Sammio Spyder Builds.....

[lancelot link]

Hi,
I have been running a thread under general chatter that started a while back when I was developing this car....well we are a bit on from that now and into the process of building a few now....I am constantly changing and tweaking them , no two need be the same.....I felt the thread is probably better continuing in this category now...

Heres the original thread.....


http://www.madabout-kitcars.com/forum/showthread.php?p=19823#post19823

Heres the latest pics ....The french one ( grey car ) or 'Monroe' as I call her ( those 50's curves are just beautiful ) has been rounded and smoothed out a bit more and is nearing the primer stage..

The blue example is getting a few different touches as future pics will show....I call this one 'Mansfield' as she is going to be another curvy 50's beaut !! I have started making a wrapped , full cockpit style dash for this one and changed the shape quite dramatically...



http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y184/lancelotlink/DSCF00352.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y184/lancelotlink/DSCF00342.jpg

more pics to follow...... If you visit http://www.bayarearods.co.uk/sammio.html you'll see more info on my cars

THANK YOU

[PaulC]

Both coming along nicely there Gary. I take back what I said in the other thread about the front. The grey one, from that angle, looks right.

[lancelot link]

Hi PAULC , Take back sort of accepted .....You are kinda right ....the earlier version of the front does look a little off from some angles....with this grey one we decided to 'fatten' the wings up a bit and soften the lines into the bonnet as well as softer lines around the screen area.....I like it . It is more how I pictured the car in my head when I first put the design together...More importantly , Pattrice , the customer likes it too...( I am very grateful to him that he has trusted me to do my own thing with the car...)

It just shows how a few small changes can personalize a SAMMIO and keep them all a little unique....

[lancelot link]

Patrice's car is now nearly ready for paint , hopefully Friday...

I will post up some pictures of the car after the paint has gone on...hoping to get her roadworthy next week....

Blue car has been lowered now and when the adaptors for the wire wheels finally arrive....I can get on with the bodywork changes I want to undertake....

[lancelot link]

HERES A PRE-PAINT SNEAKY PEAK !!

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y184/lancelotlink/DSCF00452.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y184/lancelotlink/DSCF00422.jpg

[PaulC]

Looking good. What colour will it be?

On second thoughts, just show us :eusa_drool:

[lancelot link]

Its going to be about as traditional as a British sports car can be....

The one I'm getting ready for Exeter will probably be red....

We have another Turn-key to build after that , similar spec to the French one and some serious maybes ! for after that....I'm pleased with the responses so far...

At some point I'll put one together for myself to keep ! I quite fancy building something with a bit of patina .....so it looks like a genuine , recently unearthed barn find ...maybe next year......

[lancelot link]

Painted.....But had to come on before the dust had settled enough for a pic.....going to do wheel arches tomorrow and get her back on her wheels...

[PaulC]

You're stringing this out on purpose, aren't you? :biggrin1:

[lancelot link]

Heres the pics....taken in the dark , so showing darker than in the flesh...its the early 70's MG colour ....proper BRG...

STILL GOT A BIT OF POLISHING TO DO AND FIT SIDELIGHTS , MIRRORS ETC...BUT GETTING THERE !!

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y184/lancelotlink/DSCF0048-1.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y184/lancelotlink/DSCF0049.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y184/lancelotlink/DSCF0050.jpg

[PaulC]

That has to be the nicest 'Herald' ever.

Really nice work Gary.

[Ballores]

Hi I am new to the forum,am amazed what you have done with an old herald,really impressed with your workmanship and imagination.
Interesting that you can skip iva with a rebody,if you rebody who gets to check
Is it a local office or will an mot guy suffice? Cheers Nic

[lancelot link]

LOCAL OFFICE INSPECTION - Its free other than your time and takes an hour or so by the time they have finished ....well worth it though.

Here's a daylight pic or two...

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y184/lancelotlink/DSCF00473.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y184/lancelotlink/DSCF00482.jpg

[PaulC]

Very nice indeed.

The interior now I suppose? Is it the angle the photo was taken or are those rear tyres protruding quite some way beyond the arches?

[lancelot link]

It's the pic , Paul.....add to that the fact that I had just jacked her up and she hadn't settled properly....she sits inside the body and square wheeled when she has settled....

Took her to Goodwood yesterday , to air the product...not sure if it was the right meeting for the car , but she caused some positive interest...

[lancelot link]

Heres the new front we are developing ....still got some tweaking and decisions to make , but basically we are nearly ready to mould....The car needs to be ready ( or at least looking ready ! ) for Exeter in 5 weeks...

This bonnet is a direct fit onto the same body , so 2 options are available on the same shell ....A German style front or the English styled example here..

The new front is roomier , longer length means the Vitesse fits or other options , pinto etc. and no need for bonnet scoops for clearance.....7'' headlights replace the dearer Beetle style ones as well...

Bodies ordered with this front will be £795 as opposed to £750

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y184/lancelotlink/english.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y184/lancelotlink/english1.jpg

THANKS FOR LOOKING.....

[Scimmy]

This is absolutely perfect! If this is also the look you're thinking of for the Scimbased spyder, I'm definitely going to build one.

Light blue, brown leather bucketseats, single screen... Yep. I'll start cleaning up the garage.

Gr.,
Menno

[lancelot link]

Scimmy , thanks for the comments ....I'm really pleased with the look so far .....it looks a bit Cobra-ish in the pics but it is quite a bit different in the flesh...the wings are swoopier and curve more as well as the grille dipping down more as well.....very similar to the Lancia that inspires me but a bit rounder to match the rounded rump....

When I get to the Scimitar , it will be a stretched slightly and widened slightly version of this body....I'm desperate to get started but development costs money and time .....both of those are being stretched at the moment !!

[PaulC]

Gary, you swine!

The only way I could do this (it'd have to be on a Chimaera or Griffith chassis) is to sell my Tuscan. I want both!

Ah, well. Anyone know where I can sell two teenagers?

[lancelot link]

PAULC , you could put them on ebay !!

We have started to 'fatten up' the area under the headlights now ...looking at the front in the shop , that area dives away a bit too much....not sure how well that comes across in the pics. I am struggling to create a nice sidelight/indicator area and flattening / fattening thast area will help......it will bulk up a thin area on a bulbous body too....pics to follow

[lancelot link]

Car was Mot'd today !!

She failed on a few minor issues , brake readings , binding rear , couple of wiring issues ...idle speed etc...

Rectified it all and she passed....

Heres pics up the road near the MOT Station...

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y184/lancelotlink/DSCF00812.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y184/lancelotlink/DSCF00802.jpg

And heres a video link to my mate , Mike , the guy who painted her and prepped the body with me , driving the SAMMIO down the road near the workshop....click on the picture below;

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y184/lancelotlink/adam%20download/th_sammio016.jpg (http://s5.photobucket.com/albums/y184/lancelotlink/adam%20download/?action=view&current=sammio016.mp4)

[PaulC]

That's excellent Gary. Now, what does it need? <cough>V8!



:D

[lancelot link]

Paul , the majority of these will be built around stockish Heralds and Vitesses ...and thats cool....the car weighs about 650kg. so its pretty nippy anyways....the 6 cyl. would sound better than the 4 cyl. but its not too shabby...

I know you can't beat the sound of a V8 , but the stock 4 pot will return over 40 to the gallon as well....Driving the car in the last few days has been great fun .....also , deviating too far from stock with modified chassis and uprated brakes etc..will lead us down the IVA path.

The one I'm thinking of doing on my SE5 Scimitar will be getting something a bit more lively....not sure what yet , but there is loads of room...

[patoune]

Excellent !

Happy to have a look to my car...
Could you please now confirm when I can collect it ?

[lancelot link]

busy , busy .....getting ready for Exeter this weekend......

NEW FRONT IS FINISHED...PLUG WAS PAINTED END OF LAST WEEK AND MOULD MADE EARLIER THIS WEEK....

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y184/lancelotlink/DSCF0012-2.jpg

First one being made tomorrow....

We have started another build as well........12/50 Herald based car with the new front end - British Racing green , white roundalls , numbers etc...This one is getting a small trunk area to put a spare wheel.....

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y184/lancelotlink/DSCF0013-1.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y184/lancelotlink/DSCF0014-1.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y184/lancelotlink/DSCF0015-1.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y184/lancelotlink/DSCF0016-2.jpg

I have just provisionally taken an order for a MK.2 Vitesse based one as well.....

[Tribute Automotive]

Hi. I am new to this forum (and indeed any forum), but having done a google search this forum seems to be the most relevant place to tell everyone what I am doing. I am part way through a body conversion using Bentley Continental GT panels on a Toyota Supra MkIV twin turbo. Its not an exact replica as it uses the Supra roof/glass and doors (with the addition of a swage line), but hope you will be interested in looking at my website (www.tributeautomotive.co.uk) that has just gone live. I am expecting to start selling kits in the New Year and will be updating the website on a regular basis with more pictures and prices etc.

Hope to talk to anyone with an interest soon.

Regards
Chris Welch - Tribute Automotive
www.tributeautomotive.co.uk

[PaulC]

Chris, welcome to the site.

Obviously you are keen to publicise your own venture in the same way Gary is with his Sammio but umm, how can I put this without causing offence, it's poor etiquette to do so on his thread which does after all have 'Sammio Spyder Builds' as the title. It's a bit like cutting in when a bloke's dancing with his new girlfriend ;) I'm sure others would be interested in your project and I'm sure the moderators would have no objection to you starting your own thread.

Good luck with it.


Gary. That latest version is bloody unfair. You know damn well that's what I want on a Chimaera/Griffith chassis :becky:

[Tribute Automotive]

Thanks for the welcome Paul.

Hope Gary didn't mind, but like I said I am new to Forums and I have no idea how to "starting my own thread". Help.

Regards Chris

[PaulC]

No worries.

Go to the top of the page and click on 'General Build Chat' in blue text.

Click on the 'New Thread' button when the page pops up.

Type in a thread title, your text and link and you're done.

[lancelot link]

Paul ....I've known Chris for years , so its no worry....Welcome Chris , good to see you at the w/end..

Exeter went very well....lots of interest in the product ....I would have liked to get a finished 'new' style there , but never mind.....The magazines showed some interest in the concept to....so thats encouraging...

A customer , Peter , is dropping a 1968 Vitesse in for us to re-body for him....I'm looking forward to doing that one and will put pics up as and when....

Gary

[Tribute Automotive]

Thanks Gary. Your cars are looking great. Just come out of the garage itching....wonderful stuff fibreglass! May you have many, many more orders.
Regards Chris

[PaulC]

Chris. Stop encouraging him. I'm this >< close to selling my Tuscan to finance a project based upon a Chimaera and one of his latest bodies :icon_mrgreen:

[Tribute Automotive]

Hi Paul

Go for it! I've always wanted to do a '49 Mercury Kustom on a TVR Cerbra body tub/chassis. It would give the Sammio the right sound.

