JohnD Posted July 23 Report Share Posted July 23 I've bought another car. I know, crackers. But it's worse. This is a Vitesse-based Spartan special: It had been "the property of a gentleman", who as such people do, kept it for years, doing nothing to it or for it. When he died, friends cleared his house, and persuaded a friendly scrap dealer to store it on top of a cargo container. And not just this, there were three other cars up there, two Mini-based 'Ramblers' and a Mini-based MG Midget look' alike. Like my friend, I couldn't bear to see it crushed, so I've taken it on. I'm NOT going to restore it myself, but hope either to find someone who will, or else break it for parts. If anyone would like to take it on, it is known to the DVLA as on SORN, has a well preserved Triumph Commission plate on it, the GRP wings and the metal panelled sides are in good if weathered nick, but the woodwork needs restoration/replacement. Underneath? No idea as yet. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted July 23 Report Share Posted July 23 John have you been sampling the gas again ha ! looks a good challenge lets hope someone can take it on to a new life Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stratton Jimmer Posted July 23 Report Share Posted July 23 You must be mad! I see the Spartan badge on the front looking more akin to a Viking warrior than a Greek hoplite. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johny Posted July 23 Report Share Posted July 23 Those were the days when people built their own cars😍 Is there any home build kit car scene left now - what would you use and anyway would the regulations allow it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris A Posted July 23 Report Share Posted July 23 27 minutes ago, Stratton Jimmer said: I see the Spartan badge on the front looking more akin to a Viking warrior than a Greek hoplite. It looks, as far as I can recall, very much like one on Rover 100 P4 restoration video I was watching a few days ago Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD Posted July 23 Author Report Share Posted July 23 The Viking on the radiator surround IS from a Rover. He was their badge for many years, along with a Viking longship I think the surround must have been a Spartan cars special product, as is the lovely 6" wide, cogged securing bolt for the spare wheel, marked "SPARTAN". John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted July 23 Report Share Posted July 23 Love it. Wouldn't have any need for it myself (looking at yet ANOTHER project car, and haven't started the last two) but that must be eminently saveable as a good fun car, given the base model on which it's built. Woodwork should be simple enough if all else is re-usable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD Posted July 23 Author Report Share Posted July 23 Had a further look. The chassis is non-Triumph, galvanised, it has Triumph transmission, right back to Rotoflexes, as shown above with proper wire wheels, splined to the hubs! The exhaust pipe has rotted, but it went to two nice stainless silencers. Last taxed 2010 -the disc still on the windscreen! The engine turns, on a spanner, jack it up and all the wheels turn. This looks more and more to be eminently restorable! John 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris A Posted July 23 Report Share Posted July 23 It does sound like a very good candidate for a restauration. Go on, you know you want to 😃 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham C Posted July 26 Report Share Posted July 26 Well John, you have done the hard work of looking the car over,made a mental list of jobs so you just need to start on job 1. Really you know you want to. I am sure you will get a lot of support from the forum and great words of knowledge. 😀 Graham Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD Posted July 26 Author Report Share Posted July 26 I have the race Vitesse, which needs regular attention, plus another project, the GT40, which can take ip any left over time, and those occupy all my covered garage space. I do NOT fancy a restoration done in the open air! Just being realistic. But seriously, this car deserves restoration. I've just had a back wheel off, and the splined hub and brake drum, because the brake shoes were seized to it. Now it is pushable - I had to winch it OFF the trailer and put dollies under the wheels to get somewhere it didn't block my drive. Mobile now. It's either the Bay, or 'Bangers & Cash' to find a buyer. I will let it go for very little to someone who will restore it! John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham C Posted July 27 Report Share Posted July 27 John,I agree it needs restoring as it sound in a reasonable state. Would love to do it myself but again not enough time! Is there a local college that does engineering who may be interested? Graham Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD Posted July 27 Author Report Share Posted July 27 Good idea, Graham! My alma mater, Myerscough, was glad to accept cars for the students to work on, but their intention was to train in modern practice and technology. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybeau Posted July 27 Report Share Posted July 27 Not all traing is for modern https://www.heritage.engineering/courses Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD Posted August 11 Author Report Share Posted August 11 HA! And double HA! To the naysayers above who said I never would! I have a buyer for the Spartan. He's new to Triumphs and to the TSSC, but already has a "Frazer Nash-ish" special, and clearly knows his stuff. I will encourage him to come here and tell us how he gets on with it. So, Hallelujah! Another soul car saved from the burning! John 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris A Posted August 11 Report Share Posted August 11 Great news, the car is well worth saving ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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