1974 Reliant Scimitar X30XE : Scimega

[DWDarkWheels]

Dec 13, 2015 18:41:47 GMT fer4l said:

Always wondered about flockability of headlinerage on one of these but will save that thought for later, Ron!

Cheers

Matt

It might look slightly odd as there are GRP sections bonded to the inside of the roof : at the windscreen top; between the B-pillars; and at the top of the rear hatch. So there'll always be steps visible in the finish. I also considered stretchy felt type material as my Quantum kitcar had, but those steps make the job tricky.

[Siert]

Dec 13, 2015 18:54:07 GMT DWDarkWheels said:

Late model Peugeot 205's (those which don't have the plastic panel on the hatch between the tail lights) had two red lights either side of the license plate, where one of the two would actually light up white when reversing.

Well, you learn something new everyday.

Admittedly, they're quite ugly rectangular units and I have no idea whether the same could be applied to round units (as I guess for red->white the lens is special, and not just the bulb)

[enginewizard1969]

if you wanted to keep both reverse and fog lamps you can use a combo unit which should be the same size as the originals with the fog wrapped around the reverse light

[DWDarkWheels]

I have seen those sort of lights available, but they're not really what I had in mind for the car. They look a bit too modern for the look I'm going for. That's just me.

I've a box of windscreen, tailgate and door seals just arrived from Graham Walker's (Scimitar specialists). These are in readiness for my planned jobs over the holidays.

[DWDarkWheels]

The general direction right now is getting the glass in, but there's a bit of an order to how things go together. With head-lining completed, the rain channels have been riveted in place, the interior side trim panels are back in, and the side windows were a doddle to fit.



I got a better quality tail-gate from a friend a while back. It just needed a bracket swapped from a spare hatch I had, and a new T-seal fitted. The seal has a reputation for being a pig to fit, but it turned out to be another doddle. It's hung in place, but the catch still needs to be fitted. I'm leaving that for a while so the side-seal on the aperture can squish down a little. Right now it's a bit tight on the tailgate.



I'm close to final dash fitment, as that's easier to do before the windscreen gets in the way. Here's the necessary butchery that took place. Part of the Omega frame has been Frankenstein-ed in, to mount the binnacle and importantly to hold the big multi-plug in situ. The main light switch wiring has been lengthened to reach the middle of the dash too.



Another dashboard task was to clear the information display's warning messages and deal with warning light for ABS, traction control, etc. Well I just pulled the bulbs for the unnecessary systems : easy.
I've kept the info display as it gives useful diagnostics. It also has a nice feature of giving fuel consumption readouts, range remaining, and a stopwatch.



But the info display kept blowing fuses. Would you believe the air-con's 30 pin plug is exactly the same shape as the information display plug? Somebody forgot their poka-yoke in GM.

With the right thing plugged in, I found I've only 2 minor warning messages. These can be acknowledged with buttons on the Omega stalk. But you may recall I've ditched the Omega stalks. The control buttons consist of two momentary switches with a common earth. So to replace that with something more contemporary I've used the Scimitar's washer switch which has 2 momentary positions (front and rear washers).



And the foam dash-top of the Scimitar tends to curl-up over the years. I've straightened it, by slotting the underside of the foam slightly, and bonding in some GRP splints I cut from a scrap Scimitar bonnet. I did one side as a test yesterday and it's worked nicely, so the other side is bonding tonight. 

[stevietuck]

Good progress bud, this is going to be such a beast

[sonus]

Looks like 2016 is going to be a very good year

[bazzateer]

Love this!

[DWDarkWheels]

Thanks, Stevie, Niels, Baz. I've been making good use of a lengthy Christmas vacation, and things seem to be moving quite fast now. I might even finish this thing in 2016!

[stevietuck]

See thats the attitude that has been sadly lacking of late down to that bloody van

[DWDarkWheels]

[DWDarkWheels]

I persevered for 2 1/2 hours yesterday and got the windscreen fitted.



Today I rolled it out into the daylight for a quick hose-down, and a stand-back and stare at it. This is exactly what I was aiming for once I decided to modify it.

[sonus]

That looks superb!

[stevietuck]

That does indeed look superb.

[npp]

yes, it really does look superb. Any idea on the weight?

[DWDarkWheels]

Thanks, chaps.

The best info I can find from contemporary reports, the SE5a weighs around 1200kg. However, that's with a weighty Essex. The X30XE will shed kg and add bhp.

[dikkehemaworst]

Love the build , very well executed.
love your craftmanship.
i keep thinking the car needs a webasto from a twingo for the sunny days......

[PhoenixCapri]

Looking great!

[georgeb]

Oh yes, we are liking that very, very much.

[yoeddynz]

Oh wow- I only found this thread a couple of days ago and have read it right through. Awesome concept and really nice, neat work going on. Made for an enjoyable read. I like how you have taken to just whipping up little bits here and there from glassfibre.

Cheers!!!


alex