Let's talk about ..... scuttles!

[SLR No.77]

Both the Caterham's I've owned ('95 & '99) have had similar scuttles, similar in that the lower edge where the scuttle meets the chassis is straight all the way from the front to the rear where the single rivet attaches the scuttle to the dash hoop.

However I've noticed scuttles on cars both younger and older than the cars I've had that have a small dip at the rear edge just below the rivet, I can see the reason for this, it covers better the rolled over part of the chassis side where the side panel changes from being bent square, but what's less clear is whether this type of scuttle is used on certain chassis cars or certain years?

I ask because I'm planning a rebuild over the winter months and may well fit a new scuttle.

Stu.

[TomB]

A chat with Bruce at Arch? 

[Oysterman]

Slightly off topic but have there or is there a carbon fibre version of the scuttle? Have searched but no joy.

[Drumster]

Stu,

Mine's a '92 de dion chassis and original scuttle came with a 'tab'. After my voluntary rebuild in 2007/08 Bruce supplied the same style scuttle and also after the involuntary rebuild by Andy Belcher it still has a scuttle with a 'tab'. Not sure that helps really.... 

[Nick Chan]

I asked Bruce about the different versions of the S3 scuttles :

Earlier ones with the definite dog ear

Later ones with reduced tab that's much neater but definitely still has an overhang over the sideskin

Late ones with no tab or overhang at all

 

Bruce commented that there were only two versions that he made and the third version with no tab was down to the owners themselves having trimmed it flat....

[SLR No.77]

"Bruce commented that there were only two versions that he made and the third version with no tab was down to the owners themselves having trimmed it flat...."

Nick, that can't be correct! Yes first car definitely didn't have a tab trimmed off and I'm pretty sure current one hasn't. It would also suggest a lot of owners like trimming scuttles!

 

 

[SLR No.77]

I think the tab I'm referring to is the one you describe as on later cars, just a small droop with the rivet still above, I'm sure I've seen cars newer than mine with this tab. Does Trish's SLR have the tab?

[Molecular--Bob]

When my car got the Arch restoration treatment I had a chat with Bruce about which scuttle style I wanted, but he only offered two, the early "supersprint" with the tab and the later "K" with the reduced tab. These two options also came with different spacing for the wiper arm stubs. I ended up with a hybrid as I like later reduced tab, but have an early narrow spaced wiper rack.

Had thought about cutting it down, but haven't decided yet. Anyone got pictures of one that has been trimmed?

[SLR No.77]

So are we suggesting that both the cars I've owned (which I didn't build) have had the tabs trimmed off by the original owners? It just seems hard to believe!

Stu.

[Molecular--Bob]

Just relaying the options Bruce offered, The tabs are quite damage prone and there is often paint damage around that area, maybe if both of yours had previous paint work done they got trimmed at that point?

Pretty sure Arch will do anything you want, mine is a k-series scuttle with supersprint wiper spacing, and they did me a 6 louver 'sprint bonnet to go with it, and on the chassis side it had the full update treatment, my rebuild sheet ran to 3 pages with everything I wanted fixing or changing, and nothing seemed to be a problem for Bruce and Phil.

[Nick Chan]

Hi Stu, yes Trish's SLR has the reduced tab.  I was after the completely flat version for the R1 rebuild and that's why I had a chat with Bruce.  Maybe removing the tab was a standard feature of one of the kit builders so there will be a few with the same look out there.  The ones I've noticed have looked a very profesional job, certainly OEM standard, hence my question to Bruce....  I think he waa quite amused at the request

[TomB]

Just to pick this up, Im fitting a new scuttle as part of my rebuild.  Its been dry fitted, holes drilled for windscreen mounting and the front bulkhead fitted to the scuttle, and with a bit of persuasion I've fitted to car. The new scuttle has this tab being discussed here - my old scuttle was completely flat.  When its fitted there is a pinch point where the scuttle tab starts (ie where the scuttle goes from flat and the tab starts) and the chassis, which is bending the tab out slightly and widening the gap between the scuttle and dashboard hoop (where its riveted).  This gap is a few millimetre wide and its not going to be closed by putting the rivet in the scuttle/dashboard hoop. 

Whats my best option - cut it flat, or reduce the size of the tab - maybe by half.  In either option, whats the best of way doing this without a) damaging the new paint and b) distorting the ali skin of the scuttle?  I think tin snips will distort the panel.  I've got a dremel with the metal burr tool.  Im thinking of running masking tape in the line I want to trim to, using the Dremel and finishing with a file and sandpaper. 

Any other ideas? Can I run a circular file at the start of the tab to make the panel a touch thinner at this pinch point?