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That was fun! However... was the under bonnet layout always black (tar)? And compared with the start of the video, I suspect that they've ditched the correct pressure cap for a later one. Am I correct?

 

Luckily, the metal work was not so worse as one might expect of the car that old.

 

Menno

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The Italias seem to have heavier gauge steel than the typical TR so although they rust they do respond well to treatment. I believe the underbonnet black finish is standard, every one I've seen has been finished that way although Paul H will be along shortly to give a definitive answer.

 

Mick Richards

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Thats not a particularly good resto, more a coat of filler and a coat of paint. The car wasnt too bad to start which helped a lot. Underbonnet should be black Shutz on them much as it looks awful its original.

Stuart.

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Hello Italia's fan !

you are right Mick , The body is well done and heavy ! the trunk and under bonnet were always black. Very common whith most "carrozeria" because it make easier a change of body color. Customer was the king at this time !

very interesting to detail the particularity of an early Italia, a good complement to Paul H wonderfull collection of pictures to help restoration !

 

but it is a pity at this degree of restoration to not have separe the chassis an body to do a complete work !

 

have a good time this Week end and i wish you all an happy motoring year !

regards

Patrick

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Interesting to note also the British Sports Cars guys have now rebuilt I believe about 5 Italias, having reviewed many of their builds from the website I think they ALWAYS have them media blasted rather than heat stripped or dipped.

I think because of the thicker panelling on the Italia distortion from blasting is not a problem whereas thermalizing it, or acid stripping will probably release about 20 kilos of imperfection concealing lead loading from various panels and joints, courtesy of Vignale ! onto the floor, something to be avoided.

Also the Italias connection between the shell and the chassis is occasioned by floor mounted brackets similar if not the same as those known and loved by TR owners. Also with the addition of the shell being welded onto the chassis at either end (definitely non TR like !) which may give slightly more difficult separation and reconnection issues and probably encourages leaving it alone unless necessary.

 

Mick Richards

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Welding ? wich Welding and where ? never found on mine ?

 

the treatement of the seats is a mistake ...

 

another curiosity of this car is the italian registration with american tail lights (from the Nash metropolitan) ! folklore !

 

Patrick

 

Hi Patrick,

 

Regarding the welding of parts of the bodywork to the chassis the British Sports Car company report it as being so and it is supported by various articles, ie at the end of the 3rd paragraph.

 

Italia body mounts.pdf

Not having an Italia myself I can't support it either way, just reporting what is shown here and on a few other reports and articles I've seen.

 

Mick Richards

Edited by Motorsport Mickey
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Thank you Mick ! very interesting !

these weldings seems to only help the body mounting to the chassis. Not structural surely. all the body holes, are exactly positioned for the TR3 mounting points. And i never found a clue on the body or the chassis of 168. But it depends perhaps of the skill of the workers on each car ! It was handicraft at is best !

 

Have a lot of fun tonigth !

 

Patrick

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Italia body mounting points share some of the same body mounting points as a tr3a , the 2 at the front the 2 on the turret support to chassis bracket and the 2 in each footwell , the 4 outrigger brackets are tr3a but have been cut and mounted slightly higher, there are 2 extra bolt down points in the front of the boot , that go into some additional captive nuts within the chassis rails , then finally there are the 2 at the rear which are very slightly different , but using a smaller metric nut and bolt no alteration is required , although the rear end of the chassis is rolled up making it 10mm shorter,

Possibility there was 2 small tack welds at the very front ,,mine showed something there but was not joined when I removed my body

 

Graham italia 82#

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British sports cars are also doing them to a budget dont forget and they do tend to do them like a lot of US restos so everything underneath gets a coat of Schutz regardless. They do have the luxury that some of those 5 have been dry state cars so dont need anywhere near as much work.Those front and rear bumper mounting tubes that go through the body on some cars are welded rather than bolted which does make life difficult.

Stuart.

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