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This thread is for my sammio spyder build based on a Vitesse 2ltr, its been very slow going but im picking up pace now and need to get it on the road this summer, so will be posting pics hard and fast.
Quick background, i belive that i was one of the earliest sammio customers, as when i spoke to gary it was regarding the bonnet shape before the current d24 style, and i remember him saying there was a new shape in development which was the one i eventually bought. :-)
So far everything was stripped from my car and re-conditioned/replaced, the aim here is to produce a good quality, yet still vintage in look build.
I will update the electrics. I have a electronic ignition system and solid state electronic fuel pump along with other upgrades to make the car as usable as possible for time trial rallies.
The starting point:
The cabin is aluminium which has been shaped, riveted + composite bonded together.
So im well behind considering how long i've had the car but progress is a lot quicker now so i'll have some more pic's this weekend :-)
Great to see another build on the forum Cabbage. Where are you based?
Looking like a great start. I'm looking forward to seeing this one come together.
Some quick answers, im based in Basildon, Essex and yes the plan was to have it cream, although I change my mind daily :-) was even considering a two tone paint job similar to some Austin healeys, so cream on the lower half and a light metallic green or blue on the top half.
As for build quality thanks :-) its not great but I do try. So far the plan is recondition or replace so everything should be like new, although I want to keep it feeling old, so there will be no cd players, modern dials or switches here. :-)
Some more info on the car, it was rallied for a large chunk of its life and I have paper cuttings about its wins. The engine has some triumph tune parts but not sure what. The gear box is attached with a custom machined spacer and is a close ratio 4 speed with overdrive on three of the gears (so im told)
Hi, really impressed with your build and look forward to future updates.
Did you use a proper pipe bender for the frame work or some other ingenious method?
That part of the frame was actually made by Gary, it was either before the frames were available as a package or i just wanted to do the rest myself, can't remember.
Its worked out better in the long run as i have been able to make the rest myself and workout the stiffest structure, the welding is messy but its strong and ties in with the tub very well making it really rigid :-)
There will be as blast of new fabrication pictures this weekend and maybe some paint, so we'll see.
In the meantime, some DVLA stress to share with you all
So i bought my Vitesse as a 2ltr however a few months down the line i found that my V5 claims it left the factory with a 1.6 unit.
Luckily i have a lot of history with the car and i can see that two owners back, between its mot in 1993 and 1994 the engine was swapped (this is probably when the car was converted into a full blown rally machine). Now this is not an issue as the engine is a later Vitesse unit, however my V5 is now not correct and would fail any inspection if the DVLA officer were to check if the numbers match up.
So the DVLA was proof of the new engine being fitted and receipt, neither of these i have as the engine was fitted many moons ago by someone i do not know. I have lots of receipts and history but nothing about the engine swap with the exception of the mileage and cc suddenly changing in 1994.
Hi, If it helps at all, with the two rebody checks I have processed with the Preston office, both have had engines which differ from the V5 (Though of the same specification). In these cases, as the rest of the rolling chassis were unmodified, they had sufficient 'points' to qualify so the engine number was changed at that time and the new V5 issued reflected the new engine. No receipts nor proof were asked for at that time.
I changed my V5 with new engine number and capacity well in advance of the DVLA inspection with no problems.
Just sent a covering letter in with V5 saying the car would be undergoing a full rebuild and a similar but more modern engine had be sourced and will be fitted.
Got the V5 back with all the right corresponding info for them to check at the inspection.
Progress has been slow but here is a little update for you all :-)
1) made some aluminium brackets which sit perfectly in the semi-circular rear of the body at each corner, which then attaches to the two diagonal beams from the rear of the chassis.
2) cut a boot hole and lined all the corners with sheet aluminium by using composite bond and riveting to hold it tight. This acts as a lip for the boot lid to sit on, but also adds some strength to the rear body section.
3) I have made brackets which attach each side of the boot opening to the fuel tank framework.
Overall the rear of the car is not only perfectly level giving good wheel gaps but also very rigid and strong enough to sit and bounce on :-).
Some pics below include fabricating the front join between the body and the bulkhead.
In other news i have bought a lithium ion battery to replace the heavy lead acid one, its about the size of a motorbike batter and weighs nothing.
Thanks Guys, there will be more pics this week :-)
The boot is more of a service hatch really, it gives good access to the rear suspension and fuel pump/pressure regulator so should make future maintenance easier.
I might also keep a spare wheel here but we'll see :-)
Sadly no third seat, although there is plenty of room to do some people smuggling ;-)
That's one hell of a service hatch! Looks good though, even if you end up sealing it up.
Btw, have you left all the rear spring leaves in place? Unless you're building a track only car that might make it a little stiff at the back for road use.
It's up to you of course, but I've removed all the loose springs from the top of the stack (as recommended by the designer) and it's still pretty firm at the back.
