Report on (slow) S2 Coupe rebuild progress

[nthomas1]

Seat hinges - still looking for any decent ones Norman?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pair-seat-guide-USED-Lancia-Fulvia-Coupe/173311052911?hash=item285a24cc6f:g:ngQAAOSwwbdWINFe

One day I'll find some cheap ones!

Guy

Tricky decisions at every point Guy!
I'm reluctant to splash out this sort of money for a pair when it's actually only half of one pair that is badly pitted.  Will continue to ponder this as I continue work on the body.  Dismantling and getting the one arm chromed may still be best option.

[nthomas1]

Like Simon with his HF, I’ve been tidying up the engine bay on my car.  I've been fortunate that my welder has been happy for me to work on my car while in his workshop.  I imagine that's rare but we are both Lancia and motor racing enthusiasts so spend a lot of time sharing stories.  When I get back from Spain in a month’s time I’ll continue with this engine bay tidying.  I’ve been getting rid of all rust then painting with smooth white Hammerite Direct-to-Rust paint to catch any residual rust that I’ve missed.  The colour is not that far off Bianco Saratoga but my intention is to later prime and paint over the Hammerite with body colour.

The first picture below shows an area that I’ve worked on - rear horizontal surface plus part of the rear of the dashboard/bulkhead.  To make it easier to work on the rest of the horizontal surfaces I will remove the chassis plates - assuming that it will be easy to re-rivet them back on. I bought a riveter but (like most of the tools I've bought) have never used one before so will practice first!

I’d also like to remove the windscreen wipers and motor to improve access.   Are there any hints/tips for doing this?  I read somewhere that when the rubber-insulated mounts in the engine bay are removed (bolted through to footwell) the wiper mechanism can be withdrawn without dismantling the linkages.  That is of course having first unfastened the bases to which the wiper arms are attached.  Should these bases simply pull free from above after the nuts are removed - shown in second picture?

As always, any hints and tips will be gratefully received.

[davidwheeler]

They do indeed but then it can be a fearful struggle to extract them.  You may well find it easier to undo the connecting link - it should be quite easy to unclip.

[simonandjuliet]

I have recently removed the wiper mechanism and taken it to pieces, so will take some photos over the weekend. It was a pain to remove and I am wondering how best to put it back now that I have painted under the bonnet.

I may try and rebuild it in situ ....... or maybe not !

[DavidLaver]

Simon - need "an apprentice" with small hands and slim arms...? 

[nthomas1]

I’m just looking ahead to when I re-fit the interior trim to my car later this year year.  I have a question regarding the chrome-finish strips near the bottom of each door card.  They are part reference number 49 in TAV.  Firstly, does anybody know how to remove them?  I don’t want to risk damaging them but there are no fittings shown in TAV, and there are no fastenings visible on the rear of the door card so it looks like they may be attached to the vinyl rather than to the card behind it.  Secondly, has anybody ever had them re-chromed?  The strip on one side of my car is peeling badly - see picture below - exposing the pinkish coloured (plastic?) sub structure.  On the other door the chrome finish is missing completely.  The re-trimmed door cards that I have bought do not have this chromed strip, and looking at reference pictures in my library it seems like many people omit them when re-trimming.  Just wondering what’s the best approach.    

[simonandjuliet]

David - just spotted this one !

Too late on this occasion but there is always something to do .... so keep checking Ryanair !

Re wiper mechanism, I have refitted mine and will update the thread with pictures, but I did put it back bit at a time without damaging the new paint.

[nthomas1]

My welder has made more progress on the car.  He is now (in my absence) working on the right side.  A section of the front floorpan which was badly corroded has been cut away and a new panel, sourced from David Ashworth, has been welded in place.  A new subframe mount has been fitted - shown in the last picture with a reference plate still tagged in place to ensure correct positioning.  That will now be removed and the inner sill built up before fitting the sill strengthening plate and outer sill.

Simon - thanks for the information on windscreen wiper removal and fitment.

All - any thoughts on door card trim? See my question and photographs above.

[Scott]

Re. door cards:
Those chrome strips do indeed seem to have been glued in situ.
If it is a small area that needs patching then you could consider some chrome foil. Search for something like 'chrome detailing foil tape' online. Using a scalpel to cut out either side of the offending area to create a rectangle and then by putting in a replacement rectangle you should be able to affect a good, and near invisible, repair (assuming the tape has the same shininess of course!).

Re. windscreen wipers:
Are everyone's wipers as slow as mine?! I can't believe this is by design but it's how it's always been! I would be interested to hear if the lethargy is general or if I need to exchange/uprate my motor etc. I usually use rain-x if venturing out and the weather is looking iffy but I don't really like this stuff as it leaves a slightly opaque film on the glass so would rather do something about the wipers if I can!

[fay66]

Just a thought but when I worked for Vauxhall many years ago starting in the early 1960, I seem to remember the chrome strips having clenching teeth that attached them only to the back of the material, there was then a layer of padding between this and the board, the material was then electrically welded to the board, turned over and the edges of the material stapled to the back of the board.
Brian
8227

[eog]

Re your lower door card chrome trim, just looking at a Lotus Elan (1960/70) front bumper.
The insert bumper to body may do the trick.
Not certain if I can post link but here goes
 https://paulmattysportscars.co.uk/product/elan-front-bumper-trim/

[nthomas1]

Thanks for the responses regarding the door card trim:

Scott - I’ve bought some chrome wrap and will have a go at covering them.  I won’t try patching but rather will cover the entire strip, then judge whether they look good enough to be used or whether I should just omit the strips altogether.

Brian - I was thinking along the same lines about the fastening method.  I might try removing the vinyl cover from one of my old door cards to see what’s visible at the back.

Maurice - thanks for the suggestion. I’ll take a look.

[frankxhv773t]

The Elan part looks like an aluminium extrusion to me so would not be what is needed. Covering in chrome foil sounds the best approach but I would be tempted to strip all the old foil off before recovering. It is rather unforgiving of blemishes in the base material.

[nthomas1]

Thanks for the advice Frank - will take that on board.

Work has continued on the right side of my car.  The old sill has been cut away exposing the considerable rust underneath.  The new driver floor-pan is now in place as is the subframe mounting box, and a new section of metal has been welded in place to replace the section of the floor under the rear portion of the inner sill.  A strengthening plate, same as that installed on the left side of the car, has been welded in place and the new outer sill has been fitted.

[frankxhv773t]

On a small and very pedantic note, your car is being worked on by your "weldor" while you are away. He is using a "welder". Even spell check doesn't recognise "weldor" though.