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Hi to the Sammio team, I'm new to the site and have been looking to build a kit car for some time, the Sammio really appeals especially a straight six version. Looking around at vehicles and the Vitesse option looks to becoming more rare and as a result more expensive. I've just seen a Bond Equip on fleabay and wondered what your vast knowledge base thought of using this as a doner? Hope keep posting and watching all your builds proceed.
Welcome aboard Vixen. There's always the possibility of transplanting a Triumph straight six into a Herald chassis. Phil J's BRG example started its life as a Herald Courier van, but now runs a Triumph 2500 straight six -
Good luck finding the right donor, depending on your budget this might give you a good start -
Good luck in your search matey, the Vitesse donors are out there, i know
My car was a Vitesse that turns out to have been 'converted' from a Herald 13/16 at a not inconsiderable cost in the 80's, so that is also one option should you reach a complete dead end.
Vixen, I love the sound and qualities of the Vitesse engine, and I had one available at the start of my build. I chose to sell it and stick with a four pot. The final spec of this will be close to a Spitfire MkIII with a 4-2-1 exhaust, and a modest amount of lightning and polishing. This should give it just a little bit of go. The one advantage that the car will have is that the lower weight (compared to the six) should make it a little more friendly in the corners.
I am not advocating a four over a six (or any other configuration), just highlighting that whatever you choose, it is likely to be a lot of fun.
Yes, a lightweight modern engine would save even more weight, but I like "period" engines with distributors, rotor arms and carbs. I am an automotive romantic and masochist.
It just means the reg must stay with this vehicle and cannot be transfered / sold to another. No issues regarding converting to a Sammio
Agreed, it means the car's original number plate has been sold and replaced with an age-related plate by DVLA as part of the transfer service.
Obviously, if you could then sell on the replacement plate, you'd have a never ending source of income, so selling a car's registration number is a once only event. That's why some plates are non-transferrable.
To get a three letter three number registration transferred onto your car costs around £700 minimum, and is quite a desirable accessory on a Sammio imho, giving it that little extra touch of period authenticity. That should be factored in when looking at that particular donor chassis, making it worth a bit extra.
Just taken another look at that rolling chassis. It's currently sitting at £640 with 21 hours to go and I wish I had a grand or so kicking around in my other trousers as I'd bid on it myself. Mind you, if I did intend to bid I wouldn't have posted it on here...
