Alphonse the 1957 Slough 2CV

pottsy

pottsy

Citroen Loony & BMC Nutter.
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Obviously the restoration of this car will take a long time, not because I want it to, but more because I need to do it a bit at a time due to space issues.

As I discover new things, or make any progress I'll post here for the delectation, delight and edification of those who seek the same goals.

First up I've got some questions for the Brains Trust, questions I'll also field on the 2CV forum as well.

The roof. It seems to be in good condition, no rips or tears. It's certainly very dusty. What should I be using to clean it? Is there some kind of vinyl restorer like Dissol I can use on it or are there products I should stay away from?

Below are a couple of photos inside and out. As you will see the inside is quite intact as well and probably only needs a clean also. I deliberately haven't un-clipped it yet because I'd like to clean it first under tension.

The other cleaning question refers to the rather quaint patterned lining in the parcel shelf. Gricy reckoned he'd never seen one as intact, which is great, but once again, any recommendations as to cleaners for this stuff? I'm not even sure if it's vinyl or cardboard.

All feedback wil be accepted, considered and probably not discarded. Thanks in advance for the help I hope to glean from you all who know 2CV's way better than me.

Oh, and I've added the pictures of the car at the start of the project, just so we can all watch progress!

Cheers, Pottsy
 

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Alphonse

Hi Pottsy

Prompted by your call for feedback, i couldnt restist putting down in writing my thoughts since i saw the your first photo of Alphonse. What i see is a solid car in genuine condition with some rare and unusual aspects such as the folding rear windows and the old rego sticker.

While it needs some serious mechanical work in my mind the most important aspect is the preservation of the body and interior where its lovely patina is maintained.

Blemishes and flaws in the paintwork, the seats and interior are part of the cars history and charm and it would be a shame to paint them away, over-restoration or loose them.

I imagine youve already been considering how to best sypathetically restore it to good working condition with loosing its best asset and would produce a far more satisfying result than a car in concours winning condition.

Can i leave you with one closing thought - those front indicators are purely awful - please replace them

cheers

Ian
 
I'm doing the research to find out what sort of lights were used on Slough cars. This car doesn't seem to have had the semaphore uinits at all, so when I replace those godawful trailer lights it'll be with something suitable such as Lucas flush mount units like those on Austins of the period or similar.

Comments on the bodywork are topical. Having tested the paint for shine with some polish today, I'm leaning very much towards conservation of the body as is, warts, bumps and all, while doing a complete refresh of the mechanicals. I need to either tidy up the original bonnet (with the Front Drive badge on it or carefully install the Slough badge and trim on the current (replacement) bonnet. And of course I have to source a front bumper and bonnet catch assembly eventually.

My main desire is to bring the car back to driveable condition as well as being a representative example of the rare Slough cars.

The only major modification I'm considering at present is a safety (and peace of mind) one. I'm contemplating installing a tasteful but strong roll hoop and associated struts back to the rear of the car. Not because I think I might roll it, but to provide a strong mount for the upper end of the new seatbelts it'll have before I drive it.

I reckon I can do it carefully enough that it'll be sympathetic with the rest of the car. But that's along way in the future yet.

And speaking of seats, does anyone know a good source of suitable rubber to replace the stretchy bits in the seats? The fabric appears to be in good condition, but all the "rubber bands" are perished to the extent that I'm not game to sit on them. The current plan is to dismantle the seats, resurrect the frames by de-rusting and maybe powder coating them, then rebuilding the seat cushions/backs as described. Here's a shot of the underside of the front seats showing the perished rubber bands.

Cheers, Pottsy
 

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Alphonse

Hi Pottsy,
I think you will find that the Slough 2Cv had a different seat rubber system than the French ones shown on Vikings site. I am investigating this also for both of my Ripples. Maybe we can help each other as we go along.
cheers
Hawk:adrink:
 
Sounds like a plan Hawk.

Here's a closer view of the underside of my front seat. I reckon we should be able to source some rubber locally to replace the original stuff. It looks like it just threads through and hooks into those dinky wire loops in the frame.

I'm also thinking maybe powder coating of the frames could be worthwhile. I assume the colour is that sort of off white or should they be body colour?

