Project Scimitar [Picture Heavy]
Discussion
It all starts back in the August of 2007 at Mallory Park.
In practice, the track was dry but grass was wet. Cue running wide out of Gerrards and shooting across the circuit into the wall Near Side first.
A few shots of the damage,
After the Accident, before being towed away
Front End, What was left of it
Where the brunt of the impact was
The Inside
So a few weeks later we (me and father) started about rebuilding the car. The decision was taken to remove all the mechanical parts and race bits stripping the car down to a shell.
The idea was then to buy a SE5 Scimitar, roller or runner, and transfer all the parts across to make a new car.
While looking for a suitable door car we set about stripping down the white car.
Bent Oil Coolers off, No radiator, as this came off in accident and was V-shaped. Was binned at track
Engine and Gearbox came out together as there is no front. When they go back in they will go in separately.
Ancillaries removed along with seat and cage and running gear
With the white car now a shell it was time to remove it so that the donor could move in.
When moved out it was time for the donor to move in so work could start
Donor is a 1969 SE5 Scimitar, which had a MOT and a free non-running 1975 SE5a come with it.
When in place the car had its engine box and diff removed along with the suspension and brakes.
As you can see the car was originally red, so at some point in the future the bay will get sprayed to match the rest of the car.
Stripped out. As suspected the green undercoat was there, which is not very nice.
All the front mountings and suspension were kept from the white car; re-painted, and are now ready to be attached onto the black car.
Next was to re-paint the rear axle and the fit it to the black car along with the race suspension.
The car has been on hold for the last couple of weekends as the race season starts this weekend (9th March) so our time has gone towards prepping the FJ for it’s first race of the season at…Mallory Park!
In practice, the track was dry but grass was wet. Cue running wide out of Gerrards and shooting across the circuit into the wall Near Side first.
A few shots of the damage,
After the Accident, before being towed away
Front End, What was left of it
Where the brunt of the impact was
The Inside
So a few weeks later we (me and father) started about rebuilding the car. The decision was taken to remove all the mechanical parts and race bits stripping the car down to a shell.
The idea was then to buy a SE5 Scimitar, roller or runner, and transfer all the parts across to make a new car.
While looking for a suitable door car we set about stripping down the white car.
Bent Oil Coolers off, No radiator, as this came off in accident and was V-shaped. Was binned at track
Engine and Gearbox came out together as there is no front. When they go back in they will go in separately.
Ancillaries removed along with seat and cage and running gear
With the white car now a shell it was time to remove it so that the donor could move in.
When moved out it was time for the donor to move in so work could start
Donor is a 1969 SE5 Scimitar, which had a MOT and a free non-running 1975 SE5a come with it.
When in place the car had its engine box and diff removed along with the suspension and brakes.
As you can see the car was originally red, so at some point in the future the bay will get sprayed to match the rest of the car.
Stripped out. As suspected the green undercoat was there, which is not very nice.
All the front mountings and suspension were kept from the white car; re-painted, and are now ready to be attached onto the black car.
Next was to re-paint the rear axle and the fit it to the black car along with the race suspension.
The car has been on hold for the last couple of weekends as the race season starts this weekend (9th March) so our time has gone towards prepping the FJ for it’s first race of the season at…Mallory Park!
Edited by johnnymaestro on Tuesday 4th March 23:50
its looking like a mighty impressive project there Johnny.
good to see that it is being salvaged though as i bet there is a big part of you that stands back from the original car after the crash and thinks "bugger that!"
I really should get into racing. My dad is getting the cars sorted again to do a couple of races this year and i would love to be able to join him. i guess that once i actually have a job things would be slightly easier.
good to see that it is being salvaged though as i bet there is a big part of you that stands back from the original car after the crash and thinks "bugger that!"
I really should get into racing. My dad is getting the cars sorted again to do a couple of races this year and i would love to be able to join him. i guess that once i actually have a job things would be slightly easier.
speedychrissie said:
good to see that it is being salvaged though as i bet there is a big part of you that stands back from the original car after the crash and thinks "bugger that!"
