Mini Radford De Ville comes back to life

[Dr.Mabo]

Exactly 4 years ago today, I started my restoration thread for the Broadspeed on Labor Day. Since then, not only is the Broadspeed finished and on the road, but another rare vehicle has also found its way into my garage.

It is a Radford De Ville based on a Cooper S MK1 built in 1967, which spent most of its life in garages and barns until it was finally forgotten. However, dry storage has kept it in a comparably good condition. I don't yet have a full overview of the condition of the bodywork. However, all critical areas appear to be largely healthy. We'll see. About 20 years ago she was painted in this ugly blue color, but was never reassembled afterwards. As a result, the doors are missing, which is extremely unfortunate. Radford MK1 doors were typically fitted with electric windows and small quarter light windows that were specially made for Radford by James Young. These cannot be found for money or good words. Once again, you have to get creative yourself. But as we all know; you grow with your tasks. Apart from that, the vehicle is largely complete and all the special parts are in salvageable condition, but it still means a lot of hard work.

For reasons of space and time, I'm starting the restoration in reverse this time. The disassembly will only take place step by step, but if possible, I will work on the parts immediately so that they can then be packed and stored ready for installation. This is particularly important because every Radford is different in detail and there is no documentation on details and equipment. The result was always a mixture of the customer's wishes and the realization of the respective Radford mechanic. So, I first deal with the interior and technical parts until I eventually get to the bodywork.

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[minibitz]

Good find!

I'm looking forward to following this thread.

I'm sure you will make this an equally amazing rebuild as the Broadspeed.

[hanlminiman]

Looks very good. I will watch with great interest as I do like a Radford.

[Old English White]

That would have been a very special car once - and it will be once more in your capable hands Doc
What a shame about those doors and all the unique fittings with them.
As you say, the colour doesn't suit such a car. You'll have to choose something more suitable. One day!
I can't wait to follow the build thread

[winabbey]

If your fantastic work on the Broadspeed is anything to go by this will be a superb restoration project, on a car that's rare and unique.

Interesting you say there's "no documentation on details and equipment" for the Radford De Ville. Is there a website, interest group, publication or owners club that can help?

[Tim]

Are there any details on how the doors were made? Presumably they were converted from sliding window doors? Luckily you are a very ingenious fellow.

Australian wind-up window doors are obviously quite different, but they might be a good starting point if you could find some. Although they aren't easy to get now.

Tim

[mk1]

Thank you for sharing your latest project Doc.

This is one I am really looking forward to following.

Having done a little work on an original Radford, there is one thing I know for absolute certain. . . . . This Radford will be MUCH, MUCH better when it is finished this time than when it left the Radford factory in the 1960's.

[mab01uk]

Are there any details on how the doors were made? Presumably they were converted from sliding window doors? Luckily you are a very ingenious fellow.

Australian wind-up window doors are obviously quite different, but they might be a good starting point if you could find some. Although they aren't easy to get now.

Tim

The April edition of the MCR CooperWorld magazine has an article in the Coachbuilt Register section about the restoration of Sir Paul McCartney's Radford DeVille including photos of the new doors with their original overhauled chain driven Piper electric window motors. It says it was cheaper to replace both doors than repair the originals and use Mk3 rubber window channels for the glass.
https://minicooper.org/cooperworld-magazine/

[roger mcnab]

hi doc
for what it is worth there is a guy in melbourne that is said to have a stash of mini doors he may have clubman doors but they have flush door handles
but they could be reskined they also have external hinges and flipper windows they have a triangular fillet in the corner bit as you said all radfords have
different details just a thought looks like a good project
cheers roger mcnab

[Pete]

What a great project! What was the original colour and the Radford colour?? Ive a heap of photos of my old one that might help but your go-to guys for the detail will be Nev Smyth, Fred Nippycars and Steve Burkinshaw. The doors did change over the years but can be replicated. Judging by your last restoration I’ve a feeling this one’s going to be possibl too good!?

There’s two ways to go, do it like Radford did it by painting inside the boot, under bonnet and interior the factory colour or spray the whole car the same Radford colour. You could even mask up and paint around the lights if you’re going to be truly accurate.

Is the roof skin cracked in the corners of the cut out?

