• Hi Guest!
    You can help ensure that British Car Forum (BCF) continues to provide a great place to engage in the British car hobby! If you find BCF a beneficial community, please consider supporting our efforts with a subscription.
    There are some perks with a member upgrade!
    **Upgrade Now**
    (PS: Subscribers don't see this gawd-aweful banner
Tips
Tips

Thoughts on Restoration

Share this page

1968- BugEye aquired in a trade for a Honda 350 Scrambler motorcycle. Car being driven
1978- Car being driven
1988- Car being driven
1998- Car being driven
2008- BugEye still Evolving...And still being driven. Hundreds of thousands of miles on this body. Thousands of gallons of gas. Barrels of motor oil. Stacks of tires. And parts to numerous to remember or list on maintenance and Evolving. Oh yeah..
Needs better paint job..........
 
John Moore said:
tho' those were period mods.
Click to expand...

John:

You are my kinda guy! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif

Pat
 
Might want to paint the engine room and under body before anything goes back in that case Trevor.
 
Why Jack? It'll be stripped back to a bare shell before I start the bodywork.
 
I think it would depend on how safe the frame/body is. If you've got a lot of rot in key safety areas then I'd start with the body. If it's just a matter of Bondo/Botox then I'd get her running and drive for a while. That would really get the boys excited, especially if they help.
 
I forgot, you have steel to weld. Sorry.
 
Unfortunately, I need to replace the rockers and doglegs. So yes, real welding.... bondo later! I haven't had enough time to figure out if it's hurt the structural integrity of the car. I guess to really find out I need to strip and media blast it. The doors do hang straight and from what I can tell there is no sag.
 
John

The doors hanging straight is a very good sign. As you know the rear spring mounts are also a concerning area.

Pat
 
I personally do not like to do structural repair with the mechanics still in the car or anything else that might get in the way of doing proper panel repair. I would disassemble it and start with the tub repair first. Then if you want to reassemble some mechanics to sort them out you will have a good rigid body to mount them to. I've seen too many driveable restorations that never get finished. You can still disassemble it again to do a proper job on painting. I was taking the word restoration in the literal sense meaning that it would go back together all original. If you are making big mods, then you definitely should sort things out before finishing the painting.
 
Obviously, make sure things are safe.
Brakes, steering , spring mounts etc need to be in decent order.

Then I'd shoot it with some easy acrylic auto enamel ~Like This~ and drive it.

But that's just my opinion based on a project I presently have. I am building a quasi-Rat Rod '73 from a parts car. I figure I'll do what I can to save it and enjoy it and let the next guy do the full restoration.

Part of my attitude is based on seeing a number of friends with long-term restorations. Their cars will be done.....just in time for them to die!
While I'm alive, I'd rather drive.
 
Exactly Steve, Years ago I always put the word "restoration" in quotes when I talked about what I was doing to my car (or called it a refurbishment). But I've come to use the word for a much broader meaning since spending time in the British car circle.

My car is stripped to the tub. I'm replacing all structural panels that need replacing and some of the larger rusted panels that are not structural. Then I'll build the car up and get it on the road. Sort out all issues and get the car in the mechanical shape that I desire. Then it will be time to disassemble, sandblast, patch, bodywork, paint, reassemble.
 
Don't worry, once I start rolling I won't let it sit. I too hate to see lingering projects!

And yes, there are many different definitions of restoration. Believe me, mine will be more than to change the oil and rattle can the engine bay! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/laugh.gif
 
Back
Top