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Post by lib on Jul 7, 2014 21:32:05 GMT 1
Regarding renovations of old motors; I think that a good dose of naivety and optimism is needed when one starts.
In 1961 I was young single and in love with cars. My Dad always had good but very second hand motors that he had running like a dream. Daimlers, Armstrong Siddelys, Humbers, crossleys etc. It had to be big and imposing to suit him.
So I bought a 1926 built, 1927 registered Bentley 3 Litre. Cost me all of my savings, £250, a lot back then.
I rented 2 lockup garages and started to make her like new. Plenty of mates to help with the strip down.
A year in and I was realising it was going to be a long job, so I went off to Spain (still Franco facist then). Eighteen months later I came back and 'cracked' on with her again. Took me another 18 months to finish her. Drove her for 6 months, like driving a quick lorry. Joined the Vintage Sport Car Club, won a concours competition. Then a member offered me £850 for her, bit his hand off.
The money was one third of the 3 bedroomed detached new bungalow that I then bought.
I still have fond memories of her. She kept me from big mortgages for the rest of my life.
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Post by JohnP on Jul 7, 2014 21:43:33 GMT 1
Sadly none of my ventures into restoring old vehicles have ever shown me a profit but lots of fun, pride and knowledge. I can live with that
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Post by JohnP on Jul 13, 2014 22:47:35 GMT 1
Spending my time at the moment renovating a rota herse. That is an attachment for a tractor which has 24 "teeth" and loosens up the soil then a rotary paddle which breaks it up into smaller pieces. I bought this off a local farmer in a bit of a state but with a bit of time and effort can be brought back to full working condition Hoping to get my tractor in the next few days. It is a Renault Super 5D of 1968 vintage. Quite exciting
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Post by JohnP on Jul 26, 2014 7:24:12 GMT 1
Tractor arrived yesterday and taken up residence in my barn. Some work to do but not bad for her 46 years. Lots of cleaning and tinkering to do over the next few weeks and a mowing attatchment to source. I have finished restoring the rotary harrow and link box I aquired recently so getting there.
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Post by JohnP on Sept 2, 2014 19:08:45 GMT 1
Just to update this post, I finally got to actually work my tractor for the first time today. It had a serious oil leak from the 3 point linkage shaft which involved replacing the oil seals which would have been straightforward had the previous owner not welded the link arms on to the shaft Eventually managed to remove the shaft which is badly damaged and needs replacing when I can source a donor tractor but for the time being new oil seals have stemmed the leak to an acceptable level. I bought a 5ft mower deck at the weekend which is driven off the tractor PTO and this afternoon set about cutting my field, a task which used to take 3-4 hours with my ride on tractor when the grass is wet and high. I finished in 1hr 10min, not bad for a first attempt when still getting used to the width of the machine and adapting gearing speeds etc. The 46 year old tractor performed impeccably with water temperature and oil pressure fine and all good. I am pleased with my new toy dispite initial problems, my neighbour thinks I am mad but I love my old machines
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newport
I'm settling in nicely
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Post by newport on Sept 2, 2014 20:13:59 GMT 1
Attachment Deletedmany years ago I passed my psv driving this bus so I have always had a love affair with old bus's
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 2, 2014 20:15:27 GMT 1
Nice one John, you will go to bed a happy chappy tonight
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Post by JohnP on Sept 3, 2014 7:09:33 GMT 1
View Attachmentmany years ago I passed my psv driving this bus so I have always had a love affair with old bus's Having spent most of my working in the bus industry, I share your passion. I took my test on and worked vehicles of 1950's vintage, indeed the first bus I ever drove in service is now in the science museum in Wroughton/Swindon. OTT 55 is a 1953 Bristol LS single decker from the Western National fleet.
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Post by davidb5964 on Sept 3, 2014 7:25:30 GMT 1
I'm thinking of going down the restoration route again, I am still based and working in the UK but the space needed for the project is in our two barns in France next to our house,the single garage in the UK really would not do the job, grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr never mind only 14 years to retirement :-( unless they move the age again , currently 67 for me.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 3, 2014 9:43:47 GMT 1
I finally managed to fix my instrument pack.
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