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+--- Thread: Introduction from a New Owner! (/showthread.php?tid=8756)
Introduction from a New Owner! - Leisureking - 21-07-2023
Dear All,
I write to introduce myself, and my car. I am about to embark on what is likely to be a fairly lengthy restoration after an even longer period of rest that the poor little car has been subjected to!
By way of background, I have inherited what was originally a 1931 Export RHD tourer. Regrettably, it has not turned a wheel since the late 1960s, but thankfully has been stored in a wonderfully dry environment in Southern Europe.
Over the years it appears to have changed shape somewhat and now resembles a Nippy at the rear end, but interestingly twinned with what appears to be an Austin 8 grill.
I shall, undoubtedly, be turning to you all for advice, and most likely encouragement over the coming months & years!
I include a couple of photographs of how the car was when unearthed and of it back home ready to have the years of grime carefully removed.
Best,
Tom
RE: Introduction from a New Owner! - Nick Salmon - 21-07-2023
Welcome Tom. I am sure you will find all the advice you will need on this forum. Car looks great!
RE: Introduction from a New Owner! - Mike Costigan - 21-07-2023
What a super little car - I hope you are going to keep it in its present format rather than trying to revert to an earlier style. You say it has come from Southern Europe - Italy, by any chance? It has the look of a well-built body from an Italian carrozzieri.
RE: Introduction from a New Owner! - Mick Hobday - 21-07-2023
That's an extraordinarily attractive body! I hope you aren't ever tempted to rebody it as yet another Ulsteroid. It looks to be a good quality professional build in aluminium. If it were mine I wouldn't even repaint it - just give it a good clean, get it running and roadworthy, and enjoy it.
RE: Introduction from a New Owner! - Dave Wortley - 21-07-2023
Tom,
I agree with Mike and Mick. It’s good to have something a little different and it looks rather shapely and well-made. It would suit a subtle but colourful paint job or leave as is.
RE: Introduction from a New Owner! - Leisureking - 21-07-2023
Fear not, there is no plan to change any of the body work! In fact, my only plan is to clean the crud off with a jet wash, and the rest will be left and simply "polished" with my trusty oiled rag! The body is actually steel, with the exception of a small brass addition to the radiator cowl, as far as I can tell. The car is in Portugal, but I have no details of where the car spent its life until the 1960s. Using basic archeological principles, I believe the car has sat since the 1960s, given that that is the date of the youngest newspaper I found on top of it!
I am not sure that the mechanical side of things has been as well preserved though. The disassembly process has begun and is starting to reveal a stupendous amount of bodges... there appear to be four different spark plugs when last ran...
RE: Introduction from a New Owner! - Ivor Hawkins - 21-07-2023
What a pretty car! I think you are doing exactly the right thing cleaning it up and making sure it is driveabke...@nd safe, of course!
RE: Introduction from a New Owner! - Leisureking - 21-07-2023
Sadly, I think we are a long way from being able to go for a drive, safe or otherwise!
Some photos of the interior and an indication of what the paint it like under all that dust and grime!
RE: Introduction from a New Owner! - Mike Costigan - 21-07-2023
So, yet another 'curiosity' from the Iberian peninsula! This must be the fourth or fifth re-worked Seven to be found there in the last few years.
We know there was a thriving market for the Seven there in period, but it's surprising how many survivors were 'modernised', probably in the early post-War period.
RE: Introduction from a New Owner! - Howard Wright - 21-07-2023
Hi
I wonder if there is a heritage certificate for this car? It may just creep into the period in which records still exist.
https://www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk/archive/heritage-certificates
It is a very well executed coachbuild on what looks an original 1931 chassis and running gear. I like it, a lot!
Cheers
Howard