2CV Sammio build Tne Netherlands

[Mars'69]

Hello Fellow Sammio buiders,

I'd like to introduce myself, my name is Marcel Birkhoff, 44jrs, married and 2 kids (4-6yrs) and have imported the no.3 sammio Cheveaux body to the Netherlands. Initially I wanted to build a Burton kit car, a very well finished and popular 2cv kit of which are more then a 1000!! sold in the Netherlands. However, when I saw the Sammio I fell in love with the design and cancelled my Burton order!

I have followed this forum from time to time a bit but could not find any thing on the 2cv's but did learn some good things from the Herald based kits. However, I recently noticed that there is a Sammio 2cv builder in France - Zebre - which has made great progress and with whom i can share my frustrations and do some comparisons!

I'm at 70% of the build and have overcome the main issues and am very close to attach the body and do the final part.

Before I show you some pics, let me tell what has to be adapted to the kit, especially "handy for Andy"

Frame:
The Frame that was delivered with the kit fitted remarkably well. I did not have to change the mounting positions. However, the body would not fit over it and I had to move the rear crossmember (behind seats) back about 7 cm's.

Also it was very difficult to fit the pedal box and had to do a lot of cutting to make it fit.

When I had everything assembled at the chassis I found that I had too little legroom, although I'm not too tall (1,78cm). I noticed that the frame could be moved another 5cm forward on the chassis which is meant extra legroom!

Therefore I decided to dismount all components again and cut the frame and add 5 cm to the frame, cut the pedal box loose again and add another 2-3 cm by moving the pedal box forward.

Then when I fitted the body, the rear was very loose and not so easy to fix to the body. Therefore I have added some extra rear support - also as I want to make a booth lid that includes the two humps and opens to the back.

Also Have have made already some adaptations to the frame to be able to fit the doors - this you could actually do standard on this frame as it does not take a lot of weight and the structure is strong. Also i have added seatbelt mounting brackets.

Body:

The body is not very well finished and found that the rear was not straight and the left front is 4 cm longer as the right front. I had to cut out a piece from the front to make left and right symmetrical.

Also I had ordered a left steer model and upon delivery fond they had made a right steer body... I refused to take the body and Gary made an extra hump overnight which I put on.

For the citroen2cv a number of major adaptations have to be made, here's the list:

- replace location of alternator (to avoid bubble in bonnet)
- re-engineer steering column
- make new headboard
- Re-engineer exhaust system
- New airfilter system
- New fuel filler system
- New gear shift system
and tons of small stuff.

An advice for other 2cv builders, the burtoncar company has a lot of good solutions that will fit this build. see www.burtoncar.com

When I started, I bought and old to 2cv, and took of the parts I could use: suspension, axles, engine, gearbox, fuelsystem, electrical parts etc. The chassis was completely rotten.
So I bought a new chassis and main cable loom and got a refurbished engine / gearbox.

Next message will have some pictures after I have figured out how to reduce the size...

[Mars'69]

So as promised , here the pics
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[Mars'69]

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So these are the parts which were useable..


Now cleaning up engine, taking rust of all parts, replace seals, bearings etc and repaint again..


Had to use a hydraulic wrench (700 bar)from work to loosen nuts of the drive shafts...They easily came loose....

Days of cleaning and realizing not a great deal was re-usable..

[Mars'69]

Now the easy part began - built up the chassis - I was still smiling...

[Mars'69]

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Now the easy part began - built up the chassis - I was still smiling...

[Mars'69]

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Problems with rear crossmember - have to cut it and move 5 cm back, also pedal box does not fit.. However, the mounting positions are very good and the frame is very straight!

[Mister Towed]

Originally Posted by Mars'69

Now the easy part began - built up the chassis - I was still smiling...

Love that last picture

Welcome to the fold Mars.

[CarNoob]

looking Good

[oxford1360]

Great stuff. Really good to see your progress in pictures. Keep up the good work.

