Please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have about this project and I will do my best to reply promptly
Jan-Feb 2021
I have set myself a target of finishing all the rusting bodywork this year with a complete respray programmed for 2022. Unable to work on the car yet due to the bad wet and cold weather but as soon as it warms up I shall be out there. I still have the rest of the door frames to clean up, the chassis door frame surrounds, drive side sill, rear wings and arches, rear window surround and the boot lid and that`s before filling in all the slight depressions with filler then rubbing it all down ready for primer.
May 2021
As the weather has improved I have started on the bodywork again and will address door surrounds
June 2021
Started welding in fabricated parts on the OS chassis front member and door surrounds
July-Sept 2021
Working on the body work around the door frame surrounds and sills. Work is slow as there is extensive metal work that requires bespoke parts to shape. Turned over engine ready for the winter break and found the re-bore has left everything very tight. Clutch now works well but still have the breaks to set up.
Oct-Dec 2021
Finished the work on the door surrounds and primed that work, will have to leave work on the rear window pillars and boot lid until the new year due to winter approaching. Might spend time in the shed on stripping the doors and priming them. I tried to set up the breaks but the master cylinder is very stiff with the new seals and jams when fully down. I have ordered another set of 3/4" bore seals in case the others were old new parts (hardened with age) I have noticed singer changed the cylinder style to a fixed push rod to pull the plunger back using the floor peddle motion. May have to modify mine ?
Jan - March 2020
Nothing to report the weathers been atrocious. Gail force winds and torrential rain have wiped out any chance of working on the car these months
April 2020
The doors were removed after drilling out some of the retaining bolts and I have started dismantling all the innards. All the glass guides are rusted away and there is wood and filler in all the door bottoms. The good news is the winding and opening mechanisms are still working but the handles are very pitted. After removing plates and filler it is apparent that the lower 150 mm on the inner panels of all the doors inside and the lower 400 mm of the outer panels will need fabricating again. The door rubber retaining strip which goes around all doors will have to be removed and replaced. One of the rear doors window frames at the rear where it joins the main unit will also require replacement due to rust, these will be tricky parts to repair for me. Fabricated the parts in card and then transferred to steal. I found for me the best approach was create and tack in the centre lower part of the inner panel so it gives you a reference, then work on both ends by making various parts welded together. If I had the correct tools fabricating the replacement parts in one would be the way to go. I think I will replace the outer panels up to the chrome waistline strips as they have many rust holes and to hid under the embellishment strips any slight miss alignment of the steel when welded. Once all rust has been replaced with good steel I will treat, red oxide and grey prime. Then all the glass retaining strips (3 widths of u channel), end stops and support brackets will be remade and stripped inserts replaced. Also working on the window winding and pull catch parts to remove rust, repair and re-grease. Many of the fitting bolts and screws will have to be replaced as most snapped or stripped when removed.
May 2020
This month will see the inside panels of the doors finished and the window guides made. Without doubt one of the hardest jobs taken on so far and I have not started on the outer panels yet. Both the front door quarter lights were found to be completely rusted out and their seals beyond repair so it might mean making them non-opening as sealing rubbers and chrome parts are unavailable but I might be able to get rubber to fabricate my own unit seals.
June 2020
Treated the inside panels and painted with heavy grey oxide paint. Will work on the doors outer skin dutch fold edges by refitting on the car and doing extensive measuring before the final cutting/folding/welding.
July 2020
Having slid all 4 outer fabricated panels on the doors I just need to weld up, dress back and spray some primer on. I have made all new runners for the glass window sliders and new rubber/felt channel inserts have been cut to size. Fitting the fabricated galvanized steel door sealing rubber retaining strips with aluminium rivets will be required after some careful bending. The doors will be left off the car until the respraying. Most of the corners around all 4 doors on the main chassis need attention as rust has had a field day, these are multiple shaped parts so will have to make up wooden templates deep joy.
Aug 2020
Started fabricating the chassis door corners using wooden jigs.
Sept 2020
Fabricating steel parts for corners and started on welding outer door panels
Oct 2020
Continuing to work on doors
Nov 2020
Working on doors and retaining framework
Dec 2020
What a year this has been. I have not done half the work planed so 2021 will be a finger out and get down to some major work on the back end and may be get it ready for a complete re-spray. There is a large number of rust issues with the rear wheel arches, that boot lid and rear window pillars.
