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Alvis Woody needing TLC
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The Gardiners



Joined: 01 Aug 2008
Posts: 6
Location: Monmouth

PostPosted: Sun Aug 03, 2008 10:51 am    Post subject: Alvis Woody needing TLC Reply with quote

Hi, Have just acquired a 1 owner 1947 Alvis shooting Brake. The last owner started resoration, and it's been left for 20 years wrapped in newspaper. Unfortunately the woodworm have got to the bodywork Shocked like you wouldn't believe.

Anyone know of a college/uni who may take her on for a woodworking course. I'm happy to pay, but can't afford 'specialist' rates if the children want to eat! Any suggestion greatly appreciated, or if anyone out there knows an ash body restorer charging sensible rates let me know!!
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Rick
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Joined: 27 Apr 2005
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PostPosted: Sun Aug 03, 2008 4:00 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Welcome to the forum - do you have any photos available???

rgds, Rick

(PS moved this to the Your Cars category)
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Uncle Joe
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PostPosted: Mon Aug 04, 2008 9:18 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yes, I'd like to see some photos of this one myself.

More comments when I have seen them....
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Job-Rated



Joined: 23 Nov 2007
Posts: 1010
Location: Sugarbeet County

PostPosted: Mon Aug 04, 2008 10:55 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Welcome aboard!
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Greeney in France



Joined: 06 Mar 2008
Posts: 1173
Location: Limousin area of France

PostPosted: Tue Aug 05, 2008 7:33 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Welcome from me in France
Yes some photos would be great, the Alvis is a beautiful marque
Are your wood working skills not up to it?
I have worked on a few Jaguars, morris travellers, and morgans and although I was a "joiner/carpenter" with a bit of thought they are not difficult especially if you have reasonable patterns, if not try the clubs, always my first port of call for a classic, there information is usually second to none. There may even be an enthusiast willing to work with you just for the pleasure
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The Gardiners



Joined: 01 Aug 2008
Posts: 6
Location: Monmouth

PostPosted: Tue Aug 19, 2008 3:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks guys for all the suggestions. Haven't logged on for a while, but am now trying to catch up. Answers in no particular order:
Um no can't do it myself. Full time job, four young children and no spare time have ruled that out.

Have contacted 'red triangle' Alvis people. very helpful, but couldn't offer any discount suggestions. Alvis owners next.

Have got some photos, but haven't worked out how to post them yet (doh) when I get the swing, i'll stick them on for merriment purposes. i won't laugh at yours if you don't laugh at mine!!!

cheers
Cathx
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The Gardiners



Joined: 01 Aug 2008
Posts: 6
Location: Monmouth

PostPosted: Tue Aug 19, 2008 4:56 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

[img] [/img][IMG]
[img][IMG]
[img]
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Hopefully Question photos attached. As you can see the previous owner (yes the only one) stripped her in the eighties, re-chromed everything, lights, trim, bumpers etc, then left it. Unfortunately most of the wood he'd replaced was eaten by woodworm as he left the original timber in the car.
a good spraying is the next thing on my list on 876 things to do!!

What do you think guys???
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Rick
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Joined: 27 Apr 2005
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 19, 2008 5:06 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Wow what a wonderful project!! Smile

I think the trickiest parts to re-make would be the framing, has that suffered too or is the worst of the rot in the flat sections only?

I know of people who could restore the coachwork, but as you suggest it would cost a pretty penny to farm the whole project out to someone. If you could find a retired chap who is well up on woodwork and looking for something to do in his spare time, you'd probably get the job done for a reasonable sum (notwithstanding the cost of buying materials).

How about the leather interior trim, how well has that survived?

Thanks for posting the pics, great to see something really unusual like that!

Rick
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Job-Rated



Joined: 23 Nov 2007
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 19, 2008 7:51 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Smashing car!

Love to see it on the road, so don't give up.
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The Gardiners



Joined: 01 Aug 2008
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Location: Monmouth

PostPosted: Tue Aug 19, 2008 8:52 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks guys. A few positive comments go a long way when you haven't a clue what to do with the old girl! The seats could possibly be used. I'm not into an immaculate concours finish myself, seats have a few holes and are dried out, but some hide treatment may sort out the worst, and the odd hole I can live with!

Yes, if anyone knows a chap who use to do these, or a college who does courses who could take it on (I'm happy to pay) then let me know.