Will watch this interest!

[Peter Laidler]

I can see another total masterpiece coming from The Doc....... I'm looking forwards to following this thread.

Here's an idea Doc....... Why don't you start writing this all down and at the end, self-publish it all in a little easy to read book in both English and German. Put me down for the first one!

[Tim]

...including photos of the new doors with their original overhauled chain driven Piper electric window motors...

Very interesting. Probably not how you would do it now that electric windows are almost universal, but very ingenious for the time.

By using a Mk1 door you gain a fair bit of space to work in. The Australian doors are quite constrained by their inner frame. You would probably need to cut it away for access.

Tim

[mk1coopers]

Excellent, another high quality project from the ‘Doc’, looking forward to the thread

[Dr.Mabo]

What a great project! What was the original colour and the Radford colour??

Is the roof skin cracked in the corners of the cut out?

The factory colour was island blue with white roof. Obviously she kept the white roof even after Radford conversion. Radford painted the Mini in Rouge Irise (dark red metalic).
Currently I don't know about any cracked corners, as the Webasto roof is still installed. But I know about that problem and will keep an eye on it.

Australian doors are no option at all, because they differ not only in the quarter light design but also technical wise on the inside. I have already accepted that I won't fine James Young quarter lights. But I will stay as close as possible to the original design. The major difference is the little locking handle is mounted to the front. All other quarter lights of every car manufacturer have the handle on the rear end of the glas. I already have some ideas for a quarter light solution which will match the Radford style.

I contacted Fred Nippycars and Steve Burkinshaw already but haven't talked to Nev yet.

As the Radford has an unknown history and some mismatch in paperwork I will change the colour to my personal but historical correct taste. I will also change it from RHD to LHD. This will be acceptable for the Radford's history because she has LHD FIN and documents. I wouldn't do that with a RHD FIN, but she will driven in Germany and I have to rebuild the dash anyway.

[Tim]

..All other quarter lights of every car manufacturer have the handle on the rear end of the glas.

Except Australian doors...

It makes sense to have it at the front beneath the quarter vent because there is no glass to obstruct it there. The secret is the bell crank link lever, a U shaped lever that passes round the rear edge of the door glass and connects the latch mechanism on the internal skin of the door to the external handle.

Tim

[Dr.Mabo]

As already mentioned, this restoration is being carried out largely in reverse. So first the small parts and trim and then deeper and deeper into the technology up to the bodywork. So don't be surprised if I start here with the seat belts, which will be fitted pretty much at the end.

Contemporary seat belts from the 60s were primarily available from the accessory company Britax, as the factory only provided the preparation for installation. Over the years, I have collected numerous of seat belts in order to restore them all in one go. Now the time had come. I started with static three-point seat belts. Seat belts with little wear on the belt material can often be revived with a thorough cleaning. This makes overhauling easy. However, if there is damage to the fabric, tar or paint, there are limits.

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The specific feature of the Britax belts is their gray belt material and the special webbing. After a lot of research, I was able to purchase suitable replacement material in new.

You don't need a sewing machine to sew it, it's easy to do by hand with a sewing awl and so-called trout thread from the shoemaker. I had the fittings and buckles either re-galvanized or chrome-plated. With patience, a little practice and some brainpower, you can make belts as good as new this way.

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[Polarsilver]

Doc, good job your seat belt rebuild .. then suggesting following repairs.. to tensile test the Belts with an applied static load ..( not suggesting you sled test seat belts as was done at Mira ).. just hang on to each section of belt a "static test load" that you consider to be adequate to ensure the structural integrity of each re-built seat belt strap.

[hanlminiman]

Doc
From personal experience in a competitive accident I suggest you make sure the Fixings points are very strong and secure. Might need to reinforce the floor anchorage points. Sadly the 1969s Mini steel is not strong enough without extra support. Cliff

[roger mcnab]

hi doc
is that a 5 speed gear knob and does it have a 5 speed box or is that just a teaser the interior is looking a bit sad but i am sure it will be lovely when you are through with it a great project good luck with it
cheers roger mcnab

[InnoCooperExport]

Another Doc Mabo build thread, colour me excited. I am very much looking forward to following this one!