Hi
Does anyone know if you could use the parts from a reliant scimitar as a doner car to build a Locost? I have a Se6a model which has the essex V6
engine, all the running gear is in good condition and looks similar to that used in the book, the bodywork and interior of the car is in poor
condition.
Thanks.
PS: I have just returned from holiday in Malta and spotted dozens of MK 1 & 2 escorts, cortinas etc and all RHD.
I don,t know about scimitar's but reliant kittens have wishbone fronts, cart sprung rear and a really nice small gearbox.
One of these would make an ideal escort substitute imho... (also get tax exempt if you pretend you are keeping the chassis). +know one wants em, £100
tops if you can find one.
I worked on a scimitar along time ago had to replace the rear axle, i'm sure that was a ford sailsbury axle with lsd.
Dave
Having done a full body off restoration of one of these cars, I can tell you that they have a substantial ladder chassis, with double wishbone front
suspension - straight off a triumph TR6 I think. A salisbury rear axle with a watts linkage I think it is called instead of a panhard rod.
They use the 2.8,2.9, 3.0 V6 engines and a ford transit hybrid type gearbox with overdrive on the earlier engines. not sure about the later ones.
I think they would make a suitable donor if you were making something with enclosed bodywork as a grand tourer, but not too good for a seven type car,
but then you can do what you want if you have the inclination.
Cheers
Mark
I believe all of the running gear on them was ford...at least the engine and gearbox were!
So presumably the axle would be as well.
The whol lot would probably fit in a +4 locost, not a standard one
David
[Edited on 28/10/05 by flak monkey]
I had a Scimitar for a while too. Quite rare over here. Anyway the front spindles are TR6 as mentioned. Usable. The Essex V6 is heavy, heavy engine - I wouldn't want to use it in a lightweight Locost. The axle might be a bit wide, the SE5 and SE5a were narrower and those axles might be more suitable. The axle is a exclusive to Reliant Scimitars but the I believe the center part of the diff was also used in the Daimler Dart (Scimitar SE4 evolved from a proposed replacement for the Dart).
Always liked Scimitars. Way before my time, just liked the look of them. My old man had a Dart, 2.5 v8, completely restored it from a junker, claimed
it did 120 when he first picked it up, was only firing on 5 cylinders apparently! Hmm, parents eh. Lovely car though, would defo buy him (myself) one
now if I could afford 20k+! Also a fan of the TR6 - TR5 and 4a way nicer tho...
Sorry, all completey irrelevant to the question, just the beer talkin!
A school friend learnt to drive in a Kitten, it was a cracking little car with tons of character and remarkably reliable.
I learnt to drive in a reliant rebel
Reliant were using Salsbury axles long before Ford --- the wheel Pcd is 4.5"x4, originally it would have been a Tr4 axle but the Se6a was wider
so my guess it is Tr8. The rear suspension was a neat well located design. The front is of course the larger size of Alford & Adler used on the
Standard Vangurard and Tr2 through to Tr6 although many Reliant owners have updated to Ford based suspension.
As for being a suitable donor I it would much easier a better to find something else.
[Edited on 29/10/05 by britishtrident]
Smokey
it is a bit of a shame to cut up a scimitar try selling it or swapping for a better donor and give it a chance to get restored. Try the adds in
Practical Classics or check with the owner's club, you never know.
Caber
quote:
Originally posted by mookaloid
I can tell you that they have a substantial ladder chassis...
Thanks for all the information, I will have to decide whether its worth dismantling the car for some of the parts or perhaps restoring the car as it is, I was abit concerned about the size and weight of the engine, - the plot thickens! cheers.