Regards Chris

[lancelot link]

Hi Paul

Go for it! I've always wanted to do a '49 Mercury Kustom on a TVR Cerbra body tub/chassis. It would give the Sammio the right sound.

Regards Chris

CHRIS ...NICE IDEA , NOT STRAIGHT FORWARD BUT NOT IMPOSSIBLE....Worst bit is the TVR is 17'' shorter in the wheelbase than the Merc...overcomeable but a slight issue !!

We have been doing a bit more on the cream and pale blue cars this week...nothing really picture worthy...next week will see the start of modifying the cream cars rear to accept the MG/MORRIS style tail lights the customer wants ....( Think D-Type and you'll get the idea )...This is the first car to receive the new bonnet treatment and I'll have pics of that up next week as well....

Our first Vitesse donor is arriving next Thursday , I'm looking forward to starting that one soon....It's an MOT'd and taxed example with tatty body , so hopefully not too much to do before we can start modifying.....

[dbsfto]

Hi mate, i like it alot, and the car looks divine. Any chance of you taking me out for a spin in the sammio, I spoke to you at the kitcar show, nice man , say hello to mike too , love antony hoo hoo ahh ahh

[lancelot link]

Hi mate, i like it alot, and the car looks divine. Any chance of you taking me out for a spin in the sammio, I spoke to you at the kitcar show, nice man , say hello to mike too , love antony hoo hoo ahh ahh

Thank you.....I think I remember you from the show ...it was pretty busy but something about the way you write triggers a memory !
Weren't you the half-wit that stood on my stall all day Saturday ?

If you want to have a quick spin in the Sammio , you will have to be quick ....its going to Italy soon !

I'll pass on your regards to Mike .....

You really need to top up on the medication in the evenings , Mike and stop pretending you are the superior laminator known as ''Antony Zingzilla''

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y184/lancelotlink/41SOuSNf2L__SL500_AA300_.jpg


NOW CAN WE GET BACK ON TRACK , PLEASE ? !!!!

[PaulC]

Why do I feel there's a story here?

[lancelot link]

Sorry chaps , been a while since I posted on here...

Things have been crazy.....I have 3 turnkey builds in the shop at present , 2 more to do ....one of which is being fitted with a Rover V8 ( should be starting that one just after Xmas |) and at time of typing , we have 9 body orders , two done waiting for collection and 7 to do..!!

We have remoulded the body straightening her out a bit more and rounding her up a bit as well as developing a diffent screen treatment - ver similar to before , but a lot cheaper - screens should come down in price by about a third of the current listed price....I'm very price aware , the thing that stopped me owning a 50's style race car over the years was price of available examples - we are trying to change that by going back to how it was done at the beginning - kind of !!

I'm getting enquiries daily , we have another 3 potential body and frame package orders in the pipeline , people actively looking for donors etc...Lots of overseas enquiries and as a result of that , we can now do a LHD version of the body.

Complete Kit Car magazine are waiting for our new demonstrator to be completed ....by Xmas hopefully , to do a feature on the car....thats got to be a good thing - I've had cars featured in the past with little feedback , but I feel different about this one - we'll see !!

I have moved the project away from my Hot Rod website and started a new one.... www.sammio-spyder.com should you want to take a look....

I'll put some pics up as soon as I get a chance !!

THANK YOU

[lancelot link]

Anyone who has recently visited the website will know this already , but we are now able to supply LEFT HAND DRIVE versions of the SAMMIO....

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y184/lancelotlink/DSCF00613.jpg


We have just finished two that are hopefully on their way to Holland this weekend....

They take a bit of extra fiddling about and therefore slightly dearer than normal at £850 for the complete body package ....both bonnets still fit thjis body as well , so happy days !!

[PaulC]

Looking good Gary, nice to see someone having some success in these times.

I've not forgotten my plan for the Chimaerati (Chimaera/Maserati lookalike, geddit?) either, I'm just struggling with a few small details like should I sell my other car to fund it? Where will I find a lightly crashed Chimaera? (The sniffer dogs are working on that one) and not least how will I sneak this past the missus? :eusa_shifty: Somehow I don't think "Santa must have left it" is going to cut any ice.

Anybody want to buy my children? House trained, can wash up, do the dusting, all sorts.

[lancelot link]

We have been very busy - surprisingly so ...at point of writing , 5 turnkeys booked and 7 bodies sold with another 4 to do in January .....

We are taking advantage of the Estate being quiet to get some painting done ....we are nearly ready to do another BRG. example for a guy from Yorkshire , just finishing the body off now , I took the oppurtunity to get this one painted as well...this was the car that was used to develop the new front and also the one we remoulded to upgrade the bodies....fatter rear end , swoopier lines etc...

The bodies still come with a plain rear end leaving lighting choice up to the builder - we added IMP tail lights on little pods and a severely cut down BEETLE number plate light moulded in as well on this one....

The colour looks a bit orangey on my monitor , it is the Jaguar E-type and MK. 2 colour , Carmine Red ( Think, Inspector Morse's Jag ),....I think it really suits the new fronts....Mike has done another excellent job painting this one ......

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y184/lancelotlink/DSCF00782.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y184/lancelotlink/DSCF00793.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y184/lancelotlink/DSCF00803.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y184/lancelotlink/DSCF00813.jpg

[southerntriumph]

Hi gary thanks for your time , im realy excited about my one , cant beleave how pretty the red one looks in the flesh. You ve got the styling just right mate , Ive been looking for years for a car like this, but to be honest i could not find much under fithteen grand, so this is a bloody good deal. I was ment to ask you gary, is there any chance i could buy one of the new metal grills your now making, and have it silver please. I will give you a ring tuesday and sort out the money. All the best keep up the good work :icon_cool:

[Patton]

Hi, Gary looks great just got darken my monitor, like you said looks a bit orange. This is the first time I've ever done this forum lark. after the thaw my garage started to leak like a sieve so spent time clearing up the mess and redoing the roof but the cars alright.

[Tribute Automotive]

Hi Gary.

Red car looks great. Why would anyone buy a Cobra now?

Cheers Chris

[lancelot link]

THANKS FOR THE COMMENTS GUYS....

Patton - sorry to hear about the garage....put some pics up of yours when you get started...please .....

Tribute - Thanks again....a totally different beast to a Cobra , but I know what you mean.....people looking for 50's style cars have another option now....we are about to start , next few weeks , a Rover V8 powered example for a Spanish Customer ....looking forward to that !

Southern - Thank you.....I can sort a grille out for you , you have seen one before I have quite finished them , but they will be pretty much what you saw....I'll add them to the website when I have one fully done...
If you want one , I can do painted silver , satin or gloss ( satin would be best ) for £55 or a powder coated example for £75....

Thanks again ....

[southerntriumph]

Thats great, to be honest, i was going to make my own, but for the work and
working out you must of done they are a bargain. It will transform the front of the car. I will give you a buzz in the morning to pay. Keep up the good work.

[PaulC]

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y184/lancelotlink/DSCF00782.jpg


You bugger :eusa_drool:

That's IT. That's the one. That's exactly the car I envisioned when we first started chatting about this and now you've gone and done it. How could you? I really have to get stuck in to finding a donor now. If anyone knows of a Chimaera with poor body panels (probably salvage) please let me know.


For those of you who missed it earlier or in the other thread I'm hoping to end up with something like this:

http://files.conceptcarz.com/img/Lancia/54_Lancia_D24_DV-06-Q_012.jpg

[peterux]

Maybe a trip to the opticians first? :wink:

[PaulC]

Now that IS weird.

That last picture has been a photo of a d24 since I posted earlier today. It was there when I just logged back in so I was a little confused about your post. As I was looking at it wondering what you were on about it changed into that magazine cover.

Hmm, bloody t'internet. Let's see if I can have a fiddle.

Edit: Fixed, I think. Maybe the site hosting the last pic objected to me linking to it?

[lancelot link]

That Lancia you put up Paul , is heavily influencing me at present ....Its the best looking one I can find on the 'net at the moment....

I love the earlier , larger wheeled , basic numbers look....The red Sammio will be borrowing some of these styling touches..

[peterux]

Now that IS weird.

That last picture has been a photo of a d24 since I posted earlier today. It was there when I just logged back in so I was a little confused about your post. As I was looking at it wondering what you were on about it changed into that magazine cover.

Hmm, bloody t'internet. Let's see if I can have a fiddle.

Edit: Fixed, I think. Maybe the site hosting the last pic objected to me linking to it?


Ok, now that does make sense... :lol:

[speedy123]

lancelot very interested, how much is a turn key model or even a painted rolling chassis? thanks for your help

[lancelot link]

Speedy....

Difficult to put a firm price on a job without discussing your requirements , but as a guide , a turn-key is from £5500 -A painted rolling car ( 70% + build ) from about £3500

We supply cars in both cases...

THANK YOU

[lancelot link]

NEW 'BEER CRATE' GRILLES.....

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y184/lancelotlink/DSCF0090.jpg

£50 BARE , £55 PAINTED , £75 POWDER COATED...


NEW BUDGET SCREENS ...SAME SHAPE BUT FIBREGLASS FITTING BAND RATHER THAN THE FORMED LIP ON THE 550 REPLICA SCREENS WE OFFER.....

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y184/lancelotlink/DSCF0092.jpg

£95

[speedy123]

hi again, lil too out my price range at the moment but very interested, me and my mate wanna go in on a project together so this seems like an easy one to start with, so would really wanna get the basics so gonna look for a triumph and then will get back to you, but wanna know some things 1st, can the triumph be a convertible one? cuz they seem to be cheaper for some reason?
what do you get when you buy the kit? not regards to kit contents i.e body panels.
but I mean do you get a in depth build giude, or a dvd or summit?
also when you register it as having a body change is that all you need to do?
and are there any other engine options availible for the chassis of a herald or vitesse?
thanks for your help

[lancelot link]

Speedy ....I'll pm you to keep the thread from getting cluttered with a Q&A type situation !

THANK YOU

[speedy123]

Thanks lancelot

[lancelot link]

I have been taking pics for various customers and general enquiries , so heres some random pictures of whats going on at present...

THE CAR CURRENTLY FOR SALE ON EBAY...

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y184/lancelotlink/DSCF0105.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y184/lancelotlink/DSCF0107-1.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y184/lancelotlink/DSCF0108-1.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y184/lancelotlink/DSCF0109-1.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y184/lancelotlink/DSCF0110-1.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y184/lancelotlink/DSCF0111-1.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y184/lancelotlink/DSCF0112.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y184/lancelotlink/DSCF0113.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y184/lancelotlink/DSCF01142.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y184/lancelotlink/DSCF01152.jpg

[patoune]

Hi Lancelot,

I like very much the red one ! Nice works !
Hope done same works on mine.

With the Lancia d24 front bonnet have I to change the position of the radiator ?

Regards

[lancelot link]

Patrice , the radiator does need to move forward on the top edge a bit , but nothing like the first one...just a little. Everything else clears ok...no scoops or bulges needed like the first one !

The red one is rather beautiful isn't it ?

