November 2014 to February 2015 - Dismantling TPX 212
November 2014
We've had a chance to have a first proper "poke" around. The general consensus is that it's rusty ! The chassis looks pretty poor and the doors are rotten at the bottom (in fact there is no bottom to the doors!). But on the plus side, the car is complete as far we can tell. There are a couple of things to change, such as the oil/water gauge is a replacement Smiths gauge rather that Jaeger, but overall it's a great basis for a restoration.
We plan to start fully dismantling in the New Year.
We plan to start fully dismantling in the New Year.
January 2015 - progress #1
The dismantling operation has started and she is coming apart slowly. In fact she doesn't actually want to come apart at all!
Every screw and bolt is rusted solid and is taking copious amounts of WD40 and heat before coming loose.
Every screw and bolt is rusted solid and is taking copious amounts of WD40 and heat before coming loose.
January 2015 - progress #2
The dis-assembly is coming along quickly now. What is becoming apparent as the car comes apart is that the chassis is poor at best - gone at worst. Therefore I have been in contact with a Jensen chassis restoration specialist who can either repair or even build a completely new chassis. When we get the car completely apart, the plan is for the chassis to go off for either repair or if necessary, replacement.
February 2015
The dis-assembly work is complete with all the parts now removed from the car. The chassis is poor in just about every area and we are mulling over whether we should replace rather than repair the chassis. If we replace we will get a "perfect" chassis, but we will lose what is essentially the heart of the car. If we restore, we will keep some of the 1955 metal, but this will take longer and cost a lot more. A real dilemma - but we need to get this decision right.
We are waiting for chassis specialist to become free and then the chassis will head off to him. In the meantime, work will begin on stripping some of the paint from the body.
We are waiting for chassis specialist to become free and then the chassis will head off to him. In the meantime, work will begin on stripping some of the paint from the body.