My Latest Restoration

[BRADFORD]

A couple of pictures of my latest restoration, has been on the road for a year now and already done over 2000 miles.
It goes very well, the only issues I have had have been with instruments, speedo, working well now.
Temperature gauge, was aftermarket, had to replace it. Fuel gauge, sender unit failed, have not been able to find a suitable replacement as yet.
Thanks Morrisman for the valves.

[wheelinround]

Beautifully done

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[BRADFORD]

Thanks,
This was a ground up restoration, these things are difficult to restore, the body is wooden framed with steel and aluminium skin and a fabric roof, and as over 90% of the original wood was rotten, it was quite a challenge to rebuild. Mechanically they are fairly simple and not too difficult to work on, even though they are of a unique design.
With the exception of the radiator recore and bonded brake linings, everything was done by me in my shed out here in the bush.
I started with this over 20 years ago, didn't get very far, then didn't touch it for about 17 years, (too many other projects), a couple of years ago decided I better get into it and finish it.
I do not have many photos of the restoration process, but I have attached a couple, there are more if anybody wants to see them. I don't know why some pics rotate when I upload them.

[morrisman]

OK no problem glad to help out

[clear out]

When we moved to North Ryde in 1968 There was a motor and maybe a chassis for one of these in the vacant lot over the back fence.
When I saw yours I had to do a search online as I’d forgotten the Jowett connection.
I’m most impressed with your restoration looks great.
I’d love to see more photos especially any of the wooden frame etc.
What timber and glue did you use?
H.

[wheelinround]

There were a couple of Jowets on show at Clarendon a few yrs ago Sydney Antique Machines show.

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[BRADFORD]

A couple more pics of the timber frame.
The timber used was Karri for the floor and mudguard frame (the black bits in the photo), and Nyatoh for the upper parts and door frames. All the timber used was recycled from demolition and old furniture, well seasoned and also cheap. There are a couple of bits of the original timber in the front edge of the drivers side door, all the rest has been replaced.
The glue I started with was something exotic (don't remember what it was) that was recommended by the experts, however I found it difficult to use and not very good at that, so I reverted to using aquadhere exterior, it has been holding together so far.
Originally the front floor was ply and the rear floor was Ash planks. I have used marine ply right through.
All the woodwork has had many coats of oil based enamel.


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Try as I might I cannot get this pic to upload the right way up.:~

[morrisman]

Nice job !

My neighbours dad purchased one of these brand new in the early 1950s, she said they drove down to Traralgon in it , travelling against a strong headwind the little van was struggling and more or less crawling along :C A chap up past Noojee had a Bradford rolling chassis with engine in his shed .

[BRADFORD]

travelling against a strong headwind the little van was struggling and more or less crawling along :C.

That's what they do.

[BRADFORD]

A couple of pics of how I did the roof.
The fabric I used is not stretchy, so to get it to shape I punched holes all round the bottom, roped it down to a piece of wood, it was like this for about 2 weeks. Every day I would apply steam to the fabric and tighten the rope down a bit. Eventually I got a pretty smooth shape, then fixed it down with hundreds of stainless nails after which the gutter was screwed over the nails.
The gutter is aluminium drip rail I got from Bunnings, shaping that was a whole other can of worms.
The overhang was cut close at the underside of the gutter, ended up a pretty tidy job.
I have to say that I really had no idea what I was doing, I was just making it up as I went along.

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At least these pics downloaded the right way up.