65 uk Moke Restoration

[Wally2]

How are you doing James? Not long now to the IMM!
Cheers
Chris

[Wally2]

Hi James,
Well you didn't make it to the IMM with the Moke, but all is not lost, there are lots of events being organised for next year including the National in the Peak District end of July. We would love to see you there or at any of the events.
So more pics of progress required, shall we see you at the classic show in November? minus the Moke of course!
Cheers
Chris

[j Beeton]

Hi All,

My Moke has been shot blasted and I collected it this week. So a few more little holes here and there! The front subframe , hood frame, wheels have all has been blasted and powder coated and look great. The welder came round this morning to check out and we now have a plan to start However this involves getting some replacement panels so if there are any still available in club stock I would be interested otherwise it will be from the main suppliers.
A question asked by "Dave "the Welder is how are the pannier side panels welded on originally , mine were rivetted on so I have no idea can anyone tell me how they should be done... will try to post some photos - if I can remember how to ...thanks James

[Nigel(no top)Sykes]

They were spot welded round the outside and to the dividers

[j Beeton]

Thanks, welding starting tomorrow pm , with a couple of patches to front panel in the top corners. New panels will be ordered this week from M panels/moke panels . Both suppliers look ok...

[j Beeton]

Work is progressing well on the Moke, and as usual there is more metal work required than anticipated. I have been cutting out dodgy repairs and rotten steel and making us some repair sections for welding in. Dave the Welder is doing a fantastic job, his skill levels with welding and bodywork are amazing, we have come across some bad/cheap works from years ago but he has been able to sort out proper solutions . A milestone today in that the new rear heel board has now been tacked into position with both new end pannier bulkheads fitting perfectly after some fine tuning by Dave . The subframe was fitted first to ensure the mounts all lined up, then removed to allow complete welding of heel board.
I have decided to replace a few of the rusty panels rather than plate them as in the end it is easier and will last longer. I have sourced these from M-Parts and Moke Panels and both suppliers products are first class-.
If I can figure out how to post some photos I will .

[Wally2]

Hi James,
Details of how to post photos are under site discuss section.
Seems that progress is coming on a pace!
Chris

[j Beeton]

some pics of progress I hope !!

[Wally2]

Hi James,
looks a little more work than you first thought, but it will be worth it in the end. Then you will know you have a good, sound Moke.
Any completion date in mind yet?
Any event next year that is a 'must attend' and therefore 'must complete' the Moke by?
if you are attending the Classic Car Show at the end of the week, I'II see you there!
Cheers
Chris

[j Beeton]

Hi Chris, yes more work than originally thought , but I decided rather than patch up patches it was better to go for it and replace panels . This decision was aided by the expert and experienced advice from my welder, as nothing phases him . As a day job he restores rare and exotic cars where most panels he will have to make up from scratch!!. I was thinking about going to NEC this weekend but too much work on to be able to go...it would have been good to meet up again.
Plan is to finish all bodywork by Xmas , and then early new year paint and start to bolt stuff back on ...we,ll see!!!!

[Wally2]

Hi James,
You made the right decision, it will be proven over time.
So the exiting stuff starts in the new year! So we may be seeing you at some events next year.
Keep us up to date with progress and photos, sorry we will miss you at the weekend.
This is mine during restoration, you can see some of the original spruce green.

Cheers
Chris

[Wally2]

Hi James,
how is the Moke getting on?
Chris

[j Beeton]

Hi Chris,
Thanks for asking, slowly is the truthfull answer!! I had bad flu virus which knocked me out for most of Jan /Feb and had little enthusiasm for working in the garage... However I am back to full strength now and today almost finished grinding down all the welds in the tub. I have seam sealed all the under neath so that is finished for the moment. This grinding mullarky is a horrible job and seems to go on forever , I wear a face mask and goggles so look like a panda after removal with all the muck and dust kicked up.!! Have used dozens of zirco belts on the power file and flappy discs for the angle grinder, but thank goodness nearly finished this task!!.
Will try to post some more photos over the weekend..... James

[Wally2]

Hi James,
Any more progress??
Chris

[j Beeton]

Hi Chris, thanks for keeping in touch much appreciated..... Yes lots more progress ...but some major set back as well... I had the car painted at end of June - just before I went to work at Glastonbury ... When I went to collect it I was not happy with the finish ,the paint shop agreed that it was not perfect and they would spray all the top surfaces again. This they did ,but again it was still not right, with some mopping on the bonnet it looked much better. Anyway they delivered the shell back to my garage , with a promise to do the final touching up etc after i rebuilt the car . This seemed sensible at the time , but after some time to think it through it is the wrong way forward. The car should have come back with a good finish - they were the experts and were happy to take on the work after viewing first, so I am totally disappointed and disheartened, so work has stopped until resolved. The colour and depth of colour is fantastic but there are flecks of dust or contamination in the paint surface which you can feel . I chose an unusal paint to finish the car in - an enamel paint but the paint shop were not phased by this and said they were familair with this type of paint finish. I put them in touch with the paint suppliers -" The Paintman"( specialist in landrover restos and original paint colours). They were so helpful and knowledgable that I was confident that all would turn out good... sadly not the case...
.A close friend in Mini Cooper club has a top sprayer who does all his coach built minis and the finish on them is flawless, he is going to come over and look at my car and advsie what best to do, unfortunatelyy he has been off ill for last 2 months so still waiting .
In the meantime I have stripped the engine down and very little required to be done, i have fitted a new oil pump , timing chain, all new seals etc , the crank and bearings were all spot on so no works required. The gear box will be sorted next week but again not a lot required. The head has also been stripped down and will be rebuilt in next week or so. Then all will be painted ready to fit into car when paint sorted...
So there we are , a typical stalled project , a shame as all the subframes, suspension , wheels etc etc are all finished ready to fit.
Maybe it will be out on the road by next L2B, if not then I give up!!!!
PS I still need some seats for the car , if anyone has any let me know as I would like at least a couple of original ones fitted.....regards James