The Countryman restoration
- David Swain
- Posts: 3707
- Joined: Wed Jan 18, 2012 7:08 pm
- Location: Suffolk
Re: The Countryman restoration
That is brave work, and great to follow.
David Swain. Member No. A1743
Contact for 'The Suffolk Group'.
Contact Email suffolk@austina30a35ownersclub.co.uk
A30 van 55 'R.G. Swain', A35 4 Door 59 'Little Gem', A35 2 Door 59 'The Rev' '+1'
Contact for 'The Suffolk Group'.
Contact Email suffolk@austina30a35ownersclub.co.uk
A30 van 55 'R.G. Swain', A35 4 Door 59 'Little Gem', A35 2 Door 59 'The Rev' '+1'
Re: The Countryman restoration
He who dares wins!
Actually, I'm hoping it will get a little easier once the front and drivers side floor/sills are done, as there's less of the previous "reasoration" to redo!
Actually, I'm hoping it will get a little easier once the front and drivers side floor/sills are done, as there's less of the previous "reasoration" to redo!
- A40FARINAGURU
- Posts: 16413
- Joined: Tue Mar 30, 2010 8:14 am
- Committee Role: A35 Registrar
- Location: Birmingham (Home of the Austin)
- x 21
Re: The Countryman restoration
ok Del-Boybeko wrote:He who dares wins!
Nick Bayliss
Club's A35 (Saloon) Registrar, South Midlands Area Contact
Email, a35@austina30a35ownersclub.co.uk
Connected with A30/A35's for 63 years
A30/A35 Member A1372 (since 1981)
Club's A35 (Saloon) Registrar, South Midlands Area Contact
Email, a35@austina30a35ownersclub.co.uk
Connected with A30/A35's for 63 years
A30/A35 Member A1372 (since 1981)
Re: The Countryman restoration
So you reckon it would look good in yellow then!
- A40FARINAGURU
- Posts: 16413
- Joined: Tue Mar 30, 2010 8:14 am
- Committee Role: A35 Registrar
- Location: Birmingham (Home of the Austin)
- x 21
Re: The Countryman restoration
yes but you'll have to take a wheel off, Lovely, Jubblybeko wrote:So you reckon it would look good in yellow then!
Nick Bayliss
Club's A35 (Saloon) Registrar, South Midlands Area Contact
Email, a35@austina30a35ownersclub.co.uk
Connected with A30/A35's for 63 years
A30/A35 Member A1372 (since 1981)
Club's A35 (Saloon) Registrar, South Midlands Area Contact
Email, a35@austina30a35ownersclub.co.uk
Connected with A30/A35's for 63 years
A30/A35 Member A1372 (since 1981)
Re: The Countryman restoration
Some superb work going on, excellent to see detailed restorations as they happen. Thanks so much for posting
- Neil Evans
- Posts: 12179
- Joined: Tue Apr 15, 2008 1:06 am
- Committee Role: Technical Officer
- Location: Boston, Lincolnshire
- x 11
- x 25
Re: The Countryman restoration
There's a yellow countryman in preservation already. I believe it was a Sussex County Council vehicle...beko wrote:So you reckon it would look good in yellow then!
Club Technical Information Officer
A30/A35 Club Member A191 (since 1972)
Father of the club's only love child
A30/A35 Club Member A191 (since 1972)
Father of the club's only love child
Re: The Countryman restoration
Still wondering about the colour, but there's a bit more to repair yet!
This weekend I've tacked the other windscreen corner - it had the same dodgy repairs and the tab that locates the dash panel was missing from this side as well, so it had to come out and be fixed
While i was at it, it seemed worthwhile to weld up some of the internal parts as nothing seemed very "attached". Other side was the same - I guess there's no good way to weld this on the production line, so it was just left.
.. and then the replacement corner.
The remains of the bonnet surround have been taken out, and i have made a start on the replacement panel.
This is proving a challenge to fit!
It seems to need pulling pretty tightly against the bulkhead and down onto the valance - i'm wondering if this is just a factor of the size of the panel and the shape in it - there is quite a bit of spring in it though so it does pull into place.
I wanted to see how the fit was before repairing the lower corner. There wasn't much needed on the nearside and that doesn't look too far out now.
Offside needs more work!
This has had a bump, so while it is pretty solid, it hasn't quite been straightened as well as it could have been and had been lead loaded. As i can get to the front and back, it should be possible make a better job of straightening it. It needs a tiny bit in the bottom corner. It may need a new flange though as the original is a bit mangled... but that's a job for next week.
