1997 TVR Other Chimaera 500 factory non cat
Description
One of a hand full of NZ new TVR’s and the only NZ new Chimaera 500.
Factory non cat (UK and the Far East received three catalytic convertors per vehicle post 93) with factory specific fuel map, so you’re not only getting more power. but a sublime exhaust note as a bonus.
I am both the 3rd and 5th private owner and purchased it back knowing there would be some niggles to address considering it had only covered 1500km in 10 years. See 2025 works pages for a full list of recent work. The car now wants for nothing, besides being driven more!
Moderate fully documented overhaul performed by Jim Gamsby in 2014, 2500kms ago, see 2014 works pages for a full list of works.
The original paintwork besides the odd age-related stone chip is in great condition. Magnolia leather seats have zero wear. Navy wool blend carpets in great condition, as is the rest of the interior.
The car is planted at speed, corner break away is now more predictably progressive over the factory set up, thanks to. A properly working re shimmed LSD. Rebuilt Bilstein’s re-valved from a dynoed Ohlin fast road spec. Polybushed A arms and ARB, Spherical ARB droplinks . Lightweight 2-piece BBS rsii's, 17 x 8 fr, 17 x 9 r. New Toyo r 888 r’s, 235 40 r17 fr, 255 40 r 17 r. Grooved and drilled rotors with red stuff ceramic pads fitted 2500km’s ago assist with the stopping
Factory options
Full leather interior Wool blend carpet AC (recently rebuilt and re-gassed) PS (new pinion seals) 6 speaker Pioneer stereo, trunk mounted amp (New Pioneer smart head unit recently installed) Remote oil cooler
Other work and enhancements include
TVR supplied speed twelve headlamp pods installed by Wagstaff European (2004) Remote trunk opener Ceramic coated headers and Y piece Baffled sump 5 x 114.3mm hub conversion Rear inner wheel arches reworked to accommodate wider wheels by Fraser cars (2004) Hidden grill mounted electrical jump start and charging posts LED Indicator bulbs with LED relay
Still turns heads, and even by today’s fast car standards, Rapid!
