Would love to say "yes please" to that but I've got a Daytona bodykit to sort out first and its a long term project. I just wish I had unlimited space and funds to do all the builds I want. The AF is such a good looking car though, it deserves to make a come back.
John |
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Got to sort out the Sammio Spyder moulds first, followed by the A1 Alpha moulds, then may-be the AF Sports :eusa_liar: |
Still waiting for the Pilot/Spyder moulds to be dispatched from the old Ribble HQ so in the mean time the A1 Alpha has been moved forward.
Last week I delivered a Spitfire to Chris and Dan @ Tribute Automotive to be used as a dummy for the A1 Alpha. To my surprize they email me today with a whole bunch of photos. I wanted it to be built in the same way as there A352 for several reasons 1, it's a quick simple build 2, it uses most of the cars original body work so less effort required by the builder. 3, as the new body is placed over the top of the original body/floor pan so every thing should line up better. 4, all the original seats, wiring, clocks ect are left undisturbed and all fit as they should. 5, at no time during the build is the car disabled, so it can be driven in and out of the garage while it's being built. Here's a few photos The original Spitfire ( keep your eye off the "D" type in the back ground it's mine) http://i1329.photobucket.com/albums/...ps92661522.jpg The cut down body http://i1329.photobucket.com/albums/...psfdfa63b9.jpg Where the cuts where made http://i1329.photobucket.com/albums/...ps715b85e9.jpg http://i1329.photobucket.com/albums/...ps7209d418.jpg The body in place http://i1329.photobucket.com/albums/...ps2018b301.jpg Where it fits http://i1329.photobucket.com/albums/...ps68e381a3.jpg http://i1329.photobucket.com/albums/...ps0d796830.jpg http://i1329.photobucket.com/albums/...ps207ac6fc.jpg Not a bad fit at all :nod: Looks pretty good in my opinion. http://i1329.photobucket.com/albums/...ps062676e1.jpg http://i1329.photobucket.com/albums/...ps75dd54aa.jpg This is what Chris had to say about it. First batch of pics attached. The A1 looks the dogs doodahs on the spitfire!! The front edge of the bonnet opening will need enlarging to access rad and raising to clear six pot, but everything else fits a treat. Have moved the petrol tank down and back to get the rear end down. The seating position vs the side depth of body means you are sat right down inside, not sat on top like the Sammio's. I almost want one myself, but maybe on a Reliant SS1, with a bigger engine..... Regards Chris. Note it's built to run with 14" wire wheels running 175/70/14" tyres right from the start so no nasty surprizes later. All-in-all we think it's coming along nicely :flame: :flame: |
Mike – I’ve always liked the Tribute A352 build approach. :cool:
So I think the Alpha A1 will make a great addition to your Sammio range. I am convinced that the “easier” the build, the wider the potential market will be. Good luck, Paul. :) |
Looking very nice!
I have to ask what that Red/Purple kit in the background is? As i notice that the bulkhead is already bonded in place! Is that an A352 body with a Sammio bonnet? |
Dave the Red body in the background is the original Navigator MKII Buck, although after speaking to Mike I think it must have been stored on its corner as its twisted like a pretzel :-(
Mac |
It's been a while but I finally spent some time (well several days) with Chris and Dan at TRIBUTE HQ working on the A1 Alpha.
