Ardea Project

[chugga boom]

repairs

[chugga boom]

more repairs

[Robert]

Thanks Chugga.  I had been veering towards about 60/40 in favour of a special but you've swung it back to 60/40 in favour of a restoration!
I can start stripping it and get to work on the running gear while I make my mind up anyway.  Thanks for the photos and info - you've answered a few more of my questions regarding stripping the shell.
I deal with sandblasters and powdercoaters for my work and regularly have problems with them ignoring instructions so I'm really tempted to have a go myself.  Only problem is hiring sandblasting equipment seems really tricky, possibly due to health and safety etc, so I'll do a bit of investigating in this area.  A compressor is easy enough to get but is sand blasting equipment that different to paint spraying equipment?
Also, is some sort of anti-rust primer needed after the etch primer and before the paint layers?

I'm also roughly trying to consider how much each project would cost in parts and time. Tricky bits for the special are getting a 1920s Fiat chassis and making the front and rear bodywork, while for the restoration the tricky bits are the shell, the wings and interior fittings.  I have done a good bit of looking over the internet and there is a surprisingly good supply of parts although some prices seem high, in particular the steering wheel, mirror, clock and the rear lenses that I require!  I guess these things could have period replacements and be swapped at a later date anyway. Don't suppose there's anyone in the UK that has a stash of Ardea parts?

[DavidLaver]

With an Ardea restoration you will find a heap of goodwill and assistance out there.  Parts will find you. People will know ways to make other parts fit either to tide you over or permanently.  The challenge is the metal work...

For a special its a lovely idea, but my own view is that the Ardea is now too rare to consider breaking as a donor.  From time to time I've pondered hunting down a set of running gear to make a replica of one of the Ardea specials building a chassis from scratch (as if I need another project, but killing time at a computer!!!)  If you have more than a passing interest the Gilco book is a must as is La Sport.

http://www.gilcodesign.com/
http://www.gilcodesign.com/doc/des/Gilco203_750.htm

http://www.velocetoday.com/lifestyle/lifestyle_12.php

For the "either-or" decision there's the option to pass this project on and start afresh on a special.  Appia running gear is widely available...  You'd get a more powerful engine, more robust axles and better brakes for a fraction of the cost of Ardea bits.  You'd also have spares backup.  For a prewar special Aprilia bits are out there still but getting expensive.

The other option is to build a special based on something else entirely.  Austin 7s are the obvious with masses of knowledge and support out there and a heap of things to do with the car when done from driving tests to sprints and hillclimbs to racing and long distance rallies.  There's a growing LoCost community, a friend inspired by another friend's sprint debut in his Austin 7 is going down that route.  There's a 50s Ford special scene.  Model T and Model A Fords...

David

[simonandjuliet]

For what it's worth,and I agree with David,  I would either pass the project on and start a "special" on another base, or better still rebuild the Ardea. They are lovely and extremely rare ! Parts are available in Italy and the Ardea Club is a mine of information

[DavidLaver]

Anyone got a members list to hand to say how many Ardeas in the club?  Anyone know how many on the road?  My guess is something like three cars on the road and eight known.

David

[lancialulu]

6 berlinas and one Furgoncino.....

[simonandjuliet]

plus a camioncino

[lancialulu]

plus a camioncino

not in my list?

[Raahauge]

We may not be on your list either, we have just acquired a second series.
It is running but needs some work, we are just in the process of getting it registered.
I am following this thread avidly and would also urge Robert to rebuild.
My experience with our Augusta which was also very rusty in places is that once you cut back to good metal the work is much less formidable.
Good luck.

[chugga boom]

plus a camioncino

not in my list?

the furgoncino could be mine but as you know its not anymore, the camioncino belongs to Ron Francis are there anymore??

[chugga boom]

Robert having re read your reply to my pictures , to the best of my knowlage there is no big stash of ardea parts in the uk, however things do turn up if you ask, I know I have a spare engine and 2 spare gearboxes and a brand new (still in Lancia wrappings) pair of half shafts and a spare bonnet , Ron has a spare rear axle case and diff and a few other bits n bobs so stuff is out there , the ardea was never officially imported to the uk so parts and cars are rarer over here, this is more of a reason to do it in my mind, I have only ever seen the 2 commercials , 1 car in bits and 1 car on the road in the uk, also bare in mind that anything can be made , all the panels in the photo's I put up are hand made , my dad makes/ modifies instruments for our vehicles eg his "metron clock" in his augusta is actually a ford 6volt electric item which he made a replica face for on the computer which is indistinguishable from an original , I have a full set of ardea instruments for my pickup which I'm sure we could copy the faces for you , in all fairness the forum always seems to come up trumps with stuff and helpful advice, j

[adrian donovan]

Very impressive pictures chugga! - I think Tony is very fortunate to have you to sort out his car! - And Robert - your little Ardea looks to have a lot of potential!

[Robert]

Thanks for all the replies.  It's approaching 80/20 in favour of restoration now!
Thanks for the Gilco link David - really interesting stuff.  In particular the 750 Giusti with the drilled suspension. Too fine for words.  I may do a bit more research in this area of tubular chassis specials.

I've just taken the Lancia to my mum's garage where I should be able to strip it down to bare metal and keep everything together.  I'm afraid my other wreck (Piper GTT) is being done first, so progress may be a little slow on the Lancia, but I will send a few pics as I strip it down.

[Mic]

This may not be news to you, Robert, but a friend in U.K. (I am in Portugal) tells me that Harry Scott has an Ardea.  I have no idea what the state of it is.

The discussion came about as I told Mike Cole of an Ardea out here in Portugal.  Body seems to be a total write off but has instruments, engine, etc.  Been outside for quite a while I should think.  The guy is not someone I would trust too much and probably wants silly money although I doubt there is another Ardea in the country.  Seems to be 4th series and c. 1951/2.  From your postings I doubt anything that you might be need but thought you might want to know.