Alembic Guitars Club

Connecting => Miscellaneous => Topic started by: jacko on March 28, 2014, 12:23:15 PM

Title: The car thread
Post by: jacko on March 28, 2014, 12:23:15 PM: As promised on the Hendrix stamp thread, here's some photos of my MG post restoration. I've had the car since 1982 but it was in desperate need of a polish so I took it off the road in 1997 and spent far too long walking past it. I started the restoration 'for real' around 7 years ago and I've done everything myself. first off, here's what I was left with when I'd finished stripping the rust...
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/189632.jpg)
There's a lot of fresh metal on there and everything has been rustproofed prior to painting. Just about every nut and bolt has been either polished or replaced with stainless...
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/189633.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/189634.jpg)
You've seen the interior but I'll show it again. Had to strip the seats back to the frames and re-upholster them then all the carpets an panels needed replacing. I took the time to paint the dash when I did the bodywork.
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/189635.jpg)
The last two are just around the time I got her back on the road last July. The paintwork took forever. It's candy Apple Red so after the primer, there are 4 coats of metallic silver base, 6 coats of translucent red and 6 coats of clear which all had to be sprayed in one day (in my single garage - 10ft X 18ft). Once the clear hardened it was all rubbed flat and polished with several grades of compound (just like our beloved basses). It took forever to get it back on it's wheels and I doubt I'd ever want to do it again but I think it turned out ok.
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/189636.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/189637.jpg)
We had our summer holiday in the borders I the car last summer and one garage attendant told me he thought the car had a very 'california' feel to it. Made me smile :-) Looking forward to seeing Bill's TR and anything else anyone cars to show us. Graeme
Title: The car thread
Post by: hydrargyrum on March 28, 2014, 03:45:21 PM: Sweet. Color me envious.
Title: The car thread
Post by: alembic76407 on March 28, 2014, 08:29:45 PM: Graeme, Outstanding on the MG , love the wheels, I bet she's a blast to drive.
Title: The car thread
Post by: alembic76407 on March 28, 2014, 08:36:43 PM: Here's my weekend toy, I bought her in 1995, it's a 1987 944 with over 200,000 miles and still looks and runs great

David T

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/189655.jpg)
Title: The car thread
Post by: lbpesq on March 28, 2014, 08:43:30 PM: David:

Sweet! My dailey driver is a '93 968 Cabriolet. The red-headed stepchild Porsches are my favorite.

Bill, tgo
Title: The car thread
Post by: peoplechipper on March 29, 2014, 01:19:44 AM: Yeah 914!...that MG looks too cool in candy apple...nice job to go way cooler than stock! so old British to keep the paint muted...
Title: The car thread
Post by: gtrguy on March 29, 2014, 10:47:05 AM: Beautiful MG! The restorers I respect the most are the ones that do the work themselves.

Looks like a lot of wood was used in the car when it was made.
Title: The car thread
Post by: keith_h on March 29, 2014, 02:37:41 PM: Graeme,
The car looks great. I really like the hot rod type of feel it gives with the candy apple red. Wish your were closer as I will definitely need some advice when it comes time for the upholstery on my project car. I'll try to get some picks of it when the weather clears up in a day or so.

Keith
Title: The car thread
Post by: rami on March 30, 2014, 12:31:44 PM: Hey guys,

Those are absolutely beautiful! I have a personal weakness for a big, angry American V8.
Title: The car thread
Post by: sonicus on March 30, 2014, 01:07:57 PM: Here you go then , ___meet my new Sweetie . Her name is Galbani !
1978 Ford Ranchero GT .She has a 400 cubic inch V8 engine . That is 6.6 L ..______(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/189706.jpg)
Title: The car thread
Post by: hydrargyrum on March 30, 2014, 03:33:12 PM: Wolf,

That looks fun. Not to mention the cargo room in back for sunny days. That was a different time in car manufacture.
Title: The car thread
Post by: sonicus on March 30, 2014, 06:05:07 PM: Hello Kevin ,
Yes ,so far this vehicle has been an interesting project .It was sold to me by the owner of a tire service company that owned too many vehicles and this one needed some attention of a kind that he did not want to deal with anymore . He sold it to me for the right price and I dealt with the water leaks through the cargo bed behind the back window on my own quite successfully, as well as a little rust repair that now in gone and dealt with as well . Mechanically she runs swell and just needs a few minor suspension issues perfected ( rubber parts and the such ) I am currently very seriously looking for a shell for the cargo bed so that she can be a practical equipment mover.
Title: The car thread
Post by: rami on March 30, 2014, 06:05:55 PM: That's REALLY sweet!

