The dying traveller that refuses to die, restoration started

[Jared]

Well I took delivery today of what I hope was a fairly solid project traveler. It's future is now very uncertain as the condition is well awful. A little history on the car from its massive thick history file. I think this car is known to the MMOC and I would love to know more of it's history.

In 1997 the car was purchased for an unknown amount.
Restored 1997-1999
Sold March 1999 £3500
Crashed July 2000 into a garage door and repaired with new wood.
Summer 2001 For sale at £995 with a dealer.
September 2001 virtually written off when a car smashed into it on the forecourt.
September 2001 salvage bought for £350
2001-2003 restored again
March 2003 Restored car is MOT'd again.
2004 I believe it had a new owner
2004-2009 over £5000 spent on upgrades and parts.
2009 I believe it was sold again
2009-2014 Sorned and stored somewhere very very wet.
Dec 2014 Purchased by me for very few pounds, mushrooms growing through wood.

At some point it was used in a wedding and it attended a MMOC rally judging by two very damp, moldy photographs.

Question now though is,is it worth saving? No engine, wood is 40% missing, no savable interior.[frame][/frame]

[Jared]

[DAVIDMCCULLOUGH]

It depends on what you want to spend and what you can do yourself. Almost any minor can be fixed! What is the condition of the metal work? The wood can be bought ready made as Im sure you know and lots of repair sections are there for the body. Engines are pretty easy to come by second hand as well.

If you need some inspiration have a look through the restoration threads.

[les]

If the car had been virtually written off, I'd want to make sure it's basically straight before throwing any cash at it, and then only if you have patience---a lot of it!

[LUR759H]

if it isnt saved id like the registration if it can be put on my car, and some body parts...

alan

[POMMReg]

if it isnt saved id like the registration if it can be put on my car, and some body parts...

alan

Cannot put a "newer" regn on an older vehicle - I think this rule still applies.

AHO "HO" = 'ahmpshah

Why do you want "body parts" - some secret Burke & Hare thing you have going on
in Sunderland?

Whatever happened to the 19yr old blonde?

Remember, never mind getting Sammy potty trained, get him Welding trained FIRST!

[Jared]

If the car had been virtually written off, I'd want to make sure it's basically straight before throwing any cash at it, and then only if you have patience---a lot of it!

I have the newspaper report from the incident with a photo of the car busted and the owner kept a written daily log of what they did during the repairing. I'm happy that it's straight at the front.

[tysonn]

They look a bit like truffles,car could be worth a fortune.

[martin418]

3 weeks work max !! according to car sos

[Neil MG]

Well they usually need new wood and a new interior kit! Engines are plentiful and readily available in anything from "fully reconditioned" to "ready-to-rebuild" condition. The question is simply whether or not you are prepared to do a restoration?

Not saying it is quick, cheap or easy. But if you have the motivation it is certainly possible.

[Jared]

Well they usually need new wood and a new interior kit! Engines are plentiful and readily available in anything from "fully reconditioned" to "ready-to-rebuild" condition. The question is simply whether or not you are prepared to do a restoration?

Not saying it is quick, cheap or easy. But if you have the motivation it is certainly possible.

I'm currently weighing up whether or not I have the motivation to do it. There is an old A series lump of unknown origin and quality leaking oil all over the boot.

Once I've removed everything from inside and had a good poke at the metal work inside and below I'll make the decision.

[Jared]

Decision made, for now anyway... This was a complete car this morning. The metal is actually pretty solid I need a new drivers side floor and and a little touch up to the sill. Both doors are shot though. I took the roof panel off and the wood collapsed in on it's self.

Before


During


After

[LUR759H]

it looks pretty good to me!!
Alan

[Mark Wilson]

it looks pretty good to me!!
Alan

You still aren't yourself yet, are you Alan? You haven't asked him if he can let you have the wood!
Regards

Mark

[tysonn]

[LUR759H]

Thanks Mark!!!

You have made me laugh.... I have put a £300 deposit down at woodies for new wood - mind you Im now looking after both of our children as my wife was taken back in after the C section and the C has become a X section as some idiot didn't know what he was doing with a scalpel and decided to cut into her appendix... Im not sure how but she has now ended up with a Exploratory Laparotomy... which basicly is a C section badly gone wrong with the scars to prove it...

I cant see me doing much on the car for a few months as she will be in hospital until after christmas...this is a very sad time for us as we expected to be all together with our new baby however Ann has only spent one day with him after birth.

Alan

[Mark Wilson]

Apologies to the OP for wandering off topic, but I'm sure that many on here will join me in wishing Alan and his family much better luck next year. And I can now cut into my wood without having to worry about trying to salvage any for him!

Mark

[Jared]

Apologies to the OP for wandering off topic, but I'm sure that many on here will join me in wishing Alan and his family much better luck next year. And I can now cut into my wood without having to worry about trying to salvage any for him!

Mark

No problem I hope things pick up for you Alan and that your wife recovers fully.

In regards to the car are Traveller doors the same as a 2 doors? mine are so rotten I can't help thinking a replacement pair would be better.

[Mark Wilson]

Traveller doors are indeed identical to two door - but there aren't that many out there that don't need repairing. If you find two good pairs let me know!

Mark

[LUR759H]

I think i might have to give up on the car.... its just something that i cant do i have had the children on my own now in this cold place for 10 days - had very little sleep just thinking about it gets me down never me getting chance to work.

Thanks mark for your message

Alan