This is a read-only archive of the old Madabout Kitcars forum. New posts and replies are no longer possible, but every thread is still here to browse and read.
Just read the thread. So you bought off it off Gumtree for £1500, had it delivered from Portsmouth to Belfast, dropped a recon engine for £500? That's a steal for that price. Well done.
I thought if I am going to install a vintage custom dash, gauges, buttons, etc ... I should also have a vintage radio. I bought this off ebay for £8 thinking its of the era.
When I received it, it was in worse state than in the pictures. I think I was slightly off on the era. It was made by Philips (Canada) around 1950(?) I believe. The 101st of the production line by the looks of things.
Using the air gun, I blew about 70 years of dust out of it ainkiller:
Cleaned it up with some wire wool, reseated the bulb, renewed a couple of connections.
Have to admit I wasn't sure that they'd make the Friday delivery judging by the state the car was a couple days back, but I am seriously impressed not only with the turnaround time but with the work they did.
Piguin - you and me both! At one point I recall telling them "Keep it until next week", as I thought there was way too much work to do in so little time - and obviously, I didn't want a 'rush job'.
Dave - thanks. Yes, turned out nice. Really happy about the colour, especially considering I left the type of blue to the spray shop to choose. A little nerve racking during the 1 week wait.
Just waiting for the tyre shop to open, so I can get these fitted ...
Had the wire wheels fitted today. Took longer than expected. First, the tyre shop couldn't get my tyres onto my wheels, Nangkang R215/75R15. It was tight, but they managed. Then there was a redundant bracket under each front wheel arch that needed grinding off - as it was catching the tyre on full lock. I was in there for 2 1/2 hours in total.
I drove it home, about 2 miles, and I could hear the tyres catching on the front right and rear left. Mainly when I turned the wheel and went over bumps. It was a horrible noise - and I could smell rubber
After a drive, the body had settled on the tyres. Too much for my liking. I filed down the inner arch a little where it was catching. The weather was rubbish today, sun, then rain, a bit of sun, then hail. I managed to get a few photos of the wheels in between.
I will be changing the tyres from [COLOR="Red"]215/75[/COLOR]R15 to [COLOR="Green"]205/70[/COLOR]/R15. This will reduce the overal diameter of the tyres by 36mm, and width by 10mm. This should solve the clearance issue.
It still needs to be fixed in place. The 2 centre horizontal bars will slide through holes on the left and right of the grill opening. I have asked how much it would cost to get chrome plated. This and the side louvre vents. Waiting to hear back.
I tried 215/75x15 on my 250 and they were too large, I then tried a 215/70x15 with the same result.
Went to 215/65x15 and they were perfect.
75 profile will catch the front suspension spring pan. 70's were marginal but looked wrong and caught the trailing edge of front wheel arch when opening the bonnet.
Your wires look as if they have more offset than mine. I did fit a set with more offset but they were going to hit the wheel arches and damage the paint. I think you might have to go to a 195/65x15 to stand any chance of getting them to clear the arches.
Grill looks great but very hard to find anyone who will chrome plate aluminium. You may be best to have it polished, a good polisher will get it looking almost like chrome but for a fraction of the price of having it plated.
I tried 215/75x15 on my 250 and they were too large, I then tried a 215/70x15 with the same result.
Went to 215/65x15 and they were perfect.
75 profile will catch the front suspension spring pan. 70's were marginal but looked wrong and caught the trailing edge of front wheel arch when opening the bonnet.
Your wires look as if they have more offset than mine. I did fit a set with more offset but they were going to hit the wheel arches and damage the paint. I think you might have to go to a 195/65x15 to stand any chance of getting them to clear the arches.
Grill looks great but very hard to find anyone who will chrome plate aluminium. You may be best to have it polished, a good polisher will get it looking almost like chrome but for a fraction of the price of having it plated.
Yes, mine were catching the arches. I am hoping that the new set of tyres will be OK. They are narrower with a lower profile.
I have already had 2 companies respond saying they cannot chrome plate alloy. I will look into polishing now - thanks for tip.
For weight and longetivity, wouldn't allyalloy tubeing be better than steel rod?
I shouldn't have said rod, as its a hollow pole - it weights next to nothing. I have already bought uprated SGS struts for the bonnet too, to take the extra weight of all the brightwork.
Finished and fitted the grill today. I used Mothers Mag and Aluminium polish. Thanks to Jaguartvr for the idea. A little wet and dry, some wire wool and then the paste - it came up good.
ainkiller:
