coalnotdole Posted June 22, 2011 Share Posted June 22, 2011 I was looking through Ebay last week and came across this: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... _728wt_702in a fantastically inaccurate and misspelled auction. I mentioned it to my mate Dave who fancied having it as a first car, so a plan was hatched to get it and put it back on the road on a shoe string budget... We went and had a look on monday and decided that it was fairly complete the only bits missing were the rear bench seat, drivers door card and front bumper. Its had 2 owners and and its even still got the factory fitted dunlop tyres! The Car: The following morning I won the auction but paid £100 more than I wanted to. We needed a quick pickup to tie in with other time commitments so decided to pick the car up that afternoon. But first the Scimitar needed a towbar making up and fitting: We didn't have any way to check the the wiring so chanced that it would be ok when we got to the hire place. Fortunately it all worked ok. At this point I should probably mention I'd never towed a trailer before so the 270 mile round trip was starting to seem like a bit of a challenge. As it turned out it was fairly stressless though if doing it again I'd definitely fit a passenger side door mirror to improve visibility on the motorway. Collecting: Getting fuel: Home: Quick look at the engine suggests it may go again, its full of reasonable looking oil as is the gearbox. plugs are tight but do move the valves are all free. Hopefully with the starter off it should free up. Not sure about an engine change yet given the chance it may be interesting to get an mot with the current engine just to experience the full misery of 28 bhp. Hopefully there will be something new to update soon. somewhatfoolish, scruff and Sudsprint 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John F Posted June 22, 2011 Share Posted June 22, 2011 Looking forward to reading more about this. Your Scimitar is gorgeous btw. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garethj Posted June 22, 2011 Share Posted June 22, 2011 Well done! I can't believe it was bid to almost three hundred quid, best of luck getting it back on the road, I've felt the fibreglass love for a long time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
autofive Posted June 22, 2011 Share Posted June 22, 2011 nice mixture of GRP your early 5a looks very tasty lowered? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tayne Posted June 22, 2011 Share Posted June 22, 2011 Collecting: One of these is a calendar shot.Can't decide between the two though. Good save, btw. Sudsprint 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coalnotdole Posted June 22, 2011 Author Share Posted June 22, 2011 lowered? Not deliberately . Its about 2" too low at the front due to a fault with the springs, I'm changing them for new ones next week. At the moment It bottoms out on big speedbumps! I can't believe it was bid to almost three hundred quid, can't believe it was bid to almost three hundred quid, Yeah I couldn't believe it either It was right at the top end of what I could afford and still hope to get it going without spending silly money. I suppose its the value of a V5 and chassis to someone making a hot rod or kit car? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AeroNautiCal Posted June 23, 2011 Share Posted June 23, 2011 The GRP is strong with this one! Good stuff! Looking forward to seeing the Reliant Resurrection! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dollywobbler Posted June 23, 2011 Share Posted June 23, 2011 Ace! Never got to try my Scimitar at towing. I imagine it'd tug stuff pretty well - though I can easily understand why you missed the passenger door mirror! That would be tricky. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baldrickthecunning Posted June 23, 2011 Share Posted June 23, 2011 Awesome! You are owed a phonecall. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coalnotdole Posted June 24, 2011 Author Share Posted June 24, 2011 Stripped the rebel today right down to the chassis, so heres a few photos. I will need to get some new steel sections folded so will have a word with the local fabricatior on monday. There are a few holes in the chassis where the battery has leaked and dissolved the underseal and corroded the steel. Its generally in good condition and a bit better than hoped. Theres also some fibreglass work needed to replace seat supports, cracks around mounting holes, and some areas around the door catches Pictures: Stripped the head off the Rebels engine today and the headgasket has corroded and let water into number two cylinder and has seized the piston, Havent dropped the bottom end of yet and removed the piston or liner but what i can see of the bore is pretty badly pitted. Considering changing the Liner and Piston or an engine swap if I cant get hold of those. The cleanup of the chassis will start in the morning! somewhatfoolish 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr_Bo11ox Posted June 24, 2011 Share Posted June 24, 2011 Wow you dont mess about!!! Nice work. The natural state for old reliants seems to be in about 500 pieces with all the paint nitromors'd off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minimad5 Posted June 24, 2011 Share Posted June 24, 2011 For some strange reason i can't see the images you have included in this thread However, well done for saving a Rebel !If you need any bits feel free to ask as i may be able to help you.If not then PatrickMcrebel and GJR may be able to help you too. All the best , and keep the pictures coming Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coalnotdole Posted June 25, 2011 Author Share Posted June 25, 2011 The webserver had randomly deleted the directory Photo's re-uploaded. I'm after various bits - will try and write out a list at some point. Joe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
