Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[bob2]

I've finally taken the decision and started the restoration on the hillman hunter. Its not a major nut and bolt restoration but cosmetic for the time being. However when the bodywork will be ready, sprayed and everything reassembled I will be getting my hands dirty on the mechanicals and underside.
At the time being its at the panel beater's garage having some rust cut out and replaced with fresh metal!!!
In the meantime I am cleaning and painting the parts already removed from it like lights, grill, bumpers, wheels etc.
If I figure out how to do it I'll post some fotos!!!

[Rick]

Hi Bob2, look forward to reading alllll about it!!

Rick
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Rick (Admin. oldclassiccar.co.uk)
Various 1930s-1960s relics - Austin, Morris, Bedford, Dodge etc.

[PACresta]

Good luck with the resto Bob2, look forward to seeing some progress photo's.

[bob2]

Thanks a lot people!!
I've taken some fotos and need to make an account with photobucket.
Had one already but forgot the password and the username!!!

[bob2]

Sorry didnt manage to put the fotos yet!!
the hunter is almost ready yesterday we were sanding it down and masking it so that today the sprayer will give it a few coats o primer!!
I reckon that by next week it will be ready and I'll have to begin the re assembly!!
Pretty quick isnt it!!!

[bob2]

Here r some links to some of its pics;
http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r199/bmc076/Repairrearmudguard.jpg
http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r199/bmc076/BRHunterrear.jpg
http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r199/bmc076/BRHunterfrontR.jpg
http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r199/bmc076/Roofgutterrepair1.jpg
http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r199/bmc076/Frontduringpanelbeating.jpg

[bob2]

some pics of the hunter as is now in one of my garages
the close up one is of the paint finish which isnt bad in my opinion though it has some flaws!!!

[bob2]

Managed to do some more bits on the hunter this weekend!!
Windows and door locks are al in place now including the door seals (temporarily so that the rear doors dont catch on the front ones when opened!!
gave it a good clean and polished it all including the glass, and also managed to unscrew all of the petrol tank screws which had bugged me till now but obtained an impact screwdriver and my own way prevailed!!
Next weekend take out petrol tank clean it and paint it at a friend's garage with his gun and compressor!!!
And mayb continue painting the boot's interior!!
Got to get some more paint first though!!

As already stated I didnt like much this car but its growing on me now and want to get it ready for the road as soon as possible!!!
HEre are some pics taken this weekend;

[Rick]

coming along well there bob2 - are there many Hunters in Malta? there don't seem to be too many left here!

R
_________________
Rick (Admin. oldclassiccar.co.uk)
Various 1930s-1960s relics - Austin, Morris, Bedford, Dodge etc.

[ianm]

G'day Bob2 , wish my Hillman Estate was that advanced, will be one day.
The Hunter was a great car , I was pit crew for a Brisbane Chemist (Lionel Eyres) who raced one at Bathurst in the early day when the race was in classes and manufactures instead of the V8 Super Cars as it is today.
A tool box, jack and 2 sets of Pirelli tyres and you were ready to go racing not like millions that it costs today. Lionel had a Lotus 23b as well.
Ian

[bob2]

Hi Rick, there r some left over here which are still used as everyday bangers, many have bmc diesel engines fitted, but a very small number r making it into preservation, just like in UK. Trends for classic cars over here tend to follow the UK, probably because there's a large amount of british cars due to the fact that we were part of the British empire.

However local to me there is a very nice (almost excellent) Humber Sceptre (arrow style) with minilights on and it was this car that got me started again on the hunter.

Hi Ianm am I right in thinking that you've got a minx estate?
This hunter belonged to my father in law and he also had a minx (circa 1961) and scrapped it in the mid 90s. If he had kept it too I'd have gone for that one instead of the hunter cause though in worst condition than the hunter i see it as a much nicer car!!
I ended up restoring this hunter because it would have followed the minx and it was still very original and did not want to let it disappear.

[bob2]

Managed to do some more work on the hunter this weekend!!
The petrol tank is on the floor in my workshop/garage now!!
I bought some more paint and also some material (similar to the original) to trim the boot, next weekend will try sorting out the boot ie sand it down and painting the top coats on!!
The petrol tank (already in primer) will be ready to go in by the time I finish the boot.

will add some pics at a later date!!

[Job-Rated]

Good work, Bob. Keep it up.
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Don't run your fingers over my truck & I won't run my truck over your fingers!


http://www.loosechange-band.co.uk/

[Uncle Joe]

This is one project that I am looking forward to following progress on.

Keep up the good work!

[Old-Nail]

Looks good and solid bob, I know that there are hundreds of those things in Iran, they may even still be making them out there I'm not sure.