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TVR Chimaera 5.0 - and woe betide you if it lets go...

Name: TVR Chimaera 5.0 1996
Brand: TVR

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Created on March 10, 2020

Text:

Daniel Koch

Photos:

Bruno von Rotz

TVR Werk

Archiv

Bruno von Rotz

TVR Werk

Archiv

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TVR Chimaera 5.0 - Easy to control in the dry

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TVR Chimaera 5.0 - The Chimaera was TVR's most successful model

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TVR Chimaera 5.0 - Built from 1992 to 2003

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TVR Chimaera 5.0 - The side indicators are from Ford

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TVR Chimaera 5.0 - TVR boss Peter Wheeler's dog is said to have contributed the cut-outs for the indicators to the design

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TVR Chimaera 5.0 - The front indicators are also installed in the British "Challenger" tank

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TVR Chimaera 5.0 - Pay attention to the service history when buying a used car

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TVR Chimaera 5.0 - Roof in the Targa version

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TVR Chimaera 5.0 - The "Chim" is slightly longer than the Griffith, but they share the same technology

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TVR Chimaera 5.0 - No competitor offers more performance at this price

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TVR Chimaera 5.0 - The rear lights come from the third series Ford Fiesta

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TVR Chimaera 5.0 - With a wonderful soundscape

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TVR Chimaera 5.0 - Many have only seen it from behind

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TVR Chimaera 5.0 - Preferably with an open roof

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TVR Chimaera 5.0 - Black, unlabeled buttons next to the steering wheel for the low beam, the black steering column switches from Ford have been replaced by aluminum accessories

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TVR Chimaera 5.0 - Lots of aluminum in the cockpit

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TVR Chimaera 5.0 - High mileage is no problem for the engine

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TVR Chimaera 5.0 - Aluminum knob to open the doors

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TVR Chimaera 5.0 - Sufficient power in every gear

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TVR Chimaera 5.0 - Comfortable leather seats with lateral support

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TVR Chimaera 5.0 - The V8 engine has torque in every situation

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TVR Chimaera 5.0 - High mileage is no problem for the reliable V8

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TVR Chimaera 5.0 - The 5-liter V8 engine delivers 340 hp

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TVR Chimaera 5.0 - Chassis identification

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TVR Chimaera 5.0 - VIN (Vehicle Identification Number)

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TVR Chimaera 5.0 - TVR has always stood for exclusive sports cars from the British Isles

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TVR Chimaera 5.0 - Is this the imprint of Peter Wheeler's workshop dog's teeth?

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TVR Chimaera 5.0 - The air vents on the hood are reminiscent of a Spitfire fighter plane

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TVR Chimaera 5.0 - The rear-view mirrors come from the Citroën CX

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TVR Chimaera 5.0 - The doors are opened with the button on the fender

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TVR Chimaera 5.0 - Gap dimensions in the small series

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TVR Chimaera 5.0 - Nothing at the rear hints at the big V8

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TVR Chimaera 5.0 - Tail lights from the Ford Fiesta

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The TVR models Chimaera, Griffith and Cerbera

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TVR Chimaera (1998) - often painted in special colors

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TVR Chimaera (1998) - almost anything was possible on request

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Summary

The "Chimaera" is a fire-breathing monster from Greek mythology. On the occasion of a test drive with the 5-liter model of the TVR, we wanted to find out how much fire there is in the unconventional Briton and how it drives today, more than 20 years after its presentation. This much can be revealed: The soundscape alone before we set off was impressive...

This article contains the following chapters

The dog helped out
Far away from the masses
Strange parts
Magic trick
Open-top variants
Impressive soundscape
Nobody will complain about too little power
What did the trade press think?
Insider tip
Volume model for small series manufacturers
Unbeatable

Estimated reading time: 7min

Preview (beginning of the article)

The "Chimaera" (in German: "Chimäre") is a fire-breathing mythical creature from Greek mythology, and combines a goat, lion and snake in one. We were able to identify all three animals in the TVR: The goat is considered to be freedom-loving and lively, and so is the Chimaera, it wants to get out! When we start the engine, we hear the lion roaring out of the exhaust, making the hairs on the back of the driver's neck stand up and the mothers fetch their children from the street. The snake bites if you get too crazy with the throttle in the bends, because then you have to catch the rear end with eager crank work on the steering wheel. There are no electronic aids on board...

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