IA 9142

[mike houston]

Ian,
Thanks for that, will be very useful. I believe the back and base were made of 1" ply, another material to source!
Many thanks again,
Mike

[Ian Grace]

Nope - 1/2" ply and the base and sides of the sidescreen pocket were 1/2" ash.

[plj]

Is the seat back the same as the £100 2-seater. I have both paper and card patterns if any use.

Philip

[Ian Grace]

Philip,

Unfortunately no. The Semi-sports was designed by Gordon England, while Hundred Pound 2-seater was designed by Morris, so while the general arragement of the bench seat is similar, they are very different in detail.

[mike houston]

Progress update! The rear wings are on, and the dashboard trial fitted. The interior panels are being progressed, and the seat base and back largely formed. The back needs further work to form the sidescreen box at the rear. The doors are progressing, slowly. They are taking a great deal of time to get just right. I was hoping to make a correct number plate bracket, but it seems that this was originally formed from 1" half round steel bar, which doesn't seem to be available. I might need to do it in another material. The sidetrims are still work in progress, and have not been finalised. Originally they were chromed brass, I might use polished aluminium.
Mike.

[Ian Grace]

Mike,

Looking super!

The seat patterns are on the way with M147.

I did make a rear number plate bracket a few years ago, but perhaps the half round bar is no longer available.

[mike houston]

The seat patterns were very useful, thanks Ian. I'm probably going to use half round aluminium for the rear number plate bracket, the correct size in mild steel is no longer available. One door done, the other in progress. The pictures tell the story, at least I can work on the doors in the warm! The door on the car still requires finishing work and will be coming off again. The windscreen uprights are away being rechromed, and the door locks and handles are also receiving treatment. At least the project is still moving forward!
Mike.

[Ian Grace]

Very nice. Very envious!

[mike houston]

A little more progress with screen on and hood being fitted. The doors are currently trying my patience, but I'll get there! Anyway the pics tell the story.
Regards to all, Mike.

[Ian Grace]

Mike,

Splendid work! Will it be ready for the new motoring season? It is looking very close.

[halbe]

Very.......very nice indeed!

[Ian Grace]

A quick note to record that Mike Houston sold IA 9142 in 2014, which accounts for the abrupt halt to this thread. The car was sold to new member Alastair Bond who brought the completed car along to our Summer Rally at Prescott in July, seen here with my old tourer which is now owned by Peter Stubberfield. Alastair is also a member of the VSCC and is now active in the Light Car Section with this very fine and beautifully restored Minor.

[alib]

I've had a bit of a calamity with IA. Whilst the gearbox was removed from the car and sitting on my bench a poltergeist pushed it onto the floor resulting in a snapped remote gear selector casting. I believe it's a Wolseley item? Does anyone have a spare casting they would want to part with? I am attempting a repair, and have been busy making a jig/fixture to try and keep alignment when Tig welding (see top two photos).

The forward portion of the casting is attached to a 10 mm steel plate and the selector rod has been substituted with a bright mild steel bar with a good fit into the bearings. A machined aluminium bushing on the end of the steel bar is pushed into the casting end to provide alignment. The rear end is then packed up and shimmed (does folded paper count?).

[Ian Grace]

Oh, those are horrible pictures, Alistair. I will put out a plea in the April Newsletter for a replacement, if you have no success with welding.

[alib]

Thank you Ian.
Wish me luck.