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I am just about to order my Spyder kit from Gary, and already have the donor vehicle! Well I have had the 1964 1600 Mk1 Vitesse for about 3 years now and wondered what to do with it. That question is now solved!
I used to do up Beetles and VW vans in my youth, and built a 356 speedster, but kids, divorce, new wife and motorbikes have got in the way of me doing any more kit cars since.
That said, I did get hold of a Herald 13/60 a few years back and did a body off restoration (www.heraldrestoration.co.uk) so I am familiar with the chassis!
I am going for the twin headrests (one of the conditions that SWMBO put on me getting the kit!) and will keep another detailed diary of events during the build for my own records and anyone else who is interested.
So here is the donor car as it stands at the moment
it looks nicer in the pictures Gary. Needs complete repaint and whole new interior. Good examples fetch about £2000-3000 I suppose, but most people want the later Mk2 2L version. It would cost me that much to get it up to scratch.
In the scheme of things it would probably cost me as much if not more to find another donor and then get it up to this level!
I am sure the triumph purists will scoff, but I will be building my own classic!
I seem to have got through about 6 grand, all i have is a lot of boxes with parts inside! But it will feel like a restoration and hopefully learn a lot of skills. Keep us posted, you'll be handy to know, when i'm wondering where all the bits go!
What a lovely donor! i understand what you're saying about the cost to bring it up to show condition, but compared to some of the donors that have been used by various members on here (mine included) that looks virtually mint in comparison!
At least that should mean that you'll get a tidy bit back when you sell of the parts, especially that roof!
Best of luck and i look forward to watching your progress. I'm suspecting it'll be another shiny build that will put me to shame from looking at your restoration blog
Thanks for the welcome guys, having read every page on this site and researched the Sammio Spyder elsewhere on other forums, this is by far the best bunch of builders!
Having had the Herald, some of the Triumph clubs can be a bit "clicky" and like most clubs get when they get too big and impersonal! Nice to hopefully fit in with the general comraderie here!
I will be ordering at the end of this month - (having 5 teenagers at christmas is not cheap!) - and will be getting the twin headrest version with the Lancia style bonnet - curved dashboard and recessed battery tray as optional extras to save time and hassle!
Not sure on colour yet, would love and old english white - similar to the herald I did, with a burgundy interior this time. Maybe a black strip or two along the bonnet or sides as you suggest Roadster - that may look cool.
I will probably do a few trick bits such as recessed LED lights, although I want to modernise it, I am keen not to lose the nostalgic look. Dunno if I will get the modern vs retro right, but I will try! The beauty with the self build is that you can always go back and change things!
Ironically, this all started when I went up the road to have a look at some secondhand interiors for the Vitesse with a view to replacing what is in there already. The guy (Richard) has done american hotrods and had the Sammio Spyder in his garage and I was more interested in that! So I had to text him today to say I won't be needing his interior now!
Be nice to have in up the road to bat some ideas off and see how his build is going! I am in Poole, and I noticed that there are quite a few in the south.
Is there an informal meet planned this year? Maybe we can get in on one of the Poole Quay Friday night slots - they do an open top sports car night in the summer - we could all turn up in our Spyders!
Hi Tony, welcome aboard...must agree with the others, thats a tidy looking donor. Seems that the two humps are catching up the single....never did manage to remember the dromedry? or something...anyway enjoy the build.
I have registed the domain [url]www.mysammiospyder.co.uk[/url] so will let you know when it is up and running for the full rebuild story! - as well as on here of course!
Your a star, I have a deal that I will finish the wifes Herald before I start the Sammio, well I have started but not finished and I broke her bottle top off the other day ( screwed it down too tight...) will PM you my address, thank and if I can return the favour give me a shout..
Psycho Pops
Welcome to the forum my son and I have just started the first G46 it's a great place for feed back, apparently we are going to need some Herald boot hinges hint hint
This is slightly off topic (my apologies) but walking back from the garage this morning i saw a morris minor parked up and the first thing i thought when i saw it was "those chrome bonnet hinges would make great G46 door hinges"! Just an idea.
This is slightly off topic (my apologies) but walking back from the garage this morning i saw a morris minor parked up and the first thing i thought when i saw it was "those chrome bonnet hinges would make great G46 door hinges"! Just an idea.
I may have some hinges but they may be a bit pitted, will have a look when i get home.
Pops
Thanks, that of course is the issue how pitted will they be, howerver now that the other suggestion Moggie Minor hinges has surfaced I must be able to get some on line somewhere as Charlie reminded me we need two pairs and a herald boot only has one pair, picky, picky, picky!!!!!!!!!!
Welcome to the forum.
garyH.
But it will feel like a restoration and hopefully learn a lot of skills. Keep us posted, you'll be handy to know, when i'm wondering where all the bits go!
