Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[Vintage Fly Guy]

I think you've made the right decision. It seems you're probably a man after my own heart; there's nothing worse than doing a sub-standard job then having it grinning and winking at you every time you walk past it. Yes, probably only you would ever really notice it, but that's enough to take away the joy and pride of an otherwise top class restoration.

Best of luck and perhaps it's for the best it's taken a bit longer than planned... sometimes what seems like a bit of bad luck can actually be good luck. Who knows, someone might have backed into it this very weekend if it had been on the road now? So take your time and don't get downhearted after a few teething problems and minor setbacks. If classic car restoration was easy then everyone would be doing it and everything would be concours!

[Ray White]

Thanks for your support. Apart from this forum and input from my near neighbour and classic car collector, I am pretty much on my own.

Not that I mind ploughing a lonely furrow. I have always preferred my own company; that way I only have myself to blame and I am not one for passing the buck if I can help it.... besides, these days the originality police can't resist finding fault; not withstanding that all I started with was a hastily cobbled together basket case.

The wing repair is coming along nicely, thank you. I should have it in gloss tomorrow.

[Ray White]

I have turned my attention to the matter of weather protection. A while ago I had a new hood and side screens made for the TC. This was an expensive but essential part of the build and one which I am hoping will prove both accurate and effective.

I previously detailed the restoration of the hood frame so next it is the turn of the side windows.
The frames that came with the car had been inaccurately recovered at some time and the material secured with bifurcated rivets... but while not having original patterns could prove to be a bit frustrating, it should not be a big problem.



Originally, TC side windows were finished off with rather neatly mitred chrome plated edging strips; missing from my car... but by incredible good fortune I was able to locate a complete set from a fellow restorer who asked me to make him an offer for what I thought they were worth. These things are very, very scarce, so I made him a reasonable offer which was accepted. Pleasingly, The 16 trim sections arrived clearly labeled. All I needed to do was find the 62 special 3/16" BSF 'T' screws and nuts! (The screws slide into the edging strips and pass through holes in the frames then are secured with nuts on the inside.

Fortunately, the Octagon Club Spares Dept. had a set in stock!

I have been advised that to ensure the mitred corners of the chrome trim are held together, I will need some special corner pieces. I have therefore ordered a set ...but I have had to go to 'From the Frame Up' in the USA for them!


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Unfortunately, the n/s door window frame is broken. The 'claw' end of a supporting strut had snapped off and will need to be repaired by welding.



I hit on the idea of cutting a slot in a washer and welding it onto the end of the strut. Before I do that I shall need to cut out the shape of the washer so when welded, it leaves a shallow rebate, thus matching the other side.

I must remember that these things are "handed" so the claws both face forward.

Incidentally, they are secured against the interior door trim by a chrome plated lever. The rear 'peg' drops into a chrome socket in the top edge of the door.



A fair amount of rust removal will be required before finishing in a 'sand' coloured paint to match the hood frame...

[Ray White]

Another job done.

[Ray White]

How I wish my sand blaster was working.!

As it happens, I have straightened up the side screen frames and and cleaned them mechanically... then treated them with phosphoric acid.

The usual primer and top coats are being applied by rattle can. The colour is an Army brown/beige that matches the hood frame.






(more like sand; if you ask me!)

[Ray White]

N/S front wing repaired (following disaster).

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Try again!!!

[Ray White]

Not sorted yet!

With the wing back on, it is very frustrating to find the weak point on it's leading edge will need strengthening, because when I try to get the side light mounting holes to align with the wing stay (through which the bolts pass) the strain causes the paint to crack at the weak point.

To avoid a repeat of the damage, I will have to take the wing off again and effect a permanent strengthening/repair of the wired edging.
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Removal of the paint and filler has exposed the problem.


There is a crack clearly visible on the underside of the wing at this point. It looks like a weld may have failed but I can't be certain.

Getting strength into the edge is tricky if it is not to be seen.


Perhaps the flange could be extended slightly and welded to the inside edge? Something like this...

[Ray White]

The wing repair looks O.K. It should now be strong enough to be fitted.

[Ray White]

Returning to the side screens refurbishment; as previously mentioned, the thin chrome strips that adorn the screens perimeter have little reinforcing corner brackets. As these specialist items are not available here (as far as I know) I had to order a set from TC supplier Doug Pelton in America. They arrived today; complete with helpful fitting instructions.

[Vintage Fly Guy]

Every step is a step nearer.

[Ray White]

[bjacko]

Maybe change the garden to lawn? I just ripped out seven trees with nasty stumps over about a five week period. My wife planted them years ago and every year I had to prune them to keep them low. She went into age care last December with Alzheimers, and I will grass over the beds they were in to avoid mowing and edging round them!
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1938 Morris 8 Ser II Coupe Utility (Pickup)
1985 Rover SD1 VDP

[Ray White]

[Ray White]

Progress has been tediously slow of late as I seem to be assailed by more problems with the n/s front wing. Having repaired the weak area caused by a break in the edging wire and refitted the wing to the car, I noticed a flaw in the paint. Trying to polish it out, I went through to the primer...so had to take the wing off again and repaint the area.


It was only while compounding the paint that I noticed a weld had failed at a point where both wing and valance holes align.

I wish this had happened before I had finished the paint ...but that would have been too easy.

Previously I had hoped that a blob of weld would halt the split in the panel but that had proved insufficient. This time I decided to weld in a strengthening fillet; even if it meant having to do damage to the paint etc.

Looking at the underside of the panel it is not pretty...but it will never be seen.



The top side of the repair will need more work but it seems strong enough.


Here the welds have been ground down and the area is being prepared for paint.

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[Ray White]

That's more like it!