1995 TVR Chimaera

Finished in Starmist Green with a black roof and a green and black leather interior, ‘N507 MFR’ is a deliciously unassuming TVR Chimaera. 

First registered on the 22nd of March 1996 and still only showing 58,150 miles on the odometer it has been in the care of the seller since January 2022.

The Chimaera had been on his Bucket List for years, and while he’s thoroughly enjoyed his time with it as a two-seater he can’t take both of his grandchildren out in it together, which means he’s reluctantly decided to buy something a bit more practical.

But, his loss could be your gain because this is one of the nicest examples we’ve seen in a long time.

Better still, it’s being offered with no reserve so will sell from the very first bid.

As a twist on the more familiar British Racing Green, Starmist Green suits the Chimaera’s brutish looks to perfection; after all, if you’re going to have an Old School British sportscar then you might as well go all in, eh?

Of course, rust isn’t an issue thanks to the car’s construction, and the panels line up very well. They’re free of damage too, and the paint has a great shine to it.

The front and rear bumpers integrate neatly with the rest of the bodywork, and the rear spoiler is unassuming. Sure, those in the know will pick up on the twin tailpipes but few others will.

This is a car that doesn’t feel the need to shout.

As for the rest, the smoked rear lights, the clear side repeaters, the recessed headlamps, and the tiny front foglamps are all in a great condition. It’s the same story with the numberplates and badges; all are excellent.

The glazing is good too, and the side windows are still marked with ‘TVR Triplex’, which is reassuring.

The two-section black hood does its stuff with uncommon elegance thanks to a retrim in mohair in 2021. The rear plastic screen is bright and clear, the rear section folds down nicely, and the centre section lifts out to turn the Chimaera into a targa-style sportscar that gives the occupants a surprising amount of protection from the weather.

The five-spoke, 16-inch alloy wheels are in fine fettle too. Unblemished by anything as vulgar as kerbing or other damage, they’re fitted with a matching set of 225/50R16 Uniroyal Rain Sport 5 tyres, all of which have plenty of life left in them as they were only fitted in 2021.

We will never get tired of telling you that experience shows that matching high-quality tyres are an infallible sign of a caring and mechanically sympathetic owner who is prepared to spend the appropriate amount in maintaining their car properly. Their presence does not, of course, preclude the need for a thorough inspection - something the vendor would welcome, by the way – but it does perhaps give you a shortcut into their attitude towards maintenance.

As for work you might like to consider? We can’t see a thing. 

The cabin is a little more extrovert, but only a little. The combination of green and black leather works very well and adds a rakishness the driver and passenger can enjoy as they stealth-drive across country at warp speed without drawing too much attention to themselves from the outside. 

There’s burr walnut trim in there as a sop to those expecting it in their British sportscar, plus brushed alloy for those who appreciate that TVR is not a traditional British sportscar manufacturer.

The black quilted door cards are a lovely touch, and the insert is bookended by padded green trim above and below. The two-tone theme extends across the dashboard and along the transmission tunnel; all is in an excellent condition and needs nothing other than continued love and the odd dollop of hide food now and then after having been recoloured in 2021.

The black leather seats are slightly more worn with some cracking to their finish, most noticeably on the driver’s side. They’re still very comfortable though, and one seat base was replaced at the same time as the interior was recoloured. 

As for their design, their deep bolsters will hold their occupants tight, even at the sort of high-G jinx the TVR revels in. 

Other driver-facing accoutrements include a TVR/Personal steering wheel that is fat-rimmed and leather-trimmed, a fat-knobbed gear-lever, and an equally diminutive handbrake. 

Behind it sits the equally over-engineered alloy knob that releases the doors, and other quirks include two cubby boxes behind the seats, plus two cupholders in a lift-out tray.

A modern Bluetooth headunit plays through large Sony speakers mounted in the doors. An immobiliser is also fitted, and there is a USB charging point in the driver’s door.

The boot is as clean and tidy as everywhere else, and – again – we can’t see anything in the cabin for the new owner to do.

Last serviced at 57,700 miles, or less than 500 miles ago, the V8 engine fires into life with enthusiasm and a profundo note to the exhaust. The seller reports that it “drives beautifully” and given the following service history, we aren’t surprised:

• 21.03.1996 and 81 miles – pre-delivery inspection by Bauer Millet Services Ltd
• 15.04.1996 and 1,085 miles – service by Bauer Millet Services Ltd
• 13.08.1996 and 1,300 miles – service by Bauer Millet Services Ltd
• 08.01.1997 and 2,085 miles – service by TVR Engineering Ltd
• 07.07.1997 and 5,205 miles – service by TVR Engineering Ltd
• 30.01.1998 and 6,594 miles – service by TVR Engineering Ltd
• 16.06.1999 and 7,369 miles – service by Christopher Neil Ltd
• 10.07.2000 and 10,945 miles – service by Christopher Neil Ltd
• 23.12.2002 and 20,626 miles – home service 
• 27.03.2004 and 22,912 miles – home service including fresh gearbox and differential oil plus a new distributor cap
• 01.04.2005 and 25,685 miles – home service
• 11.07.2006 and 29,674 miles – home service
• 22.06.2007 and 33,431 miles – home service
• 24.05.2008 and 36,918 miles – home service
• 05.07.2009 and 40,127 miles – home service
• 04.05.2010 and 40,982 miles – home service
• 14.09.2011 and 44,773 miles – service by Northwich Service Centre
• 29.03.2013 and 50,147 miles – service by Torque RVT plus a new ignition coil and amplifier, HT leads, radiator and coolant
• 21.06.2021 and 57,680 miles – service by CAR Developments
• 24.01.2022 and 57,714 miles – service by Amore Autos Ltd including new front brake pads, a steering pinion seal, steering rack gaiter and wiper blades

However, given the last service was a couple of years ago it might be prudent to put it through another for your piece of mind.

The last MoT threw up three advisories for a leaking inner hub seal, poor handbrake performance, and an unspecified “not excessive” oil leak, these issues have been rectified by the vendor .

As for the engine bay’s cosmetic condition, it’s workmanlike without being especially pretty. Given how good the rest of the car is we can see the new owner will probably want to get it valeted, if not detailed.

The underside is very clean and beautifully presented. We like it a lot but then we would as the seller splashed out £650 on having it undersealed only last year.

The TVR’s MoT certificate is valid until January 2025, the recent Vehicle History Check is clear, and it comes with two keys and the TVR wallet and owner’s handbook.

The history file comprises the service history booklet, plenty of old invoices, and a printout from a rolling road session in 2021.

The TVR Chimaera isn’t for everyone. If you like your sportscars quiet and undemanding, then this ain’t for you and Mercedes or BMW would love your business. 

If, however, you like your sportscars extrovert and playful – and with a power-to-weight ratio like this it can be very playful - this one has your name written all over it.

We estimate it’s going to fetch somewhere between £10,000 and £15,000 but as it is being offered with no reserve, it’ll sell from the very first bid.

Can you think of a finer way to spend the coming summer?

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are strictly by appointment.  To make a booking, please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.