It's way too pretty to let rot completely. Will get busy with the woodworm killer when I get 5 minutes.
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Rick
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 19, 2008 8:58 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Its definitely worth doing. The best way I think to approach it is plan plan plan everything, and read up as much as is possible about the model of Alvis that it is based upon, before taking anything more off it, or stripping a subcomponent down further. Have you joined an owners club? some clubs can be very useful with diagrams, service manuals and such like.

What's the story behind the car, and how you came to take on the restoration? have you thought of advertising in the local paper for a time-served craftsman?? you never know, someone may come forward to help - local papers like this kind of appeal.

rgds, Rick
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The Gardiners



Joined: 01 Aug 2008
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Location: Monmouth

PostPosted: Tue Aug 19, 2008 9:24 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Wow, many questions! Um this was a totally heart rules head ebay purchase! Listen carefully children as this is how NOT to buy a car... didn't go and see it, knew nothing about it...wanted a Lea Francis years ago and was outbid at Malvern on it...had just had my old runaround written off buy a big truck so thought this would be an ideal purchase to make!!! Starting to get the picture? Husband drove to Liverpool from South wales to collect it (bless him) and was adamant that most of the woodworm fell out on the M6.

it is a one owner car since 1947. we bought it off a dealer who had done a garage clearance, and though i wrote to the previous keeper we never heard back. didn't like to pursue it as it may have been a deceased sale??

i have today joined the woodie club who seem like a nice bunch, and since asking around have met so many nice people that it has heartened me into trying to get the old girl done. From what i gather there are only about a handful left.

my biggest problem is that with four young children we are flat out and little time left for eating and sleeping, oh and turning up at work without taking this one. Some how though i think it may be a bit at a time on the dining table over the winter!

Like the idea about using the press hadn't thought about that.. a mate of mine works for the local rag so I may have a word and see what happens.

The first thing I really need to find out is how much of the timber left is ok to use, and how much is shot to pieces. If its only been partially chewed by woodworm can it be salvaged? Worst bit seems to be bulkhead and front end. He replaced the wooden sills, and whilst it's not probably Alvis approved it does for me so long as it's not too rotten. Oh forgot to say that there is no more interior! apparently the seats were about as luxurious as it got. Door trim etc etc were just bare boards
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Rick
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 19, 2008 10:13 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'm useless with wood so hopefully someone else can chip in with some tips re woodworm etc.

But as with any project, it may be worth trying to treat the whole thing as a series of sub-components, or mini-projects, rather than trying to do the lot in one go, that way hopefully it'll be a bit less daunting. It will also make it easier to spread any costs over a period of time, if you remove a bit, re-furb it, then replace it if possible before moving to the next chunk of car/frame etc.

I'd certainly give the press thing a try, nothing to lose after all. You may find that there are some local old-car clubs in the area, someone there may have contacts or the skills that you'll be needing further down the line Smile

Rick
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Greeney in France



Joined: 06 Mar 2008
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 19, 2008 10:42 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Wood worm is an odd creature, I presume the woody is made of Ash they usually are and most quality jobs use the heartwood, which is high in tannic acid, woodworm goes yuk and spit when it gets to this bit so I would doubt very much that the holes will got too far into the structure, also the hole means it has left with its suitcases and gone to a better place the only way to check if they are still around and that is to put plain paper under an area to see if it gets little piles of fine dust
I would start by treating with a good wood worm killer like xylophane
They also dislike warm environments but love damp and cold so if you could move the woody into the front room with all the better Laughing
I think personally I would find a sacrificial piece that will remove from its joints and try to break it with your hands or cut it up, one piece may give you some indication as to the condition of the rest of it. If it is strong and not weakened by munching I would be tempted to fill it with a decent filler
I have done a few of these frames (not an alvis) and they are not too difficult Remember though they are structural so be absolutely certain it is sound
If I wasn't so far away in France I would willingly help as I was a qualified Joiner but if I can do anything to help email me
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The Gardiners



Joined: 01 Aug 2008
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Location: Monmouth

PostPosted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 10:43 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks for that. I'm definitely going to have to get the mallet and the woodworm killer out!

A friend of mine is an architect, and whilst visiting a site recently he spoke to a chap restoring wooden beams on a listed house. he was using a resin which not only killed off the worm, but strengthened it beyond belief, and the general opinion was that the timber, although 'wormed' would now outlive the rest of the house!

Sacrilige or a possibility? anyone ever used it?
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