Mini Radford De Ville comes back to life

[Peter Laidler]

Do you mind if I most respectfully make a small carb suggestion Herr Doktor?

Last photo, showing carbs assembled from the rear. Shows the upright strut supporting the PCvalve to the manifold (via the cable terminal). This strut is redundant as the short length of vacuum hose is sufficient to support the PCvalve unaided.
Additionally, with the strut in place it makes removing the air cleaner box impossible until the strut is removed, allowing the PCvalve to flex and the box removed......, allowing complete (?) access to the rear of the carbs and behind the engine.

Removed mine after a couple of weeks and never looked back!

[Dr.Mabo]

Thank you Peter for your recommendation. I think it depends on small irregularities whether the air filter box fits or not. On another Cooper S MK1 of mine, the box just fits past the PCV valve, at least if I remove the top cover first. But I have to remove that anyway to get the box out from under the scuttle panel. I never felt the need to change that.

As I'm sure I've already mentioned here and there, I'm a fan of refurbishing old things rather than buying new ones. This is also the case with the steering column cover. It has suffered somewhat over the last 50 years, at least as far as the surface is concerned. Fortunately, nothing was broken or damaged in any other way. Of course, the MK2 cowling is also available new, but the fit and details of the old originals are different or better.
You might ask yourself why an MK2 steering column is fitted in this MK1? That was also a Radford option, because the MK2 indicator stalk meant that the foot switch for the high beam could be omitted and you also got a realistic headlight flasher.
I took the traditional route to refurbish the cowling. First I cleaned it thoroughly, then wet sanded it in various stages, from 400 to 2000 grit paper, and finally made it shine again with paint cleaner. Here is a comparison. The upper half still untreated, the lower half already finished.

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[Ronnie]

Like NEW

[InnoCooperExport]

As usual, amazing.

[Nevsmini]

The number on the sunroof 8244 wouldn’t be the Radford Job number as that would date the conversion to mid 1966. Look out for a number on the seats, underside of the glovebox, door panels, rear 1/4 card, back of the dash, we have even found them on the back of carpets.

[Dr.Mabo]

Hi Nev,
thanks for pointing out the numbers. I have not found any numbers on the carpets, the seats, the door panels or even the dashboard, although I have explicitly looked for them. I could only find a number on the back of the centre console, but I couldn't decipher it completely. I read a 150 at the beginning and a 3 at the end, but I can't identify the number or sign in between. Can you recognise more from this number based on your experience? And does it make any statement about Radford Job number?

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[Dr.Mabo]

When the Radford found its way to me, not only the attachable body parts were missing, but also everything that needed to be bolted to the front. Consequently, the MK1 Benelite grille was also missing. Originally a radiator grille cut from an extruded aluminium section, which was comparatively cheap to buy, it has been difficult to find for some years now. So you shouldn't be so picky when you come across a Benelite grille. I once bought a grill that was painted completely white. Stripping the paint off it shouldn't be a problem. However, I really cut my teeth on it. Now we know that the freely available paint strippers are no longer what they used to be. However, industrial paint stripper has also failed on the paint used.

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Of course, you could have the grill sand blasted, but that would definitely destroy the possibly still intact aluminium surface. However, as I had the opportunity to buy two other Benelite grills in the meantime, I decided to dedicate myself to them.

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Similar to the Broadspeed, I had to straighten the slats, remove corrosion, remove stone chips slat by slat and then polish them. And if you're already in the flow, you can also refurbish both grilles at the same time. After the final coat of paint and reassembly, they look really tasty again. I'll get back to the first grill in due course.

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[Nevsmini]

Being a 1967 car I would expect the job number to start with 9 or 10 unless the car was converted later in life. Switch dates would point to when it was in Radfords. You will have a mix of the cars original switches and the Radford switches. So if you pull the dates off the switches it should give you some clues. I have seen Radford dashes with two job number, where I suspect they needed to get a car out quickly so robbed a more complete dash from another car, other anomalies have been cars with different BMC colour doors to the car.

[hanlminiman]

Neville. Very interesting comment, do you think the dates were based on half years from 1963? ie 2-4-6-8-10. (63.64.65.66 & 67).