I'm very pleased with the way that she is shaping up ! This one is for my girlfriend ( Sammy O's mum ! )

The green one is being built for a guy in Yorkshire and the pale blue one ( Vitesse ) for a chap from North Devon...

[patoune]

Ok, thanks for info !

Hope your girlfriend as beautifull as the red one !

Have you sold some bodies or cars in France ?

[lancelot link]

NOT YET......

We have made 2 lhd examples for a Dutch guy and we get lots of enquiries from France...a company called Sport et Classique are looking to find a Vitesse to build one at the moment and I had an email from a guy called Pascal only today about the bodies ...no one else has actually bought one yet though......

[lancelot link]

Heres some finish shots of Jennette's red car....MOT work just left to do now...


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y184/lancelotlink/DSCF0133.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y184/lancelotlink/DSCF0132.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y184/lancelotlink/DSCF0131.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y184/lancelotlink/DSCF0130.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y184/lancelotlink/DSCF0129.jpg


I'm really pleased with the way she has come out....

[lancelot link]

A customer collected his body package from us on Wednesday , drove back to N. France and sent me these pics this morning ( Friday ) !!

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y184/lancelotlink/PATRICE1.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y184/lancelotlink/PATRICE.jpg

[herald948]

Mark from Birmingham here....hopefully I'm not too late but can I change the front end on ours to the new one please, still BRG?

[lancelot link]

Mark from Birmingham here....hopefully I'm not too late but can I change the front end on ours to the new one please, still BRG?

Hi Mark,
Nope not too late ! We have got the front end made and I have bought some headlights , but its not a problem....someone else will have them.

I think the newer front is a lot prettier , so agree with your choice............In fact as I type , I have just thought of a customer who'll have the lights ! ( we are doing a one-off newer front with Beetle headlights for a chap from Taunton ) !!

[ExeterChief]

Saw the photos of Jeanette's finished car; looks superb.

Just had a thought about extra ventilation on my car and would like to run an idea past you. Suggestion is to make two exit holes, either side of the bonnet, near the back line and just above the fastening straps, to allow the hot air to escape.

What do you think?

[patoune]

Works break off on friday and restart this morning...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/patoune/IMGP0287.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/patoune/IMGP0288.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/patoune/IMGP0289.jpg

[patoune]

always in progress...


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/patoune/IMGP0309.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/patoune/IMGP0311.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/patoune/IMGP0310.jpg

[speedy123]

god quick progress fair play makes me want 1 even more now, just gota wait 4 me m8 to pull his finger out and get his gargage cleared haha.
(not using him for the space like we gonna do a project together)

[Patton]

The french progress puts mine to shame, I only get to it weekends in a single garage. I started mine 8/1/11 with a part restored herald, spending this weekend putting the engine together next time I recommend getting a running donar car. But there again I know the engine is a good un now the Ignition system is getting the same treatment just for reliability point of view. God I'm Loving This Build....PAT j28 M5 Devon

[patoune]

New stage..
some new holes, the bonnet fit on the chassis :target:


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/patoune/IMGP0314.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/patoune/IMGP0317.jpg

[patoune]

bonnet hinge in order, inside fit, shell and bonnet in the good axle... We start to morrow pumicing, coating.

Still to fit dashboard and solid tonneau cover


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/patoune/IMGP0330.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/patoune/IMGP0332.jpg


Rendez vous in 8 days to get ready for the painter ! :eusa_dance:

[lancelot link]

EXCELLENT WORK PATRICE !

I have made your tonneau and dash is half done - they will be with you before your rendevous !

What fuel tank are you using ? Spitfire ?

[patoune]

I use a fuel tank coming from a race car (Cooper) but to old for FIA homologation

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/patoune/CopiedeIMGP0271.jpg

[patoune]

Work in progress...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/patoune/IMGP0359.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/patoune/IMGP0357.jpg

[patoune]

Always in progress...
Front inner wings are now done, rera wings plane for to morrow...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/patoune/IMGP0379.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/patoune/IMGP0380.jpg

[patoune]

Dashboard received this morning.

Rosso Corsa 300 will be the next step !


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/patoune/IMGP0388.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/patoune/IMGP0391.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/patoune/IMGP0390.jpg


after :fish2:

[patoune]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/patoune/IMGP0409.jpg

[patoune]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/patoune/IMGP0422.jpg

[lancelot link]

Patrice - slow down !! You are making the rest of us look bad !! :happy:

coming on nicely ....I see you have fitted a little scoop - I guess you are keeping the stock 'pancake' filters on the twin carbs ? We get round that by fitting the little trumpet style ones ....looks good though ...

looking forward to seeing some colour on the car...

[patoune]

Yes, I have fit a little scoop...
I have been obliged because the car run with 2 SU.


Seat now fit :

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/patoune/IMGP0433.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/patoune/IMGP0431.jpg


It's now ready and the car will be drive to the painter firts hour to morrow morning !

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/patoune/IMGP0434.jpg

Nest pictures the car will be paint !!!

[lancelot link]

Hi , I have just updated the website with some extra items and an extra page , if anyones interested - THANK YOU

www.sammio-spyder.com

[patoune]

Excellent !

Nice website...

[patoune]

Waiting his glaze...


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/patoune/IMGP0459.jpg

[patoune]

To morrow... From the painter to my garage ! And we start the rebuilt.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/patoune/IMGP0460re.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/patoune/IMGP0464re.jpg

[patoune]

Friday the 25th, early this morning...


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/patoune/IMGP0469re.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/patoune/IMGP0474re.jpg

[patoune]

Still a good journey !

Have a look :

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/patoune/IMGP0488re.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/patoune/IMGP0489re.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/patoune/IMGP0490re.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/patoune/IMGP0484re.jpg

[speedy123]

What mirrors you got on there?

[patoune]

it's "Vitaloni Californian Mirror" from Rally Design, but you can found too from Demon Tweeks...

Do you built a Sammio ?

[speedy123]

no not yet, just waiting for my mate to clear his garage so we can get started, got the triumph ready, and gonna order the sammio ASAP.
really enjoying seeing your build progressing, and soo fast aswell.
What wheels you gonna put on her?

[patoune]

I have not yet the wheels but expect for 15" wire wheels.
Good luke to clear your garage !

[lancelot link]

Patrice - excellent work - red really suits these cars doesn't it ? Green is the obvious choice , the colour most of my customers want ! but there is something about red sports cars isn't there ?

Keep it coming .... :-)

[patoune]

Thanks Gary !

Yes BRG is a very good choice, but Sammio with Lancia bonnet is nearer Italian Sport car than British Sports car

New day of work :

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/patoune/IMGP0500re.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/patoune/IMGP0499re.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/patoune/IMGP0491re.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/patoune/IMGP0502re.jpg

[speedy123]

I cant believe you patrice, your progress is absolutely mental.
fair play to you, day after day you cease to amaze us
well done

[patoune]

Thanks Speedy123 for your message.


The interior panel are now dressed…

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/patoune/IMGP0517re.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/patoune/IMGP0518re.jpg

The work will now be a little longer and a lot less visual.
Finishes, settings, a little paint, start the engine, various hydraulic works, electrical connections ...
But especially for me start of the season historic rallies championship. I would be absent from Wednesday to Monday the 7th
Fortunately, we do not have to run with the Sammio, but with a 1964 2-stroke Saab.

Next time, may be will be the time to race the Sammio !!!:wave:

[PaulC]

... day after day you cease to amaze us



Did you mean that?
:biggrin1:

[Patton]

Going nicely in my single garage just waiting for a fuel tank to arrive get it fitted then the body can go on I think Stoneliegh is on but Lizzie thinks I'll be moving into the garage now I've got a deadline.

[patoune]

Other day... With the tonneau cover

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/patoune/IMGP0544re.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/patoune/IMGP0542re.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/patoune/IMGP0547re.jpg

[patoune]

Some details,

Fuel cap :
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/patoune/detail02.jpg

Cooling system :
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/patoune/detail03.jpg

Stickers :
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/patoune/detail01.jpg

[patoune]

Just waiting to fit the wire wheels...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/patoune/IMGP0593.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/patoune/IMGP0591.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/patoune/IMGP0588.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/patoune/IMGP0585-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/patoune/IMGP0580.jpg

[patoune]

Nearly to be finished !

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/patoune/IMGP0602re.jpg

:lalala:

[patoune]

just a little test...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4B4oRQ0hqY

[lancelot link]

Excellent work Patrice ,

Your wire wheels will be packaged tomorrow and sent out - I have a few dashboards etc to go out at same time...

I quite like the painted steel wheels - shame they aren't a fraction bigger.

I'm actually playing with some '65 Beetle rims and adaptors at the moment to try and create a fake ''Rudge style'' knock on steel ( think 50's Gullwing Mercedes ) that I want to use on a car to get away from the wires for a change....The Dunlop style steels from D-types and similar are cool too , but expensive - later Beetle wheels could be dressed to look similar though !!

[tooslow]

I have been out of the country for a good few years and now I am back I was trawling through some of my old websites and came across this build.
I am fascinated by this one and very interested how it all fits together. as I may buy one when I get in to my new place in the summer. the price is right up my street.

I prefer the older Porsche style front end but I would like a vitesse chassis can it be made to fit easy enough? and it would have to be silver, or Renault Clio Sport Yellow like the picture I photo-shopped

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5172/5531530920_5145531f12.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/30310930@N04/5531530920/)
DSCF0131 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/30310930@N04/5531530920/) by mbradl12 (http://www.flickr.com/people/30310930@N04/), on Flickr

Obviously stripping the Herald/Vitesse is OK, but the build up I am interested in,
I have a few questions if I may
Is there any instructions I could look at?

Obviously the frame is bolted to the Chassis but what about at the bulkhead? welded or bolted?

Also how is the body bonded /glassed to the frame and also to the wooden floor pans

Web site say you can unbolt the whole body off the chassis when fully built. I guess it is quite strong when fully built.

I suppose pictures of building the frame on to the chassis and bonding the body to frame is too much to ask? I love pictures.

Sorry, rambling I'll stop for now
Martin

[Patton]

I've just tried the 15 inch MGF wheels (minilite style) low profile tyres, on my build they fit a treat just may need a spacer on the rear because of the offset but the minor mods that are required for the 14inch wires will do the job.....PAT (in devon)

[Patton]

I'm planing on bright yellow (citreon saxo).....Pat

[lancelot link]

I prefer the older Porsche style front end but I would like a vitesse chassis can it be made to fit easy enough? and it would have to be silver, or Renault Clio Sport Yellow like the picture I photo-shoppe

Obviously stripping the Herald/Vitesse is OK, but the build up I am interested in,
I have a few questions if I may
Is there any instructions I could look at?

Obviously the frame is bolted to the Chassis but what about at the bulkhead? welded or bolted?

Also how is the body bonded /glassed to the frame and also to the wooden floor pans

Web site say you can unbolt the whole body off the chassis when fully built. I guess it is quite strong when fully built.

I suppose pictures of building the frame on to the chassis and bonding the body to frame is too much to ask? I love pictures.

