1999 TVR Chimaera 4.5

Highlights 

• Later, post-facelift example

• 4.5-litre V8

• Low mileage

• Comprehensive service history

• Lovely condition

Overview

Who doesn't love a TVR? From the early Grantura to the supercar-slaying Cerbera through to the T400R race cars, TVRs have always managed to capture the imagination with their sublime styling and powerful engines, amassing a fervent fan base along the way.

A particular highlight of the TVR line up though has to be the Chimaera. Handsome, fast, great to drive and surprisingly practical, this two-seater roadster that began life back in 1992 still cuts quite the dash today and remains a great choice when it comes to classic British sports car ownership.

Built using the same chassis as the Griffith that had arrived a couple of years earlier, the Chimaera was designed by then TVR boss Peter Wheeler with help from John Ravenscroft to be a more usable, grand tourer-esque version of the outright sports car that was the Griffith, and it delivered on all fronts.

Featuring the ubiquitous Rover V8 in various displacements driving the rear wheels, the Chimaera had plenty of grunt and the independent suspension all round meant that it handled properly too. A five-speed manual gearbox completed the package and the car would remain in production until 2003, such was its popularity.

The Chimaera would be updated at numerous points during that time and the car we have available here is a 1999 example, which means it benefits from all of the styling tweaks commensurate with later models, as well as a Borg-Warner T5 gearbox and the 285bhp, 4.5-litre version of the aforementioned Rover V8.

In lovely condition throughout and with fully stamped service history it's a bit of a gem that has clearly been cherished. Add low mileage to the mix and what you get is a cracking example of one of TVR's best.

History and documentation

• 1999 model year

• In current ownership for six years

• Original handbook

• V5C present and correct

• First registered 01 Aug 1999

• Two keys

• Service history with original service book showing main dealer and specialist inspections at the following intervals: service at 3,315 miles (2000), service at 5,631 miles (2002), service at 6,000 miles (2003), service at 14,168 miles (2003), service at 16,907 miles (2005), service at 24,080 miles (2006), service at 27,101 miles (2008), service at 30,525 miles (2011), service at 33,025 miles (2014), service at 40,005 miles (2015), service at 43,105 miles (2016), service at 50,125 miles (2017), service at 59,331 miles (2020), service at 59,924 miles (2021), service at 60,146 miles (2022), service at 60,215 miles (2023), service at 60,721 miles (2024)

• Various invoices for work carried out

• Advisory-free MOT until 10/10/2025

• 61,123 miles

Interior

• The original interior is in fantastic shape throughout 

• Recently professionally valeted

• No apparent damage 

• Seats present very well with no signs of excessive wear

• Some wear to the driver's side over mat

• Carpets, door cards and dashboard are in excellent condition

• The vendor states that everything works, although the electric windows are a bit slow

• Sony stereo head unit

• The boot space is in great condition and the engine bay presents well

Exterior

• The Crystal Verde paint and body remain in great condition with no visible dents or signs of corrosion

• All shut lines appear straight

• The body-coloured hard top is in great shape and appears to fit as it should

• There are a couple of minor scratches here and there, including a small star crack on the bonnet and some small chips to the paint on the bottom of the offside door

• All glasswork appears to be in good order

• The factory 15” seven-spoke alloy wheels look to be straight and present well with only some minor curb marks in places to note

• All four tyres are Toyo Proxes TR1 models with the vendor confirming that they are in good condition

• The vendor tells us that the underside is in good condition

Mechanical

• 285bhp, 4.5-litre V8 engine

• Five-speed manual gearbox

• Rear-wheel drive

• 0-60mph in 4.7s

• 160mph top speed

• New battery at last service

• The vendor tells us that the car is used sparingly every weekend to keep everything running smoothly

• The vendor informs us that the car starts and stops with out any issues and sounds just as a 4.5-litre V8 should

Summary

Any TVR is a treasure but this particular post-facelift Chimaera is a particularly sparkly jewel in the crown. Benefiting from all of the updates lavished upon the marque as well as a comprehensive service history, it's certainly a tempting proposition.

With plenty of parts and support still abundantly available when it comes to the Rover V8, and with any mechanical gremlins having likely been ironed out by this point, maintenance should be entirely manageable and it certainly has the looks to match its impressive performance. 

To arrange a viewing, click the 'Book Viewing' button located under the 'Place Bid' button. Viewings can be booked up until the day before the auction ends, after which the option will change to 'Contact Seller' for further enquiries. This seller is located in Burgess Hill, West Sussex.