This weekend I've tacked the other windscreen corner - it had the same dodgy repairs and the tab that locates the dash panel was missing from this side as well, so it had to come out and be fixed
While i was at it, it seemed worthwhile to weld up some of the internal parts as nothing seemed very "attached". Other side was the same - I guess there's no good way to weld this on the production line, so it was just left.
.. and then the replacement corner.
The remains of the bonnet surround have been taken out, and i have made a start on the replacement panel.
This is proving a challenge to fit!
It seems to need pulling pretty tightly against the bulkhead and down onto the valance - i'm wondering if this is just a factor of the size of the panel and the shape in it - there is quite a bit of spring in it though so it does pull into place.
I wanted to see how the fit was before repairing the lower corner. There wasn't much needed on the nearside and that doesn't look too far out now.
Offside needs more work!
This has had a bump, so while it is pretty solid, it hasn't quite been straightened as well as it could have been and had been lead loaded. As i can get to the front and back, it should be possible make a better job of straightening it. It needs a tiny bit in the bottom corner. It may need a new flange though as the original is a bit mangled... but that's a job for next week.
- A40FARINAGURU
- Posts: 16413
- Joined: Tue Mar 30, 2010 8:14 am
- Committee Role: A35 Registrar
- Location: Birmingham (Home of the Austin)
- x 21
Re: The Countryman restoration
it's coming along
Nick Bayliss
Club's A35 (Saloon) Registrar, South Midlands Area Contact
Email, a35@austina30a35ownersclub.co.uk
Connected with A30/A35's for 63 years
A30/A35 Member A1372 (since 1981)
Club's A35 (Saloon) Registrar, South Midlands Area Contact
Email, a35@austina30a35ownersclub.co.uk
Connected with A30/A35's for 63 years
A30/A35 Member A1372 (since 1981)
- David Swain
- Posts: 3707
- Joined: Wed Jan 18, 2012 7:08 pm
- Location: Suffolk
Re: The Countryman restoration
No messing about, that is looking really good, personally I tend to like them in their original colour, especially when they are a bit special.
David Swain. Member No. A1743
Contact for 'The Suffolk Group'.
Contact Email suffolk@austina30a35ownersclub.co.uk
A30 van 55 'R.G. Swain', A35 4 Door 59 'Little Gem', A35 2 Door 59 'The Rev' '+1'
Contact for 'The Suffolk Group'.
Contact Email suffolk@austina30a35ownersclub.co.uk
A30 van 55 'R.G. Swain', A35 4 Door 59 'Little Gem', A35 2 Door 59 'The Rev' '+1'
Re: The Countryman restoration
Fantastic work , I must admit if I had come up against that sort of repairs I would have left it in the paddock
It's a good feeling watching you bring it back to life,well done I say,and I will keep watching the progress,
my car is now asleep under a cover,and the way time is going by I don't think I will ever see the car on the road.
Eddie
It's a good feeling watching you bring it back to life,well done I say,and I will keep watching the progress,
my car is now asleep under a cover,and the way time is going by I don't think I will ever see the car on the road.
Eddie
Re: The Countryman restoration
Thanks Eddie. What have you got left to do, I thought you'd done a massive amount and you had pretty much cracked it. That said, it sounds like it's a little hot where you are at the moment, so perhaps you are best taking it easy?!
Re: The Countryman restoration
Hi Beko, as you say not much left to do ,just the rubbers to the side windows and doors .
Had to cover it up, to much dust about, and it has been hot of late.
You are getting along very fast and doing a good job from all the pictures,it wont be long before you get some colour on ,I'll keep watching ,never miss a day on the forum.
Eddie.
Had to cover it up, to much dust about, and it has been hot of late.
You are getting along very fast and doing a good job from all the pictures,it wont be long before you get some colour on ,I'll keep watching ,never miss a day on the forum.
Eddie.
Re: The Countryman restoration
I didn't think you had much more to do - and while i'm making decent progress i think you'll beat me to the finish!
- Neil Evans
- Posts: 12179
- Joined: Tue Apr 15, 2008 1:06 am
- Committee Role: Technical Officer
- Location: Boston, Lincolnshire
- x 11
- x 25
Re: The Countryman restoration
If you lived a little nearer you could throw a party and we'd all come and help finish it...sacco wrote:Hi Beko, as you say not much left to do ,just the rubbers to the side windows and doors .
Had to cover it up, to much dust about, and it has been hot of late.
You are getting along very fast and doing a good job from all the pictures,it wont be long before you get some colour on ,I'll keep watching ,never miss a day on the forum.
Eddie.
Club Technical Information Officer
A30/A35 Club Member A191 (since 1972)
Father of the club's only love child
A30/A35 Club Member A191 (since 1972)
Father of the club's only love child