Thanks for sharing the pic - wish you many years of pleasure with it!

Rami
Title: The car thread
Post by: sonicus on March 30, 2014, 06:16:11 PM: Thanks Rami
Title: The car thread
Post by: jzstephan on March 30, 2014, 07:43:21 PM: (http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/189723.jpg)
Title: The car thread
Post by: sonicus on March 30, 2014, 09:34:38 PM: John , ___ Is that your vehicle ?
Title: The car thread
Post by: jacko on March 31, 2014, 12:56:00 AM: Is that a Mondial John? about the only ferrari I could have afforded at one time but the prices have shot up over here in recent years.

Speaking of 6 litre behemoths, we had this beautiful camaro a couple of years back to drive around hollywood and the PCH. Using a route recommended by JimmyJ we drove up through Laurel canyon, through some of the backroads then along Mulholland and down to ventura before heading back across Topanga canyon to malibu and santa Monica. We later drove up to the Griffith observatory then on to the Baked Potato to catch up with Jimmy. Subtle it ain't...

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/189733.jpg)

we really loved this car and would gladly have one but over here they cost in excess of ?60,000. I'll leave you all to do the currency conversion. I do get to see a fair few American V8s though as I joined an american and custom car club here in Scotland when I decided to go 'Kandy' with the MG. They're a very helpful and friendly bunch and this year I'm aiming to get out on a few of their cruises.

Graeme
Title: The car thread
Post by: terryc on March 31, 2014, 01:32:13 AM: graeme I bet Ed China from 'Wheeler Dealers' would be proud of you.
Nice work and you can see the hours you have put in but well worth it!
Title: The car thread
Post by: bassman10096 on March 31, 2014, 04:30:56 AM: Great to see an MG Midg live again. Very, very nice looking job!

My very first auto (back in '72) was an Austin Healy Sprite of the same vintage as the Midget above, so it was a twin. What a fun car! Unfortunately, it caught fire on a Friday afternoon during the rush in July on Route 17 out of Manhattan and tied up traffic for hours. The insurance settlement totalled twice what I'd spent on the car. I've come dangerously close to buying a Midget to restore several times since then.
Title: The car thread
Post by: jacko on March 31, 2014, 04:37:07 AM: Love the Ranchero Wolf. I've always wanted something along those lines like a late 60's El Camino to customise. Again they're not easy to find this side of the pond.

Bill - Go for it. You can buy just about every part and panel for Midgets new nowadays so you've no excuse :-)

Terry - I've never seen wheeler dealers but I know of the show - I got most of my inspiration from watching American Hot Rod and Overhaulin' on freeview.

Graeme
Title: The car thread
Post by: jzstephan on March 31, 2014, 07:02:17 AM: 1983 Mondial 3.0 quatrovalve still has less than 20k miles on it. When I visited the mothership last fall, we spent some time in LA and I spent some time driving around Laurel Canyon, Mulholland Drive and must have driven this on some of Jimmy's route:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/189738.jpg)
Great minds think alike!
There was also a trip to Norm's.
Title: The car thread
Post by: sonicus on March 31, 2014, 07:59:11 AM: Graeme, Thanks .
Your restoration work is quite impressive . I have often entertained acquiring a nice UK sports vehicle but have missed my chance on two occasions when they were offered , both times deliberating too long and when I felt that YES was my answer they were already sold to another party. One of those chances was a Sunbeam Tiger when I was 16. and had to ask for my fathers permission as part of the delay. By the time that I had my fathers approval the seller had already sold it for a pitiful small sum . OH well ___LOL !

