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Author: Subject: Reliant Scimitar as doner ?
smokey joe

posted on 28/10/05 at 08:19 PM Reply With Quote
Reliant Scimitar as doner ?

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.

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mark chandler

posted on 28/10/05 at 09:24 PM Reply With Quote
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.

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need4speed

posted on 28/10/05 at 09:41 PM Reply With Quote
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

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mookaloid

posted on 28/10/05 at 10:10 PM Reply With Quote
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

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flak monkey

posted on 28/10/05 at 10:15 PM Reply With Quote
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]





Sera

http://www.motosera.com

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Arthur Dent

posted on 28/10/05 at 10:54 PM Reply With Quote
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).





'The major difference between a thing that might go wrong and a thing that cannot possibly go wrong is that when a thing that cannot possibly go wrong goes wrong, it usually turns out to be impossible to get at or repair.' Douglas Adams

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gutball

posted on 29/10/05 at 12:11 AM Reply With Quote
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!

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scotty g

posted on 29/10/05 at 08:32 AM Reply With Quote
A school friend learnt to drive in a Kitten, it was a cracking little car with tons of character and remarkably reliable.
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mookaloid

posted on 29/10/05 at 12:28 PM Reply With Quote
I learnt to drive in a reliant rebel
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britishtrident

posted on 29/10/05 at 01:58 PM Reply With Quote
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]

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caber

posted on 29/10/05 at 08:15 PM Reply With Quote
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

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Rorty

posted on 30/10/05 at 02:54 AM Reply With Quote
quote:
Originally posted by mookaloid
I can tell you that they have a substantial ladder chassis...

They did originally, but I made a new chassis to replace the rusted out one that I restored.
I've seen others where the rear of the chassis was almost completely rusted away.
Anyway, back to the topic. I agree with caber; put it up for someone to restore and use the proceeds to buy a more suitable donor.





Cheers, Rorty.

"Faster than a speeding Pullet".

PLEASE DON'T U2U ME IF YOU WANT A QUICK RESPONSE. TRY EMAILING ME INSTEAD!

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smokey joe

posted on 30/10/05 at 12:36 PM Reply With Quote
Reliant Scimitar as doner?

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.
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