It the past the body was stretched and widened to fit the Spitfire chassis so It was just a case of continuing the work already started. http://i1329.photobucket.com/albums/...psidsxuv9k.jpg You will notice the rear baulk head is tall and round this is to make the seating position look lower and give room for the fuel tank which has been mover forward in front of the rear axle. It actually bolts on to the original rear cockpit frame. http://i1329.photobucket.com/albums/...ps4nemxnlm.jpg There are some wheel arch issues but we'll sort then later. This one is how I would like them all to look http://i1329.photobucket.com/albums/...pshk3wctus.jpg The rear end fits well and it makes sense to make a boot. The boot lid is an original MGA lid found by Chris. http://i1329.photobucket.com/albums/...ps497l0hcv.jpg The boot is now bigger than the original Spitfire boot. http://i1329.photobucket.com/albums/...psypwnj7wf.jpg We wanted to make the fitting of the body as easy as possible so used the front sills and original bonnet shut line as a reference points. http://i1329.photobucket.com/albums/...psqq0igur4.jpg http://i1329.photobucket.com/albums/...psjxxgt8te.jpg http://i1329.photobucket.com/albums/...psw6mha7rj.jpg The finished mould will have a flange designed to sit over and butt-up against these points thus making the task of lining-up the body easier. There was always going to be a flip front but Chris decided to make it a little rounder .http://i1329.photobucket.com/albums/...psdwx2m6w1.jpg http://i1329.photobucket.com/albums/...psqq0igur4.jpg http://i1329.photobucket.com/albums/...pskgezavxo.jpg http://i1329.photobucket.com/albums/...ps6ohutg5y.jpg We think the curves make it look a softer fit. After much work we rested :tea: At some point after this thing went a crazy :scared: I think it was to much posh chocolate, but the resulting changes really worked. :scared: I'll post the photos tomorrow :attention: |
Great work everyone. :cool:
I firmly believe that designing the kit to fit over a cut down down body shell is a great idea. If the donor car was a runner, it could remain one throughout and that is one less thing to worry about. I'm looking forward to seeing what this ends up looking like. Good luck, Paul. :) |
Keeping the donor running and driving is one of the "magic" things with this build :dance:
Apart from the obvious things like the bonnet doors etc., the only "technical" thing the builder needs to do is disconnect the front and rear lights, even the fuel tank can be moved with-out disturbing the pipes. :laugh: If every thing goes right it should be possible to drive the donor into the your garage at 8 am on a Saturday morning and drive out an Alpha at 4pm Sunday afternoon. :icon_rolleyes: I feel a time lapse video coming on :icon_wink: |
Looking good :thumb:
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I like it very much!
What is the size of the wheels at the foto,s?They fit very nice. Was the Spit lowered? Keep on posting these nice pictures. Rob |
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Spitfire is not lowered the bigger wheels fill the arch nicely :icon_biggrin: |
So here,s what happened!!
The old SAMMIO Spyder front was removed to help fit the recessed light buckets http://i1329.photobucket.com/albums/...ps22fbb23f.jpg And it never got put back on. http://i1329.photobucket.com/albums/...ps5p45im4d.jpg http://i1329.photobucket.com/albums/...pssmnzfqmk.jpg http://i1329.photobucket.com/albums/...psvs7lkjkx.jpg We think it's the right move :icon_wink: I think it looks stunning :love: Put any badge on the front of that bonnet from a BMW to a LANCIA and it will look like it belongs. But with the new SAMMIO badge. :roll: The wings will need a little shaping to accommodate the lighting buckets but apart from that what you see will be what you get the all new A1 ALPHA :horn::bounce::nod: With time, effort and a little luck this beauty will be ready the end of July for you all to see, try and buy :first::first: As I keep saying watch this space :pop2: |
Micky1Mo - It is great to see the new design evolving so quickly. :cool:
Good luck, Paul. :) |
I knew that grille opening reminded me of something else. :cool:
http://wallpapers111.com/wp-content/...llpapers-9.jpg |
That front end is starting to look really great now. I like the way you decided to keep the clam bonnet as well!!
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I was down with Chris today and had a look round the work in progress.
The original car was a pretty little thing. The new car has a much more purposeful look about it, the proportions are spot on. I like it a lot. Im sure it will win lots of admirers and create some new owners. |
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Nice kit and it looks a bit like the G-46 from the front :eusa_think: |
Spent more time with Chris and Dan at Tribute HQ.
This is the results (sorry about the two "groupie's" in the back ground) http://i1329.photobucket.com/albums/...psncxgiqp0.jpg http://i1329.photobucket.com/albums/...psyfpyr7bt.jpg http://i1329.photobucket.com/albums/...ps0xdvtn10.jpg http://i1329.photobucket.com/albums/...psj30n6jze.jpg It's all coming along nicely :dance: The whole thing is designed to fit the standard Triumph Spitfire but if you want to fit a larger engine like the 6 pot then a "extended" scoop will be available .:sing: With a bit of luck we will be able to start taking orders in a few weeks.:rockon: The final price will depend on the total development costs but it'll still be the cheapest kit on the market .:rockon::rockon: Sammio prices + Tribute quality should make a nice combination :eusa_clap: |
Its looking great Mike, well done!
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That's looking really good and some of those small details really make a big difference!
