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Re: 1961 Beach Car prototype restoration

Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2012 9:05 pm
by 66S
Hi Ronie,
Looking swell !! In days of old, I used to get a nice clean outer edge on the whitewalls by nailing two nails into a stick. One for the centre of the axle and one to scribe a line on the tyre as I rotated it. I would then apply the paint and then do it again to clean up the outer edge. You might find this idea helpful.

Al

Re: 1961 Beach Car prototype restoration

Posted: Thu May 24, 2012 1:54 pm
by ronie
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Good news and bad news.

Good news. I put a battery in and most electrical stuff is working as it should. The switches operate the corresponding functions, and the lights on the dash light up!!!

Bad news. After a little while, operating the lights, wipers and dash lights, I saw a little smoke coming from under the dash. The wipers have a very feeble slow movement, and I have still not finished with the horn and indicators.

Re: 1961 Beach Car prototype restoration

Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2012 8:26 am
by ronie
It's alive!!!

Of course it was not plain sailing. After sorting the fuel pump earth, we noticed a slight leak on the outlet of the pump. We switched both inlet and outlet "cones" from a second pump I had.

Then the car started but was running rough. Cylinders 2and 3 were not firing. We tried different spark plugs and another coil. Nothing. In the end it was my incompetence that was the problem. I had connected the HT leads the wrong way round! After sorting them the engine ran beautifully, purring silently and starting on the button.

http://youtu.be/vlf-qGNVh3Y

We tried different spark plugs and another coil. Nothing. In the end it was my incompetence that was the problem. I had connected the HT leads the wrong way round! After sorting them the engine ran beautifully, purring silently and starting on the button.

Re: 1961 Beach Car prototype restoration

Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2012 8:56 am
by Romag
Fantastic!

Congratulations!

Cheers, Glen

Re: 1961 Beach Car prototype restoration

Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2012 2:47 pm
by Frogeye61
I second that.
And it seems to be running on all four in the second video. Common problem that is, switching the center plug wires

Re: 1961 Beach Car prototype restoration

Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2012 3:03 pm
by InimiaD
It lives and breathes again. Congratulations.

Will we have the pleasure of seeing the car in the flesh in the UK.?

Re: 1961 Beach Car prototype restoration

Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2012 3:24 pm
by JC T ONE
Nice 8-) bet you were happy about that :) well done.

Re: 1961 Beach Car prototype restoration

Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2012 3:53 pm
by ronie
InimiaD wrote:It lives and breathes again. Congratulations.

Will we have the pleasure of seeing the car in the flesh in the UK.?
UK is quite far from Greece. I would like to bring the car over and go to shows. Maybe in 1 or 2 years.

I will probably attend the IMM next year in Italy.

Re: 1961 Beach Car prototype restoration

Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2012 3:55 pm
by ronie
steve1071 wrote:Great work, and a very special car. I hope you've fitted that sun visor I sent you!
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Its the one on the left. Thank you.

Re: 1961 Beach Car prototype restoration

Posted: Wed Jul 04, 2012 3:41 pm
by ronie
I had almost forgotten about the stainless trim around the roof. Today I fitted one side.

Its two parts to each side and they are held in place by some tiny metal clips. I managed to save most of them when I was dismantling the car. I bought different clips for BMC cars, but none matched the ones I had.

Two of the trim pieces had been bent when the car was lifted to the tow truck on the way to the scrap yard. They actually put a belt around the roof and lifted the car with a hook. Idiots.

Its not perfectly straight but from 2-3 meters its fine.

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A friend is manufacturing a replica of the rear bumper from sheet metal. Its going well. The straight bit is done and only the corners are left.

Re: 1961 Beach Car prototype restoration

Posted: Wed Jul 04, 2012 3:48 pm
by ricardo
Good work John! Time to pimp my prototype beach car :lol:

Re: 1961 Beach Car prototype restoration

Posted: Wed Jul 04, 2012 3:51 pm
by guru_1071
ronnie


have a look at the bresco site, they do just about every clip going!!!


http://www.bresco.com/

Re: 1961 Beach Car prototype restoration

Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2012 2:08 pm
by ronie
Well, the baby, the DS and other minor projects kept me away from the Beach Car.
I decided to take the car to a Mini specialist and let him finish the 5% that is left to be done.
Basically he will bleed the clutch and brakes, adjust the carb and everything else, and make the car safe to drive away from there.

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The car looks very different in the bright sunshine compared to my dark garage. It looks much better. I can't wait to finish it and make a nice photo shoot by the sea.

The void left in my garage is impressive. The Safari is next up on the lift.

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Re: 1961 Beach Car prototype restoration

Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2012 7:12 pm
by NotNormal
Looks amazing "out in the wild". Congrats on all your work so far, looking forward to seeing pics of it in its natural habitat by the beach :)

Re: 1961 Beach Car prototype restoration

Posted: Fri Aug 24, 2012 11:48 am
by ORX7F
John, I am Paul in Italy, hope you will make it to the IMM in Italy next year!!! Your car is simply SUPER!!!

Re: 1961 Beach Car prototype restoration

Posted: Sat Sep 01, 2012 6:10 pm
by ronie
Success.

Drove the beach Car the first time since I bought it. First time in a magic wand 850 with floor start. The steering felt incredibly light after my semi-slick shod 1275 saloon. I drove it at 55 mph down a motorway without a windscreen.

I parked it at my garage. It felt great!!!!

There are still quite a few things to be sorted.

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Re: 1961 Beach Car prototype restoration

Posted: Sat Sep 01, 2012 7:08 pm
by InimiaD
It must have been an awesome experience for you, windscreen or no windscreen. 8-)

All that hard work has just about reached fruition. You should be justifiably proud of your achievement.
Very well done.

Re: 1961 Beach Car prototype restoration

Posted: Sun Sep 02, 2012 8:18 pm
by 999 ORX
I second that, your one lucky chap owning this beaut! but it's totally deserved as good grief you have you done it justice!

Re: 1961 Beach Car prototype restoration

Posted: Sun Sep 02, 2012 9:38 pm
by clm
You realize, you are going to be a mini enthusiast 'must visit' location when they visit Greece? I would love to see that car in person, it is beautiful.

Chris

Re: 1961 Beach Car prototype restoration

Posted: Mon Sep 03, 2012 8:35 pm
by reymondos
Well, needless to say you are all welcome to visit.

There is nothing I like more than going for drives with classic cars and chating with like minded people.