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Re: 1953 (March) Series II Restoration

Posted: Fri Feb 14, 2020 12:43 pm
by Ian46
Last few patches of original blue paint left on the engine. Photos taken for the record.

Re: 1953 (March) Series II Restoration

Posted: Wed Feb 19, 2020 12:50 pm
by Ian46
I'm not sure if people are still watching this thread but posting the process has helped me thus far. I hope it is of some interest?

I am guessing that if I need specific 'originality' questions answering my best bet is to ask them in the MM Register Forum as my car is closest that model?

I confirmed earlier in the thread that I believed battery acid had been spilt in the engine bay, well it looks as though it has also damaged the gearbox cover. This was going to be refitted as it is but on closer inspection the rust (and flakey paint) needs to be eradicated so this panel is off next for blasting.


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Re: 1953 (March) Series II Restoration

Posted: Wed Feb 19, 2020 1:07 pm
by Ian46
I thought I knew quite a bit about Series II's, but another detail that I am not sure about is the 'brown' steering wheel.

It looks original to this car but I can't remember seeing one that was only a solid brown. I thought most of the cars around this date had mottled brown/sand colour or mottled bluey grey?


The second photo shows the state of the interior I've inherited and I don't know where to start any conservation process. Likewise the door and interior panels are all in very poor condition and faded and need work. Are there good secondhand Maroon interiors around?

Amazingly the solid headlining panels are in fantastic condition by comparison.

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Re: 1953 (March) Series II Restoration

Posted: Wed Feb 19, 2020 4:44 pm
by jagnut66
Hi,
Your second picture shows there is a slight 'mottling' to the steering wheel, I have seen them in series 2s before, so my 'twopennethworth' would be to say it is original. They are not common though, so a plus maybe? :P
Worst case scenario would be that it is original to the period..... :roll: :wink:

Coming along nicely, by the way.
Best wishes,
Mike.

Re: 1953 (March) Series II Restoration

Posted: Wed Feb 19, 2020 4:47 pm
by stevey
Please keep posting, it is very interesting. I've seen a few original cars with the brown steering wheel, they are date stamped, so you can check. The date is on the back on the rim near one of the spokes joins the rim. Second hand interiors are few and far between, been looking at 1954 front seat covers for a few years. You would be better to repair and redye.

Re: 1953 (March) Series II Restoration

Posted: Wed Feb 19, 2020 5:29 pm
by geoberni
stevey wrote: Wed Feb 19, 2020 4:47 pm I've seen a few original cars with the brown steering wheel, they are date stamped, so you can check. The date is on the back on the rim near one of the spokes joins the rim.
Really? Ummm....
Basil has a marbled grey wheel, but someone in the past has spent a great deal of time doing a very good job of wrapping it in black plastic cord with black fabric cord around the spokes.

I've never fancied disturbing it, a) in case I found something underneath I didn't like and b) I know I'd never managed to put it back as well even if I wanted to.

I can't see any markings on the plastic that is showing.... :-?
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Re: 1953 (March) Series II Restoration

Posted: Wed Feb 19, 2020 7:41 pm
by jagnut66
The date is on the back on the rim near one of the spokes joins the rim.
Did they date stamp the grey marbled ones too?
I've never fancied disturbing it
Curiosity would get the better of me I'm afraid, that would have been stripped off not long after acquisition. But then I'm now happy to apply the resin and fettle........... :lol: :wink:
Best wishes,
Mike.

Re: 1953 (March) Series II Restoration

Posted: Wed Feb 19, 2020 9:56 pm
by stevey
Yes both colours were date stamped, I'm trying to get a clear photo

Re: 1953 (March) Series II Restoration

Posted: Wed Feb 19, 2020 9:58 pm
by stevey
Image

Photo of an mm one I took a few years ago, dated 5th if 4th 49

Re: 1953 (March) Series II Restoration

Posted: Thu Feb 20, 2020 5:46 pm
by Ian46
Thanks for comments yesterday guys.

Following on from Stevey's post regarding steering wheel date codes I decided to remove mine for cleaning and inspection.

The mottled brown wasn't too evident as the wheel was dirty but I can see it now after a quick clean.

The date code is visible in the close-up, and the numbers look like 6, blank, and I can just make out 53.

My car is a '53 but was built on on 23rd February 1953 so I'm not sure how to interpret that?

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Re: 1953 (March) Series II Restoration

Posted: Thu Feb 20, 2020 5:56 pm
by Ian46
I got back my front grille back from the blasters this afternoon and revisited the smaller dents before getting some primer on.

Not really the weather to be painting in but needs must. The radiator support panel, bumper valances, replacement sump will get primed tomorrow.