It'll be great to see the Sammio brand back out-n-about again! |
Great work guys. :cool:
Personally, I'd rather pay a bit more for a quality kit that actually "does what is says on the tin". The HUGE savings in both time and hassle of construction will still make it well worth it. Good luck, Paul. :) |
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Hi
Have you had chance to do any more on the shell yet? Would be great if the bonnet could be stretched to fit a herald as well... Says the bloke with 2 herald chassis's :) |
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It worth pointing out that this body is being built/designed with "adjustment" in mind, so with a little work there's no reason why it couldn't fit a Herald, Scimitar, MGF, Lotus, MX5 ect ect :blah::blah: |
Some progress to report at last!!:scared::scared:
With much effort from Chris and Dan these are the latest photo of the A1 ALPHA. I hope to have this the prototype (painted in red) at Stoneleigh Kit Car Show on the Tribute Automotive stand. Large boot with rain channel, you can also see the revised position of the standard Spitfire fuel tank which now bolts the original rear cockpit panel mountings. http://i1329.photobucket.com/albums/...ps71fgovmp.jpg The scuttle panel sits over the standard dash so with a little trimming it will finish it off nicely. Note, all the original dash, clocks even the heater controls remain in place, untouched and working as they should. http://i1329.photobucket.com/albums/...psd7oive46.jpg The original rear wheel arches and boot floor will now meet the body tub which will not only help line every thing up but also help make the boot water tight. Note, the rear wheel arches are "round" and follow the shape/profile of the wheels. http://i1329.photobucket.com/albums/...ps5qeekbzd.jpg IMHO The front end is just stunning. :love: http://i1329.photobucket.com/albums/...pswfbebroh.jpg. I know I keep on saying "Watch this space" but seriously "watch this space" as it's going to happen in the next few weeks and you'll see it here first. :whoo: Again many thanks Chris and Dan for your efforts. |
Looking very good, lots of time and effort gone in to that.
I liked the fin myself, i guess you could fit one if needed ? Will look nice in Red. Jeff. |
Micky1Mo – I know I keep saying this, but the ability to fit the kit on top of a working Spitfire donor will make this a much simpler/quicker build. :cool:
I dread to think how many hours I’ve spent trying to incorporate some of these ideas into my own build. :icon_sad: ( Scuttle over the dash, boot rain channel, boot floor, inner rear aches, etc. ) In fact, I am in the middle of building “round” (ish) wheel arches at the moment. :rolleyes: So good luck with getting the next generation of Sammio ready in time, Paul. :) PS Building a new model a few weeks before a show is a Chris & Dan tradition. :icon_wink: |
Saw this last week and its coming along very nicely ...Top marks to Chris and Dan for effort...
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A few more photos from Tribute HQ.
Looking good I think!:dance: http://i1329.photobucket.com/albums/...psnkuazhpo.jpg http://i1329.photobucket.com/albums/...psb6iazme0.jpg http://i1329.photobucket.com/albums/...pswwidrqjt.jpg Not the final colour just a tint in the primer to give you an idea. http://i1329.photobucket.com/albums/...psyuhwuzlq.jpg The final colour will be a good shade of RED. Collecting the prototype on Thursday so I can do some better photos and start to tart-it-up ready for Stoneleigh. My workshop is just 10 min from J16, M4, anyone is welcome to come and have a sneaky preview |
Looking good, Mike. That back end is particularly nice.
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Looking good - how are you going to present it - classic style racer or more modern like the BMW powered Sammio?
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Looks sleek, certainly is more balanced than the nav shell.
Look forward to seeing it on the road. |
Very nice. :cool:
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Thanks or all your positive comments.
I think the shape is looks right from any angle. :love: I recon with a wind screen and a few bits of chrome it should look the dogs do-dars. I'm going for a classic sportster look in red for Stoneleigh, but I have plans for a BMW power chassis finished in white covered with Martin racing decals or may-be another one in GULF colours. :icon_rolleyes: |
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Does the car still retain the chance for individuality, the whole Sammio appeal for me is the challenge to make it work, resulting in no two cars being the same, admitted that's a lovely looking shape from the pictures so long as it doesn't lose the Sammio ethos..
Pops |
Pops - Hopefully this new Sammio will remove the challenge element from the build. :pray:
However, the chances for individuality remain: - Wheels - Exhaust - Fly screen vs. aero screens - Seats - Rear lighting - Interior - Colour - Etc. Either way, I'm looking forward to seeing what it ends up looking like. Cheers, Paul. :) |
Your car, your way, of course, but I'd shy away from the Gulf or Martini liveries. They're both far too late for a car that looks like a fifties sportster.
Think DB3S, Swallow Doretti, SCCA TR3A et al. |
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