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Mr. V, i think you should wait and see a finished example of an un-altered G46, but with rounded arches before you make a decision. I bet it will look lovely and that you may not be too worried about where the doors are? Also the fact that you're prepared to take on building a car, should mean that you can probably do anything, just take your time.
Although this thread is straying from the Stoneleigh topic, I wonder if, maybe, a no frills dust coating (Even a spray can) of a colour on the G46 and wheeling it out into the sun for the Sammio meet at the end of June would bring those interested enough to consider it to come down, have a GOOD look at it in the flesh and make their minds up then rather than from photographic evidence whilst in its 'Orca' mode?
Although my Spyder is not finished yet I'm already planning to sell it and get a G46 built. On that note I'm looking for a running Scimitar donor so if you are thinking of selling I may be interested.
Well, it's not technically "running" as it's in component parts at the moment, lol.
I have a rover v8 to go in it, which is at a TVR specialist having the bottom end rebuilt atm. I have an LT77 5 speed 'box to go in with that. The chassis has been blasted and primed and is now bubble wrapped and leaning against the garage wall awaiting a minor amount of welding to the outriggers. The front suspension has been half rebuilt, while I have all the parts to rebuild the other side, I just need the time.
The rear suspension needs cleaning and rebushing, while the axle itself may need overhauling, I haven't got that far yet. It does need a few parts, brakes, servo, master cylinders, radiator, cooling pipes, ECU (engine is efi, could be converted to carb, I suppose), fuel tank, clutch, shocks and springs, front seats, etc. so it's not going to be a quick "drop on a new body" solution if anybody wants to buy it, lol.
Mr. V, i think you should wait and see a finished example of an un-altered G46, but with rounded arches before you make a decision. I bet it will look lovely and that you may not be too worried about where the doors are? Also the fact that you're prepared to take on building a car, should mean that you can probably do anything, just take your time.
What was on display?
It is a possibility, I suppose, but I simply don't like the proportions of the G46. I prefer the "sitting on the rear axle" style of the C, D, E types, 300 SLR, Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa, Maserati 300S, etc. etc.
The Spyder and Cordite both have that style about them, but for me the issue is one of trying to fit a body to the "wrong" chassis layout in the first place for what I want, and I'd be better starting with something that has that proportion to start with.
The thing I like about the G46 concept is the large layout and hefty engine, more the size of a 300SLR or C type (the scimitar has a slightly longer wheelbase, but is generally about the same size as a 300SLR) than the small size of a spitfire/Herald based kit. I want big 50's GT race car motoring, rather than small British sportscar... if you see what I mean.
Now... I wonder if the G46 kit can be chopped to fit the TVR Chimaera... lol.
Well, I made it down on the Sunday and took advantage of the good weather. My first kit car show since Belle Vue in 1985, my how things have changed!
Had a good chat with both Mike and Gary, and Andyp57 and son as well and after advising the missus on how to 'visualise' the end result and showing her a finished Spyder in the cars for sale section have now got her on board for the project (apparently I also promised her a weekend in Dorset when I go to pick the body up!) and duly put my deposit down on the Cordite :-)
Everything tied in nicely as I also picked up my 71 Spitfire doner on the way back and am well pleased as it looks to be in excellent condition and pretty much rot free (we shall see once the body comes off though).
Photos to come shortly on my own build thread me thinks :-)
Welcome aboard Craig. It's always good to get the other half involved and we all will look forward to your build thread. (The race is now officially 'On' between you and DonnySoutherner who picked his kit up at the weekend)
Cheers Andy. Think i'll let DonnySoutherner have the honours though as this is definetly going to be a long term, leisurely build and I'm hoping to 'enjoy the journey' lol
After speaking to Gary yesterday also I thought that this was the best news that I had all weekend. I really did not like the look of the G46 from the pictures on the website which is why I chose to buy the Spyder however after visiting Sammio towers I just could not beleive how different it looks in person and knew that I had bought the wrong car from Gary! My opinion is that with the rounded arches and a good paint job the car will look amazing and will become very popular.
Although my Spyder is not finished yet I'm already planning to sell it and get a G46 built. On that note I'm looking for a running Scimitar donor so if you are thinking of selling I may be interested.
Also had the opportunity to visit on Sunday and congrats to Gary and Mike for getting the Cordite there. Nice to see deposits being taken for orders...
