My new Dolomite - 1980 1500HL Auto

[Howard81]

I finally managed to track down the correct late nose badge

[Gym1500TC]

I have the original original in a drawer somewhere. Sorry! Wish I'd have know you were looking for one I'd could have sent you it.

Dean

[Howard81]

I have the original original in a drawer somewhere. Sorry! Wish I'd have know you were looking for one I'd could have sent you it.

Dean

Excellent, the original one would be even better! I'll bring the car round one day for a reunion, once I've finished it

[Howard81]

Sadly, NGU is currently off the road as the engine has mashed a bearing (#4 I think) resulting in a horrible knocking sound. It will be fixed, but I'm going to keep you all in suspense for now

I managed to source a mint dashboard from Julian (tinweevil) and swapped them over today. The original dashboard was damaged in a couple of very noticeable places and let the interior down.

It was actually very easy to take the old dash out, swap the wooden trims over and put the new dash in! It took me about 2 hours from start to finish. The most fiddly bit was getting the trim around the windscreen vents to get into the right position.

Anyway some pics

Firstly, the damage:





All stripped out...



Looks scary!



New dash (top) and old dash (bottom)



And finally, normality resumes



Next I have to do this all over again on my Sprint... My Sprint dashboard also has a damaged cover, but I have a good dash to go in...

[Purplebargeken]

How's that spray job holding out Howard?

[Howard81]

Still looking as good as the day you painted it

Once I have her up and running again I am going to sort the rust on the tops of the doors, but she will still need a pro to top-coat her, Ken

BTW, does anybody want the old dashboard? If not then it's going in the bin...

[Gym1500TC]

Did you manage to repair the interior vinyl on the rear pillar? Very tricky I'd imagine...

Dean

[Howard81]

Did you manage to repair the interior vinyl on the rear pillar? Very tricky I'd imagine...

I have a good, secondhand headlining that I plan to cut a section out of and fix over the damaged area... One of the many things on my to-do list!

[Jod Clark]

Your 'new' engine is now safely gathered-in.

[AngieM]

Ooh ooh,

Howard are you getting a Jodsport rebuilt engine?? I'm loving the 1500 he did for me - I've covered 500 miles in the last three days even though I had nowhere in particular to go!! At last the joys of classic motoring are mine again - woo hoo!

Ang

[Jod Clark]

Your 'new' engine has now been reduced to a pile of bits

[Howard81]

Your 'new' engine has now been reduced to a pile of bits

I don't know if that is good or bad What's the verdict, Mr Clark?

[Jod Clark]

Oh, its always good to take these things apart. New set of bearings on the bottom end and she'll be good as new

[Purplebargeken]

Progress........ always a wonderful thing. Especially when it's Dolly related. Nice one Jod.

[Howard81]

Fantastic