Jan 2019
Engine block has been collected and I repainted blue. Picked up the seats and door cards from the upholsterer, they need a little tiding up though. Engine is now assembled with a re-bore, new +0.030" pistons, new shells all round, + 0.005" thrust washers, valves, springs, new oil seals and gaskets. Engine unit is less new clutch complete and serviced gear box . U-Tube Gear box dismantled using 7/16" and 3/4" dummy bars checked all parts (lay shaft cluster gear showing wear)and replaced oil seals and reassembled using new gaskets. Painted Gear box unit blue, re-fitted bell housing, rear cover and painted support bracket assembly completing this unit. Engine, clutch and gear box units will be joined when I am ready to install in the engine bay.
Feb 2019
Re-assembled the serviced front headlight units and decided to fit an electronic ignition unit while the the engine is out. On warmer days I am working on the engine bay. Had to construct some steel boxes to weld into front wheel arches where they contact the bulkhead. Another poor design where water ingresses into an area with no drain holes, a tricky job laying on your back with welding splatter spaying all over the place. Engine bay is ready for masking and red oxide, grey primer and blue paint. I could only get this sky blue heat resistant colour.
March 2019
Just another coat of blue and the bay will be ready for all serviced parts and finally the engine unit completing the refurbishment. Started on bonnet hinges by stripping and refinishing the mechanism and applying etch primer. Now the engine bay is painted the front under carriage will be stripped and repainted. Started cutting out the rusting parts of the front wheel arch panels these will be replaced, God there`s a lot of rusting surfaces.
April 2019
Finished replacing the rusting parts on the front inner wheel arches so its on to the rear inner and outer wings, As this is where water has sat for years there is a lot of rusty panel parts to cut out and replace. Once remaining parts have been treated with rust inhibitor I will start to fabricate new steel panels to eventually weld in place. I have many curved and compound shapes to create as this area is where the bulk head, front inner and outer wings, floor structure and sills meet drainage must be addressed. Really I would love to have a little word with the designers about their approach to surface water draining because it seems throughout this vehicle a few pockets have been created to trap water without any consideration to drainage.
May 2019
Front arches are finished off with red oxide on bare steel work and then black underseal I have started to repair steel work on the rusting bonnet by replacing hinge support channels, front corners,the inner and outer skins of the front curved shapes above the radiator. These were filled with bits of steel and a ton of body filler. I must get the shaping right because this is an iconic part of the Singer Vogue styling. I have added drainage holes myself.
June 2019
Finds me still working on the front bonnet with all the various curved profiles using wooden templates where possible. I have decided to try lead filling on the bonnet rather than bondi, not having tried this before I will document my progress in the Tech section.
July 2019
Due to a family bereavement this month will see no work done
Aug 2019
Fitted the front cross member, upper and lower fulcrum arms, the brake and clutch master cylinders with copper pipes being run around the engine bay and cross member. I will have to wait to fit suspension until engine is in as the extra weight will help when compressing the road springs. The end of the month finds the fly wheel, new clutch assembly, gearbox, starter and clutch slave cylinder fitted.
September 2019
I have fitted all the electrical units to the engine bay replacing all rubbers, terminals and fixings. Engine is on the hoist ready to fit on a fine day with the assistance of my Son. Engine is now in and I am connecting up all ancillaries but won`t try starting until the fuel tank has been checked out. Front suspension springs, dampers, stub axils, brake discs, pipes and steering parts have been fitted. This just leaves the radiator, anti role bar, prop shaft and a little tidying up of the electrics in the bay to finish up.
October 2019
All engine bay parts fitted, fuel tank refurbished, oil, water and fuel added so it just needs battery charged to try the engine for the first time, fingers crossed. With the static timing set second turnover saw the engine start so I strobe set at 8` BTDC and checked at 2500 rev fully advanced was at 28` BTDC. All works after setting carburetor fuel with only temp sender failing and timing chain rattle on tick over. When it warmed up a smell of burning paint from the exhaust manifold but no signs of oil or water leaking with a very tight sounding engine.
November 2019
On bright days I will start on the front end first removing paint, rust and then welding replacement metal to finally giving it all a grey primer coat. All the doors need extensive metal work on their lower sections so this is my winter project. I will remove each door, remove mechanical parts, cut out all the rusting steel, prefabricate replacements and weld in and seal with primer. Continuous rain has stopped all work for this month.
