Amy's Chamois Coupe

bks974c · Post by **bks974c** » Mon Aug 19, 2013 6:54 pm

After attending Imp 50 at Linwood and Perth Amy is keen to get her car back on the road, seeing her car lying in the shed has proven heartbreaking for her.

She even visited Turner on his birthday and left me a note from him begging to be taking home

So after Thursdays track night I took the Clan to the shed and brought Turner back to my house and surprised Amy. Unfortunately while she was happy to see him released from his IMPrisionment she was quite shocked to see how he had detoriated.

ImpManiac · Post by **ImpManiac** » Tue Aug 20, 2013 5:26 pm

That doesn't appear to be any worse than they usually are, Scott - to my inexperienced eyes, anyway.

It's gone frilly in the usual places - sills, arches, rear corners, etc. How are the parcel shelf, the inside of the front compartment, the engine bay and the interior?

If the car is reasonably complete, it'll make a lovely project.

IM

Fifeimpman · Post by **Fifeimpman** » Tue Aug 20, 2013 6:15 pm

Hi Scott,

Looks like your winter project!

Alan

bks974c · Post by **bks974c** » Tue Aug 20, 2013 7:14 pm

ImpManiac wrote:That doesn't appear to be any worse than they usually are, Scott - to my inexperienced eyes, anyway. It's gone frilly in the usual places - sills, arches, rear corners, etc. How are the parcel shelf, the inside of the front compartment, the engine bay and the interior? If the car is complete, it'd make a lovely project.

IM

This is Amy's first car she got it when she was 15, at the 2006 National in Stirling it was placed 2nd in class

I recon she will have done 60-70,000 miles in it when she was using it as her daily driver, last on the road in 2010 and so she has some serious history with the car.

There is no N/S sill left to speak off (photos later) but no worse than some, will concentrate on getting strength back into that area before digging too deeply but rotten in the usual area. Have been gathering bits for it for years but going to need quite a bit more.

This is its first full restoration apart from the drivers sill and rear quarter which I replaced in 2004 when we got the car, all the panels are original although the passenger side has had a couple of patches on the sill and rear floor so all in all a little rust is to be expected.

Amy is supposed to be the one restoring it but we will see how long that lasts

bks974c · Post by **bks974c** » Tue Aug 20, 2013 8:42 pm

colimp66 · Post by **colimp66** » Tue Aug 20, 2013 9:29 pm

Oooh Scott,

Looking a little worse for wear since you took me for a wee spin in the car a couple of years ago, must have been 2010 as you say, More than a couple of years ago then??

I'm sure you will soon be welding new metal back in there in no time or should that be Amy doing that?

Good luck & see you tomorrow at the new venue for this month.

Cheers
Col.

colin rooney · Post by **colin rooney** » Tue Aug 20, 2013 9:31 pm

You can rebuild it mate just going to take a bit of time

col

bks974c · Post by **bks974c** » Tue Aug 20, 2013 9:54 pm

colimp66 wrote:Oooh Scott,

Looking a little worse for wear since you took me for a wee spin in the car a couple of years ago, must have been 2010 as you say, More than a couple of years ago then??

I'm sure you will soon be welding new metal back in there in no time or should that be Amy doing that?

Good luck & see you tomorrow at the new venue for this month.

Cheers
Col.

Amy has done her welding course at Jewel and Esk but this side might just be a bit much for her first restoration

However I'm sure she will be OK using the Spot welder to put it back together

Scott

ImpManiac · Post by **ImpManiac** » Tue Aug 20, 2013 11:00 pm

Where have you been storing it? Under the sea?

That seems like heavy corrosion for only a few years or have I missed something?

IM

bks974c · Post by **bks974c** » Wed Aug 21, 2013 4:22 pm

Paul

The reason it was taken off the road in 2010 was it was clear that it needed some work, especially after it had been skelped in the bottom. It is 45 years old with no special rust proofing protection and was used throughout the worst winters in recent history with megamounts of road salt about and then lay outside for 2 years so not unduly concerned about the level of corrosion.

The drivers side I expect will be in much better shape as it was protected when it was done but will probably replace all of it too as I used a cover sill rather than the full sill.

Scott

ImpManiac · Post by **ImpManiac** » Wed Aug 21, 2013 6:19 pm

You make excellent points, Scott. I promise I was not 'having a pop;' that's not my way.