Sorry, rambling I'll stop for now
Martin

Hi Martin , firstly - if you email me via the website I can sort some pics out for you and give you some comprehensive answers ...I'll do the quick version here ...

The original front won't fit the Vitesse without serious bulges.

No instructions but plenty of pics available with comments.

The body is bonded to the frame and bulkhead with glass fibre and/or silicons etc...the metal frame bolts to the bulkhead but could be welded in place if preferred.

The body is bonded to the frame with bonding paste and/or strips of glassfibre attached like bandages. The body is fibreglassed to the wooden floor in a similar manner. Its very strong when all mated together.

Thank you

[tooslow]

I have sent a mail via the link in the web site

[lancelot link]

Thank you - I have replied...

Complete Kit Car Magazine this month has some very good Sammio pics in it for you picture collectors out there !!

[lancelot link]

Hi,
I have been corresponding with a guy in Detroit who is trying to put a package of kits together to be shipped to the U.S.
He isn't attempting to profit from the deal - both he and a buddy of his want a kit and bringing a few in would keep their expenses down....

We reckon we can get 6 in a 20' container.

I have passed him emails from a Canadian and a fellow American who have approached me and he has some positive leads through his forum of choice ( GRASS ROOTS MOTORSPORT , GRM ).

I thought I would post this up on here in case any Stateside interest is being researched through this thread...Obviously , if we can get something going , thats good news for me on a financial level as well as an exposure level and good news for the buyers too !!

I have agreed to trim the kit price down for a bulk order - not much to trim off , but it all helps !

If anyone wants David's contact details , please email me direct on info@sammio-spyder.com for that info...

THANK YOU

[Vera]

Hi all...

I'm new to the forum too, and I too am very excited about building my Spyder.

The Herald chassis and engine refurb is going great, I have a massive pile of shiny new bits in the garage just waiting for the chassis to be painted.

Even more exciting is picking my body (and more shiny bits) up from Poole this Saturday (9th)!!!!!!!!!! :whoo:

I'll post some pics of the build as I go alone.

[Vera]

along.....

Picking the body up Next weekend instead, but that gives me more time to prep the chassis.....

[lancelot link]

CUSTOMERS CAR FINISHED AND GOING OUT TOMORROW...FEW CHANGES FROM NORM....THE REAR WINGS HAVE BEEN 'FATTENED' UP A BIT DUE TO TAIL LIGHT CHOICES ( THINK D-TYPE ! )

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y184/lancelotlink/DSCF01742.jpg

[patoune]

Nice car !

[tooslow]

That looks one nice car, even if the picture is a bit 'Spotty'

Looks like you guys do some excellent work.

[PaulC]

Watching all this with interest. I've not forgotten, just hunting for the right donor.

[Scimmy]

Am I right that de Scimitar donor is being prepared? :rockon: Is the work on a Scimbased Sammio really starting to happen? There is an early SE5 up for parts on the Scimitarweb... Seller is someone called "Sammio"... Coincidence? :icon_wink:

Gr.,
Scimmy

[lancelot link]

Am I right that de Scimitar donor is being prepared? :rockon: Is the work on a Scimbased Sammio really starting to happen? There is an early SE5 up for parts on the Scimitarweb... Seller is someone called "Sammio"... Coincidence? :icon_wink:

Gr.,
Scimmy

Hi,
We have started shaping up a body for an SE5 , yes....its early days to know exactly how its going to come out - I have a picture in my head but things can change !
Think Ferrari 410 sports spyder meets Sammio Spyder ...add a bit of Porsche 550 spyder and a bit of poetic licence and we are nearly there !! ( lots of spyders! )

Heres a taster - bit tricky to see and looks a real mess right now , but will evolve over the next couple of months...

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y184/lancelotlink/DSC01170.jpg

Getting lots of help this time round from my sidekick , Mike Hughes , who is as passionate for this style as I am and has a natural eye and flair for what we are trying to create...

I don't want to replicate anything , simply take influence from various sources and see where we end up !

Same process as the Sammio which has evolved over the last few years to where it is now....

[Scimmy]

Yes! I can't wait! If it's going to be nearly as good looking as the existing Sammio has become, I'm definitely in for a body and frame! :dance: I'll start chopping up my Scimitar and deciding on a colorscheme... Keep up the good work, I'll be following the evolution closely!

Gr.,
Scimmy

[lancelot link]

Yes! I can't wait! If it's going to be nearly as good looking as the existing Sammio has become, I'm definitely in for a body and frame! :dance: I'll start chopping up my Scimitar and deciding on a colorscheme... Keep up the good work, I'll be following the evolution closely!

Gr.,
Scimmy

Don't start cutting that car just yet !! Is yours an SE5 ?

IT DOES NEED TO BE AN SE5 OR 5A.

We are planning on offering it as a bodyshell similar to the Sammio that you will graft onto your existing Scimitar bulkhead and floor section...not sure how the bracing is going to work yet.....this will be the cheapest way to buy the body....

.I am also planning on moulding it as a complete replacement bodyshell incorporating bulkhead and floor and internal bracing but that needs developing after we have the initial cheaper shell option sorted...the complete shell will be considerably dearer than the outer skin style but will be less complicated to build...

Work won't be fast on this , I am going to be putting in a few days a week on it and any extra time I can find , but Sammio builds and kits etc is keeping us busy right now as well as funds being limited for new projects .....I have a Porsche 550 replica on a modified Beetle chassis under development as well which should mean we can supply an internal tube frame that will bolt on to your modified Beetle chassis and support a 550 Porsche body panel kit - all for under £2000 !

[Scimmy]

It's an Se5a, so no problem there! And given the fact that it probably won't be very soon before I get the body off my Scim anyway, I'm not in a hurry. Which doesn't mean I don't want it as soon as possible :biggrin1:

Some inspiration I came across: http://www.britishracecar.com/SteveKonsin-LesterMG.htm


Gr.,
Scimmy

[lancelot link]

Hi,
I have secured a deal with a nationwide transport company - DYCE CARRIERS to deliver our packages anywhere U.K. Mainland for a max of £350.

Any fairly localish deliveries we can deal with in-house or arrange smaller couriers , where this deal comes through is when Scottish parties or Northern Wales etc are interested...we are right at the bottom of the U.K. which can be geographically challenging for some folk.

We have just taken advantage of this deal and sent a kit to North of Glasgow for a customer....We have another going to Northumberland next week as well...

Incidentally , if anyone collects a kit , this is the recommended way to get it in a van....in this format it takes up just over 9' x 5' of floor space !

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y184/lancelotlink/DSCF0176.jpg

[lancelot link]

I'm starting a new thread for the Scimitar based bodies for anyone who's interested.....

Keep this thread uncomplicated !!

[lancelot link]

ANYONE CONSIDERING A TURN KEY MIGHT FIND THIS INTERESTING....


http://www.sammio-spyder.com/forsale.html

[soporsche]

Hi Patrice (and all)
New to the forum as a poster but been reading with interest for months, great progress Patrice and a lovely looking car, hope you dont mind but as someone clearly more advanced mechanically than me I have a few questions about your fantastic car..
Ive recently acquired a Sammio (thanks Gary), thats having some minor mods being finished off at the moment e.g. roll hoop, uprated suspension, race bonnet pins, 1500 twin carb engine, tubular exhaust etc etc. etc.

Interested in what you have done with the engine cooling system, looks like its been uprated in your car and is that the standard or a bigger radiator? Also, did you move the battery inboard for weight distribution or because of space after the beefed up pipework etc you fitted?
Have you also fitted an oil cooler?

Also, I may be wrong but looks in one pic like you have a side exit exhaust? If so, what is it and how do you get around a) heat in the cockpit and b) noise levels for inspection without a silencer?
Thanks in advance for any info you can share with me and keep up the posts, they are very motivational!

[patoune]

Hi Soporsche

The engine that I have use in my Sammio is a standard one coming from a spitfire MK1. Have modify the cooling system because with the front bonnet we are obliged to go down the radiator (a standard one !) Have a look to the picture. With this kink of water box you use about 2 liters more with always water level above your head.

Have move the battery who is now inboard, it’s easier to cut off when I dont use the car.

No for instant no oil cooler have been fit.

Yes, have a side exit exhaust (home made) and the silencer is under the side passenger. Have use a race exhaust manifold and a silencer similar as a cherry bomb silencer. (No more than 95/100 dlb)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/patoune/IMGP0558.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/patoune/IMGP0562.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/patoune/IMGP0575.jpg

[davecymru]

Any chance of a separate "build area" for Sammios?
I know there are a few of us building them atm and it seems a shame to clutter up this thread.

[Patton]

I'm for a build bit (area) but haven't got a clue how to go about setting one up. I can't get a photo of my build onto the site, from J28 M5

[davecymru]

I guess we just hope a forum admin/mod spots this and there's enough interest to warrant our own section?
p.s. you're not to far away from me, i'm by M5 J22!

In the meantime i may as well post a quick overview of where i am. After my last project died a slow and painful death (LONG story!) I'm not messing around this time and i fully plan to build the car, get it on the road and enjoy it this summer.

Then I'll overhaul the engine or chassis this winter, drive it next summer, overhaul something else next winter then repeat-as-necessary, as the shampoo advert says :)

So far the Vitesse has been bought and stripped. Well.... i say Vitesse, it was actually a Herald 13/60 that someone had spent a fortune converting to Vitesse mkII spec in the early 90's. Lots of upgraded parts (engine, gearbox, drive, diff, front brakes etc..), and an engineers report to prove that it was all done ok :)

I've given chassis a 'basic' overhaul with a bit of a clean-up, rust kill and a lick of paint. I've replaced the main brake and fuel lines as the ones on there were too far gone and I've just got to put the carbs and radiator back on and sort the electrics out and it should hopefully be running again.

I picked up the full kit yesterday, BIG grin day!
The frame is already bolted in place, the floor is bonded in (sealant drying atm), steering frame pick-up point mildly fettled and I'm hopefully going to trial fit the petrol tank and then paint the frame tonight ready to start fitting the main body this week.

[Sammio Builder]

Hi there,

I'm building a Sammio Spyder too!

I've started a build blog over at http://sammiospyder.blogspot.com/

I'm over near Reading and collect the kit around the first week of July.

Cheers,

Trevor

[captaincrash1971]

I have just purchased my Herald donor, and it's currently waiting on my drive for me to clear my garage to get it inside. Once I get it in there I will be ordering my kit. I am hoping to order it next week, and having contacted Gary, we are currently looking at a 4-5 week lead time.
Something I mentioned to Gary when I e-mailed him was the possibility of me being able to offer a delivery service to anyone who may also be ordering their kit at the same time. I live in Durham, so will be travelling most of the country to collect my kit. If anyone would be interested I could hire a larger van and get more than one kit on board. I would estimate delivery would then be around £150-£200 depending how far out of my way I would have to go. Still not amazingly cheap, but quite a saving over the £350 I have been quoted on Shiply by several couriers.
Anyone interested can PM me, then obviously order your kit as normal from Gary at Sammio. I hope this will help someone, and make my journey a little bit more worthwhile.
Cheers
Alan

[davecymru]

Interesting topic just cropped with my build.
I stumbled across the fact that it became legal to have front seat, seat belts fitted to all cars from 1967 (ish) and seeing as my donor is a 1969 Vitesse, so it would seem that I'm going to have to fit seat belts!