My Ranchero just suddenly fell into my lap , without any prior expectations just like my Series II did.
Life is like that sometimes. I call such events The Transitive Nightfall Of Diamonds
Title: The car thread
Post by: gtrguy on March 31, 2014, 10:38:17 AM: My picks of Cars to buy before its too late:

Old Porsche 912s (that aren't rust heaps)
Ferrari 308s (if you can afford to work on them)
Porsche 911 SCs (nice ones going up in value)
Ford Pantera (may have already gotten too expensive, but still a good investment)
vintage Baracudas and Challengers

Fun drivers:
TR6 and TR4
Europa and Elan
70's Corvettes
Vintage Pontiac LeMans
Volvo 142Es
Dodge Stealth/GT3000 Twin Turbo (complicated
cars)
Chev Monza V8/Buick Skyhawk (few left)
944 Turbos/1987 924S/cabrios

Neat inexpensive old cars:
Jag XJ sedans and coupe up to 1987

I was actually looking at Ferrari 245 Dinos a few years back (when I bought my house instead) when they were around 75K. Now they go for 250K. What an investment for people who bought one!
Title: The car thread
Post by: mica on March 31, 2014, 11:48:58 AM: OMG Wolf, I love your car. I'm a sucker for the El Camino SS. There's a guy at the grocery I frequent that likes to taunt me by shopping at the same time as me so I can drool over his red and chrome amazing SS!
Title: The car thread
Post by: sonicus on March 31, 2014, 01:18:20 PM: Thanks Mica.
This car just was suddenly offered to me out of the blue so to speak around last July . Hopefully I will be able to find a shell for the back that is available somewhere around here . It would be fun to arrive at the Alembic Gathering in the Ranchero loaded with gear , protected from the elements .

Wolf
Title: The car thread
Post by: alembic76407 on March 31, 2014, 08:12:34 PM: my best friends 1976 912E with 80,000 miles and air-conditioning
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/189757.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/189758.jpg)
David T
Title: The car thread
Post by: alembic76407 on March 31, 2014, 08:13:14 PM: (Message edited by Alembic76407 on March 31, 2014)
Title: The car thread
Post by: jzstephan on March 31, 2014, 08:42:47 PM
Title: The car thread
Post by: rami on April 02, 2014, 06:33:58 PM: (http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/189874.jpg)

My American V8 fantasy.... USA! USA! USA!
Title: The car thread
Post by: rami on April 02, 2014, 06:39:37 PM: The other Black Byrd!
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/189878.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/189879.jpg)
Title: The car thread
Post by: rami on April 02, 2014, 06:42:59 PM: The interior,

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/189882.jpg)

This is a factory pic, but I have the identical interior. 6 speed manual tranny as well.
Title: The car thread
Post by: sonicus on April 02, 2014, 06:46:52 PM: Nice car Rami !
Title: The car thread
Post by: rami on April 02, 2014, 07:06:12 PM: Thanks!

It goes well with the Alembic Black Byrd. And it's just as dangerous!
Title: The car thread
Post by: slawie on April 02, 2014, 07:33:29 PM: Here's a picture of my Saab convertible
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/189888.jpg)
And another picture of my grandsons stealing it!
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/189889.jpg)
Title: The car thread
Post by: bigredbass on April 02, 2014, 09:51:56 PM: el caminos y rancheros, muy grande !

http://ateupwithmotor.com/model-histories/ford-ranchero-chevrolet-el-camino/ (http://ateupwithmotor.com/model-histories/ford-ranchero-chevrolet-el-camino/)

. . . . the 57 Ranchero pic in red + white just GETS me.

J o s e
Title: The car thread
Post by: jalevinemd on April 02, 2014, 11:33:01 PM: Okay?I'll play.

Here's my toy. 1979 Toyota FJ40.

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/189894.jpg)
Title: The car thread
Post by: jacko on April 03, 2014, 12:56:23 AM: 'Gran Articulo' Joey :-)

Graeme
Title: The car thread
Post by: jazzyvee on April 03, 2014, 01:33:29 AM: I toyed with the idea of getting one of these last year. But once I started to check them out and realised it had a 4.0 Litre V6 petrol engine and fuel consumption about 20mpg, suddenly it became a non starter because of the high fuel prices we have here.
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/189904.jpg)
I'll stick with my smart car. :-)

Jazzyvee

(Message edited by jazzyvee on April 03, 2014)
Title: The car thread
Post by: dela217 on April 03, 2014, 05:29:20 AM: I just love jalevinemd's FJ40!!!!!
Title: The car thread
Post by: gtrguy on April 03, 2014, 10:20:10 AM: Looks like we need an Alembic custom build with a car theme sometime in the future!
Title: The car thread
Post by: 5a_quilt_top on April 03, 2014, 11:23:57 AM: My new ride:

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/189933.jpg)

Replaced my third Jeep.

I can't go off-road or haul much more than A$$ now so it's a good thing I've been able to get by with using smaller bass & guitar rigs for my current projects.
Title: The car thread
Post by: rami on April 03, 2014, 06:35:50 PM: That is AWESOME!!!

