|
|
|
|
|
Right then - first thread for one of my own RRs...
For quite a while I'd admired Scimitar GTEs from afar, but then this SE5 appeared on the dreaded evilBay & I couldn't resist any more:
Was not that keen on the body mods initially but they've sort of grown on me (despite some poor execution by previous owner). But the biggest plus is that, not being original, I'm not too worried about making whatever changes I fancy...
...plus, it's tax exempt & a previous owner 'stuck a V8 in it'!
 (& yes, everyone asked about the fog light until I removed it!)
Basically, it was (still is) pretty rough around the edges (& then some!) but the chassis seems to be free of usual rot suspects. Plus it certainly stands out & is a real hoot to burble around in.
It even came with some MoT so all I did initially was replace the heater hoses - they leaked at running temp - & smoke around in it at weekends / to local meets etc. Then I disappeared out of the country for a bit with work & she didn't take too kindly to the lack of TLC!
Several years passed...
Eventually I 'threw some money at the problem' to get it re-commissioned; played around with a few bits;
(trial fitting pair of Revolutions for the front - match rear better but very wide so not on it yet)
(found a 'distressed' Reliant steering wheel to replace after-market one that didn't suit - got it 'upside down' but its still like it for now)
And I've enjoyed being road legal again for nearly a year - here we are out & about in good company @white Lion Antiques breakfast meet (Hartford Bridge, Hartley Whitney) 
Hear it purr: 
That's basically the long story, short. It's definitely a 'rolling resto-mod' / 'work in progress' though so ... to be continued! |
| |
Last Edit: Jul 2, 2015 23:00:15 GMT by brickie501: spelling
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Looks like a fun project! Your air filters look absolutely tiny for a V8?
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
This looks cool! Bookmarked  |
| |
You can't buy happiness but you can buy cars and that's kind of the same thing.
1989 Austin Metro
1994 Harley Davidson hardtail bobber
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
That sure is ratty The mods are an acquired taste, but Scimitars are so below the radar that there aren't many purists to annoy. Generally, if you're keeping one alive, it's fair game. The arches look like an attempt to recreate the 'Big Bob' car.  |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thanks for the positive reception so far! Can't promise lots of activity though - just the above took me several years  That sure is ratty The mods are an acquired taste, but Scimitars are so below the radar that there aren't many purists to annoy. Generally, if you're keeping one alive, it's fair game. I'm on the OC Forum too & agree Scimitar enthusiasts are a very accepting bunch - from this to faithful restorations & everything in-between is welcomed  The arches look like an attempt to recreate the 'Big Bob' car.
The reason for my having the mismatched passenger door now is that original one had been covered in filler to remove handle and 'smooth in' a horrible 80s plastic wing mirror. Looks like some 'aero' mods were tried too, so yes likely inspired by racers ... all the original interior & other heavy stuff is still there though 
Not seen 'Big Bob' before myself, but that's great. I reckon that style of front arch would work even with my more 'squared off' rears - & so get my new(er) Revolutions on with the spacers they'd need - are they something I could buy or individual build in fibreglass I wonder? |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Have continued to enjoy driving my Scimitar up until the imminent MoT due date - getting a feel for what needs doing first...
Pushed it a bit by using it for work last Friday - now I know!
 Nice sunset somewhere near Hungerford, shame about the head gasket! |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Aug 27, 2015 19:08:34 GMT
|
Started stripping down the engine's top end this afternoon - in between the downpours - ready for my first head gasket change :shocked: Always sounded pretty good (until a few weeks ago!) &, having read a magazine overview of the RV8, colour of rockers etc seems OK to my inexpert eyes: So far, so good then:  Replacement valley gasket is not going to be painted blue I'm afraid though  Plenty of WD40 soaking into the exhaust manifold bolts at the moment ready for the next stage! |
| |
Last Edit: Aug 27, 2015 19:23:24 GMT by brickie501: Apologies for poor picture quality
|
|
fer4l
Posted a lot
Testing
Posts: 1,497
Club RR Member Number: 73
|
|
Aug 27, 2015 20:59:40 GMT
|
Love a Scimitar and love a V8 - especially in unholy matrimony! Cheers, Matt |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Aug 27, 2015 22:11:45 GMT
|
having read a magazine overview of the RV8, colour of rockers etc seems OK to my inexpert eyes: So far, so good then: Yup looks okay. Dark brown towards black is not what you want and the colour can give a good idea of the general overall condition. |
| |
|
|
breng
Part of things
Posts: 223
|
|
|
|
|
There is no sludge which is a good sign - someone has been dropping the oil regularly.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ouch - how long?
Been making very slow (OK pretty much no!) progress but recently this happened:
Hopefully a bit of an update to come shortly!
|
| |
Last Edit: Apr 4, 2016 22:34:53 GMT by brickie501: Image sizing
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
You bought about a million wheels for it???!?  |
| |
The Millenium Volcon"Get yourself a Volvo if that's what you really want, you might be dead next year. In the meantime, you could be going sideways in a gigantic land barge."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
You bought about a million wheels for it???!?
I do seem to have collected a fair few wheels across my 'fleet' but not quite LOL
The Scimitar has been looking a bit sad (& slightly ridiculous!) on its 'roll me around' steelies (sorry for the poor photo as I was loosing the light tonight) ...
... but at the front of that pile of wheels in my post above you can make out my 15x10 Revolutions waiting at the powder coaters (the matching front pair & the previously fitted Dunlop GTE composite wheels are in there too but kind of hard to make out) ...
Over this last weekend I collected them:
I like one of the ideas suggested by followers of grenade's rat rod International / Dodge pickup &, as it happens, had already decided the GTE was getting nice(er) looking - this was not an full-on, expensive full restoration - wheels.
I am thinking of restoring the shiny outer edge though - 'chrome' paint rather than polished... Might have to experiment on a 'sacrificial' wheel first though 
As an incentive to myself to sort out spacers to fit the matching, but wider, front pair of Revolutions, I got the old Dunlops stripped & powder coated too & they are on eBay!
As you'll have noticed, all this time sitting hasn't done the (a bit poor to start with) bodywork mods any favours! Having been in there making a start on the engine, there is some fibreglass damage under the bonnet that I need to sort too  
Anyone able to give me some pointers / practical guidance on how to go about 'glassing'?
|
| |
Last Edit: Apr 4, 2016 22:58:24 GMT by brickie501: Plea for assistance & thread link
|
|
|
|
|
May 21, 2017 19:38:26 GMT
|
Blimey, its over a year since I last updated this Project "do up the house so we can sell it & get somewhere a bit bigger" has been stopping any progress towards getting it back on the road unfortunately, but it has finally moved...
... just not under its own steam!
Today it went off on its holidays. A stay on the farm while we hopefully complete the move, then I can bring it back & get on with it ... maybe.
A quick stop at the services to check the load straps:
|
| |
|
|
