Description

1969 Sammio Spyder

Herald-based 1950's style open top racer with Cherry Bomb exhaust; lightweight GRP bodywork with age relted patina

What is it you may wonder?

Sammio’s mission was (and we quote) to "recreate a typical early to mid-50’s car, reminiscent of the many European sports and racing cars that dominated motorsports throughout Europe in that decade, their interpretations use the humble Triumph Herald, Vitesse, Reliant Scimitar, VW Beetle drivetrains and chassis".

The Sammio Spyder will certainly turn heads that’s for sure, take it to the pub on a summer’s evening and its doubtful anyone would be able to put their finger on exactly which 1950’s racer just arrived full of drama, looks and noise in the car park.

It was built up using a donor Herald for its chassis and running gear fitted with new Sammio GRP bodyshell. It has dropped floor pans to get the seating position low and a proper windscreen, MWS wire wheel adaptors for the wire wheels and a Cherry Bomb exhaust. New discs, pads, switchgear and numerous other parts were added along with a few refurbished bits such as radiator, electric fan, Stromberg carb and sundry bits of cockpit trim plus a few other components from other vehicles such as an early Midget. It uses a Spitfire fuel tank and steering wheel, Jaguar XK seats and Renault expansion tank and there in total we have the Sammio Spyder. Start it up and the noise from the Cherry Bomb exhaust sounds pure 1950s racer.

Within the history file, we find the V5C stating Sammio Spyder, historic vehicle dating from March 1969 (the Triumph Herald donor car’s original registration date) revealing 5 previous owners to our current of 10 years, Sammio literature and images, some images of the car in its unpainted state, an image of the donor Herald 2 door XPF750G and purchase invoice dated December 2011 original order and deposit dated December 2011, with the build taking place through 2012 with a stack of parts bills, historic diary (x2) of all expenditure on the donor Herald from the late 1960’s through to 1991 which is outstanding!

In addition, there are at least 12 old MOT certificates for the Herald and original purchase invoice dated March 1969 for £831, period manufacturers guarantee and historic Herald related invoices. The Spyder is of course Tax and MOT exempt as a historic vehicle, but it’s had an MOT anyway for peace of mind which recorded just 2 minor advisories for play in the steering rack inner joint and slight play in the nearside front wheel bearing, recorded at 3,120 miles in March 2021.

Undoubtedly a lot of fun, its ready to be enjoyed and has the age related patina of an old rce car that could have just completed the Mille Miglia, and was driven to the sale from South Gloucestershire without issue and a big smile on arrival.

For more information contact - will.daniels@brightwells.com