Gt 1800

[Flying dragon]

Hello there..

New owner here of 540 TTG a 1963 1800 GT.
Iv wanted one for over 25 years, and will keep my 1959 Austin A35 company.

This has been off road for around 30 years, and is quite a project, iv no interior at all with it, inc dash. Front / rear screens are missing as are rear quarter windows, rear bumper.

I intend to take the body off, and get the the chassis properly, and need info on how to go about that please.

I’m probably going to go and give the engine a slight pep up, and stiffen up the ride when I get to that stage. It’s a 4/5 year plan, I don’t intend too rush it.
I’m awaiting details of joining the club on an official basis, so hopefully get to find out more as I go along.
Iv been a local based member of the South Wales branch for last couple of years.
I’m still waiting to get the car, as it’s with a mate at the moment, as we are in lockdown here, so when that’s lifted, it can return back home to Cardiff

[Gavin McArdle]

Hi, when you get all your membership bumf contact both Phil Ivimey and Brian Gent for advice. First thing I expect PI will say is don't remove the body unless absolutely necessary, take advice first.
Most cars are abandoned after the owner has removed the body and then cant put it back.
Good luck, Gavin

[Fareham GT]

Mark has now joined the club and he is member number 2821, we look forward to helping him find the correct parts and advice as to be able to return 540 TTG back to the road again. The last recorded member we had for this car was back in 1990, so it is always good news when a car turns up again some 30 years later.

Brian Gent
Chairman

[Flying dragon]

Update

Having bought the car last year, and unable to collect as it was in Essex, and I'm in Cardiff, it finely returned back to Wales at the end of March.

It wasn't as bad as I expected it, being bought blind, it's a lot of work granted, but iv been busy at it since it's arrived.

Car is now just a shell, engine, box is out, steering is all off and rebuilt, suspepention on front is nor ready to come off as is rear, made all new brake and fuel pipes, fuel tank is off, having a new one made, rad has been refurbished.

New loom ready to go in, as also all new lights, heater has been removed and rebuilt as has wiper motor, pedals are off, ready to be rebushed and repainted.

New number plates iv made from scratch.

So lots of progress, still got a few things to do to the shell before it goes away to get the chassis rebuilt. But pleased with progress so far.

Photos can be found on the Gilbern GT Enthusiasts Group on Facebook.

[Flying dragon]

Hello.
Update as just noticed it's nearly a year on!

Lot of work been done, car has been fully striped down, the body and chassis was taken to Phil beginning of April, where the body was removed, the chassis was as bad as expected, so that was taken care of, it's more or less new from the bulkhead back.

Since then, iv zinc primed and topcoated it, amd also full of engine oil. Shpuld hold back it rusting away anytime soon! many parts iv also rebuilt, suspension etc, every nut and bolt, washer has also been replaced, as most have had to be cut off or just rotten.
Wiper motor iv fully rebuilt, iv in the last month made and fitted new fuel and brake lines, the rear diff is ready to be rebutted, diff been checked over, new seals etc.

Steering rack and column was rebuilt, now refitted.
Iv all new lights, found a front and rear bumper, new boot hinges etc. Mafe a rear parcel shelf, as had nothing trim wise at all with the car.

Brian G supplied me with a rear seat, door cards and center console, still looking for a pair of usable front seats, phil also mafe me a new dashboard, as mine was missing, iv now got a set of clocks to go in and switches, ( looking for a center switch panel) that will complete that side then.

All new brakes, cylinders, adjusters as per, safety is important.the car hasn't been on the road for at least 30 years!

Get to g to stage that I'm packing away at 8pm as no electric, water in the lock up I'm restoring the car in, so just weekend work soon, then pack up for winter, hope to strip the engine a d get that built up for spring to refit,
Body then will be fitted next year, once iv done repairs to the floor sections etc first,

Long way still to go, but progress is happening