LUCKY - 1961 Austin Se7en Countryman build

[Hunter2]

Work to do on the shell tomorrow, Thursday, before epoxy prime. Have Lacquer Thinner to clean paint gun, reducer for primer in hand. Shell gets into epoxy primer on Friday

New glass bead blasted rear sub frame into epoxy yesterday...gloss black today. Will finish on Friday.

External tank off for hi-heat wash & test (no idea about its history...only that I stored it since 2004).

Things are coming along!

[Hunter2]

Readied today to epoxy prime the main shell (tomorrow)...

Checked all welds, removed all remnant seam sealing, welded up three drilled holes in the LH barn door revealed by bead blasting and two holes in LH door (for mounting a rear view mirror??).

[Hunter2]

Have LUCKY in epoxy primer, seam sealed and undercoated...Lime Squeeze Metallic on the bottom on Thursday.

[Hunter2]

Picked up fuel tank after hi-heat boil out & paint removal, inspection and test. Ready for epoxy primer & paint.

New wiring loom has arrived. New pin kits go into exterior door hinges tonight. Need to chat about building the A+ tranny for the now built 1293.

Lots more to do. Having fun!

[Daz1968]

Looking good, the end is now in sight

[Hunter2]

Bottom painted after seam seal & undercoat...and turned upright for the last time today.

Seam seal gutters, fit wood and off to body/paint.

[Hunter2]

We started on the fitment of the new Ash...but soon realized we were in over our heads. So, I spoke with a neighbour who is a finish carpenter & guitar builder.

Brought the shell out of the 'metal lab' to home today where we can properly fit the new wood.

[mk1coopers]

Is that trunk liner spray you have used on underneath the car, if it is is it as indestructible as they claim?

[Hunter2]

Standard spray on undercoating...but tough stuff. Comes in 1 litre containers ready to attach to spray gun after mixing. 5 litres went onto the underside...+now you know why the power unit will be a modestly warmed up 1293cc.

A brief hiatus now as we need more brass inserts & related stainless, A|len keyed cap screws to affix the new Ash wood kit to the shell...we have all glued together on the shell but for the short wheel arch to mid-rail bits. They need 3 fasteners each and we won't have them until next Monday.

On the plus side, having a neighbour who is both a finish carpenter & former guitar builder has helped get the wood fit right.

[InimiaD]

It took me a long time to get the timberwork right on my Woody. I lost count of the amount of times it was taken off, sanded, put on again.
Then I had to repeat the process on the other side.
It's one of those jobs you just can't rush.

[mk1]

What a BEAUTIFUL JOB.

Your car is indeed Very LUCKY!

[Hunter2]

Another little task...de-rust the rear corner bumpers I have - 2 from the OZ Window Van and 2 more I brought home from Australia.

Into a Molasses & Water bath after removing most of the looser rust. Bath mixed 1 part molasses to 3 parts water - in this case 3 cups molasses/9 cups warm water & stir. Will take them out in a week to rinse & inspect.

Also have 2 Brake proportioning valves in a separate bath...sold to me as NOS...BUT they were both old & used. (the 3rd & 4th valves I have cleaned up in molasses & water) The Yellow zap straps are used to keep matched parts together. Most important thing is to insure the shuttle valve is completely free.

[Hunter2]

The rear corner bumpers (2 sets of 2) are re-chromed. One set for LUCKY...the other for ROO (the Aussie Window Van).

However, the BIG news, the wood kit has been fitted and LUCKY has gone off for final body & paint.

And,...I'm in San Diego, California for Mini Meet West 2016...1,640 miles south from home in the Aussie Mini Window Van.

[Hunter2]

Work continues...to check the fit of all the bits that will be bolted on...before final body & paint.

On hiatus this week as my man has taken his Mother & Daughter trout fishing in the B.C. interior.

Meanwhile more bits coming in from UK & other sources to assemble the rest of the body's exterior & interior pieces.

A new set of Newton Comm. interior trim panels has been traced for replication here because NC does not have any materials that would fit aesthetically with Lime Squeeze Metallic....

[Hunter2]

A few hours in the shop yesterday and the rear barn door fitment was addressed only a bit of wood removal to improve the side gap on the lefthand door and lower rail trim to finish righthand door. (see yellow tape in photo)

Also reviewed last of metal work (side door gaps), removal of ashtray bracketry in rear parcel bins, drilled holes (new door mirrors/plinths), most of which will be addressed over the coming weekend.

[Hunter2]

LUCKY has been stuck for 6 months in the final body/paint shop.

A very long time restoration of a 1964 Oldsmobile hard top has finally got doors, bonnet & boot to go on (mechanicals checked & upholstery done) now that it is back in the shop.

Meanwhile, I have the 4 newly chromed rear bumpers back from Victoria Plating. 2 have gone on the Aussie Window Van. And have reorganized the garage for the next stages.

Have also has a natural gas furnace installed in the garage (overnight lows have been -8 C/17 F recently). A positive change!

Will soon get going on finishing 2 wood sets - my new set for LUCKY & the other for my neighbour's 64 Countryman project.

[Hunter2]

Well, it has been awhile...the shop the Woody shell was at in Abbotsford, B.C. failed...I had to recover the shell & bits last summer. Unfortunately, the project had stalled there as my daughter-in-law fought cancer...a battle she lost in September 2017.

Body & paint work now underway at RWM & Co. shop in Delta, B.C. Newton delivery of all seat rebuilt pcs., panels etc. has arrived...2 large cartons. Also just in hand, new door handles/latches/lock & dovetail assemblies (went missing in Abbotsford),...push is on to complete for Mini Meet West in Victoria, B.C. June 29-July2. May be a big challenge but I'm after it.

BIG NEED...an-8-5-0- badge in Script for the right rear barn door (this was one of the shiny bits that also went missing).

[mk1]

So pleased to see that this lovely project is now back on beam & you hope to have it done for MMW, but so sorry to hear why the project stalled, it must have been very hard for your whole family. It must have been a very hard time indeed. It puts issues with old cars somewhat in perspective.

I am sure I have an 850 export badge somewhere, if I can find it, I'll let you know.



Good luck with the countdown to MMW, I am sure the little Traveller will look splendid when it's finished.

[Hunter2]

The Woody got home last Summer and the new steering rack, front & rear sub-frames with complete suspensions, the fuel tank, hydraulic & fuel lines, both masters are in, Wood has been sealed with epoxy primer and 12 coats of EpIfanes Clear Varnish.

Things slowed in late winter with my Mother-in-law passing in February and my Wife's 40 years on Foster Daughter in March.

Back at things now in the garage...

Hope you like the Lime Squeeze Metallic body with a custom White Pearl with green flecks up top.

https://scontent.fyvr2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/ ... e=60E37CA1

Lucky's wood getting the treatment.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid ... 0..&type=3

[Craig]

Rick , did you still need an 850 Script ???

I may just have one spare

Craig