This is a read-only archive of the old Madabout Kitcars forum. New posts and replies are no longer possible, but every thread is still here to browse and read.
I must confess we did not take any real notice of the relative heights of the cockpit sides, just the sills. I was keen to try and make sure the metal chassis was hidden both sides by the fibreglass. Did consider slicing along the length of the drivers side about three inches up and stretching it downwards toward the front & then glassing in the split, but was happy with the results of our "fettling" (fnaar!).
Having just put a long level across the cockpit I am surprised to find that the Drivers side is higher than the passengers by 1 to 2 cm - according to where you measure. I went across in front of the steering wheel, centre, and rear just in front of the headrest hump.
It doesn't seem logical that the drivers side is the one we have really pulled down as much as we can to get the bonnet swage lines level with the chassis both sides, and yet it is still higher.
Not to worry though, as soon as the driver gets in it will look level! Unless I lose some weight that is...
On mine, when I measured up to the level where I've cut the screen frame off the bulkhead it's 20mm lower on the driver's side despite having cut through the same bolt-hole on both sides. The shell still doesn't cover the end of the side-rail though. I quite like the idea of splitting the shell, lowering the edge and glassing in the gap though, sounds like a plan...
I had planned to split the shell to lower it beyond the side rail. But on my shell, the passenger side sill has much more of a curve on it than the driver's side. So I am now thinking that I will extend the driver's side sill by adding more of a curve.
I remember a kit car manufacturer that I spoke to years ago who was building Ford cortina based kits. He Had contacted Fords about the accuracy of the diagonal measurement he had between shock absorber mountings which were 3/8" out and Fords said that was miles better than a MK2 cortina, so our donors probably vary by the same if not more.
These Sammios will look fine and no admirer is going to start running a tape measure over them.
I think you guys are doing a fantastic job, great inspiration for us novices starting out.
I kinda mirror what Len , Straight sixer , says above.....
When I first started these cars , it was to build one for myself and try and recoup/justify my expenditure by building a couple to sell....at that point I didn't think it would be much more than that. After no. 1 sold and was re-sold giving me credit for the build , interest increased to a level where we decided we needed to straighten out and soften that first attempt.....I still didn't think they would go to the level they have.
The car was designed to be a cheap body swap option for people wanting to bring the whole 1950's Special thing into the modern day....
They are priced as such.
I never thought people would embrace the concept to the stage where some VERY nice examples are being built. You kind of hope it will happen , but don't expect it...
The result of people building them on a higher level , than I originally thought would happen is that the cars aren't symmetrical and do need a little tweaking if being built to a good standard....
If its any consolation , they are a LOT better than the body I started with !!
A famous Hot Rod builder was picked up on a symmetry issue on one of his cars a few years back and his response was something like '' Don't worry about it - you can't see both sides at once !''
We have reworked the body on the Cordite , so it is our best yet ...dearest too !! But still leagues ahead of the competition !!
I think that the tweaking is half the fun of building a Sammio and is actually a feature of many, far more expensive kit cars. It is just a case of builders appreciating that this sort of engineering is never going to be mm perfect and totally symmetrical. It is actually part of the satisfaction of building to decide what matters, what doesn't and what a particular builder is happy to live with or put the effort into changing.
The fantastic thing about this forum is that builders are so willing to share their experiences and advice. This not only increases the sense of enjoyment that you can get from building a Sammio (you can never get stuck) but also the potential for innovation.
I think that the tweaking is half the fun of building a Sammio and is actually a feature of many, far more expensive kit cars. It is just a case of builders appreciating that this sort of engineering is never going to be mm perfect and totally symmetrical. It is actually part of the satisfaction of building to decide what matters, what doesn't and what a particular builder is happy to live with or put the effort into changing.
The fantastic thing about this forum is that builders are so willing to share their experiences and advice. This not only increases the sense of enjoyment that you can get from building a Sammio (you can never get stuck) but also the potential for innovation.
Chris
I agree Chris, and as you are only down the road in Romsey, you are more than welcome to stop by mine or if you need a hand let me know and I can pop up
Just finished adjusting the bodyshell so that the two sides are roughly in the same position at the front of the bulhead and also to give a bit more 'fold under' at the front of the driver's side sill.
Tomorrow's task is to build a frame for the petrol tank behind the diff - just got to find some 25mm box section first though!
Not made much progress over the summer for one reason or another. But had a good day in the garage today.
I have decided to stick with the existing Herald radiator and spent a few hours making-up a suitable mounting arrangement which I have tack welded in place.
