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| TVR Chimeara |
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At first sight, the Chimaera might not appear to be a logical
addition to the TVR model range. Underneath a body which is only slightly
larger than the Griffith there is a similar basic multi tubular steel chassis
which was developed from the Tuscan Racer. The Chimaera is powered by a TVR
developed V8 engine, starting at four litres and moving upto the powerful five
litre which is available to special order.
The Chimaera weighs in at
1060 Kg so any of the engines will take it to 60 mph in around the four and a
half seconds mark and a top speed of about 150 mph.
The Chimaera is a
little longer and wider than the Griffith and has a bigger boot. It offers more
room for both occupants and for luggage.
The Chimaera has the same low
profile tyres as the Griffith and the same size alloys with 15 inch ones at the
front and 16 inches at the rear.
The Chimaera's hand laid glass fibre
body is rather less curvaceous than its smaller sisters the Griffith. Instead
of the Griffiths sweeping radiator vent which curves from the top of the front
wings and dips behind and between the headlights, there are carefully faired
cooling outlets that toughen the bonnets appearance run along the gap to the
front wings. The tops of the rear wings are taller creating more space in the
boot. |
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Inside there is the now traditional wood and leather trim and in
front of you on the dash panel there is a set of aluminium rimmed TVR dials,
the large ones visible through a steering column which tilts up and down to
adjust for rake, while further along the walnut covered dash there are two
knurled aluminium wheels for the heater controls and a rotary switch for the
heater.
There award winning and simple top dropping mechanism to open up the
car for sunny days and the angle of the screen guarantees a minimum of noise
from the wind and ensures that rain will not enter the car while you are
moving. You can even create your own targa top by leaving out the centre roof
section and clicking in position the two aluminium struts which hold the rear
screen in place.
The Chimaera shares the Griffith's Borg Warner five
speed gearbox fitted with TVR's own gear linkage which brings the lever forward
to a convenient position. The linkage can also be mounted on either side of the
gearbox, and this sites the lever close to whichever seat the driver is
sitting.
Outside the Chimaera has a plunger lock instead of a T handle
and this acvtivates a switch to open the doors electrically.
Inside there is
a fluted aluminium knob , sited a little way behind the gear-lever. You twist
to the right to open the drivers door and twist to the left to open the
passengers door.
The Chimaera shares the same chassis as the Griffith, the
only variations on the chassis are if the car is to be a left or right hand
drive. The tubes and brackets are cut and made to length and then tack welded
in the jig. There are Three jigs that are used to build a Chimaera chassis. The
Front section, The Back section and the Final assembly Jig. |
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After the front and back sub sections are made there
then bolted on the Final Jig and the final section of the chassis is assembled
and welded in the Jig.
The body is laid up by hand in glass reinforced
polyester resin and then left to cure in the mould before being sent to the
next section The Primer shop where the body is flattened and given four primer
coats and at least five top coats of two pack paint. |
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