Appia furgoncino - A fettler's voyage

[simonandjuliet]

It isn't actually a spittoon - it's the dirty water from washing the headlining !!

A couple of pictures of the next stage and a request for help ......

Next up are the headlamps, the bowls/rubbers are in amazing condition and I have a decent set of chrome rims, but the headlamps are a bit faded - but will pass the CT (MOT) however I would like a REALLY good set

Does anyone have a pair of Carello 00.506.700 8S - I think the 8S is the bulb mount type

My chrome retaining rings are fair/good - any really good ones for sale ?

Last - I don't have the weatherseal that fits around the retaining rims - anyone ??

If all else fails , I will have to get my spare set re-silvered, but they are crimped glasses and may be difficult. Again anyone got a recommendation ?

Thanks and sorry for all the requests !

[chriswgawne]

What is the diameter of the lights Simon? I am pretty sure I have new Carello glasses and also headlight units for B20/B24.
Chris

[simonandjuliet]

Thanks Chris
They are 170 mm and the lights are located using 3 lugs on the back - let me know if you want a clearer picture - the B20 light that I have on the shelf has a large Carello script across the middle, not the bottom like all my Appia ones

[simonandjuliet]

Some scary prices for new lamps (Germany , I think) and a very slightly less scary price to re-silver mine, so still looking for a really good original pair of lamps ......

Dog popped round to help me do a final trial fit of doors and bonnet. Fitting the doors is very worrying because the tolerance is so tight and there is no way that you can risk it on your own - once fitted and open there is literally a fingernail width between the leading edge and the wing !

Now removed again so I can finish fitting the door seals

[Parisien]

Simon, go on shock us!!!!

Had the same when hunting for parts for B12, but lucky to source quite a few for a fraction of what dealers wanted.

Keep up the good work.

P

[simonandjuliet]

I have bought a set of repro lights in Italy to get through the MOT and then it gives me more time to decide the best route - good , old or re-silvered. The repro were a reasonable 120 euros the pair and won't be wasted, they will also fit the "Everyday Appia"

Actually, Juliet will be pleased because when she drives her Appia at night she does it by feel - the lights are not brilliant !

Back to the furgoncino, I have been playing with the lights and getting the conduits for the wires sorted. Lots of detail and has taken a while .....

Firstly, the 2 headlamp bowls are slightly different and there is no reason to suspect that they haven't always been so. They have the same part number by Carello but one bowl has a wider base for the mounting bolts and so the backing rubbers are not interchangeable. One is wider and more "rubbery" - they do have different part numbers. 

I suspect this was a "parts-bin" lottery

The rubbers that fit into the back of the bowl are quite perished, but are important because they hold the wires with female connectors that come from the bulb holder, the male bullet terminals from the loom fit into the back of the unit. The rest of the loom is routed through brass elbows and chromed "T" pieces. I found some clear, blue tube to use as conduit, I just had to rub off the modern batch writing on them

I have still to find a way of sealing the wires where they go into the back of the headlamp bowl, whatever was there has completely disintegrated so I have no reference

The elbow fits very neatly into the side light rubber, there is a flange to retain it. Once the wheel is back on I will have to see if it touches the tyre, if so I will need a discreet tie-back

Whilst under the wing I have trial fitted the bumper brackets - 2 pieces per side. The green one bolts to the wing and the black one fits through the eye and bolts to the bumper

The bumper is in remarkable condition considering it sat in a field for 40 years (as did the grill ....) Neither needs re-chroming. The headlamp bezels have been replaced though and will need a slight mod to fit correctly because I think that they are 1st series, not 2nd

I need a small repair on the white bumper rubber on 1 side, but DiKappa was good enough to send me a short piece so I can make the repair - Thanks Koen !

Lastly, a couple of pictures with the bumper and lights (RHS only !) in place - I love the star-burst effect of the side light !

Finally, finally getting the exhaust made on Saturday .........

[simonandjuliet]

More ....

[stanley sweet]

Nice neat stuff as usual. That sidelight is superb! What a great effect.

[frankxhv773t]

A side light with eye lashes. How lovely.

[DavidLaver]

Those sidelights are such a lovely thing...

[stanley sweet]

Just thought what it reminds me of - those plastic teardrop shaped bike lights that were around when Iwas a kid. They had nicely patterned lenses.

[simonandjuliet]

Once all the lights are on it will look lovely !

However, big step forward today. Exhaust made and fitted .....

This has been a major headache.  Down here , in the back-end of nowhere, we have very few options for bespoke exhausts. The interweb can't help because no-one has a furgoncino exhaust on their books and I can't get the car to "exhausts-R-us" without a flatbed, so I was lucky to find a local lad who makes systems.

Usually he makes them for wide-boy, big-bore enthusiasts, so today was a bit more down to earth !

The boxes are bespoke and the acute angles use pre-formed pieces all beautifully TIG welded. The rest of the kinks are formed with an ancient pipe-bender. End result is excellent. Fits perfectly , and looks really good.

I had to go for stainless in the end because of the availability of the large bore tube used for the boxes. Because of the wine industry here we have LOTS of stainless.

Next is to take it off again so the engine can go in ........

[lancialulu]

Excellent. I cant wait to hear what it sounds like!

[simonandjuliet]

Tim, might even have the engine in by the time you get here ......

Please excuse the staged picture - I wanted to get an idea how different the new repro headlamps (with yellow bulbs) look from the originals

Plus of course her UK registration number !

(I have just added a photo of her as found languishing in a field near Aosta .....)

[Neil]

Looks great, somewhat different when I last saw it in Alan's workshop in Devon in 2008, are you going to replicate the red stripe on the front, for trade purposes, not sure it would apply in France?