Eight year Traveller restoration - nearly there!
Posted: Fri Aug 09, 2019 10:29 am
I've not up till now been posting this as a restoration thread, but I've made many posts with questions, and even some answers, over the last eight years. I've not wanted to be responsible for one of those threads which just peter out (not getting at anyone, there must be a lot of good reasons why people don't finish projects), and I don't consider myself expert enough to set out my work as a how-to-do-it guide.
Now, though, I think I'm into the final run in for the rebirth of my 1971 Traveller. I've replaced sills, inner arches, rear arches, centre crossmember, floors, both chassis legs and boot floor. I've repaired the front roof and replaced the gutters, and repaired the doors. Replaced the wood, of course, and bought and reconditioned a Midget 1275 engine, Midget gearbox and 3:9 diff. Fully replaced brakes, including Wolseley 9" drums and a servo. New loom and lights. It's running, just enough to move it, but about to tune it, sort out a brake problem and reset the suspension. Then the interior and final polishing, so a few weeks work left.
I know many people willl see what I've done as over-restoration, and I prefer the patina of a well maintained original car as much as anyone. But in this case I had acquired a badly bodged and poor condition example, through a combination of ignorance and foolishness, and then decided to sort it out properly rather than scrap it. I've had to do this with very limited working conditions, and until last year when I finally retired from a job which involved living away from home, with very limited time. I've not gone for concours, but I've aimed at sympathetic improvement to make a useable daily driver.
I've got hundreds of photographs, but here's a small selection to give a flavour of the project. If anyone wants more detail of any particular part just ask. I will be posting more during the last stage. Hope you find these of interest. (I've just found that I can only post five pictures at a time, so I'll have to do them in batches. I'm starting with the newest to whet your appetites, but then go back to the beginning)
And thanks to all those who have made this project possible, with special mentions to Phil the Hill (who should be nominated for an MBE for keeping this bit of British history alive) , IslipMinor and Kennatt. Don't see NeilMG around these parts any more, but his Traveller thread was an inspiration. And not to forget the late BMCEcosse, Roy.
Mark
Now, though, I think I'm into the final run in for the rebirth of my 1971 Traveller. I've replaced sills, inner arches, rear arches, centre crossmember, floors, both chassis legs and boot floor. I've repaired the front roof and replaced the gutters, and repaired the doors. Replaced the wood, of course, and bought and reconditioned a Midget 1275 engine, Midget gearbox and 3:9 diff. Fully replaced brakes, including Wolseley 9" drums and a servo. New loom and lights. It's running, just enough to move it, but about to tune it, sort out a brake problem and reset the suspension. Then the interior and final polishing, so a few weeks work left.
I know many people willl see what I've done as over-restoration, and I prefer the patina of a well maintained original car as much as anyone. But in this case I had acquired a badly bodged and poor condition example, through a combination of ignorance and foolishness, and then decided to sort it out properly rather than scrap it. I've had to do this with very limited working conditions, and until last year when I finally retired from a job which involved living away from home, with very limited time. I've not gone for concours, but I've aimed at sympathetic improvement to make a useable daily driver.
I've got hundreds of photographs, but here's a small selection to give a flavour of the project. If anyone wants more detail of any particular part just ask. I will be posting more during the last stage. Hope you find these of interest. (I've just found that I can only post five pictures at a time, so I'll have to do them in batches. I'm starting with the newest to whet your appetites, but then go back to the beginning)
And thanks to all those who have made this project possible, with special mentions to Phil the Hill (who should be nominated for an MBE for keeping this bit of British history alive) , IslipMinor and Kennatt. Don't see NeilMG around these parts any more, but his Traveller thread was an inspiration. And not to forget the late BMCEcosse, Roy.
Mark