Sammio Spyder group buy?

[frankenstang57]

I OK'd this subject with basil a few weeks back. I am in no way affiliated with the producer of this kit and am not profiting from this in any way, other than saving boat-loads of $$$ on shipping.

That said, I need to find 3 more individuals who may interested in owning one of these:

From Old Car Junkie:

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]The Sammio Spyder is a Triumph Herald based re-body that recalls the fantastic fiberglass body specials from the 1950s mostly utilizing flat head four cylinder Fords. There was an amazing variety of these specials as evidenced by the fantastic 1950s Specials site. The Sammio isn’t a direct copy of any particular car but could certainly be mistaken for something created in the 1950s.[/QUOTE]

I'm planning on bringing atleast 2 of these into the US in the not so distant furue. My main concern is the cost of shipping. Then I had a thought, why not rent an entire container and fill it? 6 car bodies will fit in a 20' container. A 20' container from southern England to the Port of Detroit is around $3000. Divide that by 5 or 6 and the costs are pretty reasonable. I've traded a few emails with the guy who makes these bodies. If we order 5 or more, he'd be willing to sell his "package deal" (body shell, inner frame, grille and windscreen, LH or RH drive) for $1600 USD (each). He also said he can provide RH drive racks as well. The donor car needs to be a Herald. The body will not fit on a Spitfire chassis with heavy modification. However, all the go fast parts you can install Spitfire will fit the Sammio. I'm estimating one of these can be had for about $2300 USD when all things are said and done. Anyone interested? I can help load or transport once they are in Michigan.

 

[bcliff]

I'm in.

 

[Andrew Mace]

Interesting plan...especially if prospective buyers can find a Herald "only" worthy of donating a chassis here in the US. Good luck (sorry, I'm going to pass, as I tend to like Heralds the way they are)!

 

[swift6]

I know of a couple in Northern Colorado that Dave may not know of that need total body transplants. They would make good candidates. I'm tempted but lacking funds.

 

[frankenstang57]

BUMP! :banana:

 

[tdskip]

Cost of shipping?

 

[6969ronin6969]

This is pretty cool looking. Do you have any idea what modifications would be needed to use a Spit chassis?

Thanks,

Eric

 

[Andrew Mace]

Two major problems with using a Spitfire chassis. While it shares the same basic architecture in the form of the two main "backbone" rails, it does not have anything approaching the outrigger supports that a Herald chassis does. Oh, and the wheelbase of a Spitfire is 7.5" shorter than that of a Herald!

Spitfire chassis and detail from Canley Classics

Later Herald 1200 chassis and detail from Canley Classics

 

[6969ronin6969]

Thanks for the clarification. Those 2 images really explain it clearly. Anyone got a spare Herald chassis laying around?

 

[Andrew Mace]

Actually, there might well be one somewhere in the Carolinas; I can dig up contact information if you're serious.

Note that there are two distinct types of Herald chassis: early and late. Early is NOT what you want if you're planning to put much power in the front...and by much I mean much more than the 45-50 hp of the 948cc twin-carb Herald engines. (In other words, almost any stock Spitfire engine is too powerful for the rear of the chassis where the diff and rear suspension all mount; that area just can't take the stress and is likely to crack or worse.)

 

[6969ronin6969]

If it's not too much trouble, yes please. I'd like to see where it is and how much.

Thanks,

Eric

 

[HealeyRick]

Did you ever take the import of these bodies any further? Seems I have a spare Healey Six and transmission left over from my swap and know the whereabouts of a good Healey chassis. Seems the Healey wheelbase and width are pretty close to the Herald's.