Another Sammio - Vitesse 2ltr

[cabbage]

Hi All,

This thread is for my sammio spyder build based on a Vitesse 2ltr, its been very slow going but im picking up pace now and need to get it on the road this summer, so will be posting pics hard and fast.

Quick background, i belive that i was one of the earliest sammio customers, as when i spoke to gary it was regarding the bonnet shape before the current d24 style, and i remember him saying there was a new shape in development which was the one i eventually bought. :-)

So far everything was stripped from my car and re-conditioned/replaced, the aim here is to produce a good quality, yet still vintage in look build.

I will update the electrics. I have a electronic ignition system and solid state electronic fuel pump along with other upgrades to make the car as usable as possible for time trial rallies.

The starting point:










The cabin is aluminium which has been shaped, riveted + composite bonded together.



So im well behind considering how long i've had the car but progress is a lot quicker now so i'll have some more pic's this weekend :-)

[phil9]

welcome ...... be nice to see it on the road looks good so far

[Mister Towed]

Yes, welcome to the fold Cabbage.

Looks like you're a bit of a perfectionist as what you've done so far appears to be top quality work.

I'm guessing you're going with Olde English White if the bulkhead is anything to go by?

Good luck getting it roadworthy for summer, that's my aim too...

[Paul L]

Cabbage - Welcome.

It is always good to see details of other builds, so the more photos the better.

Good luck with finishing your build, Paul.

[AndyP57]

Great to see another build on the forum Cabbage. Where are you based?
Looking like a great start. I'm looking forward to seeing this one come together.

[cabbage]

Thanks guys :-)

Some quick answers, im based in Basildon, Essex and yes the plan was to have it cream, although I change my mind daily :-) was even considering a two tone paint job similar to some Austin healeys, so cream on the lower half and a light metallic green or blue on the top half.

As for build quality thanks :-) its not great but I do try. So far the plan is recondition or replace so everything should be like new, although I want to keep it feeling old, so there will be no cd players, modern dials or switches here. :-)

Some more info on the car, it was rallied for a large chunk of its life and I have paper cuttings about its wins. The engine has some triumph tune parts but not sure what. The gear box is attached with a custom machined spacer and is a close ratio 4 speed with overdrive on three of the gears (so im told)

[cabbage]

Some updated pics outside

[garyh]

Where do the seats come from?

[Mister Towed]

That looks very nice indeed, love the riveted ally tub. Keep posting those pic's!

Aren't they Mk IV Spitfire seats?

[davecymru]

That is lovely! It'll be good to have another 2L on the road.

(repeat to self) must resist searching e-bay.. must resist searching e-bay...

[cabbage]

Thanks :-) i'll have more pics at the end of this week.

As for the seats, i think Mister Towed is correct, as the guy i bought them from had a few spitfires.

[froggyman]

Hi, really impressed with your build and look forward to future updates.
Did you use a proper pipe bender for the frame work or some other ingenious method?

[cabbage]

Thanks :-)

That part of the frame was actually made by Gary, it was either before the frames were available as a package or i just wanted to do the rest myself, can't remember.

Its worked out better in the long run as i have been able to make the rest myself and workout the stiffest structure, the welding is messy but its strong and ties in with the tub very well making it really rigid :-)

[cabbage]

many hours with a angle grinder and some etch primer and here we go



Something else arrived today :-)

[cabbage]

Hi All,

There will be as blast of new fabrication pictures this weekend and maybe some paint, so we'll see.

In the meantime, some DVLA stress to share with you all

So i bought my Vitesse as a 2ltr however a few months down the line i found that my V5 claims it left the factory with a 1.6 unit.

Luckily i have a lot of history with the car and i can see that two owners back, between its mot in 1993 and 1994 the engine was swapped (this is probably when the car was converted into a full blown rally machine). Now this is not an issue as the engine is a later Vitesse unit, however my V5 is now not correct and would fail any inspection if the DVLA officer were to check if the numbers match up.

So the DVLA was proof of the new engine being fitted and receipt, neither of these i have as the engine was fitted many moons ago by someone i do not know. I have lots of receipts and history but nothing about the engine swap with the exception of the mileage and cc suddenly changing in 1994.

Anyone have any ideas?

[AndyP57]

Hi, If it helps at all, with the two rebody checks I have processed with the Preston office, both have had engines which differ from the V5 (Though of the same specification). In these cases, as the rest of the rolling chassis were unmodified, they had sufficient 'points' to qualify so the engine number was changed at that time and the new V5 issued reflected the new engine. No receipts nor proof were asked for at that time.

[garyh]

Make up a receipt, a bit of design or copy one of your others... put in pocket to distress etc...

[tlrtone]

I changed my V5 with new engine number and capacity well in advance of the DVLA inspection with no problems.
Just sent a covering letter in with V5 saying the car would be undergoing a full rebuild and a similar but more modern engine had be sourced and will be fitted.
Got the V5 back with all the right corresponding info for them to check at the inspection.

[cabbage]

Thanks for your responses guys, i'll see if i can send off the form with a covering letter as suggested and we'll see what happens. :-)

[Paul L]

Cabbage - Good luck sorting out your paperwork & it is a good idea to do it sooner rather than later.

Thankfully the only thing wrong with my V5 was the colour of the car.

Cheers, Paul.