My 1850HL gonna be a long hard slog..

[Dolly-Dimple]

indeed, ive added a little to it and hope it gets things going...it's not a huge amount unfo

Just makes you appreciate it all the more though mate, these things are all long term, I'm certainly in the same boat

[markas]

Does anyone have any recommendations for an outfit that would be able to take on a restoration of the shell itself if I strip the remainder of what is left on her.

Hi Iain,
Glad to see you've rescued your Dolomite and started the restoration work.
I can recommend this company for the bodywork - http://www.richard-shrive-cars.co.uk/index.html - who are based in Bedfordshire, near J12 of the M1.
I bought a TR6 from them a few years ago that they were in the process of restoring. They did a fantastic job and finished the restoration to my requirements, good at listening to customers' requests.
Good luck,

Mark (markas)

[TKLR]

Thanks Markas I will check them out! Does anyone have any views on using companies to strip old paint etc? Have contacted Envirostrip for a quote, anyone used them before? Think I should buy a trailer too (or hire one) otherwise I'm going to use huge chunks of my budget on moving the shell back and forth I think...

[Dolly-Dimple]

Yes transports never cheap unless you know a friend with a trailer who will do it for a few chippy teas!! Buying a trailers maybe not a bad idea as you could always sell it on again once you were finished with it i guess.

[TKLR]

Some pics from today showing the worst bits, finally managed to get her out into the air, now need to get her stripped and off for welding. Lots to do, feeling a bit nervous, hope I have enough ££,

She will need one sill, repairs to the other side completing, holes in rear arches, both front floors, small holes in bulkhead on o/s near screen, small hole in scuttle near front wing edge. Looking further I think it will need at least the top 15 - 25% of the OSR wing as the drain channel in the boot and top edge of the wing are frilly to say the least...

On the plus side she started first time, albeit gravity fed and moved in and out under her own steam, even some of the lights work....

https://www.flickr.com/photos/137321623 ... res/idFjc8

Let me know what you think guys, id value an opinion as to whether i'm mad or if you think I can get this into shape without selling a kidney... The worst bit is the roof but I have a used webasto to go into this, those vandals did a good job there I guess, before the fire it was unmarked, best panel on her...onwards !

[TKLR]

Hopefully off to start welding in a few weeks, maybe sooner, fingers crossed it's before Christmas, now to get started on the mechanical refurb in the meantime and seek out a few panels... on the hunt for an osr quarter, or at least the top rear section above the swage line...

[Toledo Man]

These panels are hard to come by. The nearside is common as muck by comparison. You might have to get the panel repaired. I've got a dent in mine so I'm in a similar situation.

[Carledo]

I am cutting up a shell which is sound in that area - slowly!
I could probably cut you a piece, say from an inch below the swage, up to the boot opening and the bottom of the rear screen pillar and from the door opening to the back end. I can't do the full quarter as the excellent wheel arches are already accounted for!
This will not happen overnight though and you will probably have to collect it (or get it picked up)

Steve

[TKLR]

Bugger ! I need just a small part of mine, the rest is sound, I've got a spare wheel arch if needed (though that is mostly sound) but the top section is a bit filly where it meets the boot lid and drain channel... I've got a n/s too, seems you are right they are more readily available...

[TKLR]

I am cutting up a shell which is sound in that area - slowly!
I could probably cut you a piece, say from an inch below the swage, up to the boot opening and the bottom of the rear screen pillar and from the door opening to the back end. I can't do the full quarter as the excellent wheel arches are already accounted for!
This will not happen overnight though and you will probably have to collect it (or get it picked up)

Steve

Hi Steve

That's sounds perfect, if it includes the boot drain channel? basically I need the section from the door shut backwards down to the swage line so that sounds ideal (the top curved part of mine is suffering) Shall I take a pic to clarify or does this make sense?

Happy to collect !

Cheers

Iain

[Carledo]

Yes I understand your needs clearly! Cos I'm lazy, I will do as little cutting as possible! Which means I will cut from the boot opening across the rear deck to the rear window, then round the the bottom of the rear pillar to the door opening. then straight back below the swage (to keep some stiffness in) and round the back corner to the bottom of the boot opening again. So yes, you will get the drain channel!

Steve

[TKLR]

Yes I understand your needs clearly! Cos I'm lazy, I will do as little cutting as possible! Which means I will cut from the boot opening across the rear deck to the rear window, then round the the bottom of the rear pillar to the door opening. then straight back below the swage (to keep some stiffness in) and round the back corner to the bottom of the boot opening again. So yes, you will get the drain channel!

Steve

Marvellous thank you ! PM me details when ready, etc

[TKLR]

Yes I understand your needs clearly! Cos I'm lazy, I will do as little cutting as possible! Which means I will cut from the boot opening across the rear deck to the rear window, then round the the bottom of the rear pillar to the door opening. then straight back below the swage (to keep some stiffness in) and round the back corner to the bottom of the boot opening again. So yes, you will get the drain channel!

Steve

May need a couple of other bits too, is this really rotten or are there other good bits to be salvaged? scuttle? roof? for example..

[Carledo]

The roof is good but has an aftermarket glass sunroof fitted. However there is no rot in it, I was going to cut off just the rear half and pillars but if you want the whole thing........ The scuttle, unfortunately is knackered, a frontal accident has dislodged all the filler and rust from around the screen frame.
As to the rest, the car sustained a heavy knock on the n/s/f suspension which moved one side of the subframe and associated chassis parts back about an inch, the bulkhead is rotten and damaged, the chasis rail is all but missing except the very front section and the n/s A pillar is bent and rotted
However the front wings are both exceptionally good, the n/s one is a little distorted but not dented and I reckon will spring back into shape once it's off, the o/s one is fine. All the doors are recoverable though all have minor dents/rust spots The bottom part of the front panel may offer repair sections, the top is heavily filled so I suspect its rotten. Bonnet is not rotted out but nothing special, boot lid is OK (may keep this since it's better than my Sprint one!) Rear valance has a dent at the n/s bumper mounting (in exactly the same place as my Sprint-dammit) Rear wheel arches, as I said, are very good and have had the arch lips turned up professionally- but have someones name on them already! I'm keeping the bumpers and a few other small parts for my Sprint. I'll get some pics up tomorrow.

Steve

[TKLR]

The roof is good but has an aftermarket glass sunroof fitted. However there is no rot in it, I was going to cut off just the rear half and pillars but if you want the whole thing........ The scuttle, unfortunately is knackered, a frontal accident has dislodged all the filler and rust from around the screen frame.
As to the rest, the car sustained a heavy knock on the n/s/f suspension which moved one side of the subframe and associated chassis parts back about an inch, the bulkhead is rotten and damaged, the chasis rail is all but missing except the very front section and the n/s A pillar is bent and rotted
However the front wings are both exceptionally good, the n/s one is a little distorted but not dented and I reckon will spring back into shape once it's off, the o/s one is fine. All the doors are recoverable though all have minor dents/rust spots The bottom part of the front panel may offer repair sections, the top is heavily filled so I suspect its rotten. Bonnet is not rotted out but nothing special, boot lid is OK (may keep this since it's better than my Sprint one!) Rear valance has a dent at the n/s bumper mounting (in exactly the same place as my Sprint-dammit) Rear wheel arches, as I said, are very good and have had the arch lips turned up professionally- but have someones name on them already! I'm keeping the bumpers and a few other small parts for my Sprint. I'll get some pics up tomorrow.

Steve

Cheers ok sounds like I cold use one or two bits then ! will wait for pics, bw Iain