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Eight year Traveller restoration - nearly there!

Posted: Fri Aug 09, 2019 10:29 am
by Mark Wilson
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

Re: Eight year Traveller restoration - nearly there!

Posted: Fri Aug 09, 2019 10:45 am
by Mark Wilson
Early photos - lots more rust elsewhere, but you've all seen rust before!

Re: Eight year Traveller restoration - nearly there!

Posted: Fri Aug 09, 2019 10:47 am
by Mark Wilson
Early repair work - the welding gets better!

Re: Eight year Traveller restoration - nearly there!

Posted: Fri Aug 09, 2019 10:51 am
by Mark Wilson
Things improve with rollover jig and move into garage. Midget 1275 engine fully restored (not just painted!)

Re: Eight year Traveller restoration - nearly there!

Posted: Fri Aug 09, 2019 10:59 am
by Mark Wilson
Gearbox, diff and all ancillaries reconditioned. Spraying started.

Re: Eight year Traveller restoration - nearly there!

Posted: Fri Aug 09, 2019 11:02 am
by Mark Wilson
Shell spraying, wood frame finishing

Re: Eight year Traveller restoration - nearly there!

Posted: Fri Aug 09, 2019 11:08 am
by Mark Wilson
All body panels media blasted by specialist, prepared and painted by me. Finally everything starts to go together again! That's all for now.

Re: Eight year Traveller restoration - nearly there!

Posted: Fri Aug 09, 2019 11:14 am
by Murrayminor
You have to be commended for persevering, you have done a great job.

Re: Eight year Traveller restoration - nearly there!

Posted: Fri Aug 09, 2019 12:19 pm
by les
I’ve started so I’ll finish ! Well done. :D

Re: Eight year Traveller restoration - nearly there!

Posted: Fri Aug 09, 2019 12:56 pm
by ManyMinors
That is looking very well now. A credit to you. I know colours are always a personal thing but I think the maroon colour with the contrasting wood is one of the best combinations for a Traveller. I suppose you've had to replace all the interior as well? You've done the right thing by not aiming for a "perfect" car. Those seem generally to get very little use unfortunately which is a shame. With the Midget engine and a few upgrades, it should be a very practical and useable car 8) Well done!

Re: Eight year Traveller restoration - nearly there!

Posted: Fri Aug 09, 2019 1:02 pm
by pgp001
Hope to see you out and about in it soon, well done.

Do you have any events planned in for this year ?
If you get cracking you might make it to the Otley rally in about a months time :D

Phil

Re: Eight year Traveller restoration - nearly there!

Posted: Fri Aug 09, 2019 4:25 pm
by Mark Wilson
Thanks for the positive comments, much appreciated.

Phil - I'd make it to Otley only if it continues to rain - too much walking and cycling to catch up on over the rest of summer otherwise! But it is downhill from Leeds...

Mark