As I previously stated on the forum the photos and artists renderings of the G46 produced to date do not (IMHO) convey the appearance nor physical presence - you really have to see it in person to get the concept. I'm not even certain a picture of a finished G46 would give the real effect.
(I had considered going down the 'Mercedes SLR' route but to be honest it is a completely different animal, as it was when when launched in the 50's and while its probably possible to build something similar on a Scimitar chassis I believe a better option is to use a dedicated chassis and either Merc or XJ6 running gear... still that's for a different thread).
Volospian - if you can get down to Poole and have a look or wait a bit until a near completed car is available it might change your mind - it changed mine. (sounds corny but true).
As I previously stated on the forum the photos and artists renderings of the G46 produced to date do not (IMHO) convey the appearance nor physical presence - you really have to see it in person to get the concept. I'm not even certain a picture of a finished G46 would give the real effect.
(I had considered going down the 'Mercedes SLR' route but to be honest it is a completely different animal, as it was when when launched in the 50's and while its probably possible to build something similar on a Scimitar chassis I believe a better option is to use a dedicated chassis and either Merc or XJ6 running gear... still that's for a different thread).
Volospian - if you can get down to Poole and have a look or wait a bit until a near completed car is available it might change your mind - it changed mine. (sounds corny but true).
Don't get me wrong, I don't want a 300SLR replica. I think that a replica has to be spot on identical otherwise it looks terrible. I just want a 50's/60's style car with those classic "ar*e on the back axle" proportions. Basically I want a car with more bonnet than boot. The current G46 just doesn't meet that criteria.
Well, it's not technically "running" as it's in component parts at the moment, lol.
It does need a few parts, brakes, servo, master cylinders, radiator, cooling pipes, ECU (engine is efi, could be converted to carb, I suppose), fuel tank, clutch, shocks and springs, front seats, etc. so it's not going to be a quick "drop on a new body" solution if anybody wants to buy it, lol.
Sadly its not what im looking for, what I need is something to drop off in Poole so Gary and Mike can simply rebody it for me, although maybe sombody else on here may be interested?
volospian wrote:
I just want a 50's/60's style car with those classic "ar*e on the back axle" proportions. Basically I want a car with more bonnet than boot. The current G46 just doesn't meet that criteria.
I find it strange that you would start to strip the Scimitar with the intention of building a G46 if you did not like the proportions. I dont know if its just me but the critisism the car has got from some seems very unfair. The Sammio company has produced a great looking car but if its not to sombodys taste then either buy it and modify it yourself as others have done or simply look for another car.
I find it strange that you would start to strip the Scimitar with the intention of building a G46 if you did not like the proportions. I dont know if its just me but the critisism the car has got from some seems very unfair. The Sammio company has produced a great looking car but if its not to sombodys taste then either buy it and modify it yourself as others have done or simply look for another car.[/QUOTE]
I agree. They can only make so many versions with no IVA...
I don't particularly want to get into this whole G46 styling debate being a confirmed Spyderholic myself, but I personally think the real problem is the lack of a finished demonstrator or customer car to drool over.
From an objective standpoint the G46 and Cordite 'in the rough' as they both are at the moment just don't have the visual or visceral impact that good 'ol '66 had on Gary's stand and on his website. Once there's a finished article that you can stare at, photograph, sit in etc, it'll be much easier to visualise yourself finishing and driving one for real.
As for the presence of a larger car, the original Sammio Spyder has presence in spades - I had a short passenger ride in Phil J's finished Triumph 2500 powered example on a sunny Sunday and dozens of bikers on their way to the beach were craning their necks and wobbling all over the place trying to get a better look. You've also got to remember that apart from the big Le Mans cars like the SLR, most racing cars (and racing drivers) were pretty small in the fifties.
Anyway, good luck with whatever you decide to do but don't give up on the idea of a Sammio as you won't find a better value package anywhere.
I find it strange that you would start to strip the Scimitar with the intention of building a G46 if you did not like the proportions. I dont know if its just me but the critisism the car has got from some seems very unfair. The Sammio company has produced a great looking car but if its not to sombodys taste then either buy it and modify it yourself as others have done or simply look for another car.
