News - Updates

Finally Historic Number Plates

Well the D Special has finished its restoration and has just been registered with NSW Historic Number Plates.
It has been a long time coming but the final result is just amazing, as one of friends said "Better than new"

We did go to a lot of effort to keep as much of the original car as possible and some parts we had no choice but to paint, remake or change them.

The engine was upped to a 2100cc and fully rebuilt a full bare metal respray, new upholstery and tons of TLC.

I would love to locate the family of the original owner so they could see how wonderful the car is today and I am sure their father would be so happy if he know how good it looks today.

What a journey..

Will be adding pictures to the Gallery 

More Progress

A lot has happened since the last post and the reassembly is well underway now.

The engine is back from a full rebuild with new pistons, liners, bearings and full overhaul of the cylinder head. (pictures in the gallery)

All the panels including the bonnet have been stripped back to bare metal and so far the 4 doors and the boot lid are back from the panel shop and are like new. The original colour was used to repaint them and we also used the original type of paint to get the right look to the car.

All the painted parts have been powder coated, ( we know not original but super durable for at least the next 100 years) and do look amazing.

New rubber bump stops have been fitted as well as new brake hoses and all the hydraulics checked and new seals and rubbers fitted throughout. 

We are welding on the reinforcing plates on the front suspension to ensure the evil cracks do not appear.

The big task now is to start reassembling the doors as the were stripped back to bare metal there is nothing but the shell to fit all those fiddly bits back into, specially the window winder clip and our special oval spring opener will be back to work.

All the interior is cleaned and ready to put the seats and carpets in.

We are hoping over the next 6 months to complete it but with the current world situation and the shutdown due to the virus we will no doubt get some delays.  

One sad note, I lost touch with the previous owners daughter and I promised to look after the car and just wish I could let her know it is looking amazing and her Dad would be so happy with all the TLC going into it.  

Till next time... 

Work continues

Each week more gets done and we are at a stage now where the doors, boot lid and underpan are all primer and looking like new.

The new pistons and liners as well as all the parts needed for the rebuild of the engine are due here next week.

The good news was the engine is in great condition so we were able to fit standard bearings and have not had to machine any of the parts.

Pictures are slowly being added to the gallery so you can see the progress as we go. 

Just 6 Years

It has been 6 years the poor car has been sitting there stripped down to the chassis and covered in dust.

Finally the children are old enough to free me up to get back to seeing where I was with the car.

In the past two weeks more has been done than ever before (apart from stripping it) The doors have been stripped of all fittings and been to Redistrip back to bare metal then they are going to the paint shop next week with the bonnet and boot lid to follow them then the front and back wings.

All the parts have had the trim and fittings removed to spray them properly.

The parts list is in the process of being finalised with only the engine to be opened up and checked for new pistons and bearings, timing chain, etc, etc.

We do hope to get it done done over the next 6 months or so as we are still on track right now and putting parts back on instead of still taking them off.

The drive shaft boots were replace this week (26/9/2019) and the fuel tank put back in and connected up with all new pipes.

the exhaust manifolds were sent out to be ceramic coated (supposed to reduce radiant heat by up to 30% one can but hope this works to help cool under the bonnet. 

 The engine is off to be blue printed and rebuilt with 21 pistons and liners going in.

More soon.... 

Still going.. A few delays...