Chimaera press cars circa 1993...anyone know much?!!

[Rob Crutch]

Maybe a weird question, but does anyone know the registration numbers of any of the early (1993) Chimaera 430 press cars? I only ask as I've taken my dash out tonight and found written on the rev counter 'A PRESS CAR' which seemed pretty odd? Given the state of the wiring and amount of rusty dust it looks like the dash hasn't been out in a long time, couldn't say ever though as haven't owned the car for very long. The original plate on the car was K71 WPM if that's any help?

I'll try and upload of photo of the writing to show what I mean.

Thanks,

Rob

[The Surveyor]

The original road-test press car was photographed up on Holy Island and was Starmist Green with pre-cat Griffith 5 spoke alloys and Griffith style internal door handles either side of the transmission tunnel.... Reg No. was K563 RFR and was in 'Car' magazine Feb 1993.

Also there was a mid blue coloured Chim in Top Gear mag, October 1993 reg A8 SHG just visible on the cover shot but don't think that was an official 'press car'.

These are the only ones i have copies of...

Paul

[RetroWheels]

Given the current reg no. i can check it out.
Or - better still - pm me the last 4 digits of the chassis no.

[Rob Crutch]

RetroWheels said:

Given the current reg no. i can check it out.
Or - better still - pm me the last 4 digits of the chassis no.

Thanks for the reply,

The current reg is K500*** (edited). I'll have a look for the chassis no. in the morning.

The photo below shows the writing I mentioned:-



I've got a copy of the Motor Sport 430 road test from January 1994 but it's in black and white so no colour of the car can be made out The reg no. on that car is K897VBV.

Cheers,

Rob

Edited by Rob Crutch on Saturday 22 May 00:24

Edited by Rob Crutch on Saturday 22 May 08:17

[RetroWheels]

Quite an early car, delivered to Station Hill Garage Farnham (Hawthorns) for stock.
Looks like the first one painted Cobalt blue , so it may have been initially intended as a Press car, but snapped up by the dealer.

Good looking car either way.



ETA Sent you an email.

Edited by RetroWheels on Saturday 22 May 07:53

[Rob Crutch]

RetroWheels said:

Quite an early car, delivered to Station Hill Garage Farnham (Hawthorns) for stock.
Looks like the first one painted Cobalt blue , so it may have been initially intended as a Press car, but snapped up by the dealer.

Good looking car either way.



ETA Sent you an email.

Edited by RetroWheels on Saturday 22 May 07:53

Thanks for that, much of the car's history that I have is from Station Hill so that makes sense. I never knew the name of the colour, just that I liked it - useful to know

Rob