It is still slightly startling to me how much corrosion can occur in such a short time (2006-2010, was it?), though. Just my opinion.

The road salt must have a lot to do with that, I guess, which is rather worrying, really.

But we did have a succession of bad winters, didn't we!

IM

Gerry M · Post by **Gerry M** » Thu Aug 22, 2013 12:57 pm

wow hard to belive thats the same car i sat in the autotest in 06 with you, but i know my chamois which also got an award that year isnt looking its greatest either. Good luck with the resto

bks974c · Post by **bks974c** » Thu Aug 22, 2013 9:13 pm

Paul

Just because the cars off the road the rust still spreads unfortunately

so it nearly 10 years since any real body work was done.

Gerry

Hopefully some of the bits I salvaged from your old Stilleto will come in handy.

Scott

bks974c · Post by **bks974c** » Thu Aug 22, 2013 9:35 pm

Dave ' Linwood ' Lane · Thu Aug 22, 2013 10:12 pm

My god that is rotten , looks to be great job being done on it .
Ive scrapped better in the past

ImpManiac · Post by **ImpManiac** » Fri Aug 23, 2013 12:22 pm

^^ What Noddy said. Great work!

You are the man for the task, Scott, that is for certain.

Amy will be proud of the result, I have no doubt.

IM

bdann0875 · Post by **bdann0875** » Sat Aug 24, 2013 8:59 am

I can relate to the level of rot in the car as I have had the same with my Stiletto. I restored the car in 2001 and then again in 2013. This was due to using the Stiletto in all weathers as my daily drive. But then what's the point having a car if you don't use it right?

colin rooney · Post by **colin rooney** » Sat Aug 24, 2013 5:31 pm

your cracking on well mate keep it up and you will have her ready for national next year
col

bks974c · Post by **bks974c** » Sun Aug 25, 2013 9:09 pm

colin rooney · Post by **colin rooney** » Sun Aug 25, 2013 9:19 pm

Scott if I was you where you have the hole marked for rubber grommet I would leave it and do away with the grommet it just helps water to get in all the mk1 imps did not have them grommets

col

67cali · Post by **67cali** » Sun Aug 25, 2013 9:59 pm

That's a big project you have on your hands, that's for sure. However, it has a personal meaning to you and the end result will be amazing so keep it up. I think my van was in a similar state, possibly worse, but perseverance to see the project through now means I have a restored and painted shell and you will get there too.

bks974c · Post by **bks974c** » Sun Aug 25, 2013 10:06 pm

Colin

What you are looking at is the bit at the end of the heater channel not the floor but 90 degrees to it , past experience has shown this hole is handy for helping feed the heater hose through.

Light came on when removing the heater channel the oval hole in the floor and inner sill all align with areas that are spot welded ie they are there to allow access for the spot welder used in manufacture.

Scott

ImpManiac · Post by **ImpManiac** » Tue Aug 27, 2013 12:36 pm

Lovely work, Scott.

You really don't hang about, do you?

IM

colin rooney · Post by **colin rooney** » Tue Aug 27, 2013 5:23 pm

bks974c wrote:Colin

What you are looking at is the bit at the end of the heater channel not the floor but 90 degrees to it , past experience has shown this hole is handy for helping feed the heater hose through.

Light came on when removing the heater channel the oval hole in the floor and inner sill all align with areas that are spot welded ie they are there to allow access for the spot welder used in manufacture.

Scott

Ah right I got you now but I still delete that hole in the floor

just me being me I like to be different

col

bks974c · Post by **bks974c** » Sun Sep 01, 2013 7:51 pm

Been making repair panels in readiness for the heater channel arriving and re hung the door to check alignment of the sill but the top hinge is knackered so the hinge pins need replacing. As new ones are rare I did a little research and came across spiral coiled ones in the correct size, also available in heavy duty version - stainless steel.

http://www.spirol.com/library/sub_catal ... its_us.pdf

http://www.spirol.com/library/sub_catal ... tes_us.pdf

Anyone had any experience of them in any application

Scott

cov_climax · Post by **cov_climax** » Sun Sep 01, 2013 8:57 pm

I've used spiral type pins on farm equipment, usually perminant pins holding pulleys to shafts and the like, I fear you may encounter the middle section gripping the door part of the hinge as it wants to expand.