December 2019
Christmas on the horizon means work will be put on hold I think so I am looking forward to 2020.
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January 2018
Man cave has electric, lights, shelves and work benches.
March 2018
The warmer weather is upon us so with the shed now finished with all the Singer parts out of the house and filed away in the shed its time to start again. I have removed the Fuel pump and Carburetor (Zenith 30 VN) to refurbish with seals and jets. Also started looking at the glove compartment lid as it has been painted over in the past after the veneer had peeled away.
April 2018
The Fuel pump and Carburettor have been refitted but I will need to replace the complete fuel line and fittings. Started scrapping off under seal from the front undercarriage to reveal more rusting to address.
May 2018
The fuel line has been completely replaced and tested. Continuing to scrape off all the under-seal to reveal rust which will be addressed and new seal applied. The interior flooring rust is also being addressed after removing the seating. The exhaust pipes and support straps removed and are to be replaced when I have finished the sealing. I have also removed the brake and clutch master cylinders, pipes and clutch slave cylinder. These are all to be refurbished with new seals and pipe work after the underside has been completed. Looking at removing the complete rear drive train and suspension to refurbish as I need access to the rest of the rear undercarriage for scrapping and sealing.
June 2018
Scrapping and sealing of undercarriage completed and spare wheel cradle refitted after painting. I am working on the removed differential, prop-shaft, leaf springs and dampers all to be serviced and refitted when I have addressed the rear wheel arches.
July 2018
Rear wheel inner arches have been repaired and under sealed. I have now refitted all the rear drive train and suspension after servicing. An exhaust system is no longer available so I am making up my own in stainless. The exhaust boxes have been sourced and tube is being manufactured then I will cut and weld to fit.
Aug 2018
I have managed to find a local upholsterer so all seats and new door cards (made from 3.5mm ply) will be with him soon. He will strip the covers off so I may service the units and return to him to recover. Removed road wheels and spare then stripped to bear metal painted and fitted new tyres. The exhaust system has now been cut, welded, fitted with the special rubber straps and stainless support brackets. Laid the brake pipe up to the bulk head. The engine started first turn to check for any leaks or knocking all OK. Removed all the steering components for servicing.
Sept 2018
The complete steering unit has been stripped, serviced, painted and will be fitted when I am ready. All the front suspension and brake units have been removed and are in the process of stripping, checking and repair. The fulcrum arms had to have their rusted fixing bolts cut away to release them from the car. While this is all removed from the chassis I will steel plate and weld anything required on the inner front wheel arches. The seat frames have been serviced including the rubber panels, repainted and returned to the upholsterer.
Oct 2018
The upholsterer hopes to have the seats back by the end of the month. With all the front suspension removed including the main cross member I have decided its time to remove the engine and gearbox. Bought a hoist and level frame and are disconnecting all parts required to lift the complete unit from the car. The engine unit will be a winter job and will also allow me to clean up the engine bay with fresh paint, new pipes and service parts where required. Strip down of engine is complete and checking all parts. Re-bore required with +0.30" pistons and rings but big/small ends, camshaft, and end floats OK. New core plugs, flywheel gear, clutch assembly, valves, springs, mains end float shims +0.005", gaskets ordered and will work through fitting these.
Nov 2018
Ordered the +0.30" pistons and rings so when they arrive off to a machinist for re-bore. Cylinder head has been re-furbished with new springs, seals, valves and then ground in. Engine bay has had all parts removed and is having all the black under seal removed in preparation for painting blue, while the front suspension has been rebuilt with new bushes and joints and will be painted black ready for attaching when engine bay is completed. Crankcase and pistons are at the machinist. I have chosen blue for the crankcase and silver for all other relevant parts. As original it will be a blue rocker box and all other panels black stove enamel.
Dec 2018
Moved finished items to the green house to make space for the return of the engine block and a rebuild. I removed the front headlight units soaked them in releasing agent for about a week and then completely disassembled. Stripped the paint and replaced all threaded parts, polished chrome and repainted black ready for refitting.
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March 2017
Control Box.
After testing found faulty, removed and replaced with a new unit
Fuse Box.
Removed and cleaned all terminals and refitted with new fuses
Battery.
