My new project - 1965 Morris Cooper S - HOY 500D

[Andrew1967]

So this weekend I have done one of the least favourite jobs ... the dash vinyl !!

I decided to go for the Somerfords vinyl as I had been told it was the most authentic. It is much more expensive than the other offering but does come roughly cut to shape, rather than one piece of vinyl (not good if you haven't got any templates).

On receipt of the replacement kit, the first having gone (and still AWOL), it is definitely more authentic and does not have the white backing of the Newton/MS vinyl. The grain looks better too.

So, having read a few threads on the subject here and also buying 60 Bulldog clips off Amazon for just over a fiver posted next day delivery (!) I set about it. I did the pillars first, then the air vent uprights and then the upper dash rail. I cut it all in first using the clips to hold it roughly in place, then starting from the middle I worked out. I used a professional, heat resistant spray glue. This morning I cut and fitted the lower dash rail. More difficult due to the curves around the switch panel. I made two V cuts in the vinyl in the same places as the picture that Andypen posted up of his original car and it went it quite well.

Here's the evidence ....

[Gary Schulz]

It looks great Andrew. I think dash vinyl was one of my least favorite jobs on my last restoration. Car and subframes look amazing also!

[AndyPen]

Nice job there

So glad I had a couple of unmolested cars to check against as I’d never thought of the under side looking so rough with the v cut outs!!

[Andrew1967]

Bit more progress to report.

I'd have had the bootlid on by now but noticed a small dent after the top coat and have been held up with the weather in getting it done (nice whilst at work and crap weekends).

Following my thread last week about suitable powder blue carpet, Peter (Pedrominter) offered me a piece of carpet that looks just the ticket, just big enough to cut a set out of. Now all I need is some templates as I dont really want to take the carpets out of 9748KO to use as patterns ! Really pleased with Peter's kind offer

The original early 65 Indestructo front and rear screens are now in with the chrome filler trim.

Current 'mini' projects are the restoration of the original heater assembly and wiper motor. Planning to paint the motor casing hammered grey, as per original paint.

[Dearg1275]

Looking so good.

D

[STG95F]

Looking Lovely Andrew

[WMU 211G]

Brilliant work Andrew, what a transformation

[Philsa]

Andrew great job on covering that bottom dash.

Excellent work, keep it up

[Billzer59]

Fantastic job good to see the positive vibes coming from the restoration looks awesome

[Gary Schulz]

Every once in a while I need to go back to the beginning of some of these threads to remember what these talented folks started with. The car never looked like this did it!?

collection.jpg

Absolutely amazing work!

[mk1]

Thanks for posting the above shot Gary. It is all too easy to forget just how bad HOY was when Andrew picked it up in 2017. His work is absolutely stunning & it is great to see the beginning of the finishing touches.

Unbelievable transformation!

[Billzer59]

Hi buddy my new project is much the same as yours it's a morris mini 1967 floor gone ect,, should I do the bracing before I take the doors off?

[Andrew1967]

Thanks Gary, good idea to post up the 'as found' pic, it's even reminded me of how far its come.

Appreciate your post Mark, with impending furlough, I think fitting up HOY will pick up a little pace for a few weeks/months, fitted in among some decorating in the house

Billzer - thanks for your posts

In answer to your question .. I left the doors on HOY whilst bracing because it was so weak, I didnt want to do any more hammering on the shell than was necessary. I also used them as a loose reference to see the the doors still opened and lines up with the swage lines etc. I'd certainly brace the door gaps before taking the doors off to make sure the gap between the A & B posts stays correct. If you do that, remember to fit the brace high enough so the doors still shut

Start a new thread for your car, we all love to follow project cars and we can all learn from each other.

[Billzer59]

Thank you very much il fit them back on then brace cheers buddy you done cracking job

[liam-ds]

Andrew its looking absolutely brilliant. cant wait to get started on my cooper, like you said if hoy's shell is saveable then mine should be too.

Liam

[Andrew1967]

Thanks Liam and yes, I'm sure your shell is saveable.

Here's some pics of recent progress. The interior is original from the car save for the LH arch cover (thanks Fred )

Its obvious that Norfolk rodents do not like Brocade, but preferred acorns (I took two carrier bags of them out of the car and even found some up in-between the front cant rail and screen panels !!

[Dearg1275]

It’s looking lovely Andrew. Sheer persistence pays off in the end. Great skills help too.

D

[steve1071]

Looks fabulous, Andrew. Can’t beat original brocade.

[STG95F]

Looks lovely Andrew

[Southwest]

Those seats are perfect. Way nicer than if you'd gone down the new cover route.