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From bad to worse!

Posted: Sun May 27, 2007 5:31 pm
by wishbone
Bought a 68 2 door Minor for my wife at christmas, thought it would need a bit of work but nothing too much! Well, since then i've completely rebuilt the engine (rebore, crank,head etc). Fitted new front wing and had to repair A post, fitted new rear wing, inner and outer. Fitted rear seatbelts. I've got sills both sides to do (bought panels ready).
Anyway, I was welding a patch on the other rear inner wing and chatting to my son. I didn't notice the excessive smoke untill I also saw the flames inside the car. i'm usualy pretty careful and check often but not this time! Sent my son for a bucket of water and tried to beat out the fire with a cushion. By the time he got back with the water the headlining was burning feircely and so too the back seat and new seatbelts! I figured with a sinking feeling that it was probably too late to stop it, but with the realisation that the house could go up too I dove in again with the bucket of water and tried to throw it at as much of the fire as possible and beat out what I missed. Choking on smoke and with singed hair I emerged victorious but extremely P'd off some seconds later.

Well, apart from the obvious 'Don't do as I did' bit. Does anyone have a good blue/grey interior (or rear seat) for sale? And is it worth taking the headlining from another car or just buy new? And yes I know its a pig of a job and one I hoped I wouldn't ever have to do!

Posted: Sun May 27, 2007 5:39 pm
by jonathon
Ooooppss, bad luck, did a similar thing with a customers trav we had just fitted a new Newton Commercial leather interior, totally gutted. I have some 2nd hand interiors around so will see what I have for you. I'd fit new headlining, as old tends to rip very easily. :wink:

Posted: Sun May 27, 2007 5:50 pm
by wishbone
Thanks Jonathon, send me a PM if you find something.

Posted: Sun May 27, 2007 7:04 pm
by RogerRust
I can only begin to imagine how terrible that must feel. I hope it isn't a write off. I know its a bit late, but it is worth insuring the car whilst you are working on it even if its not on the road.
All the best Roger.