9 Of The Best TVRs Ever Made, Ranked – SlashGear

The Chimaera had a long production run for a TVR, spanning from 1992 up to 2003. In that time, it became the best-selling TVR model ever, with the TVR Car Club reporting that there were more Chimaeras produced than the previous 25 years of TVR’s output combined. The reason for its success was that it struck the balance between a brutish muscle car and a civilized grand tourer, making it more approachable than most of the brand’s previous offerings. It shared much of its underpinnings with the Griffith but boasted revised suspension for a smoother ride and more luggage space than its stablemate.

According to TVR folklore, three designers worked on the car: Peter Wheeler, John Ravenscroft, and Ravenscroft’s dog, Ned. It was Ned that was apparently responsible for the Chimaera’s distinctive front indicator light recesses, after he damaged part of an early clay mock-up. While the styling remained largely unchanged throughout the car’s decade-plus on sale, the range of engines increased later in its lifespan. Early 4.0L cars reportedly made 240 horsepower, while the most powerful later-model cars upped that figure to 340 horsepower. They’re a rare sight in the U.S., but can be surprisingly affordable: Data from Classic shows an average sale price of just $19,702, with the lowest recorded sale fetching just $8,010. However, rust and poor maintenance mean that buying a cheap example is a risky business, and could end up costing more in the long run.