As you know, I'm not an absolute purist in these matters. As long as the car is preserved in the same basic condition I'm not going to obsess over exact matching shades etc.

Cheers, Pottsy
 

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Had the opportunity to try some Magic Stuff on the roof of Alphonse today.

A friend who knows about these things (he cleans cars often, unlike myself. (My cars get washed when it rains) He's also a retailer who's tried many different products on his fleet of Classics.

His recommendation was to try "AutoGlym" Vinyl & Rubber Care. It's not cheap, but Crikey is it good!

Have a look at these shots showing the area I've cleaned next to the "as found" roof.

Compare them with the previous shots of the roof in post 1.

I'm impressed!

I can't help wondering if a 2010 soft top will still come up like this in 2053?

Cheers, Pottsy

(Oh and the reason I've only done the Driver's side so far is because I can't get to the other side without rolling the car out of the garage.)
 

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pottsy said:
Had the opportunity to try some Magic Stuff on the roof of Alphonse today.

A friend who knows about these things (he cleans cars often, unlike myself. (My cars get washed when it rains) He's also a retailer who's tried many different products on his fleet of Classics.

His recommendation was to try "AutoGlym" Vinyl & Rubber Care. It's not cheap, but Crikey is it good!

Have a look at these shots showing the area I've cleaned next to the "as found" roof.

Compare them with the previous shots of the roof in post 1.

I'm impressed!

I can't help wondering if a 2010 soft top will still come up like this in 2053?

Cheers, Pottsy

(Oh and the reason I've only done the Driver's side so far is because I can't get to the other side without rolling the car out of the garage.)
Click to expand...

You mean 2063?
 
Well spotted Graeme. As a Mathematician I'd make a great amateur mechanic.

Give or take ten years, I still think it's unlikely any current crop of convertible roof material will be usable by then, but you and I probably won't be around to find out anyway.

The problem is that I don't think of a 1957 car as being old. Given that I was already around then, it's hard to think of a car that's younger than yourself as being over 50 years old.

Maybe I'm just in denial!

Cheers, And have a great day,

Pottsy.
 
pottsy said:
I'm doing the research to find out what sort of lights were used on Slough cars. This car doesn't seem to have had the semaphore uinits at all, so when I replace those godawful trailer lights it'll be with something suitable such as Lucas flush mount units like those on Austins of the period or similar.

Comments on the bodywork are topical. Having tested the paint for shine with some polish today, I'm leaning very much towards conservation of the body as is, warts, bumps and all, while doing a complete refresh of the mechanicals. I need to either tidy up the original bonnet (with the Front Drive badge on it or carefully install the Slough badge and trim on the current (replacement) bonnet. And of course I have to source a front bumper and bonnet catch assembly eventually.

My main desire is to bring the car back to driveable condition as well as being a representative example of the rare Slough cars.

Cheers, Pottsy
Click to expand...

That is just the perfect approach Pottsy, for my money at least. I'm a great believer in enjoying our cars and part of it is really "automotive heritage" territory. Really sympathetic maintenance, retaining as much originality as possibly, rather that comprehensive "restoration" can produce a great car.

Lovely 2CV too. I look forward to seeing it sometime (God knows when of course, unless you drive it to the next Perth Cit-in).
 
Greetings all, and Happy New Year.

I finally had a chance to have a bit of a poke around in Alphonse today. Amongst other things I found a canvas bag with some tools in it. Given the basic spec of these tools, no markings of any kind and just stamped steel, I wonder if this is in fact an original? (Photo below)

I've removed and stored all the panels so that I can get a clearer view of the floor and chassis condition. At this stage it looks as though the chassis is spot on. The floor on both sides has rusted a bit and had patches roughly made and riveted over the manky bits. I suspect I'm going to have to fabricate a couple of floor sections, but I'll do the searching and see if there's relevant parts available anyway. The boot floor at least appears to be perfect at this stage.

Any suggestions as to what was mounted in the bracket at the top right? I've found a large, Australian made electric fuel pump amongts the bits which may be a candidate, but any other ideas will be welcome.

This was also a good chance to get a photo of the other half of the dashboard trim. I can't believe the rather twee pattern on a car that was so basic at the time.

Onwards and upwards!