autofive Posted June 25, 2011 Share Posted June 25, 2011 fast work chassis doesnt look too bad galvanising the chassis before reassembly? i may be able help with NOS mechanical bits - get your list sorted Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coalnotdole Posted June 25, 2011 Author Share Posted June 25, 2011 galvanising the chassis before reassembly?/quote] Will try and sort out a Draft parts list today, I'd love to galvanise but theres no one local who can do it and sending it away would probably take too long as I'm trying to turn this car round as quick as possible! I Will Paint up the chassis in zinc rich underseal and give it a couple of coats which is how we did the scimitar. Its protected it quite well for the last 45 years so it will hopefully work well again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Station Posted June 25, 2011 Share Posted June 25, 2011 Where are you based? I don't know whether I've said this, but there's a complete Rebel 'hatchback' here.Good luck on getting it back on the road! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baldrickthecunning Posted June 26, 2011 Share Posted June 26, 2011 Good to see how much this project has progressed in just a few days, glad to have offered my small amount of help on saving this thing. You and Dave seriously don't hang about! Here are some shots from yesterday My autoshite wiring diagram! somewhatfoolish 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garethj Posted June 26, 2011 Share Posted June 26, 2011 Brilliant work, keep it up! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coalnotdole Posted June 27, 2011 Author Share Posted June 27, 2011 The internets been playing up for a couple of days so firstly sorry I've not got back to anyone who has contacted me about parts, I'll get in touch asap. Still even without the internet there has been progress on the rebel. Chassis Stripped down ready for wire brushing: Saturday afternoon Marlon (baldrickthecunning) dropped round and gave us a hand removing dials and labelling the loom. Cheers! Body has been DA'd back some more though there is still quite a bit more to do. With much of the interior removed It became obvious that there wasn't much reinforcement inside the rebel. We are more used to the scimitar which has a significant amount extra steel support so this came as a bit of a surprise! Essentially on the Rebel the A posts and along the top of the windscreen are the only reinforced sections, Offering roll protection in the same way as a convertible. On a scimitar the bodywork would have A post stiffeners, Sill stiffeners, roof supports and a tubular steel rollbar going down through the B and anchoring to the chassis. B Pillar: C Pillar: We are currently considering how best to add in some safety features that are present in later Reliants. Finally a last picture of the chassis cleaning in progress: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
autohausdolby Posted June 27, 2011 Share Posted June 27, 2011 Awesome work Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minimad5 Posted June 28, 2011 Share Posted June 28, 2011 Great progress ! If you need any spares (Engine parts or anything) drop me a PM as i may be able to help. ~Now i need to get my ass into gear and finish my Rebel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuboy Posted June 28, 2011 Share Posted June 28, 2011 blimey theyre scarily weak in the body... good luck with it all Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garethj Posted June 28, 2011 Share Posted June 28, 2011 You can’t go far wrong with a nice sheet of stainless steel, I know someone who had success with a washing machine drum cut up. Whatever you use, lots of holes will help the resin to bond but remember it’s the fibreglass mat that has the strength, not the resin itself. A company called Bighead fasteners do lots of nuts and studs, but if you look at their stuff you’ll get the idea – whatever’s taking the load will be surrounded by a big perforated sheet to allow the fibreglass to bond through it. If you can make the perforated steel into a u-section or top hat section, it’ll be stronger in more directions. Lay the mat on, daub it with resin using a roller to get rid of the air, and when it’s tacky put the next layer of mat on with resin. You can get special rollers made of washers to get the air out. Try and make any corners in the fibreglass a nice big radius rather than sharp, it’ll separate there and leave air bubbles. Keep going, it’s a pleasure to see! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Len H Posted June 28, 2011 Share Posted June 28, 2011 Well, it does have a separate chassis. Top work 'Reaper' and 'Bones'! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr_Bo11ox Posted June 28, 2011 Share Posted June 28, 2011 Some splendid work going on here. Theres a dead rebel sat outside McGuinnesses scrapyard in Stoke, or there was when i last went a couple of weeks ago, and it looked like it had been there a good long while. I would love one of these REBBLEZ, i bet theyre a right laugh to blezz about in, they must be one of the lightest cars of all time with a proper engine and 4 wheels. i bet with a really healthy engine/carb/dizzy you could get 70mpg out of one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dollywobbler Posted June 28, 2011 Share Posted June 28, 2011 Not to mention the ridiculous turning circle. GR8 4 PARKIN! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coalnotdole Posted June 28, 2011 Author Share Posted June 28, 2011 Few more photos as I've got a bit of a backlog of pictures of recent work. Engine Finally unsiezed but in need of valve's replacement pistons and liners Valves Checking the hubs and brakes: Chassis has had a coat of paint on all the sections that don't need repairs. I'll add a better picture later Body up for the fibreglass work to begin: Attachement for original lapbelts: Other seatbelt mount, this is where we intend to tie the new roll bar to the chassis Bits to fix: Seat supports to be replaced Rear view: At some point in the past a previous owner had added in 3 point seatbelts by glassing some thin steel into the wheel arches: Crack in the skirt at the front shows where the car had had a knock in the past. Gave the engine bay a bit of a clean up, I'm still one post behind so will try to bring the thread up to date later this evening, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coalnotdole Posted June 28, 2011 Author Share Posted June 28, 2011 Probably the last update to this thread for a while as I'm away for 10 days or so. Hpefully going to be cracking on with this again as soon as I'm back. These photos show a better view of the chassis, the start of the fibreglass repairs and removal of the headlining to evaluate fitting a nicely concealed rollbar and roof reinforcement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr_Bo11ox Posted June 28, 2011 Share Posted June 28, 2011 fuggin wars theres absolutely nothing to that bodyshell at all!!! Wow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pompei Posted June 29, 2011 Share Posted June 29, 2011 How does the body attach to the chassis? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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