VA969 Mike's Early Sprint Restoration.

[Oli_88]

That does look a good match, I like the SPL process too. I'd love to go see it all in action.

I doubt your cappings have been replaced due to them being a matching set.
It'd be highly unlikely (imo) that a replacement set would be all matching.
Perhaps Triumph just had a huge batch knocked up?

[straylight]

looking great mike, something pristine about a car in that condition. They've done a cracking job on those wood trim pieces. A fine match.

stu

[SprintMWU773V]

It is a bit of an industrial place but that shell looks fantastic. I'm busy saving up myself now!

[tinweevil]

Julian, should have said; before loading the shell for the paintshop I had a good look inside the sill & box sections with a torch through the holes inside the car. From what I could see the primer has got into everywhere.
Inside the doors, obviously wide open so just as well primed as the exterior of the shell.

Cheers Mike, that's good to know.

[Mad Mart]

Cracking Mike, good to see. Can't wait for the next batch of photos.

[Autonet7]

Nice one Mike. Can't wait to see it fresh paint. Always a real motivation booster that.

[Purplebargeken]

Lovely work. It'll be a cracker when finished.

Ken

[SPRINTPARTS]

Hi Mike,

The car is looking great and is a credit to all those involved.

The underside will then be painted Mimosa.

I know that you are going to great lengths to keep the car as "original " as possible, but I didn't think that Dolomites ever had body colour on the underside (except for under the mudguards). All the cars that i have even seen or owned were only ever finished in red oxide primer on the underside of floor pan, rear axle area, boot floor and even the front chassis rails.

It will great to see photos of the finished project.

Mark

[VYO 372M]

Very impressive workmanship, taking shape nicely.

Steve

[MalcGE]

The only reason the early ones were not body colour underneath was cos the painters couldn't be arsed to bend down a bit lower................

IIRC the later models had a 'blow over' of body colour, not well applied, little wonder the rust sets in

I've a W plater which was 'dealer undersealed' and under the underseal is body colour, not well applied though and there are areas where there is none applied, IIRC, it is a while since i've been underneath

The quality of finish on the underside 'factory spec' is not something you want to replicate. Stonechip and Body Colour is probably the bst way to go, if anyone were to crawl undernath and exclaim this motor isn't concourse because the floor pan over the N/S Silencer should be primer as it left the factory then i'd tell em to 'Foxtrot Oscar'

[sprint95m]

The only reason the early ones were not body colour underneath was cos the painters couldn't be arsed to bend down a bit lower................

You are being generous .
The early Sprint I owned had some of the inside painted in red primer and some finished in body colour.
On removing the headlining I discovered that the roof was unpainted bare steel .
I think the underside was body coloured when new. It had never been undersealed and most of the underside was surface rusted.


Not strictly relevant I know, but my 72 Dolomite was painted with the body colour underneath.

[straylight]

the impressive work continues Mike, well done, must be nice returning to the car and getting a fresh start on it.

I'm also impressed you found the sound deadener sheets. I ummed and aaahed about taking mine off, then went the easy route and left them on. You've truly gone all out on this one, excellent work.

Can't help with the underbody colour, mine was red oxide

stu

[jeroensprint]

Hello, maybe some people are starting to think now (maybe they already did) he hasn't it all together in his head but:
I have the oldest Sprint of Holland. It was used by the department of transportation to get a type approval and it has some odd features what the normal Dutch production Sprint's don't have. I have the body already welded and has to be painted. Due not having time at the moment this will be in 2015 or something........

This car wasn't also painted on the underside and other parts. This car will also be very original like yours with all the exact date of build parts. My plan was to have it first painted in normal 2k car paint but oxide red colour mat. So normal paint in the oxide colour. Then all the parts fitted like doors and bonnet etc. Then have it painted in the car's colour, emerald green. You will get the original effect under the car, also in the door posts around the hinges etc. But because it is normal paint the "unpainted" areas are well protected. Maybe I'm going to far with this but it is the only way of getting an original unrestored car effect but have it protected with real paint everywhere.

Jeroen

[jeroensprint]

Will somebody give him the phone a.s.a.p. so he can sleep tonight?

Jeroen

[SPRINTPARTS]

This is a horrible strain on my need for origionality. If it carries on I'll be phoning the bodyshop and telling them to get the red oxide out

Now I am sorry that I said anything.

Mark