I've got this and it's awesome!

Smiler

Smiler

Smiler

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Joined
20 Jun 2006
Posts
136
Location
Wiltshire
Last year saw me realize an automotive ambition when I became the proud owner of this fantastic piece of British automotive engineering:

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According to my cousin it's the automotive equivalent to Rod Stewart in Spandex.

It makes me grin like an excited school boy every time I get behind the wheel.

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It's tatty, could out-drink George Best and has a great long list of jobs on the 'to-do' list. But I love it, it is completely awesome and that's after 9 months of ownership. :)

Just thought I'd share that...

Smiler.
 
A grand with 6 months MOT and because it's awesome! :D

It's tax free, fully comp insurance limited to 7,500miles a year and break down cover comes in at £120.

Lot's of fun, lots of character and loads of potential!

As Scimitar GTE numbers are still relatively healthy and it's not some obscure rarity I am thinking of loosing the old Essex 3.0ltr V6 lump though and replacing it with a modern 3.0ltr V6 lump such as the all alloy duratech derived lump from a Jaguar S-Type. Improved handling due to much reduced weight, obviously better acceleration but also better economy so I can use it more often. Or maybe go a bit more lairy and fit a Volvo T5 lump. Just enough to keep it up to modern performance levels but without removing too much of the cars character.
 
Costs don't seem too bad. And fuel costs? Is it at all efficient? I honestly have no idea.

What does 'lots of character' actually mean when referring to a car though? :p It's old and someone's painted it with a jar or two of Colmans's :D
 
These cars are actually very good. Proper four linked rear axle with proper watts linkage and coil-overs. Double wishbone front suspension again with coil-overs. Light weight fibre-glass body. Low 'forward' mid-mounted (i.e. between the axle lines) engine sat low in the chassis. 55/45 front/rear weight distribution with the original heavy lump.

A measure of a cars character is how many faults it has that you don't mind putting up with :D

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The Essex is a real dinosaur (yes I know, so is a live axle and separate chassis but that's a whole different argument) and expensive to tune. Modern V6s' are plentiful, reliable, a lot cleaner and more economical. One major advantage is the reduced weight though.

A friend fitted the 3.0ltr engine and box from a Vauxhall Omega to a larger later SE6 model Scimitar. It sat up on it's springs the weight difference was so great. An early excursion on a dual carriageway saw it holding off a new Audi TT 3.2 quatro no less!

If I do fit a Jag V6 it'll probably end up on throttle bodies anyway as it'll need stand alone management due to the fully integrated security system on the Jags loom.

As for those still not convinced I guess you'll never get it. I also suspect that some of you may not be able to grasp the idea of any old car being more attractive than a modern car. I prefer my sports cars to have feed back and involvement than heated mirrors and powered cup-holders...
 
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PMKeates said:
Fit an S54B32 engine
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It would certainly shift, but a straight six might be a bit long. The engine is sat low in the chassis behind the front axle line with the suspension tower bracing and the steering rack passing across the front of the engine. The steering rack is at about crank shaft height. I haven't ruled straight sixes out yet though, just need to take a few key measurements and see what's available.

I've had a few BMW's in my past by the way. There are details of one of them on my website (link in sig).
 
Smiler said:
It would certainly shift, but a straight six might be a bit long. The engine is sat low in the chassis behind the front axle line with the suspension tower bracing and the steering rack passing across the front of the engine. The steering rack is at about crank shaft height. I haven't ruled straight sixes out yet though, just need to take a few key measurements and see what's available.

I've had a few BMW's in my past by the way. There are details of one of them on my website (link in sig).
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I think the comedy power and revs, but relatively low torque so it doesn't become a nightmare to drive, would work pretty well!
 
PMKeates said:
I think the comedy power and revs, but relatively low torque so it doesn't become a nightmare to drive, would work pretty well!
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Certainly would! Would be madder than the T5 option, though without the sudden violence of the turbo kicking in. :p
 
Dogbreath said:
Seriously? The Essex V6 is a complete boat anchor of an engine. Heavier than the average moon with woefully little power and a strong appetite for fuel and cam gears.
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But the sound!!!!!!! :eek:
:D
Ahh, maybe I'm slightly biased then as I had one when I was 18 and tuned it up.
 
With you on the sound. Dad had one as a never ending project car in poo brown, but that engine note :D

His Stag and the V8 are even better :D
 
My dad has a soft spot for these. His last one was actually alright (but don't tell him I said that) and had a chiseled-off-at-45-degrees exhaust which looked 'sweet'. Might raid his pc for a pic later.
 
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