Freebe?

[houlio]

I have been offered a scimitar for free; it’s been sat and not run for 2years, not even sure if it turns over. Apart from fresh a battery and fuel what else is the car going to need? Where do they rot?

I believe that the car has a 3ltr Essex but don’t know anything else about it.

What is it worth if I break it and sell it for parts, or is this considered sacrilegious?

Jules

[nwarner]

houlio said:

I have been offered a scimitar for free; it’s been sat and not run for 2years, not even sure if it turns over. Apart from fresh a battery and fuel what else is the car going to need? Where do they rot? What is it worth if I break it and sell it for parts, or is this considered sacrilegious? Jules

The front outriggers and sill sections of the chassis are the main areas that rot and I would have thought other thing to check are brakes and if it's manual make sure the clutch isn't stuck on.

There's a good buyers guide at www.scimweb.com/misc/gte-buyersguide.html

[Andrew Noakes]

Doubt it is worth much for parts. Mechanically they are mostly common Ford/Triumph bits, and even running cars are criminally undervalued.

[hamish400]

Jules,

Scimitars last very well despite sometimes neglected maintenance due to having a reasonably substantial chassis and the fibreglass body. Many routine service items are very reasonably priced, and there are a number of specialist traders in the marque who can provide most parts.
They are a very affordable, and currently under-rated classic car.
However, the wrecks now seem to be gradually disappearing and the cars left either are ones that have been well maintained, or restored, or those that require some work to bring them up to reliable operation.
In my opinion the values of decent cars will soon start to rise.

With the 3 litre Ford engine you will typically get fuel consumptions of abt 30mpg (or less)

The RSSOC regions usually have monthly meetings (called noggins) and it may be worth your while attending one local to you and asking people there if they would look at the car with you.

Some parts are hard to get. eg interior trim for most models, and rear hatch window glass with heated element for a 6A model costs new abt £600.
Rubber bumpers and alloy trim are also scarce.

If you mail me offline with your location I can advise you of the nearest noggin.

Rgds
Hamish

[se6b]

errr...make that more like very low 20's for mpg!

[se6b]

I should also probably say, don't take it on until you've done your research...and even then only if you really really want one....even the good ones can be money pits! Mine probably cost the equivalent of a 911 in the time I've had it, but I still can't bring myself to part with it despite now having more exotic machinery. They are a great drive when they're properly sorted but a pain in the ass when they're not! Electrics and earths are the main problems, along with those good old trunnions, hard to get at chassis, fuel tanks rot, interior is irreplaceable, dashboards crack, bodywork cracks, rubber seals in axle etc will have dried up with standing and leak etc etc. I think in retrospect I'd say only buy them if you are obsessed, and even then only if you're sure you can afford unexpected problems...cos there will be many. Same as any classic really.

[robscim]

Don't give up on it - there's some great value cars out there but you do need to do your homework.

They aint a fiesta to run but with a bit of spanner work and use of the RSSOC club, you can have great motoring for sensible money. They're not a bad track car for classic days either!

Shout if you need any advice on the phone.

Cheers

Rob

[plasticpig]

se6b said:

I should also probably say, don't take it on until you've done your research...and even then only if you really really want one....even the good ones can be money pits! Mine probably cost the equivalent of a 911 in the time I've had it, but I still can't bring myself to part with it despite now having more exotic machinery. They are a great drive when they're properly sorted but a pain in the ass when they're not! Electrics and earths are the main problems, along with those good old trunnions, hard to get at chassis, fuel tanks rot, interior is irreplaceable, dashboards crack, bodywork cracks, rubber seals in axle etc will have dried up with standing and leak etc etc. I think in retrospect I'd say only buy them if you are obsessed, and even then only if you're sure you can afford unexpected problems...cos there will be many. Same as any classic really.

I think you painting too black a picture. I have never had a problem getting interior trim or any other parts. Spares seem relativley cheap compared to modern cars. Most Scimitars seem to have Stainless Steel petrol tanks these days so the rotting problem is at least delayed.

The only big downside I have found to owning a Scimitar is the cost of getting a proper respray. 220 hours of labour aint cheap!

[se6b]

plasticpig said:

I think you painting too black a picture. The only big downside I have found to owning a Scimitar is the cost of getting a proper respray. 220 hours of labour aint cheap!

I can only speak from my own experience...which has been costly to say the least.....except ironically, the cost of my respray. £500. That was two years ago and it still looks great

[houlio]

Thanks for the info guys, i currently run about in a spitfire so am not to afraid of a spanner, but i will take a propper look at the car before i inest any time and money in it.
i will have a good poke under the car and report back for more advce.

Jules