Re: 1953 (March) Series II Restoration

Posted: Thu Feb 20, 2020 8:04 pm
by jagnut66
The mottled brown wasn't too evident as the wheel was dirty but I can see it now after a quick clean
Looking at the close up of your wheel, I think there is some nice 'marbling' in there, that just needs to be brought out. Having done my grey wheels I would do the same to yours: Give it a wipe with some thinners to remove any build up of grime / grease, wash it off with detergent (fairy liquid or similar) in warm water, then use fine wet and dry paper (wet) and give it a good going over, then wash it off again. Then oil it, I used three in one oil on a paper kitchen towel, while its 'wet' you should get an idea of what it will look like. Wipe off any excess with a dry kitchen towel the leave it a while, have a cuppa! :D
If you are not happy or think you could bring out more of the marbling, then you can give it another going over with the wet and dry, wash it off again and re-oil it. (Then have another cuppa - it's thirsty work! :wink:)
Finally polish it with 'Autosol' metal polish, until you get the depth of shine you are happy with, I used this in conjunction with a marble polish, see my link below.
It worked for me and it's something to do in between coats of paint on your panels.
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=71179
Best wishes,
Mike.

Re: 1953 (March) Series II Restoration

Posted: Thu Feb 20, 2020 10:48 pm
by geoberni
Ian46 wrote: Thu Feb 20, 2020 5:46 pm
The date code is visible in the close-up, and the numbers look like 6, blank, and I can just make out 53.

My car is a '53 but was built on on 23rd February 1953 so I'm not sure how to interpret that?
Very common practice even now, to date code for the production week of the year.
Week 6 of 1953 would be Feb 2nd to 8th, so almost the 'just in time' manufacturing that is so popular these days :lol:

Re: 1953 (March) Series II Restoration

Posted: Fri Feb 21, 2020 8:58 am
by stevey
Yes, I would agree with that, must update my records. :)

Re: 1953 (March) Series II Restoration

Posted: Fri Feb 21, 2020 9:16 am
by geoberni
stevey wrote: Fri Feb 21, 2020 8:58 am Yes, I would agree with that, must update my records. :)
Hi
Sorry, I missed your photo from Wednesday.

Hard to tell with the angle of the photo, but yours looks like either 34-49 or 54-49; since there's only 52 weeks in a year, I guess it must be week 34.
Technically, 1949 had 53 weeks, but that doesn't help :lol:
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Re: 1953 (March) Series II Restoration

Posted: Fri Feb 21, 2020 8:37 pm
by Ian46
Mike - thanks for the info on cleaning the steering wheel and the link.

Geoberni - Thanks for your interpretation regarding the steering wheel build date. It now makes sense for my car.

Today I have been painting all the parts that were in primer yesterday with a blow over of top coat. Not the finished coat by any means but enough to 'seal' the panels before further work after the paint hardens. I have ordered some cellulose stopper which will be put to good use when it arrives.

I am expecting the engine block, crank, pistons and camshaft to be back with me next week so have also been painting the remaining engine parts I have ready for assembly.

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Re: 1953 (March) Series II Restoration

Posted: Fri Feb 21, 2020 9:56 pm
by myoldjalopy
Looking grand! 8)

Re: 1953 (March) Series II Restoration

Posted: Fri Feb 21, 2020 11:08 pm
by jagnut66
Very nice finish to the engine parts, though I have to say the pictures make them look more grey than blue or is that just me??
Have you sprayed those engine parts or brush painted them? I ask because I have both a pot of engine paint and a spray can ready to do mine with, I was going to spray some parts and brush paint others.......
Best wishes,
Mike.

Re: 1953 (March) Series II Restoration

Posted: Sat Feb 22, 2020 10:11 am
by Ian46
I've done the same thing as you Mike. I ordered a tin of brush-on paint for the rough castings and a spray can in the same colour for the 'smoother' items such as the rocker cover.

The sump is brush painted for now and I will rub that down in a few days time and give it a final spray which should look more of a 'factory' finish.

As for the colour reference, I've always referred to it as a 'bluey grey'. Looking at parts with the paint on now it does remind me of the MM engine colour which is more of a grey.

From my research recently I believe all the engine colours (grey, blue/grey and green) are 'Military' colours.

Can anyone else confirm this?

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Re: 1953 (March) Series II Restoration

Posted: Sat Feb 22, 2020 12:53 pm
by geoberni
Ian46 wrote: Sat Feb 22, 2020 10:11 am I've done the same thing as you Mike. I ordered a tin of brush-on paint for the rough castings and a spray can in the same colour for the 'smoother' items such as the rocker cover.

The sump is brush painted for now and I will rub that down in a few days time and give it a final spray which should look more of a 'factory' finish.

As for the colour reference, I've always referred to it as a 'bluey grey'. Looking at parts with the paint on now it does remind me of the MM engine colour which is more of a grey.

From my research recently I believe all the engine colours (grey, blue/grey and green) are 'Military' colours.

Can anyone else confirm this?

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I'd have thought it very likely that they are 'Military' colours.
In the post WWII period there would have been huge stocks of War Dept paint and that Blue/Grey of your engine is a very good match for WWII standard RAF Blue vehicle paint, rather than the latter darker blue that was on RAF Vehicles of the 60s.
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