TVR Chimaera 1991–2003 car dimensions: 4015 mm long, 1865 mm wide and 1215 mm high. Unladen weight is 1,060 kg. Boot space with the seats up is 310 litres.
Leather trim is available full or partial. Air conditioning and heated seats are options. Power steering starts as optional from mid-production and is more common later. The cabin uses basic dials, manual heater controls with fan, and electric windows. No ABS, traction control or other electronic driver aids are fitted. Switchgear is quirky with a high central tunnel and adjustable steering column. The two-seat roadster cabin is snug with the hood up and suits longer trips.
Boot space is 310 litres. It takes two golf bags and offers good luggage room for a two-seat roadster.
No towing hitch or capacities are listed. Payload is 220 kg. The suspension is softer than the related Griffith for touring comfort rather than heavy work.
The cabin is a snug two-seater finished in leather with walnut trim and deep-pile carpet. Seats adjust manually for reach and recline, with optional lumbar pump support and heated seats. Steering column is adjustable. Standard heater and vents work with optional air conditioning. Soft top is manual and simple to stow, leaving a usable boot. With the hood up the cabin stays quiet enough for conversation at speed and feels water-tight. Ride is supple for a sports car, suited to longer trips.
Unleaded petrol only, 57-litre tank
Service every 6000 miles or 12 months after initial 1000-mile check
No published crash-test rating
No ABS, airbags or traction control. dual-circuit servo disc brakes and seat belts standard
Optional roll bar from 1996
Catalytic converters and immobiliser alarm fitted
The Chimaera runs exclusively on unleaded petrol. The fuel tank holds 57 litres. Published combined consumption for a mid-range 4.5-litre example is 15 mpg.
Service intervals are 1000 miles initially, then every 6000 miles or twelve months, whichever comes first. Work should be done at the factory or an approved centre. Specified oils include mineral grades for early miles and synthetic thereafter. Cooling system and other fluids have listed capacities.
Safety equipment is basic. There are no ABS, traction control or airbags. Standard kit includes dual-circuit servo-assisted disc brakes front and rear, three-point seat belts with adjustable head restraints, and an inertia switch that cuts fuel in an impact. An optional roll bar appeared from 1996. An alarm with immobiliser is fitted. The car demands careful driving, especially in the wet.
The tubular steel chassis needs regular rust protection as the powder coat can wear. The fibreglass body itself does not corrode. The soft top is straightforward to operate and stow. A decent boot supports touring use. Power steering was optional from the mid-1990s and eases low-speed work.
Length 4015 mm, Width 1865 mm, Height 1215 mm, Wheelbase 2286 mm (Chimaera 1991–2003)
Sources: manufacturer data, tvr-car-club.co.uk, en.wikipedia.org, autoevolution.com.