Silver steel is available in many sizes, comes per ground to within about half a thou, you can ream out the holes and peen over the ends once fitted, or get a machine shop to put a straight knurl on the end and press them in just like the originals if that matters to you. You could flame harden and temper if you wanted them to last longer than the originals.

Brian

bks974c · Post by **bks974c** » Sun Sep 01, 2013 10:00 pm

Ordered some Silver steel and see how it goes.

Scott

bks974c · Post by **bks974c** » Fri Sep 06, 2013 9:17 pm

Going to modify the routing of the heater hose as normally where they pass from the heater channel into the inner wing the hose is flatened restricting flow so bringing it up through the hole in the bottom of the rear bin and over the wheel arch via the marked cut out.

bks974c · Post by **bks974c** » Sat Sep 07, 2013 9:25 pm

Today skipped going to a car show instead stripped the rear suspension - no seized bolts

but a couple under sized heads sorted by OTS (flange drive) sockets,

Crossmember and arms all seem OK after chipping off loose rust scale

Crossmember mounting panel in good condition just a bit of surface rust

Pleased to find this area rust free

Even the floors not too bad

ImpManiac · Post by **ImpManiac** » Sun Sep 08, 2013 4:57 pm

I am finding myself envious of your fabricating skills, Scott!

The car is coming along very nicely.

IM

bks974c · Post by **bks974c** » Sun Sep 08, 2013 5:35 pm

Thanks Paul but just a beginner, loads yet to learn.

The inner wheel arches are going to be a real test, I used Malcom Anderson supplied Radford ones and found them a very poor fit and know I'm not alone in this so will attempt them myself. As its not just the lip that needs replacing its going to be fun but nothing ventured and all that, however if anyone know of a good fitting manufacturer let me know.

Scott

bks974c · Post by **bks974c** » Sun Sep 08, 2013 8:42 pm

Late start today but got a couple more repair panels done

ImpManiac · Post by **ImpManiac** » Wed Sep 11, 2013 1:25 pm

What about the Ex-Pressed inner arches? Any good?

Really great work, Scott!

IM

bks974c · Post by **bks974c** » Wed Sep 11, 2013 4:28 pm

Paul - do they even do them ?

Scott

Yoshie · Post by **Yoshie** » Wed Sep 11, 2013 4:58 pm

Scott, I think Expressed only do front inner arch repair panels that was the panel I showed you a few months ago at the club meeting, not a perfect fit it needed a bit fettling to fit but it was MUCH better than the Radford ones. Your doing a great job I think this one will be finished before mine

Cheers

Mike

kilty · Post by **kilty** » Wed Sep 11, 2013 5:07 pm

As you probably know Scott, Radford do all their stuff by hand. I`ve had stuff direct from them and sent it back due to the poor fit, wheelarches, front wing bottoms. They sent back panels that were spot-on, well almost. I reckon there are 2 or 3 people bashing them out and a bit of complacency might creep in. Could be worth giving them a ring?
No one else does them I believe.

GeoffFarthing · Post by **GeoffFarthing** » Wed Sep 11, 2013 5:56 pm

Radford are local to us. They have some new employees (Apprentices). I suspect that the founder has retired.
I have recently bought some (a lot) however I employed an experienced panel beater to fit them and make some more including the bonnet front edge, coupe rear screen lower edge and rear suspension cone.
It may be now that more than DIY expertise is needed to fit panels available these days.
Geoff F.

bks974c · Post by **bks974c** » Wed Sep 11, 2013 6:04 pm

Yoshie wrote:Scott, I think Expressed only do front inner arch repair panels that was the panel I showed you a few months ago at the club meeting, not a perfect fit it needed a bit fettling to fit but it was MUCH better than the Radford ones. Your doing a great job I think this one will be finished before mine

Cheers

Mike

Last I saw yours was being painted, no way will I be catching up

Yes I recall seeing the arch but can't rember too much about it

maybe that tells its own story

For the price of the inner arches I can buy a bench mounted english wheel, sand bag and mallet infact not much more than a pair of arches so thinking of going down that road. If it doesn't work out nothing lost but a bit of time, if it turn out OK I've increased my panel beating skills no end.