Pottsy
 

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Used to be able to buy Pirelli webbing for furniture in Melb which looks similar to yours.
 
mudguard said:
Hi pottsy
Car looks good, not sure what the bracket in the boot is, doesn't look very citroen.
BTW what is the thing sticking out of the floor with the rubber boot on the bottom and the u shaped bracket on the top?
Steve
Click to expand...

I was wondering that too.:confused:
 
pottsy said:
Sounds like a plan Hawk.

Here's a closer view of the underside of my front seat. I reckon we should be able to source some rubber locally to replace the original stuff. It looks like it just threads through and hooks into those dinky wire loops in the frame.

I'm also thinking maybe powder coating of the frames could be worthwhile. I assume the colour is that sort of off white or should they be body colour?

As you know, I'm not an absolute purist in these matters. As long as the car is preserved in the same basic condition I'm not going to obsess over exact matching shades etc.

Cheers, Pottsy
Click to expand...

IIRC Pirelli webbing was also used on the seats of the early Berkeley cars - suggest you try the Berkeley Enthusiasts Club in the UK.
roger
 
clamp thing

the clamp thing in the pic is used to hold a vulcanizing patch in position ,when you set fire to it the heat bonds the patch to the inner tube ,PUGS
 
pugwash said:
the clamp thing in the pic is used to hold a vulcanizing patch in position ,when you set fire to it the heat bonds the patch to the inner tube ,PUGS
Click to expand...

I knew I had the wrong one. I have vague recollections of Dad using one of these when he worked for Firestone many years ago.
 
mudguard said:
BTW what is the thing sticking out of the floor with the rubber boot on the bottom and the u shaped bracket on the top?
Steve
Click to expand...

Would you believe one of the spare gearboxes strategically placed to confuse people viewing the photo? That's the gearstick that is normally on the other side of the dash. (A different view attached below.)

Thanks for the thoughts so far chaps.

Cheers, Pottsy
 

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pottsy said:
And speaking of seats, does anyone know a good source of suitable rubber to replace the stretchy bits in the seats? The fabric appears to be in good condition, but all the "rubber bands" are perished to the extent that I'm not game to sit on them. The current plan is to dismantle the seats, resurrect the frames by de-rusting and maybe powder coating them, then rebuilding the seat cushions/backs as described. Here's a shot of the underside of the front seats showing the perished rubber bands.

Cheers, Pottsy
Click to expand...

This link might help out with the webbing. In Melbourne, too.

http://www.padghamupholstery.com.au/onlinestore/content/ourrangeMain.asp?FType=8

Col
 
Congratulations, Pottsy, on both the car and your approach to it. Good luck with the work. You're off to a flying start. For your rubber and any other Slough 2CV bits, if 2CViking can't help, try ECAS in the UK. They are about the most comprehensive source of stuff. You might also think about joining the 2CV club of Great Britain (2CVGB.co.uk) as a source of expertise specific to Slough cars.
 
Went to the big Swap Meet at Korumburra today. Oh my aching knees!

The primary purpose of the sojourn was to suss out some suitable 50s/60s period indicator lights for Alphonse and I think I've achieved that aim. I'd sort of decided to go with something akin to the Lucas lights used on the front of Minis and the rear of Austins of the period. They're a round unit with a rubber mounting and a chrome trim that locks the glass lens in position.

Found a purveyor of the required items new. OK, they're not glass lenses and don't have a patina of age, but the design is the same and as a bonus these ones are surface mount so I don't have to cut a large hole such as the original Lucas units require.

I've also got the choice at the front of maybe using a clear lens as I picked up a pair of them as well. (and these are glass ones),

If all else fails they are good spares for the Mini, so I reckon a win all round!

Also found a cute little hat badge. Interesting that the badge shows lights of some sort atop the front guards. Did some of the ripple bonnet cars have clearance or parking lamps there? Alphonse has some holes at the top of the mudguard which makes me wonder if maybe some Slough cars had them too.

Piccies below.

Second purpose was to take Moby Dick for a much needed cruise which we also achieved. There's something about tootling along the highway with the sound system belting out the good vibes, the engine breathing some cool dense air and the suspension doing the voodoo that it does so well. Good for the soul!

We slowly progress!

Cheers, Pottsy
 

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