'Pia' The Whole Story!

C

Comm - Pete

0
Hi all,

Thought it was about time i did a 'Readers Ride for 'Pia'[8D]

Those of you that don't know - We brought 'Pia' around 2 months ago with the intention of doing her up and making her pretty again;) we used to own 'Duke' but he's now flown the nest and is enjoying his new home in High Wycombe!

Now i'm not the best with tools and Motor Vehicle repairs etc so this will be a very step by step idiots view of things HAHAHA! Wasting no more time.......!

Here we have 'Pia', she's a 1972 Autosleeper.

IMG_0860.jpg

IMG_0848.jpg

IMG_0852.jpg

IMG_0815.jpg

IMG_0814.jpg

IMG_0878.jpg

IMG_0894.jpg


Once i had removed the interior, i quickly began to see the extent of the work needed to restore her to her hey day[xx(][V]
IMG_1031.jpg

IMG_1035.jpg

IMG_1037.jpg

IMG_1039.jpg

IMG_1034.jpg


So, up to date then....

This has been my progress so far...In the last couple of days i have been chopping stuff up and removing panels....Poor Pia is looking every bit her age at the moment:(:I
IMG_1080.jpg

IMG_1082.jpg

IMG_1121.jpg

Old panels and lots of rust!!
IMG_1122.jpg


Anyway, the good news is..The inner middle cill is in pretty good order all things considered with just surface rust...So this will get sanded and liberally coated with Aquasteal;):p
IMG_1093.jpg

IMG_1092.jpg

IMG_1094.jpg

IMG_1083.jpg


The rear part however needed grinding off as it was too far gone down 'Tin Worm Street':([xx(][V]
IMG_1082.jpg

IMG_1120.jpg

IMG_1119.jpg


The rear cone section was shot too, so that will get chopped out too.

IMG_1081-1.jpg

IMG_1121.jpg


The good thing is, i have plenty of new metal to put into her:p:D;)
IMG_1088.jpg

IMG_1089.jpg


I did get time to sand some stuff down too;) this is the underside panel that is now all shiny and bare[8D]:p it does have a few holes in it though[B)] but i shall mend it:)[^]
IMG_1117.jpg


And that's about it for now.
I need to get some new tin snips as mine were cheap and very nasty. As soon as i get them and me bottle of co2 for the MIG, i shall be attempting to cover some of those holes up with new stuff;)

So until then...Ta ta for now....And please don't run off and leave me cos i'm going to be needing some help VERY soon HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

IMG_1112.jpg


IMG_0860.jpg
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
 
Did you bite the rust out[:0]
Scotty - I'm impressed[^] I knew you had it in you and you are approaching the job in the right way. But I'd stop chopping for little while and get some new metal in before there's nothing left[8D]
Good job[^]

th_P8030045.jpg

And relax
 
Very impressive Scot glad to see you got something to get your teeth into.:D:D

Looks like you managed to get the flutes off without any damage, well done .:) By the end of winter you will be a competent welder and tin smith.[8D] Keep up the good work and keep the photos coming.:p
PS Heidi said she knows a good Dentist.

Gladys, Heidi & Bernie
100_1550.jpg
[/IMG]
 
Go for it Scott :p and i hope you have given the neighbours earplugs :D
If you want some ribbed flooring and a wheelarch cut from No.1 then you,re welcome to them ;)

4650583641_dba2503b41_o.jpg

"You,re only supposed to blow the bloody SLIDING doors off"
 
We are still here should you need us :D
Listen to what Mr Panky say's no more chopping till you put some back ;)
Pic's :p

Commer Dandy by Dandy Caravans
The Colonel Mustard
 
I take my hat off to you Scott, it looks like you've jumped straight in at the deep end. [:0]

Are you doing one side at a time, so that you have the other for reference?

Can you beat Panky with the length of this thread? ;)

avatar_23306.gif


'I intend to live forever - so far, so good'
 
Hey sexy gnashers, you're doing a great job there. Looks like you've got plenty metal to master the MIG on before starting welding for real! I'm saving those fluted side removal pics to my little Commer database for reference for when it's my turn to do the same job.

I hope you're gonna buy yourself some axle stands, them concrete blocks will see you into an early grave [:0]
 
Strewth, thanks for all the great comments:)

Shep Lineker: Yes that's one of the reasons that we sold Duke.

Panky: I know mate, i'm starting to only see rust HAHAHAHA.

Dodgemark: I don't feel like a brave man:eek:

Gladys Crew: With thanks to you mate yes i managed the flutes;)

Tim: Yes BLOODY please mate that would be ace upon ace;) will give you a bell about it.

Chris: Thanks Chris, i'm going to need tons of help i'm sure?

Renaultvation: Yes mate i'm nowhere near good enough to do both sides at the same time HAHA!

Chamba: Axel stands will be here tomorrow;) the breeze block was only there to hold the axel up enough for me to remove the leaf spring;)

Greg: Chassis pics coming up!

Commerozzy: Thankyou;)

Managed a bit more mucking around after work today. No welding as yet as i need gas. Good thing is though that my local pub landlord is giving me a full bottle of co2 on friday;) i'm a customer of his and he is a customer of mine;) not what you know sometimes HAHA!
Anyway - A fine fettler i aint, but this was my first ever attempt at making the back corner cill section, where the back bottom cone fits. I am however struggling to put the right amount of bend into it, any advice on such bends would be hugely appreciated.
IMG_1124.jpg

IMG_1131.jpg


And that bottom underside outer cill has been primed. It also highlights the holes that i will need to sort out before final painting etc.
IMG_1134.jpg


So although it doesn't look a lot of work, it took me bleeding ages HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!




IMG_0860.jpg
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
 
It's a start:I
I suppose the neatest way you could make the panel is to do it in three pieces, a main piece for the outside and two curved flanges to match the curve of the section and weld them on, but the easiest is to just nick the flanges on the piece you've already made every inch or so and bed it round - then weld all the little nicks up.
You really need a couple of pieces of angle iron to line the edges of your workmate to get sharper bends on the metal, the chip board doesn't give enough support and will soon start to break up after a few more attempts:I

th_P8030045.jpg

And relax
 
Thanks mate. I knew there would be a much easier way. Just about to purchase some angle iron as you say;) will get out there tomorrow and give your idea a whirl. Thanks again mister;)

IMG_0860.jpg
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
 
Hi Scott, your gonna need a slapper (!) No not that kind ;) Its a flat bit of steel with a solid handle that is used for forming the angles in sheet without causing those wavey edges or hammer marks. Essential for steel work. Also build yourself a VERY solid workbench with a good angle iron edge, it makes it soooo much easier. A workmate is ok for the small stuff but will break your heart with anything bigger. Some different shapes of panal beating hammers are a good idea, could probibly get some old ones on the 'bay. Looks like you are doing a great job and really looking forward to seeing the end result. Keep the pix comming! too far away to see Pia in the flesh so need loads o pix. Awsome :)

A commer down under - or down under a commer?
 
One pile of rusty knackered scrap pristine panels awaits you at the barn ;)
and if you want to use the folder/guillotine/swager its 100 notes an hour :D

4650583641_dba2503b41_o.jpg

"You,re only supposed to blow the bloody SLIDING doors off"
 
m8 loving it, glad your getting stuck in, just remember there will be times when you will feel down hearted about Pia when working on her BUT it will be worth it, she is gonna be a gem.
Think i might have to pop up and have a closer look sometime :p
 
to do the bends in the rear inner cill section and any other curved panels your gonna need a shrinker stretcher mate.;):p

th_HPIM1509.jpg

Big Bad Woolf
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top