1961 2-door saloon (Sidney)

[Sidney'61]

A section of the rear moulding had started to rust and bubble, after scraping it down and killing the rust it had completely lost it's shape, I thought it would be a nightmare to correct[frame][/frame]
I filled and reshaped it and it seems to have worked [frame][/frame]

The next job was to prepare the bootlid for painting, there were just a few rust bubbles at the bottom when I started [frame][/frame]Removed the seal from the back and found there was not much left of the metalwork and a lot of it was made from filler[frame][/frame][frame][/frame]
As I can't weld is it worth trying to cover up these holes again or do I need a new bootlid?

[mmjosh]

if you cover it up it will be back in a couple of months i had done that with mine and its starting to bubble up so im after a solid bootlid

[Sidney'61]

We spent today taking windows out (I'll proably regret it when it comes to putting them back in!) the front rubber had started to perish anyway so needed replacing.
We then tried to remove the headlining, with not much success, I can't work out how to remove the front clips, or in fact where they are! can anyone help?

[Dean]

I think they are around by the kidney panels... you may have to look up under the parcel shelf, you should spot the wire twisted around a self tapping screw.

[taupe]

Hi

If you slide a blunt knife along between the headlining and the window top rail you will find the locations of the two securing clips. (Assuming you have already loosened or removed the side tensioning wire as above)

Its hard to explain but you need to get the blade under the clips from the side so to speak you can then pull the headlining gently out from the rail together with its plywood support strip.

I think there is a thread on here re replacment headlinings which explains it better.

[mmjosh]

any updates

[Sidney'61]

I've been respraying the car today, There are a few more little dents and dimples I need to iron out before I put on the final top coats but I'm very happy so far with the bits I have done.
Considering this is my first attempt at spraying and with a gun that I picked up quite cheap I am very impressed with the finish I am getting even before sanding (cellulose)[frame][/frame][frame][/frame][frame][/frame]
The bracket I am holding above the wing hereVV has not been repainted so you can see the close match between the original colour and the newly painted wing[frame][/frame]

I've also just about finished reshaping a dent in the rear wing which I think must have been caused by a high speed supermarket trolley collision... it's taken ages to get the curvature right but I think I've just about got it now.
It seems the project is finally coming towards the end

[DAVIDMCCULLOUGH]

Looking very good!!! You have been hard at work, keep it up

[Sidney'61]

Thanks Dave, hopefully it'll be finished soon, I've got to go back to uni soon anyway

By the way I did manage to get the headlining out in the end and remove those little clips at the front, thanks everybody for your help with that.

[beero]

It is looking great, just the inspiration I need, thanks.

[mmjosh]

wow thats looking good

[stevey]

yes looking great, do you want to do mine?

[Sidney'61]

I think I've got rid of all of the annoying dents and chips now and it had another coat of paint today, it's coming along nicely. Unfortunately theres a large run on the passenger door which I'll have to try and get rid of on monday but the job for now is trying to get the front wings fitted an lined up with the doors.
It's starting to look like a car now

[Sidney'61]

Well I'm back at university now so work has stopped for this term, there are a few bits that I'll have to touch up but generally the paintwork is looking good now, it's almost ready to put back together hopefully I'll get some work done at christmas! [frame][/frame]
Sidney has now had to donate half of his garage space to Jorge the traveller ready for the winter[frame][/frame]

[DAVIDMCCULLOUGH]

Well Andy, any progress over christmas?

[Sidney'61]

Hi David, I was only home at christmas for 2 weeks so I didn't get much sorted, I did get a bit of work done on the wiring loom though, I'm planning to build my own from scratch, I now have the plans drawn out with all appropriate wires and lengths ready for me to buy the wire and put it together. I'll try to start building it next week after my exams.

[mmjosh]

good look with you exams mate

[Sidney'61]

Hi again.
Well no progress has been made for quite a while now, I'm still in Nottingham and half way through the summer exams so havent had a chance to be home, eventually work will commence again.

So why am I updating this thread now?

Well, Sidney rolled off the production line on 30th May 1961, 50 years ago today!
It's a shame he isn't on the road to celebrate his 50th but hopefully he'll see the road again some time this year!

[DAVIDMCCULLOUGH]

Happy Birthday to Sidney!!

So are you telling us Sidney wont be ready for the National?

[Sidney'61]

I'll see what I can do in the 2 weeks I have before the national!