59 / 53 look alike Convertible

[C6Dave]

Not a full restoration but a bit of 'tweaking to a car that already had a lot of the work done but, there were a couple of things that I wanted to sort out like front indicators and the hood........

So the easy bit (but still not authentic and am still looking for ideas how to achieve it.)

The front positing lamps (sidelamps) on a 53 use Lucas 488 clear lenses like those on 'Birchalls' car shown here:



Mine had been converted to Lucas 594 Amber (the Pyramid dome shaped) indicators (with the side lamps moved into the combined headlamp unit )so didn't look right for the era which several people pointed out over the past months so what to do.

I bought a pair of 488 lenses and tried all sorts of bulbs but just couldn't find the correct fit until the flattish lens (LED's won't flash at the correct rate) so eventually bought some chrome indicator bulbs and a pair of clear 594 sidelight lenses.

As the Chrome bulbs flash 'amber' but can't really be seen behind the clear lens it's the best compromise I can find and doesn't look to bad - unless anyone can suggest another way please??

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[C6Dave]

The second thing that was 'niggling' away was the hood that came on the car, a black vinyl one which just din't look right somehow.

Having read all the threads on the pros and cons of what to use I made a shortlist:

White Vinyl or Everflex. Cheaper to buy, easier to install as they have a bit of 'stretch' in them and easy clean. Downsides though are that they rend to have more 'seams' and that is a potential for leaks, they don't fold over well when lowered and are easily cut if caught in the support 'scissor' mechanism as I found out after I had bought the car so mine was 'patched' on the inside

Canvas. More expensive, harder to install as little to no stretch and dirty easily if the car is stored outside, but tend to be '1 piece' so far fewer seams. It also folds much easier when down as per the handbook

As mine is in a garage and I wanted a more period look I went for Beige Mohair Canvas (yes it should be 'double duck' but there was another compromise there) from Carhoods http://myworld.ebay.co.uk/carhoods

All in it took 3 attempts to fit (lots of trial and error) but required a limited amount of tools, basically a screwdriver, staple gun for trial fit, a pin hammer and scissors are all that was needed along with a pair of pincers to remove the old nails

Here is a 'Before and After' shot, there is still a bit of 'Tweaking to do at the sides but it's nearly there and transforms the car.........

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[DaisyMayFozz]

Looks better with the black hood. I think it looks fine with the lenses the way they are.

[rayofleamington]

As the Chrome bulbs flash 'amber' but can't really be seen behind the clear lens it's the best compromise I can find and doesn't look to bad - unless anyone can suggest another way please?

There is a different type of bulb holder that holds the bulb much deeper and allows you tom use the flat lens.
However the flat lens isn't perfect as the domed lens allows the indicator to be seen from a much wider angle - very useful if you're on the side road at a T-junction.

Chrome bulbs are to allow you to have a clear looking light - I've used those in the past. LED indicator bulbs won't work on an old-fashioned flasher unit (they rely on having the correct current for a 20w bulb - LEd bulbs will draw much less current).

I have successfully used LED rear stop/tail lights on a classic - but that was because I had clear/blue light lenses

[C6Dave]

There is a different type of bulb holder that holds the bulb much deeper and allows you to use the flat lens.
However the flat lens isn't perfect as the domed lens allows the indicator to be seen from a much wider angle - very useful if you're on the side road at a T-junction.

Very good point as cars from that era don't have side repeaters, so I think I should stick with the compromise domed lens from a safety viewpoint.

Even getting the semaphore traficators working (they don't ATM) isn't going to help from a side on position

[Neil MG]

Looks much better with the black hood. I thin it looks fine with the lenses the way they are.

I agree, the black hood seems to fit much, much better.

[Alex'n'Ane]

I think the beige looks better personally, and i'm sure with some final fine adjustment it will be just as good a fit

[C6Dave]

Well at NEC Auto Jumble I finally bought a pair of L488 holders and clear glass lenses and replaced the L594's

With 'Chrome' bulbs in they flash orange but look pretty close to the original type sidelights, nice and flat, although a bit larger in diameter.

It just had to be done I'm afraid as it's been niggling away at me

[JafaMoggy]

Here is a rear view of my Morrie with a tan hood in place, combined with a BRG paint job, done with a darker Jag tint, viewed from roughly the same angle...hope that it may be of some help[frame][/frame]

[C6Dave]

That looks very nice indeed

[Neil MG]

Absolutely! Very nice indeed!

How about some more pictures and a bit of history on the car?

[JafaMoggy]

This is rather a "bitzer" car....1952 side-valve originally, but since I wanted it to be usable in modern traffic I endowed it with the complete running gear from a 1973 Morris Minor van (totally rusted out body on the van, I hasten to add). It has a few period tweaks (bolt-on Armstrong competition "Dial-a-ride" lever action shocks on the rear, all white instrument controls from a deceased Oxford etc), and to preserve the strength of the convertible shell I removed the top of the gearbox bell-housing rather than muck the cross-member under the battery box about, with no ill effects. In case you are wondering about the second trafficator switch, on the passenger side...that operates the two Lucas map-reading lamps located on the uppermost inside corners of the windscreen surround, and these were installed to hide a couple of ugly holes left behind by a pair of really ugly non-Morris sun visors a previous owner had decided were a "neat idea" ![frame][/frame]

[JafaMoggy]

Here is another shot

[JafaMoggy]

Let me know if the picture size is too big[frame][/frame]

[JafaMoggy]

Here is a front view[frame][/frame]

[DaisyMayFozz]

Very smart!

[ASL642]

.... and such a hansome driver! lovely car - whereabouts are you?

[JafaMoggy]

I am in the furtherest-flung corner of the Empire....New Zealand. A lovely country that has a bit of pretty much everything except for frenetic pace. Lots of Morries and still quite a few Austins to provide parts for the Morries ![frame][/frame]

[JafaMoggy]

Here is the middle point of the restoration[frame][/frame]

[JafaMoggy]

And here is the end result...good fun all the way through ![frame][/frame]