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Good news on the sale, they're getting a stunning car.
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One step forward...
Thanks for supportive comments everyone :), I'm not getting excited over closing a deal on the A352. Given all the past disappointments I'll believe it when it's trailered away and I have a wad of 50s in my pocket.
Anyway, back to the Monaco. In yesterday's clement weather I enthusiastically marched down to the cave hopeful of making meaningful progress. I decided to go back to basics on the engine. I cleaned and reset the points, set the static ignition at 6° advanced and adjusted the throttle stop and idle mixture jet screws on the DCD to their basic settings. Using full choke she started instantly and after immediately moving the choke to the intermediate warm up setting she ran very sweetly - result. Unfortunately the brand new starter solenoid decided to ignore its 12v signal from the ignition switch so I had to use the button. I started her again but this time the solenoid stuck on. Damn! I took it off, removed the rubber cover and liberally applied WD40 around the button whilst working it. I also gave it a couple of stiffish belts with a hammer. Replacement revealed an operative button but still no response to the ignition switch. I double checked both its earth and trigger voltage but no change :(. Hoping the WD40 might work its magic overnight I called it a day. Regards, Mick |
Mick
Have you come across pictures of this ? https://i.servimg.com/u/f68/12/09/61/37/c159e910.jpg https://i.servimg.com/u/f68/12/09/61/37/77f4b210.jpg https://i.servimg.com/u/f68/12/09/61/37/8dd52a10.jpg It may be a Monaco ? Claims :- Race car maybe unique and complete with its original engine running 001300km in correct condition I do not do not know its history not a similar one in France nor to the strange c is a friend who inherited these relatives and sold it to me I sell it with regret. the rental lease of my non-renewable local sarrette I sell € 25,000 or exchange for vintage car for collector or youngtimers Sorry if you have seen them before Paul |
To me, it looks bigger than a Monaco, or are the people small? I remember in the mists of time a magazine article where the creator of the Monaco said that he had based it on '50s specials. Maybe this one? I love it, 3 stud wheels, Citroen front wheel drive? Paul N more pics and info please!
By the way what is the body behind it? |
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https://tricyclecaristes.1fr1.net/t8...es-automobiles Roughly translated Museum of Horrors ! on a French Cyclecar site. More Moss's ? https://tricyclecaristes.1fr1.net/t8...es-automobiles The site it was lifted from is some sort of French Ebay type site ? Paul |
And I thought we had weird cars! I'm going to have nightmares.
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It's undoubtedly a Monaco, and it's one I hadn't seen before. Thanks for posting. Looking at the supplementary grilles and giveaway wheels I agree with Dpaz that it's 2CV or Dyane based. The body behind it looks to be a Lomax 223/4. The three in the link are also Monacos, I like the one on wires, well disguised but clearly Spitfire/Herald/Vitesse/GT6 underpinnings. I'll post a picture and the link on the Moss Owners FB page and await developments. Regards, Mick |
Mick
I assume you have seen this ? https://www.cmstores.com/en/vehicle/...300-for-sale-/ https://www.cmstores.com/en/archivos...1262-1-100.jpg Some interesting ideas ? Paul |
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Apologies for delay in replying. That's a new one on me, thanks for posting. Nice dash, apart from the flip up starter, too plasticky for my taste. Carpets, in a Monaco? Knuckle protection required with that gear stick position! At least it's X-Flow powered, rather than P*nto (swear word in my book). Shame there's not a rear view, are they mirrors on the back mudguards ;)? I went with a friend and looked at a Ford (Fix Or Repair Daily) based one in Bristol about ten years ago. We dragged it out of the lock up on its flat tyres to find it was thick with rust, scary wiring, no engine or gear box, and a very tatty interior. Only the body was really worth saving. He wanted £450 so I took a pass on it. Regards, Mick |
Must agree about the starter switch and on the passenger's side. Not a lot of the tacho visible either. I love the handbrake all in all a nice car.
There has been a rough engineless Monaco on ebay recently would that be the same one? A lot of Ford engined kit cars are getting gutted these days, shame! |
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No. The one we looked at was green and had been on the road. The Ebay one was red and didn't look to have been completed, let alone registered. Regards, Mick |
At last, a little progress!
Over the last week or so, shrugging off the winter/coronavirus/sale of Lotus and A352 blues, I tackled the covers for my two part backrest. Not having used a sewing machine before, I practised on some scrap pieces of vinyl uintil I could run a halfway decent seam. I'd first given the machine a service, discovering that its been designed for much smaller Germans than mine. Working out the most economical layout for cutting out the panels from the roll took a good while, as did marking them out. Anyway, I bit the bullet and machined the simpler passenger's side first and fitted it using staples around the back. I then moved on to the the larger and more complex driver's side, which has the cutout for the tunnel. The results, as can be seen, are fairly average, but I'm hoping that once the sun's heated them a few times they'll settle down a little.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...3ca84dbd_z.jpg I squirmed into the drivers side and adjusted the seat belts, which are the ex-WD twins of Paul's, and made some brrrrrrrrrrrrm noises. Three things were apparent: a length of protective split edging is needed on the lower edge of the ally angle locating the steering column: I need a 10" rather than a 12" steering wheel (I'm not as accomplished a contortionist as I used to be); and there's a leak in the braking system somewhere as the previously hard pedal is now jelly. It's no fun if it's easy! Regards, Mick |
It is fun making your own soft furnishings, I made the tonneau cover for my Roadster. It works, don't look too pretty but keeps the water out. Did you manage to stitch both sides together accidentally while trying to deal with big sheets of material, oh bu###er? It never ends , does it?