USA! USA! USA!
Title: The car thread
Post by: peoplechipper on April 03, 2014, 10:26:39 PM: I love Rancheros/El Caminos...
Title: The car thread
Post by: bigredbass on April 03, 2014, 11:39:18 PM: From one of Toyota's global websites, 'Land Cruncher' history:

http://www.toyota-global.com/showroom/vehicle_heritage/landcruiser/ (http://www.toyota-global.com/showroom/vehicle_heritage/landcruiser/)

. . . . and it's currently-available-elsewhere grandson:

http://www.toyota-global.com/showroom/vehicle_gallery/suvs/land_cruiser70/ (http://www.toyota-global.com/showroom/vehicle_gallery/suvs/land_cruiser70/)

. . . . but instead, we get several different Prius and Hybrid Camrys. How fortunate . . .

J o e y
Title: The car thread
Post by: bigredbass on April 03, 2014, 11:52:46 PM: Actually, too many wheels. Here are two (unfortunately I've got to pick one or the other) incoming contacts on the DEW radar:

1) The very embodiment of Billy Joel's 'Looks Old, Works New'. Fits Jay Leno's 'I like motorcycles I can see through' mindset. I'm old enough to remember this one's inspiration(s), and thrilled that there is no bank of four carburetors to synch:

http://www.cycleworld.com/2014/02/05/2014-honda-cb1100-deluxe-first-look-review-photos/ (http://www.cycleworld.com/2014/02/05/2014-honda-cb1100-deluxe-first-look-review-photos/)

2) Soichiro Honda himself thought a Vee 4 was the perfect engine for a motorcycle. Who am I to disagree? Halfway between the CB above and a Fireblade (CB1000RR on this side of the pond), a GT instead of a personal cruise missle: I'm too old enough to scare myself.

http://www.cycleworld.com/2014/02/04/2014-honda-interceptor-vfr800f-first-look-review-photos-specs/ (http://www.cycleworld.com/2014/02/04/2014-honda-interceptor-vfr800f-first-look-review-photos-specs/)

Gee . . . . big red motorcycles !

J o e y
Title: The car thread
Post by: keith_h on April 04, 2014, 04:39:28 AM: A good friend of mine during high school in the 70's had a Land Cruiser. It was great in the winter with it's dual heaters and while everyone else was inside we would be out in the snow storm partying. No offense to anybody that owns a current model but the just don't compare to the old real off-road version.

Keith
Title: The car thread
Post by: lbpesq on April 05, 2014, 08:55:58 PM: We had some nice weather today, so I was able to pull the Triumph out of the garage for the first time this year. Bill, tgo
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/190050.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/190051.jpg)
Here's the interior. I did most of it myself - I bought the seats as the old ones were too far gone to rebuild.
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/190052.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/190053.jpg)
(Message edited by lbpesq on April 05, 2014)
Title: The car thread
Post by: lbpesq on April 05, 2014, 09:00:35 PM: And here's my daily driver.

Bill, tgo
Title: The car thread
Post by: alembic76407 on April 06, 2014, 09:58:26 AM: great looking 968 Bill , is your triumph a TR3? WOW on both !!!!!

David T
Title: The car thread
Post by: flpete1uw on April 06, 2014, 10:19:39 AM: Bill,
That Triumph is one of the most coolest cars I've seen in a long time!!
Graeme, Beautiful restoration on that MG!
Good on ya all!!
Peace,
Pete
Title: The car thread
Post by: flpete1uw on April 06, 2014, 10:20:00 AM: Bill,
That Triumph is one of the most coolest cars I've seen in a long time!!
Graeme, Beautiful restoration on that MG!
Good on ya all!!
Peace,
Pete
Title: The car thread
Post by: lbpesq on April 06, 2014, 12:06:05 PM: Thanks, guys. It's a 1958 TR3A. Just three years younger than me, but, arguably, in better condition! Other than the body and paint, I'm attempting to do most of the restoration myself. When I got it a year and a half ago it was baby poop green with a 30-30 paint job - looked good from 30 feet away or at 30 miles an hour - lol. I think of it as my 4-wheel motorcycle.

Bill, tgo
Title: The car thread
Post by: sonicus on April 06, 2014, 12:16:11 PM: I have seen Bill's 1958 TR3A , and there is definitely attention to detail in Bills work on this . ___ Very nice .
Title: The car thread
Post by: jacko on April 07, 2014, 01:05:28 AM: Wow!. What a difference from when I saw your TR when I was over. That really does look superb Bill. Nice Job!

