Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

bjacko · Posted: Mon Oct 12, 2026 4:53 am Post subject: Mirros

Your mirrors whilst a very good job look a bit odd to me.
I believe mirrors are normally fitted with the glass horizontal to give a wider view.
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1938 Morris 8 Ser II Coupe Utility (Pickup)
1985 Rover SD1 VDP

Ray White · Joined: 02 Dec 2014 Posts: 7756 Location: Derby

Ray White · Joined: 02 Dec 2014 Posts: 7756 Location: Derby

Ray White · Joined: 02 Dec 2014 Posts: 7756 Location: Derby

I am having to return to the driver's door catch again as it has decided not to shut properly. It holds on the safety catch but at the moment I can't get the bolt to drop into the keep as it should.

I suppose this is what happens to a timber frame over time ...but it is annoying all the same.

My first thought was to try packing the catch with a sliver of leather. When I tried that, however, the old problem of the handle shaft falling off it's square drive re-occurred.

If I am unable, therefore, to move the catch then my only option is to try and move the keep out towards it. This means unscrewing the keep from the frame and chiselling out behind just enough wood to allow it to be screwed deeper into the A post.

.

Ray White · Joined: 02 Dec 2014 Posts: 7756 Location: Derby

As I struggle to pare back the wooden door pillar, I must have somehow caught the odometer winder which protrudes slightly down from the lower edge of the dashboard. Something must have broken as it now wobbles about uselessly.

When people say they have restored a car, do they never make mistakes?

I have just shut the garage door on it for today. Sad

bjacko · Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2026 4:24 am Post subject: Mistakes

The only people who don't make mistakes are those that never do anything.
Restoring is usually three steps forward the two back.
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1938 Morris 8 Ser II Coupe Utility (Pickup)
1985 Rover SD1 VDP

Keith D · Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2026 4:43 am Post subject:

Hang in there, Ray. Almost there!

Keith
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1926 Chrysler 60 tourer (100 years old! - a genuine antique!)
1950 Austin A40 tourer
1999 BMW Z3
Its weird being the same age as old people.
You are either part of the problem or part of the solution

Ray White · Joined: 02 Dec 2014 Posts: 7756 Location: Derby

Encouraging news this morning. Jones Springs have phoned to say my springs are now done. Hopefully, they will be delivered early next week.

Just another 200 quid up my shirt. Rolling Eyes

alastairq · Joined: 14 Oct 2016 Posts: 2277 Location: East Yorkshire

Splendid news.....I'm told, these days, 200 quid is a drop in the ocean???? Some folk pay more than that just to pass an MoT!!
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Dellow Mk2, 1951 built, reg 1952.
Fiat 126 BIS
Cannon special [1996 registered. Built in 1950's]
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Ford Pop chassis, Ashley 1172 bodyshell, in pieces.

ukdave2002 · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4436 Location: South Cheshire

It's funny the springs were £200, when I was restoring my MGA I remember thinking that I was probably only £200 from getting her on the road, I recall having this thought over at least 10 occasions!

Ray White · Joined: 02 Dec 2014 Posts: 7756 Location: Derby

bjacko · Posted: Mon Oct 19, 2026 5:36 am Post subject: Expensive services and parts

The high costs are caused by the hourly rates for labour, the taxes and re tape that successive governments keep inflicting on the industry.
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1938 Morris 8 Ser II Coupe Utility (Pickup)
1985 Rover SD1 VDP