I was toying with the idea anyway as i want to be able to take my sons out in it and i want them to be safe, but it seems my hand has been forced.

It's lucky that I've got a nice pair of retractable belts left over from my previous project, all I've got to do now is a bit of reading up on how some of the Lotus and Cobra boys fit theirs to give me ideas.

[PaulC]

Toying with the idea of seatbelts? Seriously, why would you even think about not having them?

[davecymru]

My apologies, I've never been that good at making myself clear on this here interweb :)

I was previously planning on fitting harnesses (but thinking about/toying-with retractable seat belts as i have a pair in my attic and i'd be more comfortable with them and the boys using booster seats), but when i was reading around earlier in the week it read as though if the donor car originally had seat belts fitted then i "had" to fit seat belts as opposed to harnesses.

After further reading, it seems as though i jumped to conclusions and i can fit retractable belts OR harnesses.

BUT.... it is true that if my donor was pre-67 then i wouldn't "have" to fit either.

Does that make better sense?

[soporsche]

Hi Guys

Firstly, thanks Patrice for your ever useful pics and explanations.
Im nearing collection of my car (hopefully) from trimmers, and mechanics after some minor mods :-) 1500 twin carb engine, adjustable rally front and adjustable rear shocks (hope to eliminate some of the dreaded 'tuck in' and improve handling (Interested to know what Patrice has done on this as I believe he will be racing his car), new seats, roll hoop etc.. Yes, i know i should be doing all this stuff myself but very limited time and availability of a helpful/experienced car builder influenced my decision :whistle: .
There will still be plenty to do when it gets here!
Uprated front ARB
Electric cut out (FIA type)
Sports alternator
Good allround service
Uprated cooling if required (will see how it goes with header tank etc and may think about an oil cooler later if required), due to style of front intake im pretty sure it wont be needed.
(eventual engine re build, want to enjoy it this summer first)
Uprated discs
New leads
Tidy up engine bay
Wheel allignment and setup
Bolt on Brace from top of roll hoop diagonal to passenger footwell chassis point (Maybe) for when im in car alone and driving 'enthusiastically'.
Etc.
Hard top...... only joking :biggrin: !

Has anyone fitted a harness yet, if so what mounting points did you you use?
Regarding seats, im rather tall for the car though do fit; to avoid looking like noddy and to go with the period race theme i may end up swapping out the existing (newly trimmed seats). Does anyone have any ideas/suggestions about low ( v low ) type seats that could be fitted on an angle straight through/to the floor? With spreader plates below? Any input would be useful and im sure many of you will have more experience than me.

As soon as the cars in my garage Ill get some pics on here for anyone thats interested, in the meantime im sure we'd all be interested in seeing some pics of your progress to date (anyone).

Good to see so much enthusiasm for this v interesting project and special type car.

[Sammio Builder]

I'm really getting on well with stripping the donor now. Body off and chassis looks mostly good.

Loads of pics over at http://sammiospyder.blogspot.com/

Trevor.

[Sammio Builder]

Hi soporsche,

Would it be possibly to see some pics of your new rear suspension?

Cheers,

Trevor.

[PaulC]

(Stuff)



Does that make better sense?

Much. With you now.:icon_smile:

[soporsche]

Hi Trevor

No pics yet im afraid as collection has been delayed slightly; the herald setup is obviously inherently flawed but not as bad as some people make it out to be. If the rear bushes are swapped out for poly bushes (if you are rebuilding), add uprated (stiffer) adjustable rear shocks and add a lowering block to the centre of the spring and possibly remove a couple of leafs... The remaining options would then be a swing spring kit (as per later triumphs) available from Canley or a Camber Compensator as the guys in the states and Triumphs own head of motorsports preferred.

Thats the rear but the the overll handling dynamics should include close attention to the front too... definitely add a spitfire thicker ARB and for me adjustable shocks with uprated springs. Part of the logic as the mods to the rear can alter the handling and induce understeer or oversteer, modding the front as suggested compensates this and also reduces overall body roll and hence 'diving' of front under braking and turning which lightens the rear and increases chances of tuck in when combined with a sharp change in direction.

OK, thats all the theory and initially im not fitting a rear later 'swing spring' or camber compensator... adjustable shocks etc are the current works. Im by no means a dynamics expert and many will disagree with elements of my statements above but some research and experience in a track spitfire lead me to the above.

Ive taken a look at the blog and things are coming on, ill be very interested to see your progress, i can see a Sammio run out happening in the near future .

Cheers

Stephen

[Patton]

Many years ago (30) in my spitfire days, a firm called SAH did a tight turn kit which was a wish bone set up for the rear suspension I never got any further as when you phoned them the department you needed never picked up, I understand it came at quiet a price, anyone else heard of it?

[Sammio Builder]

Hi Patoune,

In one of your photos it shows a rear anti roll bar and adjustable rear radius arm with a new mounting point onto the chassis.

Are you able to upload some detailed photos of this area and let us know what you've done?

Very interested!

Trevor.

[patoune]

Hi Trevor,

My sammio is mount on a chassis with rear rotoflex suspension, using a radius arm kit from Triumph GT6 a little bit modify (lengthen)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/patoune/IMGP0206.jpg

Use too a part of the swing rear kit with rear spring spacer block 1" alloy, can found the parts from Canley Classic.

In fact, have built my Sammio on the chassis of my ex Triumph Herald race car.

Hope I have helped you a little bit ! :eusa_drool:

Regards
Patrice

[davecymru]

After a very productive evening pottering in the garage i think it's worth adding a lesson learnt..

If you're over 6ft and plan to fit Cobra style bucket seats, or the nice bucket seats that Moss do that i've opted for, then you'll need to lower the floor pan as it's a bit tight on the flat floor.

If you are going to do that then you may want to reuse and modify the floors from the original body tub (rather than scrapping it quite as quickly as i did!), as while fabricating brand new floor pans is giving me exactly the 60mm seat drop that i want, it's taking bleedin ages and i want this on the road this side of Summer! :)

[Sammio Builder]

Hi Dave,

I'm 6FT4 and was about to cut up and scrap the bodyshell next weekend, but after reading that I might angle grind off the lower section of the floor pan.

Thanks for the heads up!

Trevor.

[TriBond]

Many years ago (30) in my spitfire days, a firm called SAH did a tight turn kit which was a wish bone set up for the rear suspension I never got any further as when you phoned them the department you needed never picked up, I understand it came at quiet a price, anyone else heard of it?

Ah the fabled SAH kit. I had an SAH catalogue at about that time which listed the 'Tight Turn' kit, from the pictures it seemed to resemble the Triumph rotoflex set up. I recall some discussion in the TSSC at the time about whether they has actually ever made and sold any, the general consensus was that no one had ever seen one.

[soporsche]

Hi Trevor, Dave et al

Im also a tall one (6ft 3"), at the moment I have a standard floor but with low seats mounted direct (modified Moggie seats)... It may be that when i get it back i'll also need to mod my floorpan but it 'seemed' ok'ish when i sat in one before the current works started.
I'll try it out and let you know but by the time it arrives you may have moved past that point in your build.
Cant wait to collect it now and actually get some driving in during summer (hopefully).

Let me know how you get on with the pan.

Regards

Steve

[lancelot link]

Thought this might interest some of you .....I get asked all the time what other cars the Sammio body will fit and generally , unless you do major mods , its not many...we are looking into MX5 as a possible at present , requires some surgery but not too far away from our dimensions ....

We sold a body to a Citroen 2CV enthusiast earlier this year ....we had to modify the bonnet for him to allow for the slight change in wheelbase ( 2CV is slightly longer )

Graham has just sent me these pictures and it worked out ok...I know the 2CV isn't everyones first choice but they are plentiful , simple costruction and have proved very popular over the years .

Anyhow , He is prepared to recreate his subframe / Spaceframe assembly he has created and we can supply the modified body - so if anyone has an interest , email me direct and I can put you in touch with Graham who will be marketing these under his banner using our bodies....

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y184/lancelotlink/GetAttachment-3.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y184/lancelotlink/GetAttachment9.jpg

[Patton]

Tribond, I didn't dream it (it's me age you know) thanks, from thinking back I did they ever sell any thing you got through the switchboard and then they never picked up. I'm 6' and it seems I don't stick out the car sat on the floor' but it doesn't allow for much under bum padding. One of Gary's early models used a garden type chair (no legs) fixed to the floor it worked..

[PaulC]

A 2CV? Why?

Each to their own but that's utterly pointless.

[lancelot link]

PAULC,
I kinda know what you mean , but I can see this from both sides ....the 2CV isn't the greatest of base cars , performance , handling etc. And here in the U.K. and countries like the U.S.A. etc where , for now , we are being allowed to be creative still , its not an obvious choice..but the 2CV is an already established , regular donor for kits in countries like Holland , France etc...Countries where getting anything modified on the road is getting very difficult....I think they stand a good chance of using 2CV's as the cars have a history of being modified.... Beetles are the other one that slips through the net...

You only have to look at the 2CV KIT CAR CLUB OF HOLLAND to see they have a following....

It's not for me , I agree with you , but I don't have the restrictions others do......

[davecymru]

It's been a productive week and I've just got 2 more panels to add to protect the seat belt enclosure and then the main body shell can be initially fitted!

List of jobs done since my last post:

Finished fitting lowered Battery box (just need to add battery strap)
New alternator and fan belt fitted
New plugs and leads fitted
Tidied up engine bay wiring and replaced "twisted together" connections with proper connections! I still need to test one wire that is hanging loose that looks "important" :)
Added connectors to rear wiring loom ready for body to be fitted
Lowered seat pans fabricated and fitted. They're not the prettiest bit of fabrication, but they're practical and more than up to the job. Plus they'll be covered :)
Started boxing in Seat belt enclosure


Pics added to my Photobucket album in case anyone is interested?
http://s49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Triumph%20Kit%20Car/

[davecymru]

quick question for anyone who's ahead of me, does your headrest sit in the dead top centre of your seat or is it off to one side?

[lancelot link]

Dave , they are slightly off centre - it was an aesthetics decision !!

sounds like you are charging ahead - good job !

Gary

[davecymru]

Cheers Gary thanks for the reply, I put it on here rather than ringing you as didn't want to disturb you on a Sunday with such a wishy washy question :)

Yup the body is now being fitted and hopefully if i can lower the suspension this week then it'll be bonded on by next weekend and then i'll ring you to talk to the nice man from VOSA, Fingers crossed!

[captaincrash1971]

Quick question for lancelot. You say the shell can be transported as the picture you supplied in a space 9ft x 5ft
would it be ok to transport it on it's side. I'm looking at collection in an enclosed trailer
Cheers
Alan

[PaulC]

Gary.

