New owner
Moderators: scimjim, Lukeyboy46, erikscimitardemon, Roger Pennington, philhoward
New owner
Good morning fellow Scimitar owners, I've been waiting a while to be able to say that, I can now having driven my newly acquired Scimitar home yesterday! Before I say what I bought I thought I might describe what I wanted. The one thing I did not want was a project, usual story, plenty of those and not enough time. I narrowed down the choice to a galvanised chassis GTE or preferably a GTC. Over the last few months the choice came down to three individual cars, two GTE's and a C. Both E's where nice but required some work, one with a huge file of work done but seemed somewhat poorly cared for. The other E looked a better buy but had done a very high mileage, having said that the paperwork indicated that it had been well looked after. This left the C, very well cared for and apart from a few rattles to chase down will, I hope need no significant work other than a bit of personalisation.
So, yesterday I found myself driving down from the Midlands to Swindon in a GTC. Nothing broke or fell off, the car went where I pointed it, started and stopped when I wanted, pleasantly comfortable and adequately powerful. Even the "period" radio/cassette performed well. Two things I did not like, a vague gear change, I have plans for that in the future. The other problem is the indicator switch, its on the wrong side! How easy is it to move it to the other side of the steering column?
That's about it for the moment, I'm sure I'll be bothering the forum with question as ownership proceeds!
John
So, yesterday I found myself driving down from the Midlands to Swindon in a GTC. Nothing broke or fell off, the car went where I pointed it, started and stopped when I wanted, pleasantly comfortable and adequately powerful. Even the "period" radio/cassette performed well. Two things I did not like, a vague gear change, I have plans for that in the future. The other problem is the indicator switch, its on the wrong side! How easy is it to move it to the other side of the steering column?
That's about it for the moment, I'm sure I'll be bothering the forum with question as ownership proceeds!
John
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Re: New owner
Welcome 
Indicator switch has always been on that side for a Scimitar, I'm afraid - it's just the opposite to most modern stuff.

Indicator switch has always been on that side for a Scimitar, I'm afraid - it's just the opposite to most modern stuff.
Phil Howard
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Re: New owner
We are British. The car is British. That is why the indicator switch is on the correct side!philhoward wrote:Welcome
Indicator switch has always been on that side for a Scimitar, I'm afraid - it's just the opposite to most modern stuff.
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Re: New owner
You'll soon get used to the indicator! You'll soon find yourself activating your windscreen wipers by accident instead in your other cars!
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Re: New owner
I suppose there is nothing to stop you from turning the indicator stalk through 180deg - not tried it myself as I am in agreement with Andy - the indicators are on the correct side. We have two cars with them on the left and two with them on the right - you just get used to it. Welcome to Scim land.
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Re: New owner
Welcome to the world of scimitar. As above the indicator is something you get used to. Which C is it the last three of the chassis number will help me find it on the register you can pm me if your not happy to post.
The only thing with this site and scimitar owners is we love pictures
Edit and where abouts are you, there are loads of "noggins" get togethers with other scimi owners so you can get ideas and discuss issues.
The only thing with this site and scimitar owners is we love pictures

Edit and where abouts are you, there are loads of "noggins" get togethers with other scimi owners so you can get ideas and discuss issues.
Babe the GTC number 229 and and Smurfett the 1400 SST. Ness the vw t4 van/dayvan/camper
Previous 3.0v6 X type jaguar triumph acclaim scimitar SE4A 663 (ex Collin Watson coupe) 2x se5a's 2x SS1 1600s and a load.of other things I can't remember!!!
GTC drivers doing it under canvas since 1981!!
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Previous 3.0v6 X type jaguar triumph acclaim scimitar SE4A 663 (ex Collin Watson coupe) 2x se5a's 2x SS1 1600s and a load.of other things I can't remember!!!
GTC drivers doing it under canvas since 1981!!
RSSOC SCIMITAR GTC REGISTRAR
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12601 14846 18/09/12
- MarkHawkins
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Re: New owner
Switching between cars with indicator stalks on differing sides is relatively simple after you have tried switching between bikes with gear changes on opposite sides and opposite shift patterns ..
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1968 '4b Coupe HBL 725G
1972 '5a M/overdrive ALJ 513K - ALJ 513K
1977 '6a M/overdrive - OPJ 62R
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ex 1985 GTC M/overdrive B205 AMT - number 413
ex 1984/85 SS1 number 0007 (1300)
1968 '4b Coupe HBL 725G
1972 '5a M/overdrive ALJ 513K - ALJ 513K
1977 '6a M/overdrive - OPJ 62R
ex 1974 '5a auto - VLN 826M
ex 1985 GTC M/overdrive B205 AMT - number 413
ex 1984/85 SS1 number 0007 (1300)
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Re: New owner
John,
"driving down from the Midlands to Swindon in a GTC"
If that is Swindon, Wilts, then I am local to you, as I live in Swindon and own an SE5A. Mine is, however a running restoration - a long term mobile project, if you will.
The local Wiltshire Noggin is at The Barge Inn at Seend, between Melksham and Devizes. Nice little run out over the Downs. We have regular attendees with GTC's to compare notes with.
Congrats on your purchase.
Steve
"driving down from the Midlands to Swindon in a GTC"
If that is Swindon, Wilts, then I am local to you, as I live in Swindon and own an SE5A. Mine is, however a running restoration - a long term mobile project, if you will.
The local Wiltshire Noggin is at The Barge Inn at Seend, between Melksham and Devizes. Nice little run out over the Downs. We have regular attendees with GTC's to compare notes with.
Congrats on your purchase.
Steve
SE5a 'Fancier'
Re: New owner
Many thanks for the welcome. Yes, Swindon Wilts, I'll try and get down the the meet at Seend.
As for the indicator, I ride bikes that have the gear change on opposite sides, I have no problem with that. But I do like an easy life so will investigate moving the switch, if it looks straight forward then I'll do it, if not I'll be getting used to it!
John
As for the indicator, I ride bikes that have the gear change on opposite sides, I have no problem with that. But I do like an easy life so will investigate moving the switch, if it looks straight forward then I'll do it, if not I'll be getting used to it!
John
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Re: New owner
welcome 

