1939 ROVER 16

The Rover has been out for a test drive and is performing well.  It is off for a voluntary MOT test tomorrow and will then be cleaned up ready for delivery to the owners.

School visit

Yesterday the P1s and 2s from the local primary school came to visit for their topic on Transport.  Ian told them all sorts of interesting things about the cars in the workshop and they all had a sit in our own Bullnose Morris.  Today we have received three large sheets from the school with drawings and thank you letters.  Hopefully some new enthusiasts have been created!

1952 Alvis TA21

Well, the engine on the Alvis is now stripped down to its component parts.  It is extremely poor and we suspect that someone has used modern-type oil in this vintage engine.  It is so important to use the correct oil - all the moving parts in this engine have deep scores caused by carbon embedding itself into the soft bearing material and wearing away at the hard metal surfaces.

The waterways were also totally choked up with corrosion and debris so that the engine had been running quite hot.

Engine just as it has come out of the car

Corrosion and silt blocking the waterways

Timing chain tensioner right out on its maximum setting

Crankshaft before removal

Oil pump shaft showing scores due to carbon embedded in casing

1934 ALVIS SPEED 20SB

After months of work on the rotten frame, the owners have picked up their Alvis Speed 20 SB today.  The car looks stunning and they are very pleased with it.

Stripped back to find the horrors
underneath the metal skin

New parts of the frame going into position

Ready to go to the body/paint shop

All finished

1939 ROVER 16

We are now about a week away from finishing the Rover 16.  The car is looking great and runs well.  We have the wood trim to refit following refurbishment, a new set of carpets and the original seats which have been cleaned up.  The bonnet side panels will be fitted and then the car should be ready for a voluntary MOT test.

1939 ROVER 16

The Rover is back from the paint shop and looking good.  We are now in the process of fitting it up.  This includes refitting the front and rear wings using wing piping; making up the doors with their handles, window glass, winders, etc; and building up the chrome that has been re-plated (lights, bumpers, radiator surround, door handles and so on) then fitting it back onto the car.

All the wood trim will be refitted shortly and new carpets are being made.  The original leather seats have all been thoroughly cleaned and the leather fed with hide care.

On return from the paint shop

Fitting rear wings

Prior to fitting front wings

Fitting front wings 

Building up front screen 

Glass and handles fitted to doors

Front wings and grille in place

Close up of front grille

GRABER ALVIS

We have a Graber Alvis Sport Special (TC21) in the workshop for a few days.  The owner, unfortunately, bent the rear bumper while reversing so Ian has removed and straightened the bumper and it is being re-chromed at the moment.  In the meantime the owners really want to have the car back so Ian has made up a temporary "bumper" to keep the car safe and road legal so that the it can be collected tomorrow.  It will return to have its own bumper refitted once the chroming is finished.

Temporary bumper