1996 TVR CHIMAERA

Unique Restoration by Central TVR at a cost of £27590.

The vehicle also has a guaranteed valuation certificate of £25000 by current insurance company see pictures for copy.

Full restoration video can be found on You tube search; The Full Restoration of my TVR Chimaera

Phase 1

Taking ownership of WIB5087:

The Chimaera was a Green 4-litre V8 TVR Chimaera. The fibreglass body was intact with no accident damage but suffered from major crazing and blistering.

The chassis was pristine and still had the original white powder coating, however, the outriggers need done, which was the main reason for buying her.

Interior: black leather and aluminium dash with light green carpets.

Phase 1

Mechanical Restoration Phase:

As stated, the chassis was in immaculate condition and still had full white powder coating, however, the outriggers had worn consistent with age and were replaced.

All mechanical bearings were also replaced regardless of condition.

All four suspension arms replaced with new bushes and bolts.

All new four wheels have had black, standard adjustable dampers fully fitted, with ride height set for performance.

Phase 3

Full engine rebuild:

Although the engine was operating perfectly a decision was made that with only partial record of the WIB5087’s service history book being lost at some oint in the last 4 years, therefore a compression test, bore-scope inspection and engine strip-down would be required.

The compression test and bore-scope inspection showed no issues.

On strip down the cam shaft lifters were identified as worn and replaced. The cam shaft was deemed in perfect condition.

As part of the rebuild every gasket and sensor was replaced as was engine wiring and connectors.

Phase 4

Full body respray:

Initially the car underwent a total strip-down and removal of the old paint. Repair of blistering was carried out and the fibreglass resealed, at which point the car went through a full body respray in a classic Land Rover Light Green colour code LRC799, first used on the 1958 series one Land Rover.

This was a tribute to the history and connection TVR has with Land Rover, including use of its engines and other elements on numerous TVRs. WIB5087 is powered by a 4.0 litre Land Rover engine block.

Phase 5

Full dashboard rewiring and engine bay wiring upgrade:

Traditionally TVR utilised a Range Rovers wiring harness, however, for the Chimaera this is heavily modified for LED lighting in the dash. This was fully rewired, and the old engine bay harness modernised with new insulation and connectors, where necessary, as part of the overall engine rebuild.

Phase 6

Full interior leather refit:

The original leather was black and in fine condition. However, the black was never part of the redesign of this TVR, based on a traditional retro and classic paint and interior colour combination design linked back to Land Rover heritage.

The leather chosen was a traditional Land Rover and Aston Martin supplier called Connolly, Leather code 4648-Market Tan.

New charcoal grey carpet was also commissioned and installed.

Phase 7

New soft top and T-top fabric and front windscreen replacement:

The soft top of a TVR Chimaera is a two-part system - a hard, carbon fibre top section and a combined soft rear section which includes the rear window.

All the canvas and rear window sections were replaced. The mechanism was in flawless order and remains original.

As part of the renovation the black trim on the front window had suffered water damage, therefore a new windshield was commissioned and installed.

Phase 8

The final thoughts on Central TVR:

This fit out was extensive, however the quality of work coupled with the professionalism and care along with some very good advice that Adrian and his team at Central TVR put into this project is visible in the quality of the end product and genuinely inspiring.

Dealing with Central TVR at every design decision was amazing and easy.

The friendliness and support of the whole team at Central TVR including the aftercare and post-handover snagging made the journey of restoring WIB5087 an extremely pleasant one and a joy.