No idea WHERE this reply should be inserted, but reading the (suggested) 'diatribe' - if the donor RP had been in better condition for £6000, I would have had a serious guilt problem. I have NO GUILT whatsoever now that the tribe has started the drums. Keep the public comments civil. So let's put the opening cards on the table....I offered MORE (sight unseen) than was being asked for because of the description in the advert. I wasn't concerned at finding Martin inside with WD40 or something being squirted into the "failed clutch". I wasn't concerned about the rotten condition. I left the car for Martin to deliver [if he could and I couldn't get a truck in time] but the winter closed in and when the RP was finally delivered, the engine had no water and leaked like a sieve because the coolant hadn't been drained during -5c frost and thus forced at least THREE serious leaks....ho hum!!. Full - and I mean DEEP - inspection, proved the RP to be a rotten wreck. So as a DONOR, it was reasonably OK - but I was concerned to retain an original look....ONWARD TO THE BODY SHOP....... NB : removing the wheels, I discover the RP had been "driven around the country lanes" with a HUGE tyre on a 19" rim and a 3.5 standard on the same back axle. [independent witness and photo's available].
Now that my plans are public - which I never intended until complete - I suggest all traditionalists and dissenters read the blog at < http://immortal-gems.co.uk > The RP could easily be restored with RENOVATED mechanical parts. Yes I have removed the non-standard 1936 engine and all the drive train and parts NOT needed to run on electric power, but I'm hardly going to waste £2500 on a bare metal restoration and many many thousands on sophisticated battery power if no thought had been put into it.
Converting this true wreck to electric (as my naive comments confess - top right para) will be a massive alteration from petrol to battery power, but for £8000+ there was/is a better RP which TRULY would be criminal to cannibalise. Electric is the future ['Liquid Piston Engines' may be even more superior] Batteries are becoming smaller and offer more storage and range. Yes the DVLA did suggest that the change-over would be OK if I wasn't "too radical".
When the renovated 5 wheels come back and the 5 new tyres fitted, I defy anyone to see anything but a 1933 RP
IMHO - The shell looks beautiful (considering). The roof is flush with no "aluminium trim"... renovated 19" wheels, new 'Vintage' tyres... renewed leather seats.... new door and window linings... all crap lights, flashers!!! removed.... Original headlights with LED's... Copy petrol tank with batteries.... same steering wheel [different functions], same brakes [Oh god save me], same screen wipers.... no heater (yet)... same dashboard [different functions].....
Better to have tried and failed than never tried at all
"He" is Mike, aged 71, owned 14 A7's; last cars - Convertible XK8, 3 Jaguars, 1 BUELL, 5 Kawasaki's
Now that my plans are public - which I never intended until complete - I suggest all traditionalists and dissenters read the blog at < http://immortal-gems.co.uk > The RP could easily be restored with RENOVATED mechanical parts. Yes I have removed the non-standard 1936 engine and all the drive train and parts NOT needed to run on electric power, but I'm hardly going to waste £2500 on a bare metal restoration and many many thousands on sophisticated battery power if no thought had been put into it.
Converting this true wreck to electric (as my naive comments confess - top right para) will be a massive alteration from petrol to battery power, but for £8000+ there was/is a better RP which TRULY would be criminal to cannibalise. Electric is the future ['Liquid Piston Engines' may be even more superior] Batteries are becoming smaller and offer more storage and range. Yes the DVLA did suggest that the change-over would be OK if I wasn't "too radical".
When the renovated 5 wheels come back and the 5 new tyres fitted, I defy anyone to see anything but a 1933 RP
(09-10-2018, 10:08 AM)JonE Wrote: well, trying to be as optimistic as possible, at least he didn't do it on an even earlier, rarer car.
At least the body is staying with the car, which is not something which can always be said with ulsteroids...
IMHO - The shell looks beautiful (considering). The roof is flush with no "aluminium trim"... renovated 19" wheels, new 'Vintage' tyres... renewed leather seats.... new door and window linings... all crap lights, flashers!!! removed.... Original headlights with LED's... Copy petrol tank with batteries.... same steering wheel [different functions], same brakes [Oh god save me], same screen wipers.... no heater (yet)... same dashboard [different functions].....
Better to have tried and failed than never tried at all
"He" is Mike, aged 71, owned 14 A7's; last cars - Convertible XK8, 3 Jaguars, 1 BUELL, 5 Kawasaki's