AlanT Posted May 21, 2021 Report Share Posted May 21, 2021 After 4.5 years of cutting, welding (27 new panels!), complete rebuild, my project hits the final lap! Entrusted paint to the experts but I’ve done the rest in a single garage. Bought for £800 on ebay. Arrived on a trailer that it had to be forklifted onto after 20 derelict years... Lets hope July is sunny!! 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mathew Posted May 21, 2021 Report Share Posted May 21, 2021 The build up soon to begin. Was white the original shade. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanT Posted May 21, 2021 Author Report Share Posted May 21, 2021 No, it’s been Russet Brown and red! This is Triumph White 19 but the finishers are black. It’s come out far better than I’d hoped given it really was scrap, all mechanics included! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badwolf Posted May 22, 2021 Report Share Posted May 22, 2021 Very, very nice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanT Posted May 22, 2021 Author Report Share Posted May 22, 2021 Thanks. Just got to work out where I’ve stored everything... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanT Posted November 25, 2021 Author Report Share Posted November 25, 2021 I was a bit optimistic thinking I’d finish this by July. But, after much fiddling, we’ve got power!!! 20 years of dereliction isn’t great for electrics is it!! Just a (costly) interior to fund… 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Smith Posted November 25, 2021 Report Share Posted November 25, 2021 Nice. I'd guess the feeling of completion is palpable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanT Posted November 25, 2021 Author Report Share Posted November 25, 2021 Finishing line? Can sort of see it but won’t feel in reach until the seat foams arrive! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanT Posted November 25, 2021 Author Report Share Posted November 25, 2021 It will be 5 years since start as this really was beyond saving at outset Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanT Posted December 29, 2021 Author Report Share Posted December 29, 2021 Hi All, thought I’d share the realities of a total rebuild vs sorting a running car that needs bodywork. The new stuff I’ve had to buy (believe me I’ve tried not too!) includes. 3 part sills and closing panels floor, both sides inner and outer wings, front and back Headlamp support plate bonnet tubes headlights and mountings side light base plates a post uppers secondhand doors and bootlid secondhand engine and gearbox repairs to engine, luckily just slightly bigger thrust washers Entire brake system, nothing repairable Entire clutch system Entire fuel system and secondhand tank Windscreen frame gutters Windscreen steering rack All bushes All rubbers Entire suspension including secondhand uprights, front and back Wheels and tyres. Reveneered dashboard Entire interior (still stuff to buy) seatbelts Secondhand rear bumper Alternator Distributor Loads of small electrical bits Masses of new nuts and bolts Secondhand front grill. Secondhand window regulator Secondhand radiator Secondhand rear lights New glove boxes Hundreds of hours of cutting, welding and swearing Respray (I stripped to bare metal but got a pro to paint) Now just awaiting new fuel pump to get it started. Mad, I realise, but quite enjoyed it. My previous resto projects have all been runners that needed bodywork. So much easier. Anything that’s been left for 20 years really is scrap. My advice would be pay a few more £ at outset as it will be cheaper overall. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanT Posted December 29, 2021 Author Report Share Posted December 29, 2021 If you do go for a full resto, my top tips are: Dave at the Spitfire Graveyard is your best friend. His stuff is tested, solid. Some others are not so thorough. Don’t buy pattern panels. They simply don’t fit vs original. Especially sills. I know. Had to cut off and go original for decent gaps. Secondhand panels do come up for expensive, hidden, stuff like inner front wheel arches. Again, ask Dave. Forum members are terrific help and also help with secondhand parts Get a big gas bottle for your welder, takes more welding than anticipated. Go slow and enjoy it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josef Posted December 29, 2021 Report Share Posted December 29, 2021 Mine (still unfinished) was a runner, but I feel like my list would only be a little bit shorter… I very much second the Spitfire Graveyard recommendation! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanT Posted January 9, 2022 Author Report Share Posted January 9, 2022 Sorry to be predictable but after 5 years work it’s super exciting to have a running car! Thanks to everyone who has helped along the way. First time for 20 years that I believe the car has run! IMG_1427.MOV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted January 9, 2022 Report Share Posted January 9, 2022 good news but cant open the image file Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanT Posted January 9, 2022 Author Report Share Posted January 9, 2022 66343421844__37DDD1DD-02BB-4EFA-BF83-3F0CA0DE18F9.MOV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanT Posted January 9, 2022 Author Report Share Posted January 9, 2022 That’s odd. Says uploaded and play fine for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanT Posted January 9, 2022 Author Report Share Posted January 9, 2022 IMG_1427.MOV 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badwolf Posted January 9, 2022 Report Share Posted January 9, 2022 Same problem for me too. Sorry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josef Posted January 9, 2022 Report Share Posted January 9, 2022 Strange, I could view them all. Might be the mobile site version getting upset I suppose? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Truman Posted January 9, 2022 Report Share Posted January 9, 2022 I get the same message as Matthew, but there again it's got a lot of Australian immigration visa's to pass! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanT Posted January 9, 2022 Author Report Share Posted January 9, 2022 It’s definitely had the jab! slightly short celebration as the is an oil leak from the timing cover. Not looking forward to finding a way to remove the big nut! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badwolf Posted January 9, 2022 Report Share Posted January 9, 2022 AlanT - All those years ago I looked at the 'big nut' and said to my Dad "That's a big bugger" he looked and told me to wait a moment, had a rummage in a big box, and came out with a huge pair of old fashioned stilson grips. No problem. I still have them in the tool drawer marked special car tools. They are also brilliant for opening jam jars etc. Wouldn't be without them. Wish Dad were still here to use them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanT Posted January 10, 2022 Author Report Share Posted January 10, 2022 They must have been massive! I’ll probably use the trick that the Morris Minor owners club taught me. Big adjustable or the right socket on, extended by bar to sit under the chassis, turn the starter. A couple of goes frees it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanT Posted January 10, 2022 Author Report Share Posted January 10, 2022 The engine is sweet so it will just be changing seals not the chain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanT Posted January 10, 2022 Author Report Share Posted January 10, 2022 Should just point out that before attempting the starter motor method, disconnect the coil! Don’t want the engine to start! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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