Replaced both leads with the correct type terminals and fixing bolts
Generator.
Removed, cleaned and checked then refitted with new bolts
Engine bay loom.
Replaced all broken and burnt cables with original style terminals and earthing parts
Windscreen wiper.
Removed the complete unit, disassembled, cleaned, tested and greased parts. Support bracket cleaned and repainted black then re-fitted unit with new rubber vibration bushes and fixings
April 2017
Dashboard.
Removed steering wheel and repaired indicator and horn units to work correctly. Dashboard then removed to find loom badly burnt out with most units either not wired correctly or broken. Repaired or renewed all including loom, plunger type screen washer unit, light switch, most bulbs and all cable fixings.
Heater Fan.
Removed unit, disassembled and cleaned, rewired and painted then refitted with new rubbers and fixings. I had to run new wires from fuse box and fit a fan switch on dash board.
Cabin Air Box.
Removed from car, cleaned, treated and welded a new steel support bracket. Painted black. replaced air filter and foam sealing gasket. Treated inner air channel of car with anti-rust solution and sprayed with etching primer/paint. Refitted with new self tapper screws. U-Tube
Cabin Heater Box.
Removed the complete unit and disassembled to find it rusted out (water valve had been leaking unnoticed into base of unit over time) and a mouse had then nested in it. I fabricated with steel sheet all rusted out parts and welded back all parts to an original state, re-foam seals and flaps, repaint complete and refit to the car cabin. The hot water valve required a complete service (simply drilled out the locking rivet and twisted off). The internal radiator unit was flushed, pressure tested and then repainted. When unit overhaul completed I refitted to car interior. U-Tube
Radiator.
Removed unit and flushed out, pressure tested, then cleaned off all poor paint and re-coated. I replaced hoses and clips all round.
Main Cooling Fan.
While the radiator was out I removed fan and pulley and stripped off all the paint. Re-sprayed silver and replaced with new fixing UNF bolts.
Front Valance.
Removed letter boxes, indicators units and front grill. There is much work required here with rust to be treated and re-sprayed on inner wings and valance. Straightened the steel cross member, removed all the body filler and under-sealed all the hidden areas. The chrome requires complete replacement at a later date, may be next year when the re-spray is planed.
May 2017
Front Indicator Units.
Removed to get at rust on inner arches. Cleaned units, treated, painted, made new seals and rewired
Windscreen washer bottle.
Fabricated a support bracket and fitted in correct place with a E-Bay purchased original Tudor water bottle
Car Horns.
Removed, completely dismantle, stripped paint, treated and re-painted. Replaced with new fixing bolts
Front Bumper.
Removed to gain access to bodywork. Removed all chrome trim, ground off paint and filler from front body and treated with anti rust. I had to fabricated a steel replacement part for under the grill, MIG weld and dress back ready for filling.
Front Grill.
Removed and disassembled completely. Cleaned steel support plates, polished aluminum strips and painted the steel. Then pop-rivet all parts together, replaced threaded parts and now ready for mounting on car.
June 2017
Front Wings, inner wheel arch panels and foot wells.
Removed all rusted panel parts and treated remaining steel ready for patches. Cut and fabricated patches then MIG welded to inner wheel arch and dressed back ready for filler. Found more rust in both front foot wells and their supporting brackets and jacking struts under the car. Fabricated new foot well panels, support brackets and jacking struts then cut out rusting parts back to good material and treated before welding parts in. This is a very long and painstaking job scraping off layers of under-seal and grinding back to good metal which will see out June I am sure.
July 2017
This month finds me still welding in sheet metal front floor pans and support chassis parts. After welding I ground back all high spots and then red oxide was applied. Under-seal has now been applied to replacement parts. I have just washed the engine bay ready to work on over the winter.
August 2017
Starting to replace with steel sheet the lower rear front wings where rust and filler has been removed. This fabrication of parts is the hardest so far with many wooden shaped templates to achieve the shapes required. I removed the rest of the domestic carpet from the cabin to reveal yet more rust in the rear floor pans which will need addressing.
September 2017
New Workshop. I have run out of storage space so a new shed at the bottom of the garden is on the cards (8` x 12`Man Cave). It`s going to take a while to set it all up so no more project work, just a lot of wood and electric work needed.
October 2017
The shed is now up just work benches, shelves and electric to install and then she`s ready to move all car parts into.