Everyday Appia

[westernlancia]

Nice detail is the "fish-tail" for the exhaust. I found this on eBay , but I think Alan W sells them as well.

Sorry - only just saw this (spent the last 3 weeks decorating the bedroom!).

Yes, I sell the fishtails - I call them cockleshells. They are my 'bargain basement' ones because they are repro rather than actually old, and I have hundreds of them:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/321680664154

I you want one, DON'T bid on eBay - I'll do you a much better deal off it...

I also have a LOT of much nicer genuine old ones (well over 100). Here are most of the ones I have, although some of the best ones are sold:

http://oldcaraccessories.com/exhaustacc.htm

Some are big wacky ones for American cars, but over half of these are much smaller and more restrained ones, and most are actually Italian (I got them at Padova), and I have several that are labelled as being for Fulvias and other Lancias and Alfas (the only variable being the pipe diameter - in practice most deflectors fit most cars).

Simon, you really need one of these on the Appia (see attachments) - much more appropriate, labelled as for Lancias/Alfas, and actually from the period (some time in the 60s, I think)

The ones with the three red circles are fantastic, genuine 'made in Italy' from the 60s, and I have those in several sizes, labelled as being for Fulvias, Flavias, Fiat 600s, Fiat 125s, Alfa Giulias, etc.

[simonandjuliet]

Alan, must be a very big bedroom !

I hadn't realised there was such a range of deflectors. I think some Aprilias sported a very simple aluminium fishtail as well.

Back to the Appia, more details prior to CT (MOT). The last of the 'obligatories' done today, indeed I have just come in from setting the headlights, the switch to BST meant I had to wait another hour before I could adjust them !

Fitting the windscreen washers was a very rare 2 person job, my arms are not quite long enough to attach the nozzle to the pipework, so Jules and her impeccable mechanical skills were sought.

I have replaced the plastic pipes and although they were a tight fit, they leaked like a sieve. Obviously the manual pump produces very good pressure. Second time round I used a smaller section pipe, heated it in water and then made wire clips to ensure it didn't leak.

Now the water jet clears the back bumper !

New wiper rubbers (retaining the lovely Carello frames) and ready to go.

Nice surprise with the door panels. The car came with a set of black door cards and although I didn't realise at the time, they were not original. When I came to fit them they were very thick and had been re-trimmed - twice ! So I stripped away the covers and underneath they are very restorable, original fabric covers. There are a couple of screw holes that will require a delicate stitch or two, and they will need a damn good clean, but they will be lovely. The only issue is that it will need to be taken off the hardboard backing - it is water damaged - and that will take time, so they will have to wait until after the CT. I have just fitted the handles etc

Also, chrome trims, new door rubbers, bonnet rubbers etc etc - too much to list ! We have also finished attaching the Syrah canes, but still have 20 tons of cow-poo to shift ......

[westernlancia]

Alan, must be a very big bedroom !

3 metres square, but I was starting from a very low base (having to attach skirting boards to a curved earth wall didn't help, either!).

And...

I hadn't realised there was such a range of deflectors. I think some Aprilias sported a very simple aluminium fishtail as well.

So did Appias - a lot of Lancias came with a simple, flat (and IMHO a bit boring) one.

And...

Nice surprise with the door panels. The car came with a set of black door cards and although I didn't realise at the time, they were not original. When I came to fit them they were very thick and had been re-trimmed - twice ! So I stripped away the covers and underneath they are very restorable, original fabric covers.

I knew it had several layers, and I was rather partial to the middle layer (the oddly-textured turquoise ones), but I am amazed that bthe originals are serviceable - absolutely brilliant (although I liked those ones I picked up off Ben for you, too - I love those little kick protectors at the bottoms).

[simonandjuliet]

PS ....... Does anyone have an "on-car" picture of the vertical, inter-door rubbers on an Appia ? (the ones trapped by the aluminium frame)

Not sure that mine are correct !