I can understand the frustration in countries where this sort of thing is discouraged but why would a 2CV be any different to any other donor?

[lancelot link]

Quick question for lancelot. You say the shell can be transported as the picture you supplied in a space 9ft x 5ft
would it be ok to transport it on it's side. I'm looking at collection in an enclosed trailer
Cheers
Alan

It could but I wouldn't recommend it...puts a lot of strain on the body...

[mulberry]

little tip for you guys like me with out a lot of space in ur std garage, bolt castors on to the sammio frame, u can wheel it in/out with ease.

[mulberry]

gary here`s picture of my chassis,as promised

http://i1232.photobucket.com/albums/ff370/mullberry/GarysCar18.jpg

[davecymru]

shiny!!! :)

[mulberry]

oh dave it wasnt allways shiny......a lot of elbow grease was used ! i took her back to bare metal, then a zinc primmer and red oxide, and about 3 top coats of grey rustolem

[mulberry]

oh dave it wasnt allways shiny......a lot of elbow grease was used ! i took her back to bare metal, then a zinc primmer and red oxide, then 3 top coats..

[lancelot link]

Thanks for the picture Mulb....looking rather good !

Thats the beauty of my product , in my opinion anyway , it gives people the scope to build , high quality , new , recon , ratty , high dollar , low buck , whatever suits them style and budget wise ....many kits force you into a situation where you have to build to a certain level without excuse....no two Sammio's will ever be the same....

Also , some of you guys chatting on here ...are pretty close to each other which is kinda cool....add to that the Vitesse example we are just finishing off is on its way to Holsworthy , EX22 , tomorrow and thats a fairly high concentration in your neck of the woods ....oh and we have one in Taunton being built and a North Cornwall coast customer has just ordered as well ....

[soporsche]

Mulberry - great job on the chassis!

Gary, anyone.. am i the only Sammio in my neck of the woods (SE London / Kent). The SE Chapter of the Sammio club may be a lonely drive out :whistle:

[garyh]

Afternoon everyone, please send in more photos please. Is this the site to be on, or is it the Triumph, never know where to see the latest news. Just selling all posessions at the moment to start mine. Soporsche, maybe next year you'll know someone closer to home (herne bay).

[Sammio Builder]

If its photos you want garyh, check out my blog (http://sammiospyder.blogspot.com/), updated every few days, collecting the kit a week today.



Cheers,

Trev.

[lancelot link]

Hi,
Delivered the Vitesse based example we have just built on Friday - apart from the Transport guy not fitting the customers cover , it all went ok....

Did a little , poor quality video of it with Mike driving before it went....this video will make it onto the website with a few others this week , but heres a preview !! click the picture to open it in another page...

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y184/lancelotlink/th_Picture002.jpg (http://s5.photobucket.com/albums/y184/lancelotlink/?action=view&current=Picture002.mp4)

Now that one has gone , we can concentrate on trying to get back on track and clear the others .....I completely under estimated just how popular these little bodies were going to be ...we just don't get enough hours to get it all done ! Kit production is going swimmingly , the builds are taking longer than I thought - we are getting there !!

I have been commisioned to build an MX5 based body in the near future - something I was looking at anyway - if anyone has an interest in that donor - SVA , NON CLASSIC STATUS , I'M AFRAID , let me know via my website...Thank you

Also .....bit cheeky , I know , including an advert , but if anyone is looking for a set of 15'' wires , I have 2 sets of these , exactly the same. they have been blasted and primed , good spokes , decent quality , just need painting . they are 4.5 x 15 , 60 spoke , MGA wheels , they fit the standard 'long Spit' style adaptors we use .....£120 a set postage will be £35 anywhere mainland U.K.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y184/lancelotlink/Picture.jpg

FINALLY ....Anybody on here get into Bristol at all ? I have bought a set of wheels from a guy in Bristol ( Porsche style vw rims ) and I am struggling to find time to collect ..he won't ship them. I can pay him online but its the collection thats an issue....if someone could collect them , it would take the pressure off me and I could collect them in 3-4 weeks time when I deliver one of our kits to Bath ( yes , Bath - another West Country builder !! )...I'm happy to cover someones expenses , I got the wheels cheap and they are perfect for our 550 kits and would work well for my idea of creating some rudge knock off steel look a likes as well to use on a G-46 .......IF ANYONE CAN HELP , GREAT , IF NOT , NO WORRIES ...

[davecymru]

Hi Gary, i'm in Bristol every day as i work there and i should be able to pick them up for you and keep them until you're up and around this neck of the woods.
Or if things carry on going as good as they have today with my build and bonding my shell on, i may be coming down to see you in 2 or 3 weeks anyway and i can bring them down!

You've got my number, give me a ring during the day tomorrow and we can sort something out.

Dave M

[Sammio Builder]

Hi soporsche,

I'm in Reading, so depending on which part of Kent, around 90 minutes drive away.

Bring on the first ever Sammio Sportscar Club drive out! (SSC Club?)

Trev.

[garyh]

If its photos you want garyh, check out my blog (http://sammiospyder.blogspot.com/), updated every few days, collecting the kit a week today.



Cheers,

Trev.
Hi trev, i am a 'follower' of your build. Are you doing anything to the engine? or are just dying to drive it before the summer ends. I got in touch with Ashford motor sport about some ideas for the engine.

Hi Gary,
The Triumph 1300 engine likes two things, head porting and higher compression ratio, I would suggest that you have the head skimmed 0.75mm. a nice porting job which is time consuming but not that hard to do. I would then fit a high torque cam to get the best low to mid range performance, a four two into one exhaust manifold with a two and a quarter inch system.
You will need to have the car rolling road set up to get the jetting correct at this point.
You could then move on to a high performance distributor, and a electronic ignition system, and last of all twin Webber carbs.

I hope you find this information useful, if I can be of any further help please feel free to contact me by email or on 01304219977

[soporsche]

Hi Trev, SSC driveout sounds good, even an SSC itself sounds interesting; a small but elite group :icon_biggrin:

The blogs great and very informative - time and space issues meant my car arrives with me in a more complete state but Im looking forward to getting stuck in with some retrospective adjustments now I have an empty garage with proper power and light etc.. keep the updates coming!

Gary, Im off to the Kent coast reasonably often to indulge my other hobby, maybe we should hook up when im 'with car'.

All the best..
Stephen

[Sammio Builder]

I don't think the Sammio Sportscar Club should have a membership or any costs involved, but would be great to have a "SSC" area at kitcar shows and the like for us to park up together and would be a good focal point for hooking up and swapping ideas - and putting faces to names on here!

Trevor.
http://www.sammiospyder.blogspot.com/

[davecymru]

In my opinion if we do set up a club then it needs to have the same principles / approach as the builds themselves.

i.e. quite flexible and one where we simply all get stuck in to address issues rather than relying on someone to sort them our for us :)

I know of clubs where you _have_ to attend so many meetings per year, or _have_ to do x/y/z etc... and that's just not for me, hence me building a Sammio Spyder in the first place.


One possible solution may be that to start off with with we simply tag along to shows with Gary and the crew if they attend, or if they don't then we just keep it flexible depending on the venue/weather :)

Once you get into 'club gazebo', 'committees', etc then things get complicated and i think that atm we're quite a way from that stage.

How about we start off with a simple "forthcoming events" thread and then play it off the cuff from there and see how things go?

Dave

[Sammio Builder]

Dave

Totally agree with everything you've said - I'm all for the informal approach.

Trevor

[lancelot link]

In my opinion if we do set up a club then it needs to have the same principles / approach as the builds themselves.

i.e. quite flexible and one where we simply all get stuck in to address issues rather than relying on someone to sort them our for us :)

I know of clubs where you _have_ to attend so many meetings per year, or _have_ to do x/y/z etc... and that's just not for me, hence me building a Sammio Spyder in the first place.


One possible solution may be that to start off with with we simply tag along to shows with Gary and the crew if they attend, or if they don't then we just keep it flexible depending on the venue/weather :)

Once you get into 'club gazebo', 'committees', etc then things get complicated and i think that atm we're quite a way from that stage.

How about we start off with a simple "forthcoming events" thread and then play it off the cuff from there and see how things go?

Dave

Dave , Trevor ,
Its the only way ......still blushing and reeling from just how enthusiastic everyone is about my little baby...A personal project that went out of control ....bit like Frankensteins Monster !!

If a 'club' is going to work , it has to be casual ....I have been involved with a few clubs over the years and the 'politics' always kill them. Treasurers daren't buy anything for their own cars for fear of being accused of embezzlement , couples socializing together involving drink , parties etc causes a few 'incestious issues' back biting , jealousy , bitching etc etc....... all mans weaknesses raise their heads ...not every club , I'm sure , but I have seen it all over the years !

I was affiliated to a club years ago called the 'LOW FLYERS' a Hot Rod club that was formed as a result of like minded people turning up at the same shows and having a common interest - in that case 1940's / 50's Hot Rods and Customs...we kept it very casual , only really caught up at Shows and the occasional Xmas bash etc....it worked. I am still friends with pretty much the whole club to this day ( this was mid-late 80's ) and although we don't see each other for months , even years at a time , catching up is great because no one fell out !!

As Dave said , arrange to bump heads at a show - Exeter would be a great one to do - and see how it goes !!

[Roadster]

Im in I will try to make the Exeter show but Im sure the car will still be being built.
I hope we reserve a club area for Stoneleigh 2012.
Garry will have a lot more to show than the solo red spyder that was outside the entrance this years show.

[Patton]

Hi all, I'll be at Exeter in October ( I'm only 15 mins away) got to it's the where I put my deposite down in 2010. Count me in for Stoneliegh 2012. A club needs to be like Gary "says" like the cars casual following the ethose (worse spelling than some ebay adds). It's also finding someone to run/organise/do whatever any got a bit of time? And it seems we is a growing band. Pat

[soporsche]

Hi all
Amazing how a few lines can prompt such a big response, I love forums! .... I have to say, i agree on all fronts; casual, occasional, social and no big organisational admin. Ive been a member of various over the years (makes me sound ancient) such as Porsche, AROC, BRDC, BRSCC, etc and by far the best have been the casual arrangements to get together at a show or when in a particular location.. eg couple of the guys on DDK a few years ago met up on a whim and we ended up going to Spa the following year.

Gary; while you have it, my car needs a roof if Im to get to the South West / West where everone else seems to be :eusa_think: OK, maybe not, ill settle for driving it and getting a bit wet :biggrin1:

You can count me in for Stoneleigh 2012, Ive actually never been which is wierd!

