The story so far...

Post by **Steve_PFJ** » Sun Jan 04, 2009 5:38 pm

Hello,

It's been a long while since I posted on here. I read the forum almost daily, mainly reffering to the bodywork section at the moment, but being new to Morris Minor ownership I have little to contribute.

Some of you may possibly vaguely remember I bought a 1969 2 door saloon off ebay to give my first proper restoration a go.

I didn't know anything about what to expect and I figured I could spend months hunting for "the right car" trying to assess quite how much work would be involved etc, but knowing that you really never know until it's yours and you can start prodding harder I figured I'd save the effort and take advantage of the fact that the first car I spotted on ebay was actually within a couple of miles of me. Besides, I figure, the worse it is to start with the more gets done, hopefully meaning, the longer it is until next time (fingers crossed).

It's been slow getting started. A change of job swallowed most of my spare time for the best part of a year but another change back in august means I've really been able to get a move on and I thought it about time I showed you all what's gone on so far.

So here are some photos. They don't show everything yet, I've taken 500 odd pictures and am battling to put them into some sort of order.

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v18/s ... t=0010.jpg

Oh, and please excuse some of the comments on the pictures, they may seem a little patronising to you guys, but the album is to show my friends and family what i'm up to when I disappear for hours on end and they think I'm mad.

Steve

Post by **nslocomotive2** » Sun Jan 04, 2009 6:05 pm

wow good, work, I like your turning rig, fantastic way of getting to weld underneath and turn it back without too much hassle.

I wonder if I should have gone the whole hog and replaced the whole floor in my car now.

Post by **DAVIDMCCULLOUGH** » Sun Jan 04, 2009 10:55 pm

Wow! Serious welding, Ive done similar myself on my two door and am currently putting floors in the traveller. The full length floors are great. My only concern would be that everything will line up again for you, I like to complete one side at a time and know that the door will still open and close properly. Im not criticizing your work and please dont be offended!!
Dave

Post by **Steve_PFJ** » Sun Jan 04, 2009 11:28 pm

None taken, There has always been something holding door gaps and a lot of measuring and checking takes place. I think I've got away with it so far. Time will tell

Post by **DAVIDMCCULLOUGH** » Sun Jan 04, 2009 11:44 pm

Keep up the good work!! You might have it ready for the National

Post by **millerman** » Sun Jan 04, 2009 11:58 pm

You will have it ready for the National

Post by **stag36587** » Mon Jan 05, 2009 5:25 pm

Very impressed - I'm going through a similar cutting and welding marathon at the moment. Just finished front inner wings, now about to flip the car on its spit and tackle the chassis legs.

Post by **Steve_PFJ** » Mon Jan 05, 2009 6:14 pm

millerman wrote:You will have it ready for the National

Dunno about that. I haven't really set myself a target for completion as I've never tackled such a task before. Just taking it as it comes.

Got any pictures of your progress stag36587? I'm heading toward the same areas and am pondering order of attack.

Post by **stevey** » Mon Jan 05, 2009 7:56 pm

wow lots to to do but looking good!!!!

Post by **stag36587** » Mon Jan 05, 2009 9:54 pm

Got any pictures of your progress stag36587? I'm heading toward the same areas and am pondering order of attack.

Have been very lax at taking and loading photos so far but now have some and will post sometime soon - I guess I need a photobucket account too!

Not sure yet of my angle of attack yet on the chassis legs other than carefully drilling out spot welds and maintaining really accurate parallel measurements on each side.

The inner wing replacement was quite an easy repair although the repair panel was about 5-8mm out in at least two places. I've lined it up best as I can and may have to do some judicious trimming once I see how well the outer wing fits with everything else.

The inner wing repair panel includes the rear fold that passes the hinge pillar and joins the door aperture. This was quite tricky to align but on my car I also found it useful to leave a small vertical edge from the original panel just behind the hingeplates, levering it slightly to allow the new panel to pass through and weld the new panel to that edge. (does that make sense!?) .

Good luck with your continuing project. Like you I've no fixed idea on how long my restoration will take - reality is always a bit longer than aspiration!!

Post by **bpr81a** » Mon Jan 05, 2009 10:00 pm

Just use the 'Upload Picture' feature under the 'submit' button

Post by **youngun** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 9:48 pm

Looking great, those early rust pics look all too familiar and bring back many many memories. Wish I had your rolling jig, luckily I can quite easily pick up the shell and roll it on to either side......the advantages of being young!

YG

Post by **Kevin** » Thu Jan 08, 2009 9:38 am

luckily I can quite easily pick up the shell and roll it on to either side......the advantages of being young!

I would think a bit of strength would also come into play, I have never even tried to pick up a shell.

Post by **Kevin** » Thu Jan 08, 2009 9:54 am

I bought a 1969 2 door saloon off ebay to give my first proper restoration a go.

Well that looks like you got your wish Steve.
If you want some moral support you are more than welcome to attend one of our branch meetings and we dont need explanations as to why you are doing it

Post by **keithB** » Wed Jan 14, 2009 2:26 pm

nice photos - it looks similar to my progress - rust, hole, angle grind, weld - and repeat !!

Post by **bmcecosse** » Wed Jan 14, 2009 4:03 pm

Great work - and you have superb premises to work in, with all the right equipment to hand! It's going well - good luck with it.

Post by **Steve_PFJ** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 11:29 pm

Evening all, I should really come here more often

Cheers for the positive comments. The lack of horror is reassuring. I'm lucky to have an experienced friend looking over my shoulder, making sure it remains moggy shaped.

And thank you Kevin, for the invite to the meet. You have extended it to me in the past to and I promise I will make it at some point.

Steve

Post by **youngun** » Sat Jan 24, 2009 6:43 pm

Kevin wrote:
luckily I can quite easily pick up the shell and roll it on to either side......the advantages of being young!
I would think a bit of strength would also come into play, I have never even tried to pick up a shell.

Theyre lighter than you would think, fairly manageable

Post by **stag36587** » Sat Jan 24, 2009 10:35 pm

yes they are reasonably light, in fact I was able to lift the entire corner of my chassis tilter with shell attached without too much trouble - don't ask why I needed to do it!

Post by **Kevin** » Wed Feb 04, 2009 11:49 am

Steve_PFJ wrote: And thank you Kevin, for the invite to the meet. You have extended it to me in the past to and I promise I will make it at some point.
Steve

Hi Steve if you and Stag are keeping a photographic record of your works we have a branch website that would be more than happy to host the pictures of your ongoing restorations, we currently have a member doing just that with his pickup.

Morris Minor Owners Club

The story so far...

The story so far...

the story so far...