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.
Help wanted in rebuilding THE SAMMIO MOTOR COMPANY
Sorry if this is a daft question, but are you actually taking new Sammio orders?
I got the impression every old model needed to be re-worked and was not currently available.
But as always, what do I know?
Cheers, Paul.
Paul, when your a sole trader any order is a good order
But as an up-date, the Navigators moulds are no more .
The Spyder mounds are still available but as over 150 units have been produced they are in desperate need of a overhaul/remake.
So yes, you can still buy a Spyder body, bonnet and windscreen surround but it's now got a few more lumps and bumps than it had before.
Whats happened to the Navigator moulds ? I recall these were extensively reworked and remoulded after a disaster with removing a body from the Cordite moulds rendered them unuseable , or am I getting this wrong ?
If I remember that correctly , they can only have produced a fraction of the bodies that the original Spyder moulds have .
Hmm, EP's very relevant question hasn't really been answered there, Micky. '...moulds are no longer available' sounds a bit like the IRA's claim that they'd 'put their weapons beyond use'.
Have the moulds been sold on or scrapped? I think that's what EP's asking...
If i understand this right there is now an official brand name(Sammio Motor Company)with nothing usable to sell????
Or do you have other models available??
René
The Spyder mounds are still available but as over 150 units have been produced they are in desperate need of a overhaul/remake.
So yes, you can still buy a Spyder body, bonnet and windscreen surround but it's now got a few more lumps and bumps than it had before.
I reckon there is your answer right there Rene.
I suspect Micky1mo has plans for expansion up his sleeve , we have seen an alternative bodystyle taking shape already and his current projects reflect his thinking about adapting and improving the brand to secure its survival.
Its a shame to hear the Navigator moulds are junk. I know Spitfires are a dearer , generally, donor than the Heralds but I think they are still very viable option.
The Cordite is/was a very pretty car.
I know that finding modern donors is paramount to most kits and they have to evolve to survive but I do think there is a certain appeal and charm to the Sammio range retaining its classic status.
EP, your right there, that's why the new ALPHA is designed around the Spitfire and as every body knows it's easier to S-T-R-E-C-H a body than shrink one so the ALPHA should fit the Herald with some work.
The Spyder still "lives-on" and will continue to "live-on" retaining the same overall shape but with a few sensible improvements.
As the Navigator or should I say Cordite was a spin-off the Spyder who knows what will happen
Micky about the ALPHA..........are there pictures of the body?
Does the ALPHA have a separate inner frame or is it build using the Spitfire tub like the Tribute cars?
René
As you can see the whole body should just drop over the cut-down Spitfire.
There should be no major engineering work to do apart from moving the fuel tank, but you'll need a good grinder and a lot of nerve to chop-up the Spitfire body.
I know it's been a long time coming but, we plan on doing some major work on the project next week may-be get it ready for production in July
The mock-up looks like a really nice car,i'll guess there is also a possibilaty to build a inner frame yourself and not use the Spitfire tub?
I am not a huge fan of using old body panels which are not easy to reach when the GRP body is bonded to them so i would rather build a frame to support the body and use only the Spitfire chassis,engine and running gear.Do you have any idea about prices?
René
To me the green 'n' cream photoshop mock up looks much better for not having the hump, which I feel is a bit too tall to please the eye on your current shell.
Here is a photoshop of modified body on a Miata tub. it was an idea I had but for a number of reasons I never built it and am not planning to in the future. A couple of heart attacks have me selling off my projects and downsizing.
Sorry to hear about the heart attacks JMC, hope your health issues are sorted now.
I remember the development work being done to fit the Spyder body to the Miata (MX5 here in Europe). As I recall you actually got as far as having the body shipped across the pond. Do you know if anyone finished the car? Would love to hear an update and see some pictures if it's on the road or still being completed.
The Miata mechanicals and backbone have been used for a number of European home-build cars, but the problem we have in the UK is that once we cut the windscreen (windshield) off and/or alter the monocoque body on a car without a separate body and chassis, we have to have a comprehensive inspection conducted (IVA), which costs over $900 (US), and a retest if it fails (which most do first time) costs almost $200.
The problem with getting a home built car through that test is the stupidly stringent rules as to what parts can be used to build the thing.
For example, gauges must have rounded bezels so you don't cut your face on them in a crash. If my face hits the dash I have a feeling that a cut chin will be the least of my worries!
Anyway, given the ever diminishing pool of classic donors I think that the way forward for the Sammio brand could be to include a Miata based car designed from the outset to get through the IVA test. It would cost considerably more but I think there'd be a ready market for it on both sides of the Atlantic.
I think you were really on to something there, JMC.
lane: 
.
