$64million question..."Do I need another D24?!!?"

[RobertKB]

Don, you've probably put straight the minds of many members here who just can't quite fathom the idea of a car with the wheel on the wrong side!! Nice one...

I'm still mulling this car over...haven't been back to the owner as yet, but I might follow up this week. I'll be sure to let y'all know.

Just as a broad question, any members use their cars for weddings etc on a 'hire' basis at any time? Not so much for as a 'once off' family affair thing, but more as a regular gig?

Rob.

I don't do it on a regular basis but I do hire a car out occasionally. For family or friends of course it is free. Others I charge $250 for the first three hours and $50 an hour after that. This includes all waiting around time at the wedding, pictures, everything. Most people never quibble over price but for those that do I just say that is my price and you are welcome to look elsewhere. I also tell them that it is way less than you would pay a mechanic per hour.

I usually dress up well and have a little chauffeurs cap to look the part as I am the only driver allowed.. I also tell them right up front that I will decorate the car with material they provide which are usually pom-poms a just married sigm. Tape will only be put on stainless, chrome or glass. No confetti inside the car, no gravel roads, and a car may vary depending on weather, and a few other rules.

Most people are very appreciative of having an old car to use and just pay what I ask but I have had some say no. No problem.

I have had no complaints from those I have driven and often they want the car in some of their pictures and that is fine with me.

Hope this helps. If you do it, set the ground rules early and don't give in.

[Phil Martin]

Look at the pedals now.

[boxer_inv]

.....well.........I went out to have another, closer, look at this car today. The seller was really keen to have a look at "Dorothy", so I put 2 of my blokes in the car and headed off to his town to see him and his family.

I looked over the photo album of the 'other' car and the work done on it. It's had the body off, sandblasted body and chassis and the chassis has been fully repainted and done. Some rust was cut out of the radiator area cross member, but other than that, the chassis was pretty good. He painted the motor and gearbox, but it wasn't stripped down other than the pan being dropped off it. This bloke's a farmer and does his own heavy machinery repairs - reckons the bearings looked okay and there was pretty much no sludge in the pan. BUT, that's a bit of a ??? area I guess. Motor runs okay.

Had a close look at the body and things that have been done to it. Rockers cut out and redone. Trunk sill cut out and redone. Front and rear bumper panels redone. Interior floor redone as needed- looks solid. Some repairs to the front and rear drivers side (RHD remember..!) doors have had lower sections cut and filled, but this needs to be finished properly, especially the rear door where the profile doesn't match yet. Rust around the front window all cut out and redone - and done pretty well.

I inspected all of the windows - all glass is there and in fairly good condition. Exterior & interior window brightwork ALL has rust/marks on it and some of it is very pitted. The interior windscreen trim is shot and will need a replacement.

Upholstery on the seats is not bad, but door trims will need total replacement, as will carpets etc.

The body was all blasted, but he only got around to putting an 'etch' primer on it - about 6 years ago... Wasn't sealed properly and this is why the surface rust has come through - we live in the tropics, so the ambient humidity is HIGH. We got some emery paper (sandpaper) and just rubbed a section - some is worse than others, but it is only on the surface. Probably would be worth taking it back to the metal to get it right.

The seller has receipts and info which indicates he's sunk $9,000 into it, plus the purchase price. Most of this was paying his body guy and other services, such as blasting and painting.

I'm now aware of the full extent of the project....It's 'do-able' and I can see that most of whats been done, has been done fairly well.

I haven't 'talked turkey' with the seller yet, but that will come soon I think....though in the meantime any thoughts on this project would be valuable, especially from you experienced 'body' guys.

Going to attach more photos with descriptions.

Rob.

[boxer_inv]

Typical body rust - over the whole body

close up of the surface rust

section where we sanded it back a little

Underside of trunk lid

Trunk sill section

Inside of LHR door

LHR rocker sill area - replaced

[boxer_inv]

RHF rocker sill, and lower door edge (see replaced lower section)

RHR door - not formed correctly yet

RHF fender edge near door - bit lumpy

Floor pan - rear

Footwell - RHS

Interior windscreen surround moulding - shot...

RHS front 1/4 window - glass=OK. Trim=not so much...

[boxer_inv]

Some of the exterior brightwork window surrounds....how to bring these back to life..?

LHS chassis rail (note the brake switch in lower LH shot) - dusty but solid.

RHF wheel & hub & drum

LHF wheel, suspension and chassis rail

front crossmember and components

suspension

generator....or....alternator....?????????

[Plymouthy Adams]

I was right with you eating this car up..solid enough with the work that has been done then I asw the word LUCAS...

Acutaully the car body is quite solid looking..the surface rough is no big deal and while it appears scary and intimidating..its an easy fix..the interior will all need fixing anyway...windlace of the period was a foam rubber sort inner core that deteroiates easily..the wing vent has losts its chrome but many models did not get chrome so blast, prime and black paint may be a good way to go..or get you by till you find good candiates for chrome. If you are confortable with the price and feel confident with your skills and have the time and place to work and store the vehicle..would probably be a fun car to do. This is my car when I got it..talk about patina...did a full body sandblast out back of the house with a pressure pot, #30 grit sand and low pressure..never got any panel hot..remember, the commercial blasters are usually at 175 psi and sand flow is wide open..they will cut, warp and remove more metal than necessary..they do fair on frames but light metal will not hold up..my 40 lb pot and 5Hp 60 gal compressor is just right..by the time I shoot a pot of sand..I am redy to get that hood off and the compressor has recovered and shut off by the time I bleed the pot for refill..I recommend the pressure pot, its a good investment

[B-Watson]

That is a generator. Although it is a Lucas, I suspect it worked well when it was new. Lucas gained a bad rep in the 1960's. My great uncle had a 1952Morris Oxford series MO for many years and he did not have electrical problems. The car was burning a bit of oil when he died in 1960 but the next owners drove it from Winnipeg to Vancouver and back with no problems.

My father figured the car needed a good run on the highway as his uncle only drove the car in the city and put it up on blocks each winter. Was a cool little car - more my size than Dad's 1955 Dodge Regent.

Getting back to the generator, does it say "Made in Australia"? Can't quite make it out.

Bill

Vancouver, BC