Herald / Vitesse based Spartan build manual ?

[Compo_Simmonite]

Anyone got a scanned copy or link to the build manual for a Triumph based Spartan kit car ?

Thanks.

Paul H

[Vindi_andy]

Is that for the one built on the herald chassis or the one with the seperate Spartan supplied chassis.

I had a Spartan built on the herald chassis and I can recomend getting in touch with the spartan owners group. Very helpful and they do have some of the old info still kicking about.

[Compo_Simmonite]

It's the Herald version I'm interested in. AFAIK the build instructions are the same for both the Herald / Vitesse and also the optional Spartan chassis with the main redesign / difference comming in on the later Ford Cortina based kits.
I've looked at the owners club web site but you have to be a member to get access to their forum and at the moment it's just an idea to possibly search out an eary version to restore / modifiy.

Paul h

[Steve_D]

Would still be worth contacting them as someone may know of a project waiting for someone like yourself.

Steve

[gtmdriver]

As I remember (it's 30 years since I built mine) there was a supplementary manual for the Spartan chassis as it had slight differences. In particular it's about 3" wider at the front so a track rod extender was needed and you had to spread the front anti-roll bar to fit.



At this stage it had a 2 litre Pinto engine and a Ford Escort beam axle on 4 trailing links plus a lateral Watts linkage.

Edited by gtmdriver on Wednesday 17th April 12:38

[Vindi_andy]

Its been a while since I part exchanged mine but john butler @ Vindicator may still have it, but TBH i doubt it. It was part built and to my knowledge had never been on the road or if it had I wouldnt have wanted to go in it.

I got disheartened as everytime I wanted to do something I had to undo the original builders work. I did replace all the brake system and floors (which were marine ply) and got it running but bodywork was tired to say the least, but for restoring etc underneath maechanically it was sound.

[NigelStn]

Only just spotted this topic, if you still need any questions answering let me know. I was works manager at Spartan in the late 70's, built 4 Triumph versions, plus the first V8 and a couple of Ford engined versions with a Spartan chassis and live rear axle

[marv71]

Hi all,im in need of advice if possible,

I have a triumph based Spartan kitcar and in need of identifying the rear axle suspension components ,does anyone know what donor cars people used for this ,It has coils springs not leaf springs on rear so this rules out a lot of triumphs,the problem is I need new rear shocker/struts and don't know what to order,any help would be helpful thx

[gtmdriver]

If it's a Triumph based car then, as you seem to be aware, then it should have the Herald/Spitfire swing axle suspension with a transverse leaf spring, exposed drive shafts and tie rods.

Some Triumph Spartans were produced with a Ford live axle and some were converted later.

I fitted a Marina rear axle to mine to keep the correct PCD but later changed to Ford escort as the Marina axle was too weak for racing.

If you post a photo you have a better chance of someone identifying the parts but it is likely that the spring dampers will be after market rather than OEM anyway.

[NigelStn]

marv71 said:

Hi all,im in need of advice if possible,

I have a triumph based Spartan kitcar and in need of identifying the rear axle suspension components ,does anyone know what donor cars people used for this ,It has coils springs not leaf springs on rear so this rules out a lot of triumphs,the problem is I need new rear shocker/struts and don't know what to order,any help would be helpful thx

When the 'live axle' version of the Spartan was first designed we used Triumph Herald/Vitesse/Spitfire/GT6 front spring damper units for the rear suspension. Now your car may have been modified in the interim, but if you could post or send me a photo I should be able to confirm.
I built the first Rover V8 engined Spartan and I used a Capri 3 litre rear axle with Triumph spring/damper units.

[marv71]

Thankyou for your advice ,I will post a picture when get home from work ,I have managed to identify front suspension ,that's a truimph vitesse and gearbox is truimph 2000 ,does this help ,but will post a few pics thanks ,nice to know people still got knowledge about these kits ,

[ColinM50]

If you take your shockers to Avo in Northampton they'll happiuly refurb them for you irrespective of who's they are. Took mine in May and picked them up a couple of days later though they'd post if it's easier for you. From their p.o.v it's irrelevant which car they come off, they'll repair and overhaul any.

http://www.avouk.com

They don't get a good write up here on PH from a few years ago but I found them incredibly helpful and cost effective

[marv71]

Here is a picture of the rear axle and of the rear suspension,hope this helps identify ,thanks

[marv71]

Just need to locate a glass bowl type fuel pump or repair kit,thanks again

[NigelStn]

Mary 71
It looks like a 'standard' layout for the rear suspension. If you go on the 'Rimmer Bros' website there is a drawing of 'Triumph Vitesse Front Spring - Shock Absorber' which will give you a better idea.
Is the top of the spring/Shock absorber bolted to the rear quarter Aluminium casting at the top of the wheel arch??
Also Rimmer bros should have a fuel pump I would think

[marv71]

Thanks Nigel,yeah can see 3 or 4. 8mm nuts on top off the aluminium casting so I'm assuming the cup is bolted there ,have emailed rimmer bros about fuel pump as couldn't see a early type one on there ,I will look on diagrams thanks ,the rear springs look a lot longer than front on car ,but will have to count the rings ,could be compressed more,am new to this old car had it passed down to me unfinished but think it looks neat and could really make one hopefully ,thanks for help

[nigeleyre]

gtmdriver said:

If it's a Triumph based car then, as you seem to be aware, then it should have the Herald/Spitfire swing axle suspension with a transverse leaf spring, exposed drive shafts and tie rods.

Some Triumph Spartans were produced with a Ford live axle and some were converted later.

I fitted a Marina rear axle to mine to keep the correct PCD but later changed to Ford escort as the Marina axle was too weak for racing.

If you post a photo you have a better chance of someone identifying the parts but it is likely that the spring dampers will be after market rather than OEM anyway.

Was this on a Herald chassis? I'm trying to find out if its possible to convert a Herald to a live axle?

[gtmdriver]

nigeleyre said:

Was this on a Herald chassis? I'm trying to find out if its possible to convert a Herald to a live axle?

It was on a Spartan chassis but it needed a lot of cutting and welding to allow full articulation and location of a beam axle.

I had two trailing links each side and a Watts linkage for lateral location.