Where are all the Scimitars?
Discussion
I have owned my Scimitar se5a for three months now. It is used as my everyday car in and around the Portsmouth and Chichester area and is great fun to drive. My question is, where are all the other Scimitars? I have not seen another on the road since buying mine. The car gets lots of admiring looks and there are always people saying to me that they either used to own one or that they always wanted one and I used to remember seeing loads of Scimitars on the road but now they seem as rare as hen’s teeth! Does anybody else use there’s as an everyday car? Or are they all locked away for sunny Sundays?
Used to use my 5a everyday but have taken it off the road to do a complete rebuild. Before that i used my 6a (now sold) everyday, I live in a hamlet of about 20 dwellings and between us we have 5 scimitars. i live pretty close to the original Reliant factory though and maybe that has something to do with the abundance of them round my neck of the woods.
Hope you are enjoying yours.
Cheers
Nick
Hope you are enjoying yours.
Cheers
Nick
Mine's in (alot of) bits at the moment. Taking the opportunity to modify it slightly at the same time.
[IMG]http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/russell_ram/scimitar/NewBonnet3.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/russell_ram/scimitar/paint6.jpg[/IMG]
Hopefully back on the road/strip for next season.
Russ
[IMG]http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/russell_ram/scimitar/NewBonnet3.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/russell_ram/scimitar/paint6.jpg[/IMG]
Hopefully back on the road/strip for next season.
Russ
Thanks - it took a while. Re-styled the front bumper (was horrid rubber insert type), single headlamp (instead of twins), grill area etc then take a mould of the front off the car before I set about it with an angle grinder. A few layers of glass in the mould and Bob's a front end!
[IMG]http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/russell_ram/scimitar/NewBonnet1.jpg[/IMG]
Started out as dropping in a big engine - ended up as slightly more than that. Slight mods to bulkhead and tunnel required.
Engine is 5.2 Wildcat Rover, port injected progressive nitrous and 'manual' 727 torqueflite box - should make 650-700HP. Rear end tubed for 18" rubber, 4.1 ratio LSDiff, suspension all moved inboard, fuel cell, full 6 point cage etc etc.
[IMG]http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/russell_ram/scimitar/Manifolds001.jpg[/IMG]
It'll be done one day.
Russ
>> Edited by russell_ram on Wednesday 14th September 18:59
>> Edited by russell_ram on Wednesday 14th September 19:04
[IMG]http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/russell_ram/scimitar/NewBonnet1.jpg[/IMG]
Started out as dropping in a big engine - ended up as slightly more than that. Slight mods to bulkhead and tunnel required.
Engine is 5.2 Wildcat Rover, port injected progressive nitrous and 'manual' 727 torqueflite box - should make 650-700HP. Rear end tubed for 18" rubber, 4.1 ratio LSDiff, suspension all moved inboard, fuel cell, full 6 point cage etc etc.
[IMG]http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/russell_ram/scimitar/Manifolds001.jpg[/IMG]
It'll be done one day.
Russ
>> Edited by russell_ram on Wednesday 14th September 18:59
>> Edited by russell_ram on Wednesday 14th September 19:04
Hi Russell,
Please, Please, Please could you send me more details and pictures of your superb Scimitar project for my website!
www.sporting-reliants.com
email me at: davepoole8 at hotmail dot com
Please, Please, Please could you send me more details and pictures of your superb Scimitar project for my website!
www.sporting-reliants.com
email me at: davepoole8 at hotmail dot com
russell_ram said:
Thanks - it took a while. Re-styled the front bumper (was horrid rubber insert type), single headlamp (instead of twins), grill area etc then take a mould of the front off the car before I set about it with an angle grinder. A few layers of glass in the mould and Bob's a front end!
[IMG]http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/r[/IMG]
Started out as dropping in a big engine - ended up as slightly more than that. Slight mods to bulkhead and tunnel required.
Engine is 5.2 Wildcat Rover, port injected progressive nitrous and 'manual' 727 torqueflite box - should make 650-700HP. Rear end tubed for 18" rubber, 4.1 ratio LSDiff, suspension all moved inboard, fuel cell, full 6 point cage etc etc.
[IMG]http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/r[/IMG]
It'll be done one day.
Russ
>> Edited by russell_ram on Wednesday 14th September 18:59
>> Edited by russell_ram on Wednesday 14th September 19:04
Hi Russ, You have done exactly what I would do to my next SE6 with the exception of having the bonnet BMW Mini 'clam ' style rather than a flip so as to make getting the spare out ,engine access and such so much easier. Also I would like to use either a 4.6 Mustang or a 5,7 LS1/2 GM motor. One day,One day ... ?
Keep posting up-dates and look forward to seeing the completed thing !!
Keep posting up-dates and look forward to seeing the completed thing !!
Hi Russell, Have been looking at your photos again and have some questions to ask:- 1.Did you do the body work yourself?
2.What are you doing about inner wings?
3.Where will you place the battery as it usually sits at the front l/h corner which has gone!!
4.How will you secure the flip-front when it's closed?
5.Are you planning any mods for the rearend too?
6. How did you get the flip to meet the body so perfect? The flange looks like it was always there!
Sorry to ask so many questions but I have dreamed of how to modify a Scimmie but you have actually started !!Hi Mate,
Thanks for the words of encouragemnt - think I need some at the moment because progress seems to have ground to a standtstill.
'You have done exactly what I would do to my next SE6'
Well, it didn't start out to be quite so radical. It was going to be a concours restoration, but even then, Scims aren 't the most valuable of classics (don't know why?), so I thought I'd mod it a bit while I was at it - things then got a bit out of hand.
