My next project "La Petite Chanteuse"

3 minute(s) of a 82 minute read

This morning I took the Lagonda Rapier over to Tony's to have the seats reupholstered. After more than 35 years of constant use the seats were becoming shabby. I have decided that it no good half doing the job, so while there I removed all the interior trim and most of the carpet. This afternoon I managed to fit the cresent mould around one side of the tail and across the cowl. This needs to be annealed where it goes around tight bends (on the flat). The way it is progressing it will be ready to go out to Daves for pre-paint preping any time now. While at Tony's he gave me sample cuttings of two hides that he has in stock either of which while not sufficient for a larger car should be more than enough for the Singer seats. Both are slightly off beat colours which will make the choice of a paint colour "interesting". Perhaps a reverse of the Packard with Biscuit coloured body and chocolate brown wheels. Antique brown hide for the seats etc.

Bj.

10-3-2013

Sorry! No work on La Petite Chantreuse today. Having stripped out all the interior trim panels in the Lagonda I decided that the only way to do a "proper" job was to replace all the old backing boards, so have spent the day with my jig saw (Another power-tool that I had forgotten about), cutting out new trim panels. I can taken them to Tony's tomorrow morning, check them for fit and make any adjustments that he thinks may be necessary.

Bj.

10-5-2013

Back on the Singer today. Finished fitting the cresent moulding around the tail. and had a tidy up which lasted all of an hour. I have discovered that there is sufficient hide left over from the Packard to do the Singer seats. This will dictate to some extent the colours that I can use. For a variety of reasons, including superstition, I will not be painting it Chocolate Brown. What ever It will be a dark shade, there is still a lot of water to flow under the bridge before I have to make any decisions.

Bj.

10-7-2013

There is always something else to do. Currently it is Spring here in the antipodes and the grass is growing at 100mph. Naturally the mowers, I have the choice of an antique Briggs & Stratton four stroke and an even older two stroke of doubtful parentage, are both in dire need of attention after "wintering" under a sheet of plastic in a "sheltered" corner of the garden. Oh well, it makes a change.....

The B & S has SAE size bolts while the "other" has Metric so I have both tool boxes out.

Bj.

Sorry no photographs.

10-9-2013

This morning I went and collected my new aluminium petrol tank custom made to fit into the Singer's tail. while it looks quite small it actually holds almost 59 litres which should be more than sufficient for any journeys that the Singer is likely to make.

Bj