A big part. First Time I had Shed a tear in years.speedychrissie said:
I really should get into racing. My dad is getting the cars sorted again to do a couple of races this year and i would love to be able to join him. i guess that once i actually have a job things would be slightly easier.
I hope you dad's latest 'project' backs that up (let me know when the first event is)kyletilley said:
sorry to hear about the accident, never nice are they!
What championship do you run in?
Classic Sports Car Club (CSCC) Swinging Sixties, It is a Series though not a ChampionshipWhat championship do you run in?
Hiya Johnny,
Superb pictures, glad to see you're not put off and keen enough to rebuild another Scimitar
Good luck with your rebuild. I look forward to seeing the Scimitar when it's finished.
All the very best
Dave Poole of www.sporting-reliants.com
Superb pictures, glad to see you're not put off and keen enough to rebuild another Scimitar
Good luck with your rebuild. I look forward to seeing the Scimitar when it's finished.
All the very best
Dave Poole of www.sporting-reliants.com
Not many pics recently but,
Interior glue removed along with ancillaries in engine bay.
Engine bay painted black.
Hole cut into rear to remove fuel tank
Car back on all 4's with new brake lines and calllipers, steering etc.
Car now at a specialist to paint inside, re fit seat and cage, and a general tidy up.
Will take some shots when it returns in a couple of weeks.
Interior glue removed along with ancillaries in engine bay.
Engine bay painted black.
Hole cut into rear to remove fuel tank
Car back on all 4's with new brake lines and calllipers, steering etc.
Car now at a specialist to paint inside, re fit seat and cage, and a general tidy up.
Will take some shots when it returns in a couple of weeks.
Edited by johnnymaestro on Wednesday 25th June 12:42
Update
Progress has been made.
Before the car went away, a hole was cut in the rear to aid with the removal of the original fuel tank, as it is too big, and for some European Events the original tank is now frowned upon.
With tank gone the diff is more accessible for more work, also with the relocation of the tank it means there isn’t the weight of a full tank behind the rear wheels. Handling should be improved.
The car returned from Iain (the specialist).
When the car was up on the lift, the extent of feared damage to the original chassis was proved, and would have been a waste of time to mend/save. So a few weeks later we picked up a chassis that had been stood for a few years and was in far superior nick than the original one. The chassis is a very early one with the engine mounts one the inside of the frame where as later ones like the old racers where on top.
So all parts fitted to the old chassis already were transferred to the newer one. Then the body went on top of the new chassis via some new matting.
Engine bay painted black now mated to replacement chassis via matting. Prop shaft also now in place connected to diff awaiting G’Box.
After the body and chassis were connected the roll cage was fitted and the interior painted black as said, to cover up the original green. The roof is being smoothed and then to be painted to match. Also removed is the metal ‘rollover’ brace fitted originally by Reliant, as it has to be removed for cage to fit.
Cage fitted. Note the remains of the original bar on both sides between the windows just below the roofline.
The next part was sorting out right ride height and also setting it up for optimum use.
Car is now visually a lot lower that before all-round, and is sitting on metal bars not shocks, to be set at the right height for when the noisy bit goes in.
The next step,
Sourcing and fitting a suitable radiator and fuel tank, which can do more that 1 hour of running.
Re-fit the engine and box to the car and then tackle the wiring to get the bugger running. May be nearer the end of the year after this season finishes.
Progress has been made.
Before the car went away, a hole was cut in the rear to aid with the removal of the original fuel tank, as it is too big, and for some European Events the original tank is now frowned upon.
With tank gone the diff is more accessible for more work, also with the relocation of the tank it means there isn’t the weight of a full tank behind the rear wheels. Handling should be improved.
The car returned from Iain (the specialist).
When the car was up on the lift, the extent of feared damage to the original chassis was proved, and would have been a waste of time to mend/save. So a few weeks later we picked up a chassis that had been stood for a few years and was in far superior nick than the original one. The chassis is a very early one with the engine mounts one the inside of the frame where as later ones like the old racers where on top.
So all parts fitted to the old chassis already were transferred to the newer one. Then the body went on top of the new chassis via some new matting.
Engine bay painted black now mated to replacement chassis via matting. Prop shaft also now in place connected to diff awaiting G’Box.
After the body and chassis were connected the roll cage was fitted and the interior painted black as said, to cover up the original green. The roof is being smoothed and then to be painted to match. Also removed is the metal ‘rollover’ brace fitted originally by Reliant, as it has to be removed for cage to fit.
Cage fitted. Note the remains of the original bar on both sides between the windows just below the roofline.
The next part was sorting out right ride height and also setting it up for optimum use.
Car is now visually a lot lower that before all-round, and is sitting on metal bars not shocks, to be set at the right height for when the noisy bit goes in.
The next step,
Sourcing and fitting a suitable radiator and fuel tank, which can do more that 1 hour of running.
Re-fit the engine and box to the car and then tackle the wiring to get the bugger running. May be nearer the end of the year after this season finishes.
Sf_Manta said:
Car seems awefully familier.. wasn't it in PPC at one stage? 
The car you are thinking of is this one, But was nearly the same colour wise.
It is owned by Iain Daniels (the specialist). Car was written off last year but has been rebuilt, all be it faster than mine. A very fast car.
Johnny, YHM buddy
ETA, any reason why you are putting the engine & box in separately?
I've been wondering which way to do it, was thinking put it all in from underneath in one go, but its a b
d getting the car up that high on axle stands <cough breeze-blocks cough> 
Getting it in top side is a bd too as the gearshift lever does not seem to want to come off!
ETA, any reason why you are putting the engine & box in separately?
I've been wondering which way to do it, was thinking put it all in from underneath in one go, but its a b
d getting the car up that high on axle stands <cough breeze-blocks cough> Getting it in top side is a b
d too as the gearshift lever does not seem to want to come off!Edited by ol' dirty on Friday 19th September 17:46
Update
The engine and gearbox have been fitted back into the car.
This was done by connecting both the engine and gearbox together and the putting them into the car through the engine bay. There was a lot of jiggling around but it finally went in and was bolted down. The gearbox was also secured and the prop shaft fitted.
Inside, the doors have been stripped of windows, mechanisms and outer skins. We were surprised of the weight of the components.
The roof has also been painted black to match the rest.
Next on the list is to make a new dash top.
We decided to make a piece of fibre glass on one of the old windows to get a flat finish.
Cut to fit and paint black, after wiring is sorted.
Taking advantage of the weather the car came outside to have the side windows measured up
Next we procured some Lexan plastic and have made a new rear window and side ones.
The radiator is coming soon, and is of the Audi variety. Fuel tank may be TVR but will know closer the time when we can work out if it will do over and hours running. The placement of the tank will probably be in the hole behind the front passenger seat.
The engine and gearbox have been fitted back into the car.
This was done by connecting both the engine and gearbox together and the putting them into the car through the engine bay. There was a lot of jiggling around but it finally went in and was bolted down. The gearbox was also secured and the prop shaft fitted.
Inside, the doors have been stripped of windows, mechanisms and outer skins. We were surprised of the weight of the components.
The roof has also been painted black to match the rest.
Next on the list is to make a new dash top.
We decided to make a piece of fibre glass on one of the old windows to get a flat finish.
Cut to fit and paint black, after wiring is sorted.
Taking advantage of the weather the car came outside to have the side windows measured up
Next we procured some Lexan plastic and have made a new rear window and side ones.
The radiator is coming soon, and is of the Audi variety. Fuel tank may be TVR but will know closer the time when we can work out if it will do over and hours running. The placement of the tank will probably be in the hole behind the front passenger seat.
Edited by johnnymaestro on Thursday 2nd October 15:21
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