new member just saying hello

Post by **skelly** » Fri Aug 21, 2009 9:59 pm

just brought this home for its rebirth, a little worried as i know i will need some help.

would love to chat with any members that have done a touring model, will post pics as and when i get started.not sure where to start yet

so hello all members and wish me luck ( as i need it)

shane

Post by **DAVIDMCCULLOUGH** » Fri Aug 21, 2009 10:06 pm

Welcome to the forum!! There are lots of experienced restorers on the site so feel free to ask lots of questions, some ones bound to know the answer! Is this your first Minor?

Probably the best place to start is to remove the sill finishers and kick plates and assess the condition of the main sill structure as this provides all the main strength in the convertible. If you have much structural welding make sure and brace the car well as you have no roof to keep it all in place.

Good luck and keep us up to date with progress.

Post by **eveline** » Fri Aug 21, 2009 10:54 pm

omg convertible, i love your new car,hope you have years of fun xxx

Post by **ASL642** » Sat Aug 22, 2009 12:03 am

Welcome Shane! Are you based in the Midlands as I notice the trailer is from a Daventry based company? Good luck with the Convertible - was that the one on ebay recently? We got ours from Ebay last March.

Post by **d_harris** » Sat Aug 22, 2009 12:42 am

Brian James sell all over the country Lou - they are one of the "premier" brands of car trailer

Sat Aug 22, 2009 6:48 am

welcome to the board

i think shane must have updated his profile as it says he lives in northampton.

good luck with the restoration and do feel free to ask any questions.

if you do not mind me giving some advise, when stripping the car if you find some small jobs put them to one side and when you start to lose interest / fear you will never see the end of the job, work on the small job and finish it. trust me it gives you a big lift and helps you over the sticky patches.

Post by **Kevin** » Sat Aug 22, 2009 9:22 am

Hi Shane and welcome, you may find the local Northants Branch a useful source of advice and inspiration to help you through the trickier jobs.

Post by **skelly** » Sat Aug 22, 2009 9:23 pm

Well had my first day of working on a car that is 21 days older than me,
I said i would post some pics of when i get started.

have removed to seats,carpets and a few bits from inside the car

i also took the advise of DAVIDMCCULLOUGH and removed the sill covers.

i have no idea what to do next, i guess i will be uplate tonight reading

Post by **DAVIDMCCULLOUGH** » Sat Aug 22, 2009 10:22 pm

All pretty typical rusty areas and certainly can be repaired. The doors apear to sit well so no sign of sagging in the middle!! The rear inner wings look not too bad but obviously the sills will need proper attention. Also check the chassis legs at the front carefully. Have you restored or welded before? All the panels are readily available, personally I buy most of my stuff from East Sussex Minors as I find them very pleasant and easy to deal with and they post really quickly.
http://morrisminorspares.co.uk/

A book that I think is worth buying/borrowing is the Haynes Purchase and DIY Restoration Morris Minor & 1000 by lindsay Porter. It has plenty of pictures and is a handy guide. I have restored about 10 Minors and sometimes still refer to this book.

Post by **skelly** » Sat Aug 22, 2009 10:59 pm

DAVIDMCCULLOUGH never restored but i am a good welder, just have no idea where to start the cutting out and what replacment panels i will need yet.

will be taking out engine and gear box poss front wings tomorrow.

i guessing making the car lighter for jacking up and bracing the door gaps, just cant find any info on what the door gaps should be before i brace them.

wish me luck

Post by **d_harris** » Sat Aug 22, 2009 11:27 pm

AFAIK there is no specific measure for the door gaps, as long as they are "even" and not gaping then theres nothing much to worry about.

Post by **skelly** » Sun Aug 23, 2009 8:57 am

wish me luck, day 2 is about to start with the engine,wings,gearbox and all the other stuff thats in the way.

just a note i find the angle grinder a better tool with the nuts and bolts insteed of sockets and spanners. lol

im guessing this is normal with old rusty bolts

Post by **Sidney'61** » Sun Aug 23, 2009 11:23 pm

...Waves from Kingsthorpe, Northampton...

Good luck with your restoration and feel free to come and visit the Northants branch;
first wednesday of the month, 8pm
The Bell Inn
Bell Hill
Finedon (nr. Wellingborough)