1937 AUSTIN 18/6

The Austin 18/6 'bus' re-wire has just been finished today and the overhaul of the running gear, brakes and steering are almost finished too.  We are now just waiting for the engine parts to come back from the machine shop so that the rebuild can be completed.    We then have a few last bits and pieces before the vehicle can return to its estate and the owner can enjoy using it for family picnics again.

Brakes before

Brakes after

Back of dash

Back of dash

The poor condition of the old wiring can be seen on the headlight

1939 ROVER 16

The rebuilt engine is now back in the car and Graeme is just connecting up all the services, etc.  The car's owner has now decided to go a little further with the restoration and have the wood and chromeware refurbished.  The woodwork is stripped and away with a specialist at the moment and we are just waiting for confirmation from the owner as to how much of the chrome he would like to send away for re-plating.  

Engine ready to fit to car

Lifting the engine into place

Proposed European Roadworthiness Directive

The Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs has released the following statement with regard to the proposed European Roadworthiness Directive:

14 December 2012

Meeting with Minister

Transport Minister Stephen Hammond has met with historic vehicle campaigners to discuss the proposed European Roadworthiness Directive.

Mr Hammond met East Yorkshire MP Greg Knight, chair of the All Party Parliamentary Historic Vehicles Group along with John Cryer MP, treasurer of the group, and officers of the Federation of British Historic Vehicles Clubs at the minister’s office in the House of Commons to discuss concerns about the proposed new EU Roadworthiness Directive.

There are widespread concerns that requiring older cars to be in a largely ‘original’ state could mean that vehicles with up-rated brakes or an overdrive unit fitted to the gearbox could fall foul of the new rules.

At the meeting the Minister revealed that great progress had been made in the EU discussions, which are on-going, and that he was now more optimistic and was confident that there will be sufficient latitude in the EU wording to allow the UK to adopt a reasonable and wide interpretation of the rules, so as not to impinge on the use and enjoyment of historic vehicles in the UK.

“It was a very positive meeting and the minister clearly has the interests of the classic car owners at the forefront of his mind in these negotiations”, Greg Knight said afterwards.

David Whale, chairman of FBHVC, added: “Our meeting with the minister was indeed very positive. Mr Hammond is taking a personal and pro-active position in the negotiations with the EU and clearly wishes to achieve a successful outcome for the owners of historic vehicles”.

Pre 1960 Cars MOT Exempt

Further to previous discussions about the possibility of pre-1960 cars becoming exempt from MOT testing in November 2012 this has now come into force.

You can find more information about this from DVLA on www.gov.uk/getting-an-mot/vehicles-exempt-from-mot

This confirms the exemption and gives a link to form V112 which may be required by the Post Office when taxing your car (or motorbike) which has been manufactured or registered before 1st January 1960.

1934 ALVIS SPEED 20SB

Alvis on the trailer ready to go to the body shop

The work on the Alvis Speed 20 ash frame is finally finished and the car is now away at the body shop to have the panels refitted and then be repainted.

September update

Just a quick update on what we have going on in the workshop at the moment:

Work continues on the ash frame for the Alvis Speed 20SB.  We are now on the third door with one left to finish the framework before the car goes down to the body shop for its new paint work.

The machine shop is full of engines from the Austin 18/6, the heavy 12/4 and a Rover 16.  the Heavy 12/4 engine parts are due back shortly and we can start building the engine back up.

We also have a Jaguar V12 E-type which is a new purchase by an existing customer.  At the moment it is not running well so we will sort this out and give the car a service so that he can get on and use it for the last few weeks before the salt is back on the roads again.

More details on each of the projects will follow shortly....

1933 AUSTIN HEAVY 12/4

Work is continuing on the Austin Heavy 12/4.  The engine has been stripped and some parts are away for machining.  In the meantime the back axle has been stripped and rebuilt, the king pins have been stripped and refurbished, new hub bearings fitted and the brake shoes are relined and in the process of being fitted.  The chassis has been rubbed down to remove all the corrosion and is now repainted using a rust-inhibiting primer and two coats of black.



Work about to begin on the chassis



Painted in rust-inhibiting primer




Final coats have been applied




Ian and Raymond inspect the rear
axle parts prior to building it back up

 

Rear axle now refurbished





Backplate, king pin, brake shoes and
stub axle being stripped



Following refurbishment the backplate,
king pin and stub axle are built up and
await fitting of the brake shoes