1967 MkIII Posted February 5, 2013 Share Posted February 5, 2013 Evening allThe time has finally come to give Lucy the proper restoration she deserves. I've been meaning to do it for a while, and did part of the mechanicals 2 winters ago, but various bits of life interfered with it, such as having a first baby (a real one, not another Triumph), relocating to Malta, and lastly redundancy.Although I planned to do much of the work myself, limited time available means I need to hand over some parts and pay for them or face a car that is either rotting away quietly under my feet or a forgotten project in the garage.I managed to find an old school panel beater who believes in repair rather than replace (a man after my heart). Some time next week i'll take her to be sandblasted and we'll take any repairs from there. So far it doesn't seem too bad apart from a couple of spots, namely the front valance which has rotted away and must be replaced, and the nearside rear wing, more to follow.Today I just did some light stripping (of the car!) removed the panel in the boot that covers the fuel tank, door cards and the carpet under the seats.Some pics:The worst bit in the boot seems to be the foot of the spare wheel mount. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1967 MkIII Posted February 5, 2013 Author Share Posted February 5, 2013 pic below is inside the boot looking out backwards and to the right hand side of the car, behind the lights. not so pretty here, looks like some one previously has been busy with the fibreglass. I'll know the extent of the damage when the sandblasting is done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1967 MkIII Posted February 5, 2013 Author Share Posted February 5, 2013 The doors look better than I hoped, especially since every time I close my door some water jumps out of the window channel (yes , in Malta...)The panel beater was not fazed by the part where the skin has cracked away. I already have a replacement door bought from Cai in Belgium a while ago, but of course would prefer to save the original if I can. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1967 MkIII Posted February 5, 2013 Author Share Posted February 5, 2013 When I bought Lucy in 2010 it was obvious that this wing had seen some bodged up repair (first 2 pics), and to be fair the chap I bought it off warned me about it and was reflected in the price I paid for it.After attacking the pasted and fibreglassed area with a screwdriver more was revealed. Not too concerned as I've got a replacement panel since I was doubtful the particular curves and angle would ever be faithfully repaired. If the inner arch is gone, the panel beater will just have to form the necessary out of sheet. Out of a cruel sense of curiosity I might ask the sandblaster to do this area just to see how much damage there really is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JensH Posted February 5, 2013 Share Posted February 5, 2013 Looks nice and 'untouched' :-)You often find rust under the rear bumper reinforcement brackets, and on the rear deck panel, where it is bolted to the frame. Yours look really good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHRIS211083 Posted February 5, 2013 Share Posted February 5, 2013 Looking good, keep us updated!!! Lots of photo's please!!!Chris. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fizzy Posted February 6, 2013 Share Posted February 6, 2013 the door on my 67 mk3 cracked just like that aswell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1967 MkIII Posted February 6, 2013 Author Share Posted February 6, 2013 I'll be dismantling the dashboard next. I'm wondering whether to replace all wiring or keep what I have. I haven't had any electric problems yet however they will turn 46 years old this year so may be worth doing once I've easy access.When looking at the parts I dismantle, what am I looking for to gauge general condition?Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nilfisken Posted February 7, 2013 Share Posted February 7, 2013 For the electrics do keep a BIG roll of masking tape and label up every single connection you take off by using a permanent marker on the tape tags. It does help immensely when reconnecting months (or years) later! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JensH Posted February 7, 2013 Share Posted February 7, 2013 Re replace wiring: Depends on what you are after and condition of your existing loom. Copper wiring gets darker when water gets in, and heat from e.g. engine gets the PVC stiff. You will find out, that you might have to replace all wires passing engine.As I did my first resto (a mk 3 spitfire), I did repair the existing loom and wanted it all to look original. Bought new wires from here: http://www.vehicle-wiring-products.eu/VWP-onlinestore/home/homepage.phpThen after a while, I changed my mind and did build in relays for lights, MJ, extra fuses etc.If I had to do it today, I would make my own wiring from scratch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1967 MkIII Posted February 8, 2013 Author Share Posted February 8, 2013 So far the wires look fine but the plastic protecting the connectors is stiff and brittle, several break at a light touch.i already have a separate relay for the headlamps as i wanted brighter lights, however what else does a spitty need relays for?i'll be wiring in a radio & speakers, and a fag lighter for GPS use.All help appreciated as electrickery is not my thing.Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JensH Posted February 8, 2013 Share Posted February 8, 2013 Basic:Relays for main/dipped beam...One for the ignition switch too.Fuses: Two brown wires (originally connected to same spade connector at the control box used for dynamo) - going to ignition switcy and to light switch. They are without fuses pr. original (free from memory :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1967 MkIII Posted February 20, 2013 Author Share Posted February 20, 2013 So I've now stripped the car almost entirely. All that's left is enough to drive her to the mechanic - steering wheel & pedals.Plan is to remove the engine at a mechanic (have no lift nor space for it in my garage) then take it to be sodablasted. It's not free but should be worth it as any rust will emerge and can be dealt with.I've learned a bit more about Lucy as I stripped her. There were confetti under the carpets - remnants of a past wedding getaway? 2 receipts found in the door (how??) but too faded to read anything. Anyway it has sparked my interest so I'm asking whether anyone on here remembers a LCY 420E - Royal blue with black interior & tan hood.Pics to follow later. ThanksSteve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1967 MkIII Posted February 20, 2013 Author Share Posted February 20, 2013 piccies. I love the sleek look without windscreen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHRIS211083 Posted February 21, 2013 Share Posted February 21, 2013 Wow that vue brings back memories. I didn't rebuild my old tub though, was too far gone. It's good to be saving them. One car at a time. Keep up the good work.Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1967 MkIII Posted March 9, 2013 Author Share Posted March 9, 2013 boot lid finally back from soda blasting. looks like the lace my island is famed for.... the whole car goes in week after next... gulp! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1967 MkIII Posted March 9, 2013 Author Share Posted March 9, 2013 on a more cheerful note, i did get some goodies in the post :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1967 MkIII Posted August 28, 2014 Author Share Posted August 28, 2014 Time hasn't allowed me to keep this thread updated as I've been recording progress on the facebook page. All the paid work has now been done:- panel beater replaced rear nearside wing, all wheel arches, boot lower lip. - sprayer just about completed everything but I'm taking the bonnet back as the underside has reacted and bubbled up- engine is back in with new clutch kit, refurbed carbs & some ancillaries, hoses, fuel pump...- lots of £ spent on parts, with my €€'s buying less and less ££ each time :(Now the car is back to me to be put back together again. Some piccies to follow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1967 MkIII Posted August 28, 2014 Author Share Posted August 28, 2014 Pics.Engine bay stripped almost bare:Then stripped completely bare:And finally sprayed: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1967 MkIII Posted August 28, 2014 Author Share Posted August 28, 2014 Tub being prepped & primed for sprayAnd sprayed:Boot tub: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1967 MkIII Posted August 28, 2014 Author Share Posted August 28, 2014 My Dad's Panda proves surprisingly versatile, taking bonnet to sprayer:Bonnet primed, sanded, beaten, primed, sanded, beaten.....Worth the effort? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1967 MkIII Posted August 28, 2014 Author Share Posted August 28, 2014 Loose parts. The windscreen frame & boot frame were done first back in January. Couldn't do much with them except take photos:Boot next, February.Doors, March:At last I could bolt something back together. Door internals except for glass:A few bits I did myself with wire brush in a drill, sandpaper & can of spray:Pedals ready for another 47 years of abuse:Petrol tank Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1967 MkIII Posted August 28, 2014 Author Share Posted August 28, 2014 Front suspension goes on again. Engine back in place, and I finally drove Lucy again after 17 long months. I managed to mix up the seats so I had the passenger seat on the driver rails, which left me seated pointing out. Imagine a road corner with camber the wrong the way. Well I first gave her a run up and down (on the mechanic's private road), then burn rubber on a curve and almost threw myself out of the car! One second behind the wheel and I'm smilingBack in my garage at long last That's all pics for now, more to follow along with questions as I try to put the 6 or 7 boxes of parts back inside her :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
junkuser Posted August 29, 2014 Share Posted August 29, 2014 It does look great.Nice to see a Spit being restored so thoroughly.I like the colour. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
byakk0 Posted August 29, 2014 Share Posted August 29, 2014 Love the color (colour?). Looks like my intended color. Is that paint code 18 or something else? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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