Time to sort those vintage lights.
I know that repro lights are available from VTS etc
but I like the pointed at both ends shape
of the original.
So, as the original bulb holders aren't repairable and, more importantly, the plastic lenses are all broken
I decided to cut the bulb holder & lens fitting screw out of the new base
and add it to the old one
This means I can keep the original fixing holes and fit the new lens
Pop-rivetted together
And fitted
Nice to still have the double-pointed ends & even if the new lens isn't an exact fit its pretty close & I may add a clear gasket later
Now for the trunk door
New catch from VTS
Perfect fit, with a few spacers to get the height right
I decided on solid foam insulation as it gives a bit more rigidity
Nice to polish at a comfy height
Is it just me or do others love the slinky-like swirls of the Cyclo (or in my case the cheaper Biltema)
I decided to keep the original patina of the old Airstream sign
Its a little rough in places but I rather prefer it to a hi-shine version
The inside of the 1953 Reynolds ALCLAD - nice font
Of course someone had added a hasp at some stage & while I thought about replacing the trunk skin, it a sign of her history, so I kept it
and repaired the holes with some bucked rivets
Original sign bucked back on
Clecoed and ready to buck
I thought long and hard about these reflectors but as they're an EU regulation, they either have to be on the body or the bumper, so since I could use one old hole (from a previous reflector), I only had to make one more hole for each
And I don't think it looks too bad
Particularly as I've got all the other EU legal lights on the bumper itself
and they look pretty subtle
With the Trail-R-Lite too !
Ready for her second outing of the year
In light rain
Off up the narrow lane to...
The Hay Festival in Wales
with the well-read better half
Yes, we still have the awning to sort out but the tethered umbrella works well for now
New cushions inside and with
fresh Atomic coffee
and lots of good books
we survived the rather inclement weather !
New curtains in the front
Writers great and small, some more entertaining than others. But the overall impression is that the festival has all got rather too large and corporate. Hay itself is lovely but I don't think we'll be rushing back to the festival - we should have gone 10yrs ago.
Back across the new Severn Bridge
and home to Devon
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Did you add that bumper to comply with the EU? It looks like a VW bumper.
ReplyDeleteFrank - you and your eagle eyes, I can't get away wid nuffink !
ReplyDeleteYes its a VW bumper with a little stretch in the middle. She came without a bumper, sorry fender, and this was the most appropriate for now. And at least it'll fend off those pesky kombi vans !
Be thankful you don't have the EU to comply with in Stars'nstripeyland
Chris
Looking good Chris, nice lights! I agree with you and like some of the scars from 60 years on the road ! All trips are good in vintage aluminum! Our family has been creating great memories in the cruiser, we are trying for 30 nights in the trailer this year.
ReplyDeleteHi 'Aluminium Idler'
ReplyDeleteI am a PhD researcher at Monash University, Australia, doing a project on audience experience at literature festivals and events. I am looking for people who attended this years’ Hay Festival and might be interested in answering a few questions via email about their expectations and their experience at the Festival.
I enjoyed reading your blog post, and I was wondering if you would be able to answer a few questions for my project? These comprise 12 short answer questions, asking about your background with reading and writing, your expectations and experiences at the festival, and your opinion about literature festivals more generally.
If you’re happy to do this, that would be amazing. If you email me at maweb5 [at] student [dot] monash [dot] edu I can send you the questions – and answer any questions about the project that you might have.