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locost 7 / sammio

ufo17 2 Nov 2014, 3:22pm
Hi everyone,
I haven't posted for some time but have been following all of the sammio/miglia/tribute builds when I have time. I live in France and have a Locost 7 which I built from the original book ( the one in my avatar). I have been thinking about this car am now wondering whether it might be quicker for me to try and fit a sammio/miglia/tribute body to it rather than starting from scratch with a Herald/spitfire:eyebrows:. So my question is does anybody know the wheelbase measurement of a herald or spitfire, I don't have access to the Locost at the moment but other "book" builders have a measurement of 2370mm. With all the other life things going on I will never get round to building one of these cars unless I can take some kind of short cut.:cry:
Pual L when I look at your thread now its more like following a kit company making the buck for an awesome new model, just top work mate:eusa_dance:
micky1mo 2 Nov 2014, 5:06pm
Hi ufo17, the Triumph Herald wheel base is 91.5in or 2324mm and the Triumph Spitfire wheel base is 83in or 2110mm.

So the Triumph Herald would be very close to your Locost wheel base.
You could get the extra needed with a longer bonnet but as these bodies are only single skin it would not be to much of a problem the add the little extra some where else :eusa_think:

It you want a body please PM me.:nod:
GazDavies 3 Nov 2014, 7:20am
I think that the biggest problem that you will face is the dimensions of the Locost Vs the body shell of your choice. The cockpit of the low-cost is a long way back and is almost over the rear wheels where as the spitfire/herald are far more central.

Im certain that it could be done however the bonnet would need to be VERY long, the rear deck shortened and the rear arches moved forward. In my opinion this would ruin the style and the finished article would look very different to the 50s style racer that we all love.
Paul L 3 Nov 2014, 4:49pm
ufo17 - First of all, thanks for the kind words about my own build, I'm doing my best.
Although Swifty & Mac are really building their Cordite/Navigators to a factory standard. :cool:

I am not sure if you saw the advert in this thread.
http://www.madabout-kitcars.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5182

Pat/Patton had started modifying this early Cordite bodyshell, with #69 on the door, to fit a Locost.



As Gaz suggested, it looks like quite a radical change.

Hope that helps, Paul. :)
ufo17 3 Nov 2014, 8:20pm
Thanks everyone for your replies. uummm maybe a no go:lock1::heh::heh: as I, like most people want to build one of these cars because of their dimensions and therefore looks. I think I will just have to finish my house here in France so I can put it on the market to move back to the UK. If we get what we want for this house I will be able to afford to build a car:eusa_angel:. Just to throw an idea into the air, would a Fiat v6 engine fit into a Herald/Spitfire more would the drive train handle the power?, I can buy a whole car for £1500. I would really like to fit a Maserati engine but I think they might be a bit pricey:scared:.

p.s Paul ,I saw on your thread that you were visiting Friends in Oxford, I'm from Oxford (Headington) just wondered what part of Oxford your friends are in. Looked like a good night.
Mister Towed 4 Nov 2014, 10:51am
redratbike wrote:
Maybe a mistral body would be betterhttp://www.madabout-kitcars.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4132
..

http://www.madabout-kitcars.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4034


That could work and the Mistral body does look pretty sweet once finished -





That one's still for sale as it went unsold on Sunday at a guide price of €125,000.

http://www.artcurial.com/en/asp/fullCatalogue.asp?salelot=2644+++++265+&refno=10501868

Still think the Sammio Spyder looks nicer and it shouldn't be too difficult to drop a modern engine into a Herald chassis as Ford Type 9 Gearbox mounts and props are available off the shelf. If I ever built another I'd probably go ultra light race car stylee and fit a 1.7 Puma engine as it weighs only 81kg's for a 123bhp output in standard trim.
ufo17 5 Nov 2014, 4:27pm
Doh

I must be tired I meant Alfa Romeo v6!!!!.
Mister Towed 5 Nov 2014, 6:07pm
ufo17 wrote:
I must be tired I meant Alfa Romeo v6!!!!.


Doesn't that have a transaxle gearbox hanging out back?

I suppose that's not an issue if you're using a purpose built space-frame chassis. :noidea: