What is the name of this car -

[Compo_Simmonite]

I remember seeing a kit car that (I think) was based on the Reliant Scimitar and looked like a pre war BMW convertible.
Searches have found nothing so maybe not Scimitar based but can anyone tell me what it is called ?

Thanks.

Paul h

[DEN TANNER]

I remember the car….

Twas on the cover of the first edition of Kit Car edited by Martin Foster.

Can’t remember its name though….

Spoke to its creator…. He didn’t want to call it a kit car because he reckoned there were duff kit cars with which he didn’t want his product associated.

I retorted that, on that basis, he’d better not call it a car either…. Because there are duff cars out there too!

[Mistrale]

Scimmi Eclipse? Can't find any pictures yet but have it in a magazine somewhere!

[DEN TANNER]

Mistrale said:

Scimmi Eclipse?

Rolls off the tong - hey?
No wonder I couldn't remember the name!

[Compo_Simmonite]

This is it -

Just done a free HPi check and nothing for the reg HTJ 408P.

Did it ever go into production ?

Paul H

Edited by Compo_Simmonite on Thursday 19th December 11:12

[Mistrale]

Nov 99 kit car magazine - have it somewhere but can't find the edition at the moment, got october and december but a mysterious space on the shelf for december.....

[ugg10]

Bit more info here -

http://www.scimitarweb.co.uk/sgwrs/viewtopic.php?t...

Looks like the scimitar based one might have been a one off. But I do remeber a kit being available but don't recall any details (useless comment of the year !).

Victor Motor Cars Slovenia also are listed as doing one - not sure what donor though

[Mistrale]

OK, found the magazine

Was made by Roy Ashton of TF Race and Sports Car Preparation, Inglewood Farm, Minshull Vernon, Cheshire CW10 0LS. The original was coach built aluminium and steel over ash frame and they planned to make a fibreglass version - I seem to recall seeing a later article showing a BRG one that may have been fibreglass!

The other partner, Trevor Farrington still seems to be around http://www.trevorfarrington.co.uk/racingpreparatio...

Edited by Mistrale on Thursday 19th December 12:56

[grumpy]

I was quite taken with that at the time. I still think it looks rather nice.

[DEN TANNER]

grumpy said:

I was quite taken with that at the time. I still think it looks rather nice.

It was nice... its alloy body made it quite expensive for what it was though.... And by 1999 the market for 1930's style roadsters was more or less over.

By then I was selling few Bulldgs / Family Tourers and it was clear that similar cars weren't selling that well either. JBA stopped production back then... the AF Sports failed to materialise... Royale Sabre ceased... as did the Hawk (with Spartan, Moss, Gentry, Merlin having quit years prior). It was the 'last days' for that kind of kit car I'm afraid to say.

Will there be a second coming?

[grumpy]

DEN TANNER said:

Will there be a second coming?

If you take a look at the way the prices of old MG's and the like are going you may be on to something.

[DEN TANNER]

grumpy said:

If you take a look at the way the prices of old MG's and the like are going you may be on to something.

But old ‘registered’ cars are devoid of IVA problems. It makes them a less risky proposition compared to a kit. I believe that is why classic cars are increasing in popularity compared to kit cars.

[grumpy]

DEN TANNER said:

But old ‘registered’ cars are devoid of IVA problems. It makes them a less risky proposition compared to a kit. I believe that is why classic cars are increasing in popularity compared to kit cars.

Agree, but low interest rates and classic prices rocketing...............beter than money in the bank at the moment.

Until the bubble bursts as it did in the late '80's that is.