Scott

impmann · Post by **impmann** » Wed Sep 11, 2013 8:26 pm

That sounds like a much better plan than buying a panel from Radfords that at best will take loads of time to fit vaguely adequately, after much cutting and shutting...

colimp66 · Post by **colimp66** » Wed Sep 11, 2013 9:07 pm

[quote=For the price of the inner arches I can buy a bench mounted english wheel, sand bag and mallet infact not much more than a pair of arches so thinking of going down that road. If it doesn't work out nothing lost but a bit of time, if it turn out OK I've increased my panel beating skills no end.[/quote]

That does sound like a good idea Scott.

The next meeting could be around at yours giving us all a demonstration of the black art of panel beating

Your fairly cracking on with the car Scott, You will have that finished before mine I bet.

Cheers
Col

bks974c · Post by **bks974c** » Wed Sep 11, 2013 9:22 pm

[quote="colimp66]
That does sound like a good idea Scott.

The next meeting could be around at yours giving us all a demonstration of the black art of panel beating

Your fairly cracking on with the car Scott, You will have that finished before mine I bet.

Cheers
Col[/quote]

Like you I'm OK in 2 dimension repair panels but compound curves

Progress will be dependant on my able assistant turning up for for work

Scott

colimp66 · Post by **colimp66** » Wed Sep 11, 2013 9:54 pm

I understand the compound curves but you have lost me with the able assistant???

Never had one of them.

Good luck with that.

Cheers
Col.

bks974c · Post by **bks974c** » Wed Sep 11, 2013 10:00 pm

colimp66 wrote:I understand the compound curves but you have lost me with the able assistant???

Never had one of them.

Good luck with that.

Cheers
Col.

Neither have I, she keeps giving me excuses why she's not here.

Scott

GeoffFarthing · Post by **GeoffFarthing** » Wed Sep 11, 2013 10:56 pm

Col, I think that you have mis-quoted me however I would agree that the ability to make your own panels is an advantage which I did as an Apprentice in the car industry in Coventry in the 60s but then I could use their tools for my 1937 Austin Ruby. I have not done much since
Retirement should be time to relax but I do not have enough hours in the day. Ann's Stiletto has a 86 Tax Disc so I do the Mechanicals and we contracted out the bodywork. Finding someone to do it is a problem these days as many panels are plastic or bolt on. Anything more difficult and it becomes too expensive and the car is written off.
The original fellow at Radfords was Old School Coventry and would make anything by hand as long as you gave him the old bit as a pattern.
Geoff.F

colimp66 · Post by **colimp66** » Thu Sep 12, 2013 7:50 am

Oops, apologies Geoff, I'm not that good at the old quoting on the keyboard as can be seen

, I have rectified my mistake.
I was meant to be quoting Scott there, sorry.

Col.

ImpManiac · Post by **ImpManiac** » Thu Sep 12, 2013 4:44 pm

I want to get a decent shot or sand bag and have a bash (

) at fabricating. I bet it's a great way to work out some tension too!

Seriously, though, it would be a useful skill. I've long admired those that can turn a flat piece of metal (steel or alloy) into a compound curved panel or a car body.

I have some bodywork hammers somewhere...

IM

bks974c · Post by **bks974c** » Thu Sep 12, 2013 9:43 pm

imporium · Post by **imporium** » Fri Sep 13, 2013 8:57 am

bks974c wrote:Paul - do they even do them ?

Scott

No, they wont / dont, want to do them or anything Imp any more it seems & as I am still waiting for the 5 pairs of front & rear arches & 5 pairs of step sills ordered in April.. .....ready for the National ....not a small order !.. ...........Malcolm

bks974c · Post by **bks974c** » Fri Sep 13, 2013 8:37 pm

imporium wrote:
bks974c wrote:Paul - do they even do them ?

Scott
No, they wont / dont, want to do them or anything Imp any more it seems & as I am still waiting for the 5 pairs of front & rear arches & 5 pairs of step sills ordered in April.. .....ready for the National ....not a small order !.. ...........Malcolm

It seems they are happy to sell them on ebay (although no rear arches currently listed) cutting out the middleman and having to give a discount no doubt.

Having a captive market effectively means they can do what they want.

Scott

bks974c · Post by **bks974c** » Fri Sep 13, 2013 8:53 pm

In an effort to rust proof it for the future applied weld through primer to the edges, two coats of bonda primer and then silver top coat (just because it was there)

Sill fitted

V3 A pillar base

B Pillar done but run out of sanding belts