Barn Find Hopefully Saved

[AlanH]

Went to see a Dolly 1850 in Bolton. I may have really got it wrong but it does not seem that bad.

Basic facts are:-
It has not been taxed or MOT'd since 1992.
The drivers carpet is missing.
The boot lock is missing.
The auto gearbox oil looks like pond water.
The temperature gauge does not work.
It has no battery.
The parcel shelf is in the boot.
There is a nice collection of surface rust and dings.

Looking on the bright side
It starts and runs well.
It basically seems solid.


My aim is to get it through the MOT and then see where I go from there.
I will need the boot lock button so if anybody has one I have put in a request in wants thread.
I am joining the club and look forward to taking part in the forum.

I have (tried) to attach a couple of images below.

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[DoloWIGHTY]

Well done for saving this car.

Looks a very worthwhile car. Please keep me/us updated with progress.

[straylight]

agree, that looks like a very tidy car. Thanks for posting up the pictures and good luck with running her. Keep the info coming, it is amazing what some of the people on these forums can help with !

stu

[Macleesh]

Think this was on EBay wasn't it?

Anyway, looks eminently saveable, good luck and keep the updates coming.

[Howard81]

Certainly looks like a very worthy project - and a great colour too!

[AlanH]

Think this was on EBay wasn't it?

You are correct. I was hoping to go and see it but couldn't get up there in time.

It didn't make it's reserve so I phoned the guy up and went to see it then. He was looking for £800.00 and we agreed on £700.00.

I really don't know what I've let myself in for but I'm pretty sure that it would have gone for banger racing or something so I bought it.

I'm not a hot blooded restorer, I went to see Matt's 1972 Auto the other weekend and I don't think that I could do anything that good but I will have a go at getting back on the road.

It arrives on Wednesday so all will be revealed shortly.

[Adey123]

Well done, Looks like a bargain to me, great car and I love that colour. Regular updates please.

Ade

[AlanH]

The car arrived yesterday, I haven't had much time to do much yet and, as usual, I'm a bit busy over the next few days.

However, so far, I have managed to jam the battery from my 13/60 in it, put three gallons of petrol in (which made a total of three gallons) and get it started. The guy who had it before me had already started it and this worried me but it started easily and run pretty well. There is an oil leak which I think may just be the camshaft cover gasket.

The electrics are pretty wild. The fuel and temperature gauges don't work which is more the likely the stabilizer. The headlights do not work except when set to main beam and then one main and one dipped work.

The parcel shelf has been taken out and is in the boot but it is stuffed and some of the fittings are missing. The carpets are good except that the drivers side is missing. These missing items worry me a bit, I'm not sure how easy it will be to replace them. If anybody has any of them or knows of a car being broken up, I would be glad to hear from you.

The battery clamp and ties are stuffed. Luckily I have another clamp and I have bought some threaded rod so I should be able to clamp the new battery in when it arrives (hopefully tomorrow). After that I think that it is up on the axle stands, tidy the wheels up and get it booted.

I have taken some quick pics below, the first two are a 'spot what is missing' challenge. The last is a close up of the driver's A post which has been botched but I've seen worse in cars advertised for a lot more. The passenger side is not as bad.

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[Howard81]

I have most bits of a tan interior spare, what exactly do you need for your car?

[Toledo Man]

I might have a spare boot lock but there's no key for it. I'll have a look next time I can get in the loft (the step ladders are next door).

Good to see another 1850 auto being saved.

[sprint95m]

I'm not a hot blooded restorer, I went to see Matt's 1972 Auto the other weekend and I don't think that I could do anything that good but I will have a go at getting back on the road.

Good luck Alan.
I concur, getting it back on the road is the way to go. Than you can carry out improvements as and when.
Will be watching with interest, you seem to have a good project.





Ian.

[AlanH]

I might have a spare boot lock but there's no key for it. I'll have a look next time I can get in the loft (the step ladders are next door).

Thanks, Alun has said he may be able to get a lock with the correct key so don't look just yet.

[Toledo Man]

Isn't there supposed to be a number stamped on the lock so you can get the correct key?

[AlanH]

Managed to sort out a boot lock with glove compartment lock using the same key.

Can I just say thanks to all for the help and encouragement I have received.

I have been a Triumph fan for some years but they have all been small chassis models. This one is very different and is a bit more of a challenge than I have taken on before. However, thanks to this forum, I feel quite confident about getting it sorted.

Unfortunately I think that I'll be back asking a LOT of questions!!!.

[Toledo Man]

If you do have any questions please ask. I'm sure most of us would be more than happy to help. Take a look at some of the other "resto" threads on here.

Have you considered putting it in for the MoT just to see what it fails on? It would be best to give it a service beforehand.