Graeme

p.s. love the registration on your porsche :-)
Title: The car thread
Post by: serialnumber12 on April 08, 2014, 05:52:57 AM: (http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/190149.jpg)
Title: The car thread
Post by: cozmik_cowboy on April 10, 2014, 09:50:41 PM: I said it the first time you mentioned this one, Bill, and I may say it again - the TR3 & the MGA are tied for most beautiful car ever!!!
And I love how these lines evolved into the Spitfire (I guess I need to see if I have any pix of my old Spit around & load them up).

Graeme, I always toyed with repainting the Spit candy red; yours proves I should have!

Wolf, my older brother had a new '72 Ranchero (Ford's version of the El Camino) when he married the first time (at 18 - yeah, we're Appalachian-American); waxed the bed every month & hauled nothing - wouldn't even let his wife put groceries in it.

Peter
Title: The car thread
Post by: sonicus on April 11, 2014, 01:14:13 AM: Peter , the 72 Ranchero is also now know as the Fish Mouth model and is often the most sought after body style by many Ranchero
aficionados
.(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/190234.jpg)
Title: The car thread
Post by: gtrguy on April 11, 2014, 10:31:13 AM: For the Slingerland and TR fans!(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/190255.jpg)
Title: The car thread
Post by: lbpesq on April 12, 2014, 08:54:00 AM: THE GREMLINS TOOK MY PORSCHE!!!! It has disappeared from my above post of April 5th!!??? So here are the pics, re-posted:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/190294.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/190295.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/190296.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/190297.jpg)
Take that, gremlins! Bill, tgo
Title: The car thread
Post by: xlrogue6 on April 16, 2014, 09:15:31 AM: Anybody want to see pictures of my '95 Mercury Mystique, currently pushing 225K, never garaged? I didn't think so...
Title: The car thread
Post by: serialnumber12 on April 16, 2014, 12:14:21 PM: (Message edited by serialnumber12 on April 16, 2014)
Title: The car thread
Post by: serialnumber12 on April 16, 2014, 12:23:00 PM: My Oldest daughter's a Pig!
Title: The car thread
Post by: lbpesq on April 16, 2014, 12:23:20 PM: Keavin:

Is the one with LEDs on top yours? lol

Bill, tgo
Title: The car thread
Post by: sonicus on April 21, 2014, 07:47:21 AM: For UK Vehicles ONLY in the UK ! Have I got it right UK Chaps ?
( I have a high regard for British English ! )

In the Land of The Queen's English, one does not 'install' an engine or transmission in a vehicle

One 'fits' it

with spanners, of course

under the bonnet

with electrical by Lucas

proper hook up of the differently-coloured wires is a must

left-over parts go in the boot

Labour charges are included

However, if not properly done, the solicitors will become involved

and one will have to appear before the bench
Title: The car thread
Post by: gtrguy on April 21, 2014, 09:35:30 AM: And any parts that fall off the car are free game for passersby to grab!!!
Title: The car thread
Post by: jacko on April 22, 2014, 12:45:15 AM: Very good Wolf.
In your language, I'll be lifting the 'hood' in the next few days to remove the engine and 'tranny' as I've broken third gear. Most likely looking at a reconditioned 'box for around ?400 :-(

Graeme
Title: The car thread
Post by: sonicus on April 22, 2014, 09:50:21 AM: Graeme, I hope that everything will work out for the better ___
I am so sorry to read of such an unfortunate circumstance.
I once broke first gear in a 1972 Harley Davidson FLH ratchet top transmission . I was in luck however because an older retired gentleman who lived down the street from me at the time had been the service manager at Dudley-Perkins Harley Davidson for many years. In his retirement to keep busy he took on little jobs to kept his mind and hands nimble. I told him about my situation and he grinned and spoke remove that transmission and bring it to me. Thank you Sir , I replied. One week later he phoned and said it's done ! He was a man of few words, BUT, those words were written in stone ! That was in 1980 and I gave him $400 USD for his work , but that transmission was now BETTER then brand new , He even bead blasted the case and polished the aluminum to the point that it looked like chrome. It shifted like butter! Everything inside was new ___ (better). In retrospect : When I sold that vehicle in 1995, I should have swapped out the transmission that God built . ( some folks called him that )

Wolf