'getting the spare out'
I have no plans to carry all that extra weight! While it might need to be street legal, it's also mainly for the strip so light as possible.
'use either a 4.6 Mustang'
Well so would I now (or something else from the US Ford motorsport division) but I had a Wildcat 5.2 'laying about' so that's what it's getting for now.
'look forward to seeing the completed thing'
Yeah, me too. Still on the 'ready for next season' timing plan, just don't ask which season (have been for the past two years also).
1.Did you do the body work yourself?
Yep, all my own handywork, fibreglass is much more forgiving than steel. When you cut the front off there are some BIG holes throught to the cabin, all of which have been panelled etc. The motor also kind of intrudes into the bulkhead and footwells a bit especially when it's a s far back as I've tried to put it. (Guess everyone who's put a V8 in a Scim will tell you that they don't really fit too well).
2.What are you doing about inner wings?
What inner wings??? (weight)
3.Where will you place the battery as it usually sits at the front l/h corner which has gone!!
Battery now resides behind the LH rear wheel well (where those tool locker things used to be). Other relocated items - heater blowers (2 off) - scrap bin Other items - wiper motor, coil, washer bottle - all in passenger footwell.
4.How will you secure the flip-front when it's closed?
Secured by 8 Dzus fateners (into that flange and some brackets on the edge of the bulkhead) which have been fitted since those photos. With thenm locked you can lift the front of the car by the bonnet so I think they'll hold OK.
5.Are you planning any mods for the rearend too?
Just a couple(!) which you can't see in any of the pictures. Webasto roof removed and replaced by moulded panel simulation (weight). All the interior panels have been removed to leave just the outer skin (which has been thinned down alot). Rear floor removed and replaced with some huge wheel tubs to take 16in wide rubber (inside the body line). fuel filler, badging removed - access to foam filled fuel cell through panel in boot floor. All rear glass replaced with Lexan (weight). Suspension all rose jointed and moved in to alongside the chassis, 4.1 ratio LSD, rear coil overs now inboard of the main chassis rails. (I know I've screwed the rear roll stiffness but I can fix that with a rear anti-roll bar). Full custom built six point cage off strengthened sills and rear spring cross-member now carries door strikers and ties into dash crossmember. totally new, minimalist dash moulding with aluminium Autometer guages. Sparco carbon seats, window net, plumbed in fire system etc etc etc.
6. How did you get the flip to meet the body so perfect? The flange looks like it was always there!
Care and a couple of attempts.
It'll be ready for next season - oh, said that already!
Russ
>> Edited by russell_ram on Tuesday 6th December 15:10
>> Edited by russell_ram on Tuesday 6th December 15:11
Thanks for the words of encouragemnt - think I need some at the moment because progress seems to have ground to a standtstill.
'You have done exactly what I would do to my next SE6'
Well, it didn't start out to be quite so radical. It was going to be a concours restoration, but even then, Scims aren 't the most valuable of classics (don't know why?), so I thought I'd mod it a bit while I was at it - things then got a bit out of hand.
'getting the spare out'
I have no plans to carry all that extra weight! While it might need to be street legal, it's also mainly for the strip so light as possible.
'use either a 4.6 Mustang'
Well so would I now (or something else from the US Ford motorsport division) but I had a Wildcat 5.2 'laying about' so that's what it's getting for now.
'look forward to seeing the completed thing'
Yeah, me too. Still on the 'ready for next season' timing plan, just don't ask which season (have been for the past two years also).
1.Did you do the body work yourself?
Yep, all my own handywork, fibreglass is much more forgiving than steel. When you cut the front off there are some BIG holes throught to the cabin, all of which have been panelled etc. The motor also kind of intrudes into the bulkhead and footwells a bit especially when it's a s far back as I've tried to put it. (Guess everyone who's put a V8 in a Scim will tell you that they don't really fit too well).
2.What are you doing about inner wings?
What inner wings??? (weight)
3.Where will you place the battery as it usually sits at the front l/h corner which has gone!!
Battery now resides behind the LH rear wheel well (where those tool locker things used to be). Other relocated items - heater blowers (2 off) - scrap bin Other items - wiper motor, coil, washer bottle - all in passenger footwell.
4.How will you secure the flip-front when it's closed?
Secured by 8 Dzus fateners (into that flange and some brackets on the edge of the bulkhead) which have been fitted since those photos. With thenm locked you can lift the front of the car by the bonnet so I think they'll hold OK.
5.Are you planning any mods for the rearend too?
Just a couple(!) which you can't see in any of the pictures. Webasto roof removed and replaced by moulded panel simulation (weight). All the interior panels have been removed to leave just the outer skin (which has been thinned down alot). Rear floor removed and replaced with some huge wheel tubs to take 16in wide rubber (inside the body line). fuel filler, badging removed - access to foam filled fuel cell through panel in boot floor. All rear glass replaced with Lexan (weight). Suspension all rose jointed and moved in to alongside the chassis, 4.1 ratio LSD, rear coil overs now inboard of the main chassis rails. (I know I've screwed the rear roll stiffness but I can fix that with a rear anti-roll bar). Full custom built six point cage off strengthened sills and rear spring cross-member now carries door strikers and ties into dash crossmember. totally new, minimalist dash moulding with aluminium Autometer guages. Sparco carbon seats, window net, plumbed in fire system etc etc etc.
6. How did you get the flip to meet the body so perfect? The flange looks like it was always there!
Care and a couple of attempts.
It'll be ready for next season - oh, said that already!
Russ
>> Edited by russell_ram on Tuesday 6th December 15:10
>> Edited by russell_ram on Tuesday 6th December 15:11
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