Front end Repairs

Message

Sprintinbits · #1 Post by **Sprintinbits** » Wed Sep 05, 2007 8:19 pm

More progress from the Hertfordshire contingent

I won a front end off eBay for not a lot of cash.

Luckily it fitted in the boot of the Mazda.

But only just

BTW that is EXACTLY what rear boot spoilers are for as you can still use the wash/wipe

So what was it like? Quite good actually.
Both wings are excellent as is the single headlamp front panel.

I gave the lower part of it to Ken as it is the top part that I am interested in

Started stripping the Sprint even further and for a while I was tempted to do a Vitesse front end conversion

Changed my mind though

The snail was long dead too, probably been in there since '77

The O/S eyebrow has become detached but now I'm getting used to what is achievable with a welder (and more importantly the guy holding it) I know it'll be a relatively easy fix

So here it is, just resting in situ. Need to make a call to Bilt and Hamber for some deox treatment before priming inside with Bonda Zinc. Then the real fun will start

Oh and for those interested in doing something similar (Chris?) If you dont have one already, buy a Dremel (or similar). I couldn't believe how easy it was to strip everything down with one. The discs wear out incredibly quickly so I used the trusty 4" grinder where possible

Neil907 · #2 Post by **Neil907** » Wed Sep 05, 2007 9:03 pm

Good progress there Colin, even that snail looks rusty.

Phil · #3 Post by **Phil** » Wed Sep 05, 2007 9:25 pm

*Cough*Christmasiscoming*Cough*

Phil

Sprintinbits · #4 Post by **Sprintinbits** » Wed Sep 05, 2007 9:51 pm

Oi you, shush! Go and fix those brakes of yours....

Oh you have, sort of

Will have to call you Arfur (as in Arfur Job)

USASPRINTMAN · #5 Post by **USASPRINTMAN** » Thu Sep 06, 2007 1:58 am

Let us bow our heads in a moment of silence for OLJ, which gave up its front end so another Dolomite could live.

Seriously, wow. Colin. That's some restoration job you've got going there.

I'd never attempt anything that intense. I'm good at taking off old bad parts and bolting in brand new bad parts, burt I can't do that kind of work.

Richard Truett

DoloWIGHTY · #6 Post by **DoloWIGHTY** » Thu Sep 06, 2007 8:41 am

Colin I think you should add the picture with the snail to the topic of Production Line Evidence!

Sprintinbits · #7 Post by **Sprintinbits** » Thu Sep 06, 2007 6:20 pm

Production line evidence... I just wonder how (or why) it got in there

Richard, yeah fixing my car by using parts off another..... I sort of felt bad knowing that a car was broken up but I bought it from a well known Triumph Specialist, not someone who was purely interested in cash. Also the car was broken as it was used as a 'courtesy car' and had been abused badly by Triumph enthusiasts

All in all, it's for a good cause and will be used 100% (on two cars, mine and Ken's). It was only a rubbishy 2 lamp car anyway.

-runs and ducks in a very dark corner, with tongue in cheek-

Purplebargeken · #8 Post by **Purplebargeken** » Thu Sep 06, 2007 11:34 pm

Not quick enough. Caught before fully hidden in the corner, beaten savagely with a 1300 Dolly windscreen wiper blade and tongue removed from cheek with 1300 Dolly's numberplate (sharpened especially)

1300dolly · #9 Post by **1300dolly** » Fri Sep 07, 2007 6:39 am

and as a added bonus you now have a J for the front plate on the red car!

(it is a J missing isn't it?)

Sprintinbits · #10 Post by **Sprintinbits** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 10:37 pm

Forgot about this post.
Nice one J, hadn't realised that.
Anyway, there was a heap more progress before Christmas to share with you guys

Purplebargeken · #11 Post by **Purplebargeken** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 10:41 pm

Nice plug for Deox Gel

Making progress mate. Keep going.

Ken

Sprintinbits · #12 Post by **Sprintinbits** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 10:56 pm

Cheers Ken. It's good gear but boy does it takes ages to work. Three days in some cases

Not done with pics yet. I was just waiting for more Photobucket uploads

Choice of wings

That's a good use of a lounge eh?

Also note the 'Home Handyman' book. In case anyone is wondering, I've not opened it yet

Couple of self tappers holding that little lot on at the moment

Oh and that's my Â£5 ebay bonnet on show. No rust whatsoever

SprintMWU773V · #13 Post by **SprintMWU773V** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 9:55 am

That's what lounges are for, and kitchens, and dining rooms, you get the picture!

Neil907 · #14 Post by **Neil907** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 11:14 am

Great stuff, good to see its all coming together.

Reg · #15 Post by **Reg** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 11:24 am

Cracking stuff Colin..its great to know that there are now quite a few of these little triumphs being restored..to a very high standard too..
Keep up the great work over the Winter and Spring,and then you can have a car that you are rightly proud of at the legendary TDCIR..this/next years show is going to be one of the best i think.. Seeing Paul Geering's nut and bolt restored Sprint at the last show was worth the journey alone...
Thanks for the pictures too.