[jmc14]

Hello all, I have just purchased a Sammio Spyder body from Gary. I live in the USA. I think that I will be the first one to have one here!
I was working on a project with a chassis engineer friend of mine. We are building a space frame into which the suspension cradles and drivetrain from the Mazda Miata will bolt into. I was going to make my own body but I came across the Sammio. I think the design is brilliant and that Gary has done a fantastic job in creating it.
There are over 1,000,000 Miatas in the US. I picked one that drives great for free. I have purchased another for $1250. So, they are pretty cheap too. With a great engine, 5 speed, disc brakes, and true double wishbone suspension they are a great sports car. My goal for the finished car is to weigh under 1400lbs.
The Miata is 66 inches wide. I am pretty tall. So I am building my frame with a 95 inch wheelbase. Gary is widening and lengthening the body for me. I have done some photoshop pictures with the changes and think that it looks fantastic.
Gary has been fantastic to work with. I am looking forward to getting my body and getting started. I wish that I could make Stoneliegh 2012. I love kit cars and have alway wanted to attend. Maybe someday.

I just wanted you builders to know that the Sammio Spyder is going international. Have fun building!

[Roadster]

I agree that the miata / mx5 is a great donor and suits the Sammio

I am interested to follow your build - please start a new thread and log your progress.
How far have you got designing / building your chassis? What wheels are you planning on using?
My Mx5 based car has "bmw mini" Steels to give the period look i wanted but I have seen wire wheels to fit in Japan.

Good luck with the project

[davecymru]

An American builder, wow!
That'll make the drive to the West Country (West of England) where the majority of us seem to be based, "a little bit of a trek" :)

Good luck with your project and i look forward to seeing how it progresses.

[lancelot link]

jmc14 , John , welcome to the dark side !!

The process of working with John and bouncing ideas has been great ...what John hasn't mentioned is that he has a very credible Kit car background and has been instrumental in producing some pretty impressive stuff himself ...

This is exciting for me - we have sold a few in Europe but dipping our toe into America with John on board opens up new opportunities for us both and the growth of 'my baby'

The MX5 has always been on my list of options - its a natural donor ....SVA and non-classic status are its only negatives but people looking for a 'modern' approach will love it ....

I am confident John will create an excellent alternative for the Spyder bodies......

BTW : Just bought a '95 MX5 for £310 locally .........initially to use for measurements etc but could be my first donor !

[soporsche]

I came accross this and thought it applied very nicely to motivation behind the Sammio and all of your individual interpretations and builds:

We are living in a time
When the plural is killing the singular
Nothing has real value
When everything comes in thousands

Jean Cocteau

[garyh]

Thanks for answering question on the Scimi thread. I just tried to buy a Herald but was beaten to it by a couple from Somerset... I think there are going to be a lot of Smmio's down your way? I will carry on looking, not many in Kent always seem to be up north?
Gary H.:doh:

[captaincrash1971]

There's a one on ebay for 400 quid in northamps.
Be quick!!

[garyh]

Thanks Captain, I'll be back at work tomorrow, difficult to get time to look. I might try Quiller Triumph in Plumstead, I can tell them what i need and they will deliver. Still got to finish work on house before i am allowed to start...
Gary h.:phone:

[Benllewellyn]

I found ebay the best place to find a triumph for this i bought mine in february as a rolling chassis for £72 bargain now fitted with a high compression rover v8 to give it performance like some of the cars of the 50's.

has anyone else fitted a v8 to their sammio?

I'm new to this forum business so still guessing how it all works :S

another thing is how much are people lowering the front and rear of their cars to get the body sitting nicely?

Ben.

[garyh]

Did you get a V5 with that rolling chassis. Will that engine fit under the bonnet and will the running gear cope with it? Surely the weight of it will bring the front down?:peace:

[Benllewellyn]

yes got the v5 with it

at the moment looks like needs a bulge in the bonnet but its not huge the engine is snug it has to be said

and rover v8's are only light engines anyway so they dont way an awful lot i have uprated front shocks springs performance brakes etc

i will upload some pics probably next week so you can see.

we have had idea to create a bonnet with a bulge in much similar to the photo i think ive attatched. its a lotus 15 the car in the picture is the car we used to own so we plan on copying that really

it has an lt77 gearbox and an uprated prop the drive shafts on rear should cope with up to about 215hp but we are thinking of replacing them for uprated also just to be sure as it seems unlikely a car like the vitesses will stand the sheer power from the v8 although they were rather fast themselves.

[garyh]

but that is a lovely bulge:lol: Will you fill in the wheel arches as well?

[Benllewellyn]

we hope so haven't got much choice on having a bulge so why not make it as nice as possible :lol:

wheel arches will be filled in.

i will upload pics and exactly what is happening with the car sometime in the next week

[garyh]

Is it possible to do a gelcoat colour finish?

[Sammio Builder]

Don't think it would be an option, as you will have to cut holes in rear for the outriggers, then cover them up again afterwards, and a bit of filler is needed around the bonnet gap area, so all your lovely gelcoat would have white filler over it!

Trevor.
http://www.sammiospyder.blogspot.com/

[garyh]

Front of the class trevor, obvious really.:bathbaby: What else is there to do before spraying? Who's the lucky person who gets to clean up that bonding paste behind the grill... does it sand down easily?:eyebrows:

[Sammio Builder]

Once the bonding paste has set, it feels as hard as concrete, and I'm assuming it will be a total b*****d to sand! There is a small amount I need to get rid of round the metal hoop, and will probably resort to carefully using an angle grinder with a grinding disc on it.

However, the white stuff over all the chassis behind the grill area is just fibreglass dust where I cut the holes.


In reality, I don't have a lot (any!) prep work to do, as I'm paying Gary and Mike to prep and spray the car. (Happy days!)

[garyh]

They spray as well... its very impressive how quickly they developed 3 different models, with a bit of style.

[davecymru]

The bonding paste can be sanded with 40 or 80 grit paper in a hand sander but it takes for ever! I ended up using a 60 grit flap-disc in a grinder to flat it down as much as possible before switching to the hand sander, and it eats through it BUT you have to have a careful touch otherwise you end up gouging holes!

[garyh]

Gary or anyone, can you tell me if the Triumph speedo can be used in all models?

[Mister Towed]

Gary or anyone, can you tell me if the Triumph speedo can be used in all models?

Not sure if this is what you're asking, but I've bought a 'big' 5 1/2" black faced 90mph herald speedo with integral fuel gauge to replace the 4" Vitesse 120mph speedo from my donor (purely for aesthetic reasons).

The Vitesse speedo cable and odometer reset cable both screw straight in while it's calibrated for 155/13 tyres, the same as the Vitesse had as standard.

The only area of concern I have is wiring the fuel gauge as it has three terminals instead of the two on Vitesse gauge. Any help anyone can post about that would be greatly appreciated.

[garyh]

its just a white faced speedo.:icon_smile:

[garyh]

Also, i did start bidding for a 1360 in kent, but its approaching £1300, i don't think i could make my money back. Ideally i want a straight 6, there are 3 on ebay at moment from 2 to 15 grand... supplies drying up in the south east.:playball:

[davecymru]

From what i've seen since i bought my donor, your best bets are:
Local papers,
local ad-traders,
classic car buyer / weekly (the newspaper thinggy)

The internet is turning into a a bad place to pick one up (apart from the odd flea bay auction) as there are too many people looking for the same thing on a medium that is too convenient and so the prices are artificially high.

If you put the leg work in and look around I'd say that from experience you can expect to pay about £1500 for a 'reasonable' Vitesse with £2500 / £3000 for an nice one.
There are still loads of tatty sub £1k Heralds and Vitesses around, but you need to know the right people. and they don't tend to be on the web.

[garyh]

with a bit of headwork or should i hold out for a straight six????:ohwell:

[Psycho pops]

E bay is generating high prices but I answered any classified adds I found on the internet and Gumtree came up trumps, Rot free Herald at a real good price, I did have to travel to collect but was well worth it. Patience and a little time searching the adds will pay off.

[garyh]

are the chassis's the same? could i fit a straight six?:suspicious:

[davecymru]

are the chassis's the same? could i fit a straight six?:suspicious:
If you've got the time and money!

I speak from experience as mine is actually a Herald 13/16 that someone spent £000's on in the early 80's upgrading to full MKII Vitesse spec.
I have a wallet with all the work done and all the parts they bought, as well as an engineers report and it's a good inch thick!

Needless to say it's not just a simple engine swap, you've got to do transmission, brakes, suspension etc... but anything is possible.

Personally given the cost and scale of the work involved of it, it seems more sensible nowadays to just hold out for a Vitesse?

[Mister Towed]

Also, i did start bidding for a 1360 in kent, but its approaching £1300, i don't think i could make my money back. Ideally i want a straight 6, there are 3 on ebay at moment from 2 to 15 grand... supplies drying up in the south east.:playball:

There's a 1200 Herald in Farnborough, finishes Sunday and the seller will take £400 buy it now (unless the bidding runs away).

I know it aint no six but Vitesse prices seem to be getting silly since Gary started selling Sammios...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TRIUMPH-HERALD-1200-GREY-/280730971528?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item415cdead88

[garyh]

:boom: :boom: :boom: :boom: ebay has 4, the cheapest is £2000 and thats because nobody has started bidding! I looked on ebay and saw someone selling a rear body tub, so i thought i would ask them if they knew of any Vitesses for sale as he lives near me in Margate, it turns out he's also building a Sammio. I have told him about the forum. I'm going to the breakers next week, so touch wood!
:plane:

I have made my first purchase, a lovely steering wheel...:boom: :boom:

[Paulm321]

Hi everyone,
I've been reading all the posts for a while now, just thought I'd mention that the MX5 steering wheel (Momo) fits the Herald column, the seat belts also bolt into the Herald mounting points, I've found this out as I'm (slowly) building a twin humped Sammio that once registered I'm putting in the MX5 engine, gearbox and the modifying the rear chassis to bolt on the rear subframe from the MX5 too! Will need to widen the rear body for that though. I didn't realise at the time Gary was working on the MX as a donor so should have held out for the wider body.
Paul. :icon_biggrin:

[poser]

had a problem recently getting hold of gary [sammio cars].....anybody know what he's about?

[Psycho pops]

Hi,
I met Gary this weekend when I picked up my Body, he is very busy with the various builds and projects and gets a lot of mail.
Maybe just in the list waiting to reply
Not sure what you mean ....anybody know what he's about?
Regards Stewart

[garyh]

A MkII Vitesse 2ltr, looks rough which is good. No guilt about transforming car!
I feel like i am in the club now, not just a spectator.
Pic attached.

[davecymru]

had a problem recently getting hold of gary [sammio cars].....anybody know what he's about?

As Stuart says, Gary is well known to be juggling a lot of things at once (especially on this run-up to the Exeter show!) and is also constantly getting a lot of contact from prospective builders and he's therefore not always to respond immediately. From everything i've had to do with him, there's nothing sinister, he's just got a lot on and constantly bouncing from one thing to the next!

I normally give him a ring, leave a message and he'll normally phone me back that day or the next. Failing that you can normally contact him via the forums.

[lancelot link]

You can call me anytime , as Dave says , I will get back to you ( if you're number is not blocked )....or private message me on here ...

I am on my own at the moment - Mike is away for a few days - I have a load of post to sort out as well.....some people been waiting a little longer than they should for bits ...I am stretched a bit right now....