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What sort of machine and fabric did you use for your tonneau cover please? I have a some double duck but only a domestic machine, which I don't think will be man enough for two layers. Regards, Mick |
New Project. Didn't Happen :(
I've been considering another project for a while now, as the decks are more or less clear, and something to take me back to my early 80s roots came up last week: a Triumph based Dutton B-Type, c/w 2CV rectangular lights, just like my first Phaeton.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...54a0ab75a2.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...70338785_b.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...9f03461b_b.jpg It looked challenging, but eminently rebuildable, so I saved it and looked forward to placing a winning bid yesterday afternoon. £2,086? You're 'avin' a larf intcha? The last B-Type I bought, admittedly without engine and 'box in 1991, was £50! So, hopes dashed. I was going to stretch to £1,500 as an absolute limit but it shot beyond that early, so no exciting countdown with finger poised over 'Enter' (IMO Snipe takes away all the fun). Ho hum, I'll keep looking. Regards, Mick |
The extra money was for those lovely spot lamps on the roll hoop...
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I went to look at a couple of Dutton's recently. One was what I'd call a basket case but the owner decided he was too attached to it and changed his mind about selling. The second was quite tidy but my offer of £1000 was laughed at and the seller said he wouldn't let it go for less than £3500 ! It didn't have an MOT either !
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I'm not sure if anyone else has noticed, but the lockdowns have left a lot of people at home with time on their hands and pretty much all classic and specialist cars have skyrocketed in price, possibly because there are now lots of people who are looking to finally buy the car/project of their dreams to keep them occupied and/or before it's too late...
Three years ago I was considering buying myself a Lancia Fulvia as a winter classic. There were plenty on the market - decent but rusty projects for around £2k, solid Series 3's with MOT for around £5k and I found a fully restored and pristine Series 1 (lwhich is what I wanted) for £11k. Scroll forward to 2021 and, not only are there hardly any around, but rot boxes are now £5k, solid projects are £8-£9k and restored cars are £18-£22k. It's the same story with a host of other bread and butter classics - Sunbeam Alpines, TR's 4 and 6, MGA's, Scimitars and even Chrysler/Talbot Sunbeams have all more than doubled in price over the last two to three years. It's a shame your desired Dutton went over your limit, but it's a sign of the times, I'm afraid. |
To illustrate my point about prices, someone was good enough to point me towards this Intermeccanica Speedster replica which is for sale at £37,995 (thanks Kuba) -
https://www.totalheadturners.com/car...356-speedster/ It looks fantastic and I absolutely love the colour, but there are a few issues which would annoy me - it's vinyl wrapped, not painted, the dash just doesn't work for me and, a picky point, I know, but it should have a 'shine up' rear numberplate light with the teardrop rear lights, not a 'shine down' one. Their website is worth a browse as they have some nice shiny toys for sale. I just wish I had deeper pockets! |
Mr Towed, It could be worse, you don't like the wrap, etc. But what if it was affordable and SOLD?
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The dash looks unfinished - I'm all for a stripped down, painted or bare metal look dash, but I feel that the Speedster dash at least needs the 'eyebrow' over the instruments to look its best; The cream dials stand out as not matching the era or style of the rest of the car and just shout 'Kit Car' on what is otherwise a very high quality replica; The rear numberplate lamp changed from above the plate to below it in '57, a detail change which coincided with replacement of the four rear beehive lights with a pair of integrated teardrop lights (using the 'wrong' combination of rear lamps is common on Speedster replicas and it's a dead giveaway that it's not an original to anyone who's 'spotting' it for originality); Although the vinyl wrap looks terrific on this particular car, I would be concerned about its longevity - at best it'll last five years until it needs replacing and the experts suggest that it could be very difficult to remove without damaging the surface beneath when it does need replacing. https://www.edmunds.com/car-maintena...ap-my-car.html I appreciate that a paint finish might also need touching up or refinishing after a similar length of time, but you do still see sixty or seventy year old cars wearing their original factory paint and still presenting very well. I doubt you'll see a vinyl wrap lasting that long. As for the price/affordability/SOLD status, I'm happy that the price is right - the seller is a well established company with many similar cars both on sale and in their 'sold' archive, so I'm sure they've got the price spot on and someone will buy it soon. That's good for us amateur builders as it pulls the values of our creations up alongside them should we ever decide to sell them. Anyway, sorry for the thread hijack, Mick O'M, I know my posts can be a bit wordy, but I'm quite passionate about these specialist cars and like to promote the hobby whenever I can. |
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Regards, Mick |
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https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...16a22e4a_c.jpg I'd bought and added the Tricolores a few days before having seen them in an old photograph. The eagle eyed amongst you may also spot my similarly coloured but sadly faded Monza badged gear knob. I bought it in '68 or '69 from Les Montgomery in person in his Super Accessories emprorium, lashing out the princely sum of 7/6d (that's 37½p for you young 'uns). Happy Days! Regards, Mick |
...and for the really young 'uns, 7/6d was quite a lot of money back in the sixties, in today's money it'd be the equivalent of about 0.000000000000000000000000000000000001 Bitcoin!
