1961 Austin Se7en

[AustinSe7en]

Next job was to make up some kind of seal for where the drain goes through the floor.
Used a couple of thicknesses of closed cell foam.

[AndyPen]

Dermot made some replicas of the the original seals - he may have some left?

[AustinSe7en]

Looks like it had a new petrol pump before i took it off the road!
Bit grotty, so cleaned up and painted with some epoxy.

[AustinSe7en]

Sender cleaned up, checked and fitted then tank back in position.
Managed to find the original petrol cap too!

[AndyPen]

I am watching with interest - you are moving way faster than me

[AustinSe7en]

I have fitted a Dynamator alternator, so it was time to butcher (sorry, modify!) the voltage regulator!
Didn’t want to wreck the original ‘61 date marked unit, so first modified a spare one I had in a box of spare bits.
Was not too sure how well the Bakelite would stand up to the heat of my soldering, but it survived fine.
This will do for now, but will modify the original on once I’m back on the road.

[AustinSe7en]

Handbrake reassembled and fitted. Final check over underneath and greased all me nipples

[AustinSe7en]

Headlights fitted whilst as a sensible height.
Back on its wheels at last

[AustinSe7en]

I am watching with interest - you are moving way faster than me

Only in fits and starts though!!

[AustinSe7en]

The re-trimmed headlining has been sitting on the roof on top of the ramp (safest place I could think of!) for some time, so I fitted the sound deadening ,the felt and then the headlining for safekeeping!!

Been doing lots of other little bits n’pieces here and there, but none of it finding its way onto the car as yet.

More updates when I get the chance.

[AndyPen]

Was there no interior light on this model?

[AustinSe7en]

Was there no interior light on this model?

No, only the parcel shelf ones that you have to turn on with a switch on the instrument binnacle.

[AndyPen]

A detail that passed me by - thanks for the clarity

[AustinSe7en]

A detail that passed me by - thanks for the clarity

I just kinda love the basic simplicity of it all...
Speedo, fuel gauge and just a couple of warning lights!

[Ronnie]

Don't forget also in the rear pockets.

[AustinSe7en]

Don't forget also in the rear pockets.

Oh yes...Forgot the rear ambient lighting!
One of mine had gone astray but luckily Louis had a pair for sale, which is the next item in my list for a refurb.

[AustinSe7en]

Suddenly realised something else I didn’t have!
Bumpers!!!
Another hunting expedition in the garage & shed unearthed four bumpers.
Only one had over riders on it.
The two on the left have five stud fixings so I am assuming that these will be the originals?
The other two have only three studs, and one of those looks to be stainless steel so I reckon they are some spares I’d acquired.

[AustinSe7en]

Had a spare 5 mins, so thought I’d see how a bumper would clean up.
Starting with what I think was the rear. Bit of steel wool, duck oil and elbow grease! Followed by some “Quick-Glo” as recommended by a friend - pretty good product I must say.
Come up with a fairly good shine but highlighting a few dents so a bit more work to do.
Chromes not wonderful, and would love to get it re-chromed, but my local platers are up the wall at the moment so I will have to go with a bit of “patina”
Insides are none to handsome though, so I will have to dig out my old sand blaster and see if I can get it to work.

[AustinSe7en]

The horrible bit of cleaning up bits and pieces of chrome
But all come up rather well considering it’s all 59 years old

[AustinSe7en]

Had one broken window catch, one seized and one with a bent pin. Manage to acquire a few here and there. So here they all are stripped down, hopefully be enough parts here to make a full set.