[mab01uk]

When the Radford found its way to me, not only the attachable body parts were missing, but also everything that needed to be bolted to the front. Consequently, the MK1 Benelite grille was also missing. Originally a radiator grille cut from an extruded aluminium section, which was comparatively cheap to buy, it has been difficult to find for some years now. So you shouldn't be so picky when you come across a Benelite grille.

Some excellent and skillful restoration bringing those Benelite grilles back to life!

For reference: Nippy Cars can supply reproduction Benelite grilles for those who don't have the skills or an original grille!
Benelite 9 Slat Grille.
"This is an exact reproduction of the very rare early Benelite 9 slat grille as fitted to cars such as Radfords and other special builds like Broadspeeds etc, We specially extruded the aluminium section to precise specifications to build an exact copy, we then had it bright anodised by one of the leading companies in the U.K. The result is simply beautiful, We decided to do the grille in 2 options, either with or without the facility for spotlamps,
The spotlamp grille is supplied with spotlamp brackets but the lamps are NOT included but can be supplied extra,
Looks just as stunning as wallart as it does fitted to a car."
With spotlamp holes:-
https://nippycarsonline.com/product/ben ... at-grille/
Without spotlamp holes:-
https://nippycarsonline.com/product/ben ... amp-holes/

[Dr.Mabo]

I continue with a few small parts and technical components. I'm always amazed at how ‘sloppy’ or at least carelessly a Radford Mini was cobbled together back then. Obviously, little or no masking was done when applying the actually classy Radford paintwork. In any case, the same can be said for the engine bay. Here you can see how the wiper motor was painted in the wine red metallic, as well as the reducers on the hose of the fresh air heater.

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Fortunately, the paint stripper worked in these areas. The plastic parts look really good again. I really wanted to avoid sanding marks on the aluminium cover of the wiper motor. So the paint had to come off chemically. And fortunately that worked. I will give the motor itself a new original hammer finish in due course.

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[Dr.Mabo]

No more dancing around, at some point the dashboard has to come out anyway. So first I put the future Becker radio into the cut-out to see how it fits, looks and appears.

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The next step was to find out how the dashboard is attached or can be detached. In other words, a careful approach without causing unnecessary damage. Of course, what makes this even more challenging is that there are no plans or documentation. Every dashboard is different, as it is customised and always depends on which Radford employee has just assembled it.

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The wiring is therefore even more exciting. Switches and lights are typically not labelled. And since I haven't even figured out the function of all the switches yet, that doesn't make it any easier to assign the cables. There are also signs of later modifications. So first of all, take everything apart as carefully as possible, label it and then put it back together again, if possible. I therefore leave the instrument panel connected and hanging for as long as possible.

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[Dr.Mabo]

After removing the dashboard, the first step was to analyse it. How is the dashboard constructed, how are the individual elements attached and what is the overall condition? The result was quite disappointing.

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I simply don't understand why a complete interior such as seats, door panels, centre armrest and carpet edges are all covered in the finest leather, but the dashboard is only covered in synthetic leather as an eye-catcher. Apart from the feel of the material, unlike leather, it is much more difficult to get the synthetic leather wrinkle-free around the angled contours.

From a craftsmanship point of view, the dashboard was no mean feat either. Although the dashboard could not vary greatly due to customer requests and was produced at least as a small series, it gives the impression of being the result of a handicraft session. Poorly cut or incorrect cut-outs, incorrectly positioned screws, too long or ending in nothing. This cannot be put down to age either. So Rolls Royce quality looks different to me.
For this reason, I decided not to rebuild the original dashboard for the conversion from right-hand to left-hand drive, but to build a completely new dashboard. The repairs and necessary modifications would be far too extensive and in the end it would just be a patchwork.

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[Peter Laidler]

The pictures show exactly what you mean about the quality - or LACK of quality - Herr Doc

[68Deluxe]

After removing the dashboard, the first step was to analyse it. How is the dashboard constructed, how are the individual elements attached and what is the overall condition? The result was quite disappointing.


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I simply don't understand why a complete interior such as seats, door panels, centre armrest and carpet edges are all covered in the finest leather, but the dashboard is only covered in synthetic leather as an eye-catcher. Apart from the feel of the material, unlike leather, it is much more difficult to get the synthetic leather wrinkle-free around the angled contours.

