Gaz's Spyder build

GazDavies · #1 14th February 2012, 17:09

I thought that I would start my own build thread, as much to keep a record for myself as anything else. I have started the process of stripping my Triumph Herald 1200 donor which I bought just a few weeks ago and to be honest, it was such a lovely car that I had second thoughts about using it for the sammio build. In the end though, it was always bought to be made into a Sammio Spyder and that is what will happen.

Car before starting the build

I have spent the day stripping the car down and have managed to take out all of the interior, which thankfully has had no nasty surprises so far with the foot wells in good condition

The roof is now off and also the bootlid, the rear lights are out and the wiring pulled back through so hopefully tomorrow will see the body tub removed when I will get a real look at the chassis.

davecymru · #2 14th February 2012, 18:40

Fingers crossed for no serious surprises!

lancelot link · #3 14th February 2012, 18:56

And he's off !!!!

Good start Gaz.....we are doing your kit next week , I will contact you nearer the time...

BazMason · #4 14th February 2012, 20:01

I hope Vik is helping you with this mate....I'm sure she would love to spend Valentine's day helping you stip an old girl!

GazDavies · #5 14th February 2012, 20:25

Gary, thats great. Im already looking forward to finishing the stripping and starting the building.

Baz, Vik has been working all day and left me only a small amount of chores so I was able to put a few hours work in before she got home. You any closer to buying a Spitfire?

BazMason · #6 14th February 2012, 21:21

Need to get the garage sorted first - although I have been looking, there isn't very many Spits coming up in Scotland.

The exhaust manifold has cracked in the Coupe so need to get that fixed first too.

tlrtone · #7 14th February 2012, 22:25

And the race is on......

AndyP57 · #8 15th February 2012, 08:01

Gaz. Before you let them go elsewhere, ask Gary (Sammio Gary) if he's still collecting boot hinges.

GazDavies · #9 15th February 2012, 16:32

Andy, I will send him a pm, thanks.

I have spent the morning working on the car again and have managed to get the body tub off. After a lot of head scratching and looking for and other bolts holding it on all that it took was a little brute force to brake through the bonding paste holding it to the front footwells. After getting my first good look at the chassis im im very happy to say that it is in almost perfect condition!

Apart from a little work to do at the front end like taking off the bonnet, bumper, heating unit etc I'm almost ready to start building. I had planned to do a full strip of every nut and bolt but the car looks to be in such good condition that stripping the car any further seems pointless. I will POR15 the chassis anyway as I had already bought it but it looks like it has been done not so long back.

I have had a few deliveries today of kit that I had ordered online. Fibre glass, resin, POR15 and a set of 5, 14inch MG wire wheels bought off ebay for less than £40

AndyP57 · #10 15th February 2012, 17:20

Very nice condition Gaz, You'll be racing along with this build!

davecymru · #11 15th February 2012, 17:26

While you're at that stage it might be worth while just unbolting the bulkhead, lifting it up a bit and checking the chassis rails under it and bulkhead mounting points, as once the shell is bonded on you'll never get another chance and it may avoid some of the faff I'm currently going through :-)

GazDavies · #12 15th February 2012, 18:02

Good point dave, I will do that. Will also allow me to paint the chassis under there to make sure its all protected for the future.

I have been busy listing the larger parts that I want to get rid of on ebay and im getting a lot of interest so hopefully I will be able to make a little of the outlay for the donor back. One of the people asking about some of the items tells me that he bought some parts from somebody also building a Sammio in Preston. Small world!

AndyP57 · #13 15th February 2012, 21:15

THat would be me Gaz. I did have a buyer from Warrington and as I'm only just up the road we must make sure we get together sometime to swap notes

GazDavies · #14 16th February 2012, 08:17

I thought that it may be you Andy. A meet up sometime would be great. Where are you planning to get you car inspected?

Psycho pops · #15 16th February 2012, 09:11

Gaz,
Package received, thank you....
Will keep to my end of the deal today..Cheers
Psycho pops.

GazDavies · #16 18th February 2012, 16:26

Over the last few days I have completed the strip down of the Herald with the only thing left to do is to grind down the bulkhead. The weather has not been very co-operative today but I have managed to get the easy to access parts of the chassis painted with a layer of POR15 in between the showers.

I was told today about a little place dealing in Triumphs that is only a 20min drive from my house so decided to go and have a look around until the rain stopped. The place is just a barn down a little farm road but the stock that they had in it was unbeleivable. I came away with a used but good condition late Spitfire fuel tank and a band new sender for £45! They have LOTS of new and used parts in stock so well worth giving a call if you need anything
http://www.totallytriumph.co.uk/

lancelot link · #17 18th February 2012, 20:38

Thank you for the link Gaz....looks like you are getting stuck in.

Your body has been laid up today and we are making your frame Monday / Tuesday....screen and grille as well....kit should be ready to go anytime from Wednesday onwards...

Do you still want a delivery price ? Best so far is £250 , but I think we can beat that.....

If you can give me a firm delivery day , I can put a request on Shiply and get a better price for sure...

lancelot link · #18 19th February 2012, 07:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by lancelot link

Do you still want a delivery price ? Best so far is £250 , but I think we can beat that.....
...

Received a bid of £150 this morning ...guy needs to do it Wednesday though ...thats ok with me , what about your end ?

Job is still listed , so might get cheaper yet....£150 is actually £176 with the Shiply fees but its still very good............I wouldn't want to do it for that !!

GazDavies · #19 18th February 2012, 20:59

Thats great news! I will actually be away from home Monday to Friday however this shouldnt be a problem as I can get my dad to take delivery anytime Thursday or Friday will be fine.

I will give you a call tomorrow afternoon if you are free then?

lancelot link · #20 18th February 2012, 22:06

COOL....Speak tomorrow...