Post by classicgreendog on Jun 12, 2007 20:15:09 GMT 1
Hi, I'm a new member and my name is Mike. I live in Norwich.
For my sins I have purchased a very down-at-heel Vanguard phase II, 1954 model from e bay.
I've not long retired and I have been buying cars that have nostalgic memories from my youth, and the Vanguard is one of them.
I also have a Triumph Stag.
I bought a 10 year old Phase 1 in 1960, and I have very fond memories of it. It was royal blue with red leather and it was a most handsome car.
My most vivid memory of owning it was losing my virginity on the bench seat. !! Happy days !
I painted the tyres in white emulsion which made it look amazing. The paint dried up quickly and flaked off, so I was constantly touching it up.
My recent purchase is from a family that owned the car from new in 1954 so there are no previous keepers recorded. The first owner eventually passed it to his brother who ran it until 1971 when it was taken off the road. Sadly it stood for all these years and has suffered accordingly.
However, the body is extremely sound overall, and the only area that requires serious attention is the sills inner and outer both sides. A complete new set came with the car together with some new rear wheel arch pieces. A new set of hub caps as well !!
The underneath looks very solid, and it has survived well because it seems to have been lubricated by engine and gearbox oils. The engine has been partly dis-mantled, but nothing seems to be missing. A snapped off manifold bolt seems to have been the problem. This dis-mantling was done back in 85, and never finished off. Everything else is there, but most of it requires re-furbishment including the interior. A new set of tyres is going to be a must.
I noticed that the heater box and controls were missing and asked the owner if he still had them, and he said that it never had one !! Amazing.
Apparently it was an 'optional extra' in those days and the decision was made not to have one. The wife apparently suffered badly in the cold weather, so much so I was told, that on occassions she took the bus instead of the car !!! This is obviously not going to be a quick-fix job, and I anticipate 2 years before I can show it off. In the meantime I'll be on the forum as the need arises looking for advice, help, and information.
The chromework is covered in a film of rust and I wondered if anyone could advise the best way to get it off without scratching the chrome ?
Fortunately Ian Leggatt is not far from me, so a visit to see him and his car is on my agenda for the near future.
