23-09-2024, 10:33 AM
Thanks everyone for your responses. I Always find them encouraging. Here in New Zealand these skills are pretty much dead. You would be hard pressed to get an apprenticeship here in NZ and there is no movement to encourage these heritage skills both in mainstream industry and in our vintage car clubs. (I don't know a single person my age, 30 and under, doing similar work here in NZ) A bit scary really and a crying shame.. So all of you in the UK and beyond, don't take for granted what you have! You are all very lucky.
Anyway back to some updates. Below is a couple of pictures of the MK 6 lotus rep that I worked on. I know its not strictly Austin but its part of the story. Despite its looks, its actually quite a special car for me. It was built up over 20 years ago by my late mentor Joss Campbell, and is a fantastic and very accurate copy. He taught me a huge amount and after he passed away I was asked to finish the body work that had been started. Its been a collaborative effort between Joss Campbell, the current owner Richard McWhannell, and Ian Williams who roughed out the guards a number of years ago. I have to say these three have been unbelievably supportive of me and in my opinion are responsible for some of the best vintage Austin's in New Zealand. All three have great attention for details, have produced brilliant cars of their own and have been just the best inspiration for a young guy.
Mkf1.jpg (Size: 196.65 KB / Downloads: 524)
mkf2.png (Size: 441.85 KB / Downloads: 521)
20231104_183459.jpg (Size: 281.34 KB / Downloads: 521)
20231104_183546.jpg (Size: 230.11 KB / Downloads: 519)
The last few photos are of a 1927 triumph tank I built from scratch, a real dog of a thing with its internal oil tank soldered in and hand pump sticking right through the whole tank. I used the original as a template and reused the brass fittings and mounting plates. I used 50/50 solder and tinning paste. Soldering proved challenging until I tried using a small jewelers torch, from then on it was a dream.
tr1.png (Size: 420.25 KB / Downloads: 519)
tr2.png (Size: 360.55 KB / Downloads: 518)
tr3.png (Size: 450.65 KB / Downloads: 519)
Anyway, all the best folks. Be back to the ulster rep next post.
Anyway back to some updates. Below is a couple of pictures of the MK 6 lotus rep that I worked on. I know its not strictly Austin but its part of the story. Despite its looks, its actually quite a special car for me. It was built up over 20 years ago by my late mentor Joss Campbell, and is a fantastic and very accurate copy. He taught me a huge amount and after he passed away I was asked to finish the body work that had been started. Its been a collaborative effort between Joss Campbell, the current owner Richard McWhannell, and Ian Williams who roughed out the guards a number of years ago. I have to say these three have been unbelievably supportive of me and in my opinion are responsible for some of the best vintage Austin's in New Zealand. All three have great attention for details, have produced brilliant cars of their own and have been just the best inspiration for a young guy.
Mkf1.jpg (Size: 196.65 KB / Downloads: 524)
mkf2.png (Size: 441.85 KB / Downloads: 521)
20231104_183459.jpg (Size: 281.34 KB / Downloads: 521)
20231104_183546.jpg (Size: 230.11 KB / Downloads: 519)
The last few photos are of a 1927 triumph tank I built from scratch, a real dog of a thing with its internal oil tank soldered in and hand pump sticking right through the whole tank. I used the original as a template and reused the brass fittings and mounting plates. I used 50/50 solder and tinning paste. Soldering proved challenging until I tried using a small jewelers torch, from then on it was a dream.
tr1.png (Size: 420.25 KB / Downloads: 519)
tr2.png (Size: 360.55 KB / Downloads: 518)
tr3.png (Size: 450.65 KB / Downloads: 519)
Anyway, all the best folks. Be back to the ulster rep next post.