1953 (March) Series II Restoration
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Re: 1953 (March) Series II Restoration
Last few patches of original blue paint left on the engine. Photos taken for the record.
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Busy collecting parts for my '52 MM Convertible and 1949 Saloon restorations. :o
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Re: 1953 (March) Series II Restoration
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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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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Busy collecting parts for my '52 MM Convertible and 1949 Saloon restorations. :o
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Re: 1953 (March) Series II Restoration
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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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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Busy collecting parts for my '52 MM Convertible and 1949 Saloon restorations. :o
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Re: 1953 (March) Series II Restoration
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?
Worst case scenario would be that it is original to the period.....
Coming along nicely, by the way.
Best wishes,
Mike.
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?
Worst case scenario would be that it is original to the period.....
Coming along nicely, by the way.
Best wishes,
Mike.
1954 Series 2: 4 door: "Sally" -- Back on the ground with (slave) wheels and waiting to be resprayed......
1970 Triumph Herald 1200: "Hetty" -- Driven back from Llangollen in Wales (twice.....)
1970 Triumph Herald 1200: "Hetty" -- Driven back from Llangollen in Wales (twice.....)
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Re: 1953 (March) Series II Restoration
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.
- geoberni
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Re: 1953 (March) Series II Restoration
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....
Basil the 1955 series II
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Re: 1953 (March) Series II Restoration
Did they date stamp the grey marbled ones too?The date is on the back on the rim near one of the spokes joins the rim.
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...........I've never fancied disturbing it
Best wishes,
Mike.
1954 Series 2: 4 door: "Sally" -- Back on the ground with (slave) wheels and waiting to be resprayed......
1970 Triumph Herald 1200: "Hetty" -- Driven back from Llangollen in Wales (twice.....)
1970 Triumph Herald 1200: "Hetty" -- Driven back from Llangollen in Wales (twice.....)
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Re: 1953 (March) Series II Restoration
Yes both colours were date stamped, I'm trying to get a clear photo
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Re: 1953 (March) Series II Restoration
Photo of an mm one I took a few years ago, dated 5th if 4th 49
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Re: 1953 (March) Series II Restoration
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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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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Busy collecting parts for my '52 MM Convertible and 1949 Saloon restorations. :o
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Re: 1953 (March) Series II Restoration
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.
Not really the weather to be painting in but needs must. The radiator support panel, bumper valances, replacement sump will get primed tomorrow.
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Busy collecting parts for my '52 MM Convertible and 1949 Saloon restorations. :o
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Re: 1953 (March) Series II Restoration
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!The mottled brown wasn't too evident as the wheel was dirty but I can see it now after a quick clean
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! )
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.
Last edited by jagnut66 on Fri Feb 21, 2020 2:26 pm, edited 1 time in total.
1954 Series 2: 4 door: "Sally" -- Back on the ground with (slave) wheels and waiting to be resprayed......
1970 Triumph Herald 1200: "Hetty" -- Driven back from Llangollen in Wales (twice.....)
1970 Triumph Herald 1200: "Hetty" -- Driven back from Llangollen in Wales (twice.....)
- geoberni
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Re: 1953 (March) Series II Restoration
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
Basil the 1955 series II
- geoberni
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Re: 1953 (March) Series II Restoration
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
Basil the 1955 series II
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Re: 1953 (March) Series II Restoration
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.
.
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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Busy collecting parts for my '52 MM Convertible and 1949 Saloon restorations. :o
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Re: 1953 (March) Series II Restoration
Looking grand!
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Re: 1953 (March) Series II Restoration
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.
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.
1954 Series 2: 4 door: "Sally" -- Back on the ground with (slave) wheels and waiting to be resprayed......
1970 Triumph Herald 1200: "Hetty" -- Driven back from Llangollen in Wales (twice.....)
1970 Triumph Herald 1200: "Hetty" -- Driven back from Llangollen in Wales (twice.....)
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Re: 1953 (March) Series II Restoration
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?
.
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?
.
Busy collecting parts for my '52 MM Convertible and 1949 Saloon restorations. :o
- geoberni
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Re: 1953 (March) Series II Restoration
I'd have thought it very likely that they are 'Military' colours.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?
.
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.
Basil the 1955 series II