[Mister Towed]

A MkII Vitesse 2ltr, looks rough which is good. No guilt about transforming car!
I feel like i am in the club now, not just a spectator.
Pic attached.

Nice one, welcome to the fold!

Car looks to be a perfect candidate for a Sammio rebody. How much was it if you don't mind me asking?

[Psycho pops]

Nice one Gary, Now the fun really starts....

[garyh]

£650 for the car, £300 for delivery to Herne Bay. Must hurry up and finish snagging list the wife has set me before starting...

[Mister Towed]

£650 for the car, £300 for delivery to Herne Bay. Must hurry up and finish snagging list the wife has set me before starting...

Snap, I had the same list of demands: new floor in the bathroom, finish the kitchen I started installing a year ago... Women just don't understand, do they?

Sounds like you got a decent deal on the donor, too. Best of luck with it.

[lancelot link]

nice purchase Gary ...well done !

Looking forward to seeing another example under way....

[garyh]

I can't wait to get started, i have so many ideas to put into practice. The colour i like is that Aston Martin Zagato (burgundy) but my inspiration is the Lancia D24, rivets and all...
Have been told to keep budget under control and that the car has a bonnet which can remain closed... I'm listening'ish. Heres a pic of a handbrake i like.

Must keep the wife, sweet... :washing: :washing: :washing:

[davecymru]

Must keep the wife, sweet...

I found that taking the missus for a week in Majorca made the issue of paint costs disappear over night! :biggrin1:

[Mister Towed]

I can't wait to get started, i have so many ideas to put into practice. The colour i like is that Aston Martin Zagato (burgundy) but my inspiration is the Lancia D24, rivets and all...
Have been told to keep budget under control and that the car has a bonnet which can remain closed... I'm listening'ish. Heres a pic of a handbrake i like.

Must keep the wife, sweet... :washing: :washing: :washing:

I'm also going for the D24 look with exposed rivets and random alloy panels here and there. :rockon:


Nice handbrake too, I hadn't thought of using an aftermarket one. Where did you find it, how much are they and is it a fly-off type?

[garyh]

About a hundred pounds, made in Cornwall. Just look up Trigger Handbrakes on t'internet.:idea:

[jw52]

Hi Gary I'm also building a Spyder from a Mk2 Vitesse and am only just over the river to you They'll get a bridge built one day. untill then will have to make do with Dartford.
Good luck with the build and all those household jobs.

John.

[jw52]

I found that taking the missus for a week in Majorca made the issue of paint costs disappear over night! :biggrin1:

Dave do you think a week in Somerset would have the same effect?

[lancelot link]

That is a pretty handbrake ...

These are a very similar product at about half the money....

http://www.minispares-online.co.uk/?cat_id=8&sub_cat_id=146&prod_id=1568


Lancia - ifying your cars and adding rivet detail , random scoops , vents , panels etc is a look I really will enjoy seeing ....when I eventually get around to building a keeper I intend to do exactly that sort of detail...

[garyh]

They seem to be doing a special on that application.

Regarding the rivets, what iwas going to do is along the seams where you think the panels would overlap if it was aluminium i will tape down a length of ali , quite thin and run some filler against it and feather it out onto panel. Then take ali away which will give me a panel line. Does that make sense?:icon_confused:

[captaincrash1971]

What make is the bonding paste people are using? Also, roughly how much matting and resin will a normal build take? Just need to go buy it all from my local suppliers and didn't wanna end up with too much or not enough

[Sammio Builder]

Both Dave and myself used Gravicol Bonding Paste (http://www.cfsnet.co.uk/acatalog/Gravicol_2039.html)

The 5KG tub did my whole car.

I also used this fibreglass kit from here (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-Metre-Fibreglass-Kit-Including-Tools-/180718185112?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_BoatEquipmen t_Accessories_SM&hash=item2a13a4aa98#ht_914wt_905)

Both are top quality and an absolute bargain too.

Trevor.
http://www.sammiospyder.blogspot.com/

[davecymru]

I ended up using a bit more bonding paste than Trevor and i've probably used 1.5 5kg tubs as i've also used it to fit my inner rear wheel arches.

Probably about the same amount if fibreglass, but i bought the large kits from Halfrauds one at a time as i had no idea how much i'd need. in retrospect i should have bought the kit from ebay as it should have been cheaper!

I've also got through 1.5 large tubs of body filler, although most of that seems to have ended up as dust on my garage floor and door! :)

[garyh]

Please.:icon_smile:

[PaulC]

Nothing to do with me but this might be of use to someone.


http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SCIMITAR-SE5a-ROLLING-CHASSIS-V5-TAX-EXEMPT-HOTROD-/320755291161?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item4aae815419#ht_500wt_1156

[captaincrash1971]

Nothing to do with me, but there's a 1969 Herald 13/60 just come up on classiccarsforsale.com. It's £1000, but will surely be negotiable, and people seem to be having quite good luck selling unwanted bits on ebay. The good thing is it's driveable and mot'd.

Click Here (http://www.classiccarsforsale.co.uk/classic-car-page.php/carno/150444)

[garyh]

Question. I have a 71' mk.2 Vitesse and i have been looking at the Canley schematics trying to identify my inlet manifold, but i don't recognise it. Please see attached.:ranger:

[captaincrash1971]

Solex carbs manifold, looks the same as the 1600 one on the canleys schematics

[garyh]

So does that mean that what i was sold is actually a 1600? or does a 1600 manifold fit a 2 litre?:icon_frown: :icon_frown: :icon_frown:

[captaincrash1971]

Not sure if it's a direct fit or not. Don't know much about these things Im afraid.

[garyh]

In your picture you show a Vitesse 6 Solex inlet manifold. However it was not uncommon back in the day to use adaptor's to covert to Strombergs. Presumably this is what has occured to your car.

There were a number of companies offering conversions including SAH.

The later Vitesse 6, and the 2 ltr MKI inlet manifold dispensed with the 45 degree carb mounting detail used on the earlier Solex manifold (like yours) when Triumph themselves went over to Stromberg's.

So hopefully thats a 'PHEW':shock:

[davecymru]

:) sounds like you can relax a bit!

Personally i think that finding out the history of our cars is a much fun as building them!

I was handed a binder chock full of receipts from the last 42 years including all of the documentes when the owner did the upgrade to the Vitesse Mk2 spec, the after market electronic ignition, the instructions that they "allegedly" followed switching from a dynamo to an alternator etc. Although critically it was missing any details about the twin SU's that came with my car! So i ended up putting a set of twin Stromberg's back on it so that at least i could just refer to the Haynes manuals :)

If your manifold does turn out to be a turkey, i do have those twin SU's on a manifold gathering dust in my garage that 'should' fit :)

[Mister Towed]

Are you sure you have a 2 litre lump?

I've been trying to find a site that lists when changes were made to engine spec by engine number, but the best I could find was this one that looks solely at the prefix letters:

http://club.triumph.org.uk/prefix1.htm#Vitesse

Clearly, so long as this isn't duff info, if your engine number starts 'HB' it's a 1600 but if it starts 'HC' then it's either a mk1 or mk2 two litre.

As for the manifolds in your pic, will the angle of the carbs cause clearance issues under the bonnet?

[garyh]

So all those bits i have are not wasted... Couldn't of told the wife...:nono:
But i do have some rear shocks that aren't required!:icon_frown:

[Mister Towed]

So all those bits i have are not wasted... Couldn't of told the wife...:nono:
But i do have some rear shocks that aren't required!:icon_frown:

Hmm, I'd fit those rear shocks if I were you Gary.

I like your thinking: there's an obvious weight saving to be made by deleting non-essential fripperies from your chassis like the shock absorbers and brake calipers, for example, but the trade-off is that you might find the ride gets a tad unsettled without them. :biggrin:

[TriBond]

Question. I have a 71' mk.2 Vitesse and i have been looking at the Canley schematics trying to identify my inlet manifold, but i don't recognise it. Please see attached.:ranger:

Hi
There are two main ways that a 1600 or mk1 cylinder head differs from a mk2, firstly the mk1 had separate push rod tubes pressed into the casting, the mk2 has tunnels in the casting. Also the inlet ports were raised to improve breathing so a 1600, mk1 head has the inlet and exhaust ports in a straight line whereas the mk2 has the inlet ports above the level of the exhaust ports giving a zig zag effect. The head in the photograph appears to be a 1600 or 2 litre mk1. Hope this helps

[garyh]

it says HC on block, i would like to know how a 71' ended up with a mk.1 block...:noidea:

[TriBond]

Hi Gary

The meccano type construction of the herald based cars lead to a lot of people mismatching parts. I once had a spitfire 1500 which handled rather worse than I would have expected, I found out after a bit of detective work that someone had fitted Herald half shafts which are quite a bit narrower resulting in a back axle with toe out. Your engine would appear to be a mk1 2 litre and there is nothing wrong with them, on paper they are slightly less powerful than a mk2 engine but in a lightweight package like a Sammio I would imagine it will do the job. I hate to ask but have you checked the rear suspension on your Vitesse? It has got the rotoflex couplings not the swing axles hasn't it?

[garyh]

i have rotting metalastic doughnuts:icon_exclaim: but i have a full rebuild kit for them. I even have rear shocks, not having noticed the telelever units? can i rebuild them or should i just exchange!:noidea: heres a pic

[TriBond]

i have rotting metalastic doughnuts:icon_exclaim: but i have a full rebuild kit for them. I even have rear shocks, not having noticed the telelever units? can i rebuild them or should i just exchange!:noidea: heres a pic

I'd exchange them if poss, Rimmer Bos can do that I think. You can get conversion kits to fit telescopic shocks if you want adjustables I had this set up on a Burlington Arrow and that worked well. Rimmer Bros supply them as well.

http://www.rimmerbros.co.uk/Item--i-GRID008052

Happy Building

[garyh]

I will get them, save wasting the shocks i bought. just need to look at gasket set to see what won't fit as i bought for a Mk.2. i also want to do alternator upgrade, any info.
?:ranger:

[redratbike]

I will get them, save wasting the shocks i bought. just need to look at gasket set to see what won't fit as i bought for a Mk.2. i also want to do alternator upgrade, any info.
?:ranger:

found this if its any use

http://www.quillertriumph.co.uk/Quiller/Parts/partsnewproductsdynamoconversion.htm


DYNAMO TO ALTERNATOR CONVERSION

Car not starting as easily as you would like?

Battery letting you down?

Add uumph to your charging circuit by converting to a modern alternator system charging at 45Amp - the dynamo we supply with this kit puts out a hefty 45Amp which is an upgrade on the standard 36Amp units available

This kit supplies those parts required to convert (including wiring diagram and fan belt) as well as the alternator itself. Fitment is a simple job of bolting on the alternator instead of the dynamo and re-routing wires.

The kit contains a new fanbelt & alternator, everything else is secondhand but repainted.

We can supply kits suitable for Spitfire, Herald, Vitesse, GT6, TR5

Kit is priced at £129.00

probably cheaper ways to do it