 1997 Sub type : Van Location : Hampshire Vehicle Registration : Undefined
21995 £
People who viewed this TVR Chimaera also viewed similar TVR listed at ClassicDigest
TVR Chimaera
24995 £
Stansted
Other cars listed for sale by this dealer
Volkswagen Golf
24995£
Hampshire
Mercedes-Benz 280 w114
24995£
Hampshire
BMW 635 CSI
24995£
Hampshire
Lotus Europa
21995£
Hampshire
BMW 520
8995£
Hampshire
About TVR
TVR, a quintessential British cottage industry and master sports car manufacturer, has a rich and storied history that spans several decades. Known for its distinctive and high-performance vehicles, TVR has left an indelible mark on the automotive world.TVR's history can be traced back to the early 1950s when Trevor Wilkinson founded the company in Blackpool, England. Initially, TVR focused on producing affordable and lightweight sports cars that offered exhilarating driving experiences. One of their early models, the TVR Grantura, gained popularity in the 1960s and set the tone for what would become a legacy of sporty and characterful cars.
Throughout the years, TVR produced a series of memorable models, each known for its unique style and impressive performance. Some of the notable models include:
TVR Griffith: Introduced in the 1960s, the Griffith was a powerful and lightweight sports car that gained a reputation for its speed and agility. It featured a V8 engine and distinctive styling.
TVR Tuscan: The Tuscan series, starting with the Tuscan V8 in the late 1960s, continued TVR's tradition of creating high-performance sports cars with bold design elements. The Tuscan line evolved over the years, with each iteration offering improved performance.
TVR Cerbera: Introduced in the 1990s, the Cerbera was notable for its unique design and the use of in-house developed engines. It was one of the fastest sports cars of its time.
TVR Sagaris: The Sagaris, launched in the 2000s, was a lightweight and aerodynamic sports car known for its aggressive styling and impressive track performance.
TVR Tuscan S: A modern version of the Tuscan, the Tuscan S featured a straight-six engine and modernized styling while staying true to TVR's sports car heritage.
TVR also gained a reputation for its "no-nonsense" approach to sports car manufacturing. Their cars were often devoid of electronic driver aids, focusing on the pure driving experience.
However, TVR faced financial challenges and ownership changes over the years, which led to periods of inactivity. The company's production ceased for some time, but TVR enthusiasts remained passionate and hopeful for a revival.
In 2020, TVR announced its comeback with the Griffith, a modern interpretation of the classic model. The new Griffith retained the essence of TVR's legacy while incorporating modern engineering and design.
In summary, TVR is an archetypal British cottage industry and a master sports car manufacturer that has consistently delivered exciting, high-performance vehicles with unique character. Despite its challenges, TVR's legacy remains alive, and its return to the automotive scene with the Griffith marked a new chapter in the company's storied history.