Whilst admiring my handywork I thought back to Mr T's thread and remembered that he had lowered his radiator to prevent it fouling the bonnet. I have concentrated in getting my radiator in the same place as it would be on the Herald. So will it foul the bonnet? Cannot recall any of the other build threads talking about the Herald radiator?
Whilst under the car, I noticed the the gaitors on both track-rod ends had split as shown in the following photos:
Yes definitely poor quality rubber to perish that quick. As these rubbers will now under newish regulations fail the MOT, replacement rubbers are available and may be easier than getting them exchanged.
Good to see you are moving forward with your Sammio again.
Whilst admiring my handywork I thought back to Mr T's thread and remembered that he had lowered his radiator to prevent it fouling the bonnet. I have concentrated in getting my radiator in the same place as it would be on the Herald. So will it foul the bonnet? Cannot recall any of the other build threads talking about the Herald radiator?
I used the herald radiator and yes it will foul the bonnet if left in the normal position. I think that I lowered it by about 3 inches but cant remember the exact figure, sorry. Once it is lowered, the cap will no longer be the highest point on the system so you will need some sort of expansion tank, which most people have placed where the heater used to be as it is convenient although as with all things Sammio, there is no right or wrong.
Have made little, if any, progress in 2013 my build is now back underway.
I decided to get to the chassis/frame running before fixing the body. Last couple of weeks have seen the engine running very sweetly and so I was planning to fix the body over the weekend. Then I found that the brake master cylinder is too tall - can't remember noting this on other build threads?
Anyone recommend a suitable remote master cylinder replacement?
Whilst I am doing some surgery to the main tub, I decided to get matters underway with the DVLA to see what would happen.
2 weeks ago I submitted my old V5, the relevant form and Sammio receipt. Today I received a new V5 in the post which records that my car is a Triumph Sammio.
Back in the garage again this afternoon to wrestle with some more fibreglass work. Guess those outriggers can fall-off now!
I have a registered "Triumphsammiospyder" but need it to return to a Triumph Herald in order to be able to export it to France, I wonder how easy the reversal process would be. (Must be a recognised mark for export seemingly.)
With hindsight I would never have registered it but at the time was an achievement taking it for its inspection..
Guess depends on the picture process, can show my build in reverse order..
Pops
No photos, just the receipt that I was given by Gary when I purchased the kit.
Cant scan anything at the moment. But I completed the V627/1 saying that all the major components had come from the donor. There is only a single line for Chassis/Bodyshell and I put my chassis number into that.
Page 2 of the V627/1 asks about the Original Parts not used: Body panels including doors, bonnet, boot lid and rear cockpit have been sold as spares.
Page 2 Other information: V5C for Reg No ****** is attached. Vehicle is owned by me and SORN. Invoice from Sammio Motor Co is attached. Company is no longer trading.
Page 2 Additional Notes: Sammio Motor Company was a supplier of replacement body panels to fit Triumph Herald cars. This bodywork swapped car is called a Sammio Spyder. It is not a kit car - only the external body panels are changed. It is not a replica but is made to resemble a 1950s Italian Sports Car.
Chris, would you be prepared to let those of us who are about to register have your regisration number? We can then cite it. Your path seems so straightforward. A precedent is a powerful thing.
Chris, would you be prepared to let those of us who are about to register have your regisration number? We can then cite it. Your path seems so straightforward. A precedent is a powerful thing.
Chris on page 2 it asks for year in which rebuilt by you so i assume you put a current date and photos of the body on the chassis but it does not mention about being roadworthy, did the photos show your car virtually roadworthy?
I am not sure about my Reg Number being quoted as a precedent because a) it should not make any difference and b) if it does then I end up on DVLA's list of trouble-makers!
The thing to remember with matters such as this is that you are dealing with civil servants who just want forms to be clear and answers predictable. The more superfluous info that you give them the more they feel that they have to examine it in great detail to avoid being caught out. I was one for 20 years and know how the systems struggles when it does not receive yes/no answers. And if you do happen to ask a civil servant what info they need to make a decision then they will ask for absolutely everything that may possibly be in existence - just in case. Always better to have info and not use it than not have it at all!!
All that I did was to complete the form as simply as possible. All the key parts of my Sammio came from donor. So that's what I said on the form. I sold the body panels such as doors, bonnet & boot then replaced them with Sammio body panels. So that's what I said on the form.
Fill the form in as I did and the outcome is assured. No photos or extra details are necessary and they will beg more questions. So KISS.