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I remember Bitcoin when it was first talked about. It was about $1.5 per Bitcoin. Thinking it was a good idea I was going to buy 500 but was put off because you needed to be a computer geek to get your hand on the currency !
Live and learn as they say ! |
Fitted
On fine days at this time of year, the sun is just high enough to bathe the south facing cave in its warming rays. Encouraged thus today, I ventured down and swapped the steering wheel. A couple of the M5 screws weren't cooperating so a gently pass with the drill was required. Anyway, half an hour and it was job done :).
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...6b9fefd1_c.jpg I took this much better photo' which shows both the improved access (the left knee/tunnel interface was the problem) and the famous gear knob in all its faded splendour. Once I've fettled the brake hydraulics I can now hit the road. Regards, Mick p.s. Before the expected barrage of pedantic criticism, I do plan to ponce up the alignment of the slots.... |
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Is the black switch and green lights in the top left corner for the indicators ? Does that cause any problems at MOT time ? Paul |
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MOT? MOT? It's exempt. Only joking! I had that style of switch on the A352 and before that on my Mk1 Marlin Roadster without a mention from testers. Why would it be a problem? Regards Mick |
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On the 2cv there was a stalk in the usual place however from the factory they never self cancelled. Least with a switch like that it is logical for it not to self cancel. Paul |
Mictor O'Meldrew
Thanks Paul. Self cancelling indicators are one of my pet hates, along with other so-called driver aids. IMO they simply allow drivers to put their brains into neutral, rather than maintaining concentration. I chunter to myself when behind the wheel and "Manouvre, Signal, Mirror." aimed at the car in front is a favourite. I think the fault lies in learners being nowadays taught to pass the test, rather than to drive. Rant over.
Regards, Mick |
I can resist anything,
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Also, it's outside my permitted radius of quarantine travel, although I could always be testing my eyes... Regards, Mick |
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Paul |
OK I did
Chassis rails are 34" apart Outside of a front tyre to the chassis 17" Making front track 68" Outside of rear tyre to chassis 15" Making rear track 64" According to vehicle hand books I have :- Width excluding mirrors 68" track front 58" track rear 56" track is without saying that is to centre of tyre or outside [ wheel base is to centre of wheel's ? ] Be very careful these figures only apply to the 200 series. The 300 series was wider and I think only available in twin rear wheel format. It looks to have the O series 1 engine , however I could be wrong , if it has that would date it easily ? 1978 - 1986 [ mine is a 1989 O series 2 It would lend itself to a LaFrance Peking to Paris look ? https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EW3_3XyX...jpg&name=large https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9EHZvsw12...to-Paris-1.jpg Although I am sure you already have your own ideas what to do with it ? Paul |
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I braved the howling wind and pissing rain with my surveyor's tape yesterday afternoon and the net gap, taking the vulnerable soil pipes each side into account, is 92" so is more than enough. Seems bidders are incapable of keeping their powder dry, pushing up the price by showing their hand early. I expect the vendor is delighted.... Regards, Mick |
Mick, the Monaco is nearly done so you'll need a new project, go for it ! You won't find a donor Sherpa that cheap anymore, they're going the same way as early Transit vans and becoming collectable for some reason !
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Mick
I would ask to see a picture of the other side of the engine ? You want to see what they did with the steering box. Why is the gear lever miles from the gearbox output ? What is the strange mechanism on the front passenger floor ? Where is the handbrake ? Paul |
Maybe the price is being 'helped' by a friend. A marlin Roadster recently went to £2K+ very quickly then stuck and closed at that. Suspicious, no? Shame about the Q plate. Maybe the handbrake is where it should be, on the outside. Please buy it Mick and remove temptation from me! BTW all sorts of older commercials are going up. They have simple electrics and are easy to fix. A lot of newer LDVs are being scrapped because of lack of electrical spares, so my son, a Sherpa owner tells me. He has one of the last 'simple' electrics vans and has been told to keep it going as long as possible by his garage.
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We used Sherpa vans in the RAF in the 70's and early 80's (I got one jammed under a Vulcan bomber once, long story...). We then switched to LDV's in the mid/late 80's.
The Sherpas felt lighter and quicker, handled really well for a van and were definitely more reliable - I recall that the LDV's would drain their batteries if left standing for a fortnight. An old Sherpa would definitely work as a a base for a vintage car. It's just a real shame that this one has a Q plate. |
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