General Bambina 1966

[Vitesse]

The proof of the pudding... as they say.

They are doing a good job, no filler being used until the top coat. So I am pleased, just very frustrated at the wait.

I will need to revisit the engine bay. I've used some sound deadening products and having read some other threads, it seems they might melt with the engine heat. Can you spray over the top of the sound deadening spray on /paint on products?

Yes if you go back to page 3 of this thread where the link to my restoratation is on another forum. You will see I used a product made by 3M in my engine bay. It gives a lovely rubberised finish, similar to the original and it can be over sprayed by primer and top coat. I also sprayed it on the back of the engine lid and in the bonnet area. It will afford a degree of sound deadening but let's be honest you are never going to get a quiet 500. It's the nature of the beast. I can assure you this stuff doesn't melt.

It was though recommend by a guy who used to have a classic car restoration company and was a concours judge on the classic car scene.

 

[timgarman]

Knew I'd read it somewhere, thanks Tony.

 

[timgarman]

An update on my restoration.

Finally got the engine sorted. It's already been re-bored to 594cc. Toshi bought a ground camshaft into New Zealand for me. Fitted that along with a new timing chain I picked up in a box of goodies. New 3.5L sump fitted. Fitted new clutch and joined the gearbox back to engine. Already fitted thicker axle to gearbox. Some pics attached.

So now the engine rebuild continues as soon as I can find some time. Petrol pump, carb etc.

Panelbeating is almost finished. Hoping for a respray in the new year and then major rebuild starts. Can't wait.

Tim

 

[timgarman]

Here's some pictures of how mine is looking. Probably a couple of weeks from coming home.

Doors are in an acid bath next week.

Tim

 

[Vitesse]

Wow Tim it's been there over a year now hasn't it? I assume they are doing the final spraying as well before it comes back to you? I would be surprised if they are doing the final spraying whether you see it in a couple of weeks.

I think you had a similar arrangement as I did whereby they would fit the work in when they had quiet periods. My body work was all sorted quite quickly but the spraying initially started quite quickly but with all the rubbing down and correcting any imperfections it seemed to drag out to two maybe three months in the end. Then the car was sprayed inside first and in stages on the outside after, the only advantage really with the length of time was it allowed time for the paint to cure harder even though it was baked in the oven.

If it has been there that long I wouldn't get too stressed about a few extra weeks. Engine and gearbox look really good, a lot of hard detailed work gone in there. Putting the car back together is the where the fun really kicks in, I loved it.

What colour is it going to be?

Tony

 

[timgarman]

Hi Tony

No, it won't get sprayed there.

There's still some work to do on the doors too, when they have been stripped.

Also some work on the boot lid. Underseal to replace on the bits of floor that got replaced. And there's one annoying thing on one of the brake drums. The little tab that goes over the top of the spring between the shoes has broken on one of the brakes. I figured it should be easy to weld a little bit of metal to replace it.

There also seems to be some confusion about whether I need to get the welding certified here in NZ. Roger might be able to tell me.

Then back to me. I've got to go over the nuts and bolts of the wheels and steering linkages to make sure everything is tightened correctly. And figure out if I need to strip out the sound deadening that I very carefully painted in the engine bay. Still not sure if it's gonna melt or if I can just spray over it.

Then time to spray. I'm going for an off-white, but not cream. I've seen a new mini in the right colour and there's lots of modern cars that are white but not a really bright white. Interior is black and red – mostly red.

Really looking forward to the rebuild.

I've painted my tank for the fourth time and think I'm finally happy with the finish.

Still struggling to fit the twin exhaust with the new 126 brackets, but I also need to replace the studs no the manifolds. That might help.

And also working on the oil sender to get the engine black flat where the sender screws in. Some jobs for tomorrow.

Tim

 

[timgarman]

...and yes, it's been 14 months!

I've had plenty of things to do in that time, but having the body here might have given me some added enthusiasm. 27 months since buying the car.

Tim

 

[timgarman]

Very little time to work on my 500-F recently, but the good news is that it is virtually ready for a respray.

Have just found that both front wheel bearings need replacing before this happens.

There's always something...

Tim

 

[stevehg]

Very little time to work on my 500-F recently, but the good news is that it is virtually ready for a respray.

Have just found that both front wheel bearings need replacing before this happens.

There's always something...

Tim

Change them after. Then you can sit on your derrier admiring your new paintwork while changing them!

 

[fiat500]

Standard front bearings are only slightly more involved than changing the wheel.

 

[timgarman]

Good to know. Maybe in the next week it could be sorted.

 

[timgarman]

Front wheel bearings replaced and car is back at pannelbeaters :bang: to have the doors, boot and bonnet lids fitted.

Aiming for a re-spray before Christmas if all goes well.

Tim

 

[timgarman]

Here's the car on show with restoration in progress.

Easy to get indoors.

Tim

 

[timgarman]

Progress!!

Finally back from the panelbeaters and in the hands of the sprayers.

They're being very meticulous, which is great. All rubbed down and first coat sprayed in bonnet and boot areas.

Inside should be sprayed this weekend.

We've also been filming so as soon as I can edit together we'll put it on YouTube with a link here. After Christmas now.

Tim

 

[timgarman]

Also, just noticed the post on the 12th October didn't have a picture with it, so here it is. It's first outing, in a highly unfinished state.

Tim

 

[timgarman]

Hi Folks

Work on the re-spray has finally begun and we are aiming to complete for Christmas.

Tim

 

[timgarman]

This is the first full primer coat and is also close to the final colour – an off white called Diamond White – not an original colour as far as I'm aware. I see a number of new Minis and Hondas in a similar colour.

Interior to be sprayed this evening. More progress at the weekend.

Tim

 

[Franko500]

Looking good Tim,
I know from personal experience how exiting it is to see the car finally taking shape. Just you wait until its painted.
You will need to have a cup of tea in hand whilst you stand there for about an hour staring with a big gin on your face

 

[timgarman]

That grin has already appeared a few times over the past week.

It's great when someone you're paying to do that work you can't do for you, gets beguiled by these little cars and goes the extra mile to do a really good job.

When it returns in a week or so, my first job is to paint the floor. Decided not to spray this since it just means more rubbing down that you'll never see.

Then sound deadening. Might also get the window surrounds and glass in. Unless someone has any other ideas.

Tim

 

[timgarman]

Some pics of the interior sprayed. The outside is just a cream primer. The final colour is actually lighter then the cream primer, despite the interior pictures suggesting otherwise.

Onto the outside this week.

Tim