Bristol 411 bodywork

[GREG]

I agree that a Bristol is no more complicated than most other classics, but you do need a pro to get the paint right.

You don't need to be an expert to strip it and send bits off for chrome and wheels for powder coating.

[Janne]

I understand the OP is trying to restore his fathers Bristol. Personally, I would try to get a 100% perfect result. The dent in the front of the roof should be taken out from the inside. When the front windscreen is removed, this is a fairly easy thing to do. I would remove all fillers, and rectify the problems properly.
Yes, it is time consuming and takes some skill (the suggestion to practice on a Defender is superb!) but it will be worth it.

Before any paintwork, I would first start to investigate if there are any corrosion in the frame suporting the panels, any corrosion in the steel panels in the wheel arches and if at any area the aluminium is getting thin (due to corrosion).

When I restore a vehicle (I have a AR Junior, Saab 92, prewar MB 230S, prewar BMW 328, 2 LR Defenders, the Bristol and about 7 motorcycles behind me)
I first make a plan. The first decision is, shall I do just an aesthetic restoration, (OK on a lower value vehicle) or a thorough one?

If done properly, the restoration of OP's father car will not only increase the value, but will also last.

As the saying goes, we learn from our misstakes. I did learn a lot from my (many) misstakes!

[mike5352]

Hi All,

Greg – excellent link to the mini headlamps page, thanks!

Janne – you’re accurate in your understanding, I am a novice! And I therefore appreciate all the helpful advice you have provided! I will be down at my parents house next weekend so will hopefully upload some photos and you can see the current condition.

My father’s original intention was to strip the paint to the bare aluminium and then treat with a protective coating (no paint respray), but as we strip the paint off it looks like this will not be possible (too many small scratches etc.) A professional paint job might well be the way forwards, but for now we will continue to do as much as we can ourselves.

One more question, as the car is not garaged, but under a gazebo-type marquee (no sides), could anyone recommend a reputable external car cover manufacturer?

Hopefully get some photos uploaded end of next week.

[GREG]

Protech Shelters UK: Car / Van Garage / Boat Cover -PS-788-200, Car Cover and Storage >> click for product listings, PS-788-200

or cheap rubbish

6m x 3m GAZEBO EZ Pop Up Instant Marquee Canopy Tent B on eBay (end time 06-Feb-11 09:00:56 GMT)

I bought the latter and the snow destroyed it :-(

[GREG]

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog....8/10/slr-3.jpg

If you like the idea of polished aluminium, maybe you could be the first to have a vinyl wrap on a Bristol ! you can get chrome !!

Or this one

http://gallery.seloc.org/albums/user...DSCN3854LR.jpg

Maybe for Cass !

Oop's wrong link

I mean't this one - quite like matt black

Google Image Result for http://i.ytimg.com/vi/hhHDEMy9geY/0.jpg

[Janne]

The Protech shelter looks rally good, and at a very good price!

Untill my Garage is finished (June) I need to protect the paint on my car (quite sunny here), so I orderd an Auto Storm Classic cover, to arrive at the same time as the car.

Yes please, lots of pics!

Another thing I did on my headlamps was that I bought bowls made from black plastic. Will not rust.

The front grill is quite easy to dismantle. I took it to pieces, replaced the tube spacers with new ones I made, and painted the pieces individually.

One thing I learned is that in the area where the sheet aluminium attaches to the inner wings (just under the edge of the bonnet) a very common fault is that people fill the join between the wing panel and inner-wing panel. (I hope this makes sense?) so it is smooth. You should be able to see the overlap.

[geo]

Originally Posted by GREG

Protech Shelters UK: Car / Van Garage / Boat Cover -PS-788-200, Car Cover and Storage >> click for product listings, PS-788-200

or cheap rubbish

. . .

I bought the latter and the snow destroyed it :-(

Alas, it only claims to be good to galeforce 8, so would go the way of the cheap rubbish as it is g'force 10 - 11 (storm to violent storm) this evening!

Geo.

[Janne]

I used EvoStic to glue the rubber strips

[mike5352]

Hi All,

My apologies for not getting these photos up sooner, haven't been to my parent's in a while and have been out of the country for a bit.

I have uploaded a few photos so you can see the current state of the car. Any comments are welcome!

Mike