Black and Shiney

Just got some photos from Mike Dempster who popped into the bodyshop to check on progress and saw things have begun to go all black and shiney at last.

This is the first of the gloss coats to be applied and will need to be flatted down before further coats and then the clear lacquer is applied.

I suspect things will come to a halt for a couple of weeks though as the body shop is moving over the weekend to new premises next door, I am going to drop down and see the bodyshell which is already in the storage element of the new unit today.

62 sun visors

I picked up a 62 sunvisor in the correct colour from Bert in Belgium recently. Down side is that it had several grease marks, was stained from the packaging and also heavily compressed, but all reflected in a lower price.

I have managed to remove all grease marks and reduce the discolouring using an aggresive vinyl cleaner bought for the preparation of my floor mats. It has done a great job but left the vinyl slightly shinny.

I think when it is fitted alongside the other NOS one kindly supplied a while ago by Paul Colbert that it wont be too noticable. I might even treat the other one with the same preparation cleaner so at least to give the same effect.

The bodyshop mailed me to let me know that all is on for the body to go into the spray booth tomorrow, so fingers crossed.

May update - body

I called in to the body shop today - the prep work is now complete and the front and rear boots (deck lids) have received a first coat of paint. The plan over the next 2 weeks is to spray the car first in black 2 pack paint and then flat down. After this it will be sprayed in black base coat and then clear lacquer.

The 2 pack will give depth of paint and the clear over base the final high quality finish. Baring any unforseen urgent jobs at the bodyshop all should be finished by the month end at the latest. keep those fingers crossed!

We were at the Stanford Hall meeting last weekend - couldn't go in our 65 model 344 as it sprang a fuel pump leak. Neil Shone was there in his 344 which he recently purchased from Chris Wright - here is a picture of it. I bored everyone at the meeting by telling them I nearly bought the car in 1982 for £1,200 but couldn't afford it, so bought our green 65 which wasn't in as good condition but was cheaper at £850.

July 61 MPH speedo

I recently bought an early T34 speedo off The Samba in exactly the same style as the one fitted to my Nov 61 T343 but in MPH.

The only difference is a lack of a red change up marker at the equivalent in MPH of 50KPH (approx 31MPH). It was made in July 61 but needed a lot of cosmetic attention and a grease up. Here are pre and post pictures.

T34 in Thailand

I was in Bangkok recently and had the pleasure of meeting up with Martin Hoontrakul and seeing his 1968 T344 which is black with a white roof. The car was in very presentable condition and whilst missing a few small parts wont pose much of a challenge for an enthusiast like martin.

The car had been rebuilt before Martin acquired it and has a type 1 engine fitted in a very professional manner, with an engine bay now very reminiscent of a T14. here are a couple of shots of the car.