From a craftsmanship point of view, the dashboard was no mean feat either. Although the dashboard could not vary greatly due to customer requests and was produced at least as a small series, it gives the impression of being the result of a handicraft session. Poorly cut or incorrect cut-outs, incorrectly positioned screws, too long or ending in nothing. This cannot be put down to age either. So Rolls Royce quality looks different to me.
For this reason, I decided not to rebuild the original dashboard for the conversion from right-hand to left-hand drive, but to build a completely new dashboard. The repairs and necessary modifications would be far too extensive and in the end it would just be a patchwork.


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Workmanship looks typical of the time period given the tech they had to work with.
It's a hand-made bespoke piece that has lasted 60 odd years. I'd call that good personally, many mass-produced cars can't (or won't) last so well.

[AndrewGilbert]

After removing the dashboard, the first step was to analyse it. How is the dashboard constructed, how are the individual elements attached and what is the overall condition? The result was quite disappointing.

Workmanship looks typical of the time period given the tech they had to work with.
It's a hand-made bespoke piece that has lasted 60 odd years. I'd call that good personally, many mass-produced cars can't (or won't) last so well.

I'd agree that its of its time. Many bespoke items such as these were built for the first impressions, seats and carpet are all tactile items where as the dash only needed to look good. Plus although you may say the quality is shocking, it is likely down to the time and materials/equipment they had back then which is then hidden from view. You'd be surprised by the state of some of the bespoke/antique furniture that comes into my mates place for restoration, visually stunning but peel back the build and materials and its pretty poor.

Personally I'd not remake it to your standard then cover it with something it probably didn't have at the time, you've suddenly deviated away from the originality of the car and although I understand why, somehow you've then lost its link to the builder and its that history that can never be replaced.

I see quite a few cars today that have been restored way beyond how they ever were when new, and I'm not sure if that appeals to me or disappoints.

[Dr.Mabo]

Personally I'd not remake it to your standard then cover it with something it probably didn't have at the time, you've suddenly deviated away from the originality of the car and although I understand why, somehow you've then lost its link to the builder and its that history that can never be replaced.

I can certainly understand your basic point of view. In the case of vehicles or objects where the original condition can be clearly defined, I am also in favour of preserving as much of the original as possible.

With a Radford, however, this is more difficult. Every vehicle has been customised differently. And possibly even several times. The respective finish then varied from one mechanic to another. That's why my focus is primarily on retaining the idiology of Radford in my restoration of the Mini.

Unfortunately, there is no traceable history of the vehicle and it cannot be reconstructed. In addition, the doors are missing, which I also have to build from scratch. I can't reconcile it with my quality standards not to correct obviously poor craftsmanship that may have been the result of a single person's whim 60 years ago.

[roger mcnab]

hi doc
its your car so its your choice to redo the dash to a better standard if thats what is important to you the rivet counters probably have never restored a car themselves as for the doors it is your choice as they are absent there is no telling what they were like
cheers roger mcnab

[AndrewGilbert]

With a Radford, however, this is more difficult. Every vehicle has been customised differently. And possibly even several times. The respective finish then varied from one mechanic to another. That's why my focus is primarily on retaining the idiology of Radford in my restoration of the Mini.

Unfortunately, there is no traceable history of the vehicle and it cannot be reconstructed. In addition, the doors are missing, which I also have to build from scratch. I can't reconcile it with my quality standards not to correct obviously poor craftsmanship that may have been the result of a single person's whim 60 years ago.

Thats a fair point actually, considering the cars age chances are someone else would have done repairs/changes etc along the way that you could be uncovering. Its one of those unknowns.

Good luck with it though, and rivet counters? not sure about that.

[Nevsmini]

Dr. all the Radford GT dashes were cover in vinyl. The GT dash layout was very similar in all car to your car. The only odd thing is the window switch in the dash rather than in the centre console. There is only one other dash like yours that I know of with the black switches in the dash. The black switches came in 1967 and replaced the Aston Martin chrome switches they used earlier.
Regard door detail, its straight forward. You have the James Young quarter lights that were fitted in both Radfords and W&P. The door cards in 67 were made in Ali with timber inserts. The leather will match your seat and the Ali cover over the door pocket will be covered in the same carpet that in the car. I can share photos of that to help when you get to that point.
When you unscrew the plywood panels from the dash check the back of them for your job number, it’s normally written on them in pencil.