Erm, well.. that's because I didn't. The original plan was to simply restore the Scimitar. The reason that I was wondering whether to change my plans of a straight resto is because things have changed at work. The original idea was to have the Scimitar as my daily drive as I only work a few miles down the road from my house, but recently I have been offered another job that will require a lot of travelling, which, for various reasons, the Scimitar wouldn't really be suitable for.
Whether I continue with the resto as originally planned or get rid of the car is all to do with the fact that I won't really want that kind of car (a 3 door "shooting brake" style estate) when I've finished as I won't really use it.
Instead, after a week boxed up in a 4 door saloon, I could probably do with something that sits in the garage and comes out on nice days. A nice two seater rag top with a sweet sounding engine. Someone suggested that the G46 may have suited that and, as I already had all the parts in the garage, I looked into it, but in factory form it's not really what I want and I now think it's too much work for me to take on and modify to end up with what I do want.
I'm not criticising the G46 at all. It has a lot of fans and I respect the fact that we are all different and all like different things. It simply doesn't meet my needs atm. Had I a lot more glassfiber and bodywork skills, and perhaps more space, I would still be considering it, but I don't, so it's not really a suitable option. Instead I would be better off either finishing the Scim and selling it, or getting rid of what I have as is, and starting again with something that does meet my needs.
If I knew then what I know now, I wouldn't have started with a Scimitar in the first place....
As for the presence of a larger car, the original Sammio Spyder has presence in spades - I had a short passenger ride in Phil J's finished Triumph 2500 powered example on a sunny Sunday and dozens of bikers on their way to the beach were craning their necks and wobbling all over the place trying to get a better look.
Yes, the Spyder is definitely a cute little car....
Someone suggested that the G46 may have suited that and, as I already had all the parts in the garage, I looked into it, but in factory form it's not really what I want and I now think it's too much work for me to take on and modify to end up with what I do want.
I'm not an engineer and I would normally outsource engine work that was beyond me. As an option have you thought about outsourcing your bodywork changes?
That's my car, although must give credit to Gary and Mike who put the body on and painted it. I've trimmed it and finished the rest although still a work in progress (softer front springs being one job, and a bit more finishing in the cockpit area) - glad you liked it, certainly got a lot of attention, only parked in the historics area as i couldn't see any others when we arrived.
There was a decent BRG example that I've not seen before parked out in the Triumph specials display area, but the owner was tied up talking to someone else at length so I didn't bother him with an introduction. If you're reading this I hope to catch up with you some time for a natter.
I was also a bit peed off that a rather nice looking dark blue example passed me on the other side of the dual carriageway as I was heading back to the hotel.
Oh well. Perhaps next year we'll have a crowded Sammio only parking area. [/QUOTE]
Hi there Herald948. Sorry I didn't get the chance for a chin-wag on the day. What's the issue with the front springs and how are you going to source softer ones?
I've softened the back end by taking another leaf out and adding in the original top (very short ) leaf, and raised it with a smaller 1" lowering block to give more suspension travel , this transforms the car from very skittish on anything but a smooth surface to a good ride / handling compromise, but fronts still a bit stiff for my liking - standard Spitfire springs are rated at 150lb/in, which is softer than heralds which should make enough of a difference. I had the same problem with a Dutton I rebuilt, found a place over in Dudley that would take your existing spring, rate it and make a new one at whatever rate / length you wanted for about £25 each, but will try spitfire ones first. With so much weight removed the way forward is softer not harder springs unless you only drive on smooth roads.
Hi Herald948, and welcome along..
So have you chopped your front springs or are they standard height.
I have a 50mm cut on mine and Imagine that will stiffen them even more, I will see how it is on the road (one day) then consider height and firmness adjustable shocks if required. It may be OK as there were many Spitfire additions already on my Herald when I bought it and I did notice the front sat squatter than my Standard ride so maybe they were softer to begin with.
Cheers Pops
They were cut down so that would make them stiffer, I'm going to fit the Spitfire ones at normal length and see how it looks but I will be using height adjustable shocks with these so may be able to get the right height with those, if not cut down and have another go.
I fitted some 140lbs springs to the front of my Herald and it was still sitting to high for me. I chopped 2 ins off and think that its sitting fine now but it brings the chassis down to just a few (maybe 3-4) inches off the ground so I will have to be carefull going over speed bumps!
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