Jim King
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CURE THE FAULT - NOT THE SYMPTOMS
Current: SE5 (8Ball), TI SS1 (snotty), 1600 SS1 (G97), 1600 SS1 (C686CCR), 2.5TD SE5a (diesel 5a), 6 x random other SS1s.
Previous: SE5, 3 x SE5a, 2 x SE6a, 3 x SE6b, GTC, 2.9i GTC, 3 x 1600 SS1, 1300 SS1, Mk1 Ti Sabre, Mk1.5 CVH Sabre
Chief mechanic for: 1400 K series SS1 (Megan3), 1400 CVH EFi SS1 (Grawpy), Sabre/MX5 auto (The Flying Broomstick),
1300 SS1 (Number One) & Sarah's coupe.
CURE THE FAULT - NOT THE SYMPTOMS
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Re: New owner
Hi John, welcome to the forum, and enjoy your car! It sounds good, please let us know more 

....Roger
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Re: New owner
Agreed ! That's part of the charm ... even the french love itAJL Electronics wrote:We are British. The car is British. That is why the indicator switch is on the correct side!

My 'old' french cars have it on the left, 'old' english cars on the right ... and moderns on the left of course - including the SST -
My favorite of all ? The Caterham ... nothing on the column ... all commands on the dashboard

Welcome to you !!
Cheers, Fred
now: Scimitar SE5 ('71), Scimitar SE6a ('79), Scimitar SST 1800Ti ('90), Ford Anglia LHD ('61), Ford Consul Capri LHD ('61), TVR Chimaera 400 ('96), Caterham SV ('10), Lexus IS200 ('04), Austin Metro 1000 ('82)
past: Mitsubishi Celeste ('77), Alfetta Quadrifoglio ('85), Nissan Maxima ('95)
past: Mitsubishi Celeste ('77), Alfetta Quadrifoglio ('85), Nissan Maxima ('95)
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Re: New owner
If you have both types of bike then you will get used to the indicator. I am also not far from you if you need any help (i have had my scim on the road since 2005 and use every day) I share the mileage with my motorbikes, both right foot change and left brake. and I like you don't have a problem riding bikes with the gearchange on the wrong side (ie left) leaver the indicator for a while see how you get on but it is easy to change however the housing would have to be modified.
will SE5A (not concours but good mechanics)
will SE5A (not concours but good mechanics)
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Re: New owner
I chug around on motorbikes as well, but I am too young for British bikes, as I am only 50 and it was all done and dusted by then. That said, my Scimitar predates my first foray into car ownership by almost 8 years - although my first two cars were of a similar age! I currently own an Airhead (1982 BMW R100) and a Honda NC750X for the commute, when the weather is reasonable.
Steve
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Re: New owner
Indicator switches should be on the opposite side of the steering wheel to the gear lever so you can activate them while down-changing to turn (or overtake).
Of course most people don't indicate
(especially in France) so it's rather irrelevant.
Of course most people don't indicate

Chris Johnson
RSSOC 1979> Rhubarb SE6a V8 1979-1997 Dark Star Coupé 1989> Scimitar France 2010> Vert Soleil GTC 2014-2018
Scimitar France Website No1 on Google, updated nearly every day
RSSOC 1979> Rhubarb SE6a V8 1979-1997 Dark Star Coupé 1989> Scimitar France 2010> Vert Soleil GTC 2014-2018
Scimitar France Website No1 on Google, updated nearly every day