[tlrtone]

What a fantastic round up and detailed build thread Marcel, thanks for sharing it!

The Herald based kit was the same in as much that the left hand side was further forward so I cut and shut mine in the same way you did.

I do love the engineering challenges and freedom on these cars that allow us to fettle things in a unique way to suit ourselves. Although some do set you you back a bit, the end result is you can say 'I did that'

You sound like you will be ready next summer to enjoy the car and be one of only three in existence!

Well done, I look forward to the next update soon

Tony

[Mister Towed]

Great pictures and detail Mars, looks like you're going to have a superb example when it's finished.

Losing weight to better fit your Sammio? Now that's what I call dedication!

Before I saw that you've had Intertrim seats modified to suit I was going to suggest you take a leaf out of Lamborghini's book - on their flagship Sesto Elemento they've dispensed with the seat base to save weight and just fixed pads to the floor -



If you find that your head is sticking too far up into the slipstream with your conventional seats it's something you could consider.

I'd fit a slim, angled pad on a solid backboard for the backrest and 'velcro' another slim pad to the floor as the base. The further forward the base sits, the more laid back the driving position and the lower your head will be, but you'll also veer towards the long arms/bent legs 'Italian Ape' driving position that you had before you modified the front of your frame, and that used to be a feature of almost all sporty Italian cars.

That's pretty much how my driving position is and you soon get used to it so long as there's clearance for your knees. Mind you, I had a couple of Italian Sports cars a few years back so I knew what to expect.

Not sure if this picture shows what I mean -



Anyway, keep up the good work and I look forward to seeing more of your engineering solutions as you progress.

[Mars'69]

Thanks guys for the nice comments! - By the way Gary told me it was no. 3 of the 2cv kits, and 77 of the regular body shells - Is that right?


seats -
Yeah I tried a more sloped back design with the seat but then I need further legroom that I stretched to the limit already. Pads on the floor might is too uncomfortable, I guess I'll find out during the test drive how high the riding height really is. I can always increase the height of the screen....

cheers,

[AndyP57]

Your build is looking good! The winter should see it complete with some good fun to be had once the sun comes out. There has been a few more CV variants since your kit. There's one in Norway, One in Belgium, another Two in France and another Two about to head out there next month. Not quite catching up in numbers of the Herald based car but 9 isn't bad

[AndyP57]

That would be about right for the time you collected your kit. we're up to number 9 of the CV based kits and 132 of the Triumphs.

[zèbre69]

Very good job Mars ! It's very interesting to see how we have built our 2 sammio chevaux.

I've done lot of modifications like you on the frame. I noticed that you have bought intarim seats and I wanted to buy these seat also for my car. Were do you safety belts come from ? I've got 48cm height on the car for my part.

Did you have problem when you change the alternator position with the belt. Do you have to change the way of the oil filter's tube because the belt is very close ?

Sorry for my level in english..

[slartibartfast]

Looking VERY good. On the road by early next year? .... Lets hop so. Keep up the good work.
Slarti

[Mars'69]

Hi Zebre,

Yes - same problems, different solutions!
I have not seen any interference for the pulley on the alternator it rotates freely, but have not started the engine yet... let's see...

Seats were 47 or 48 cm high - can't remember exactly. The quality was good - I ordered the vinyl ones as this can resist humidity better as leather. Be careful - the apollo seat is very narrow..

The seatbelts I have ordered with carbuilders - UK - they have a lot of other good stuff as well.
see:
http://www.cbsonline.co.uk/category/...rnesses,b.html

cheers!

[christinedmc]

Hi There Marcel,

You made great progress since I visited you. A very neat journal. I would say you caught up with the forum quite fast!

Spraying before the end of the year is a neat goal! Have you found a paintshop that is up to a Sammio challenge? They better get the overspray right

Michiel

[spit78]

Hallo Marcel,

Well done!!! Good job! Thanks to your mechanic??


Greetings Martijn van Os

[zèbre69]

Do you have good news for us and new pictures ?