Thanks

[westernlancia]

PS ....... Does anyone have an "on-car" picture of the vertical, inter-door rubbers on an Appia ? (the ones trapped by the aluminium frame)
Not sure that mine are correct !
Thanks

I can't remember what that car had, but I'd have thought they needed replacing. Cavalitto, Elvezio and Cicognani sell them (Cicognani make them for the others), but the ones they sell now aren't quite right - I think they are Aurelia ones, because they are thicker and bigger than Appia ones. I know this because I got the last set of Appia ones he had, circa 2003, and he told me there wouldn't be any more like it.

I'll do you a pic of mine when I go outside in a minute.

[John B]

PS ....... Does anyone have an "on-car" picture of the vertical, inter-door rubbers on an Appia ? (the ones trapped by the aluminium frame)

Not sure that mine are correct !

Thanks

Proved to be quite difficult to get any half decent pictures with my bargain basement camera but out of the 12 I took
I have attached the best 3.
Let me know if you want anything more specific and I will try again.

[simonandjuliet]

Thank you gents, now sorted with your help !

More progress this afternoon. Door seals all fitted along with a few other details - getting there !

[westernlancia]

PS ....... Does anyone have an "on-car" picture of the vertical, inter-door rubbers on an Appia ? (the ones trapped by the aluminium frame)
Not sure that mine are correct !
Thanks

And here are mine - pretty much like John's (this is the 'new' car but the other is the same). Even the same colour car! Hope you got em on O.K. - the hardest thing for me was trimming them, because they are supplied a few mm too wide and it was hard to cut a dead straight edge.

[simonandjuliet]

Must admit, I didn't need to trim them - I had to position them carefully before screwing down the trim. Otherwise OK

More help needed please ......

I have managed to lose/mislay very few bits - inevitable with so many projects vying for space, but a minor irritation is the spare wheel butterfly. I know that I have it, but I have put it "somewhere safe" !

Does anyone have one - they fit Fulvias as well I think - to buy or BORROW - I am sure mine will turn up ? There is one on eBay for 30 euros , but as I say , mine will turn up .......

Thanks

t minus 41 (hours) and counting .....

[simonandjuliet]

Well ........ she passed !

No advisories or return visit, so paper work submitted for reg docs, hopefully should be 100% "aux normes" in a week or so.

As a trial run this morning I took her up to the vines for a photo-shoot and then post MOT celebrations with a cup of tea chez Tim and Sarah Heath and their Delta GT

Now she needs miles on the clock. First though is a head-tighten and final check over before handing her over to our tame racing-driver/wife

(ps - to a Mr X for the offer of a spare-wheel wingnut, a big thank you, you know who you are !)

[DavidLaver]

Brilliant news.  Well done indeed.

David

[DavidLaver]

...and now having driven an Appia did you like it ?

[westernlancia]

As a trial run this morning I took her up to the vines for a photo-shoot

I'm sure it's somewhere in the thread, but I am reading this on my iPad in Stafford, and it's a bit slow!

What did you do about the horrible silver-painted dash plastic? The easy way would be to re-cover / replace it, but I know you're not one for the easy way out.

And did you find a back bumper? I hated that too, but they are hens' teeth.

[simonandjuliet]

She is absolutely lovely to drive - light , precise but with a solid feel.

The exhaust note is spot on and you can feel a reasonable amount of "go" but still running in, so care ! The gearbox is slick, but , I think that there is some wear in one of the forks so occasionally I found third difficult to select. No double de-clutching necessary but I will do so out of habit.

Suspension still a bit sticky and I need to get the dampers properly set, some minor adjustments to the clutch to make it bite a bit higher but overall 8/10 and a lot of smiles. Indeed, so many people have admired the car. The MOT man was beside himself with compliments on the quality and EVERY person who came in whilst she was being tested made a comment.

Beautiful !

[stanley sweet]

Never doubted it would pass after the work you put in. Looks lovely - beautiful colour. I was puzzled by your 2017 C.T. sticker but realised that you probably have yet to register it as a vehicule de collection. I didn't get any sort of sticker at all last time around and you had me worried for a minute!