You are not logged in

Daimler Dart restoration

by Esmond Tearle

Well time has passed and I am pleased to say that my leg has made a full recovery with just a scar as a reminder. If you plan to lift a V8 engine block single handed, believe me, it's not a good idea.

I remember once that I was told that the formula for restoring a classic car was simple: “Work out what you expect to spend, and add fifty percent. Then double that total.” I can remember thinking the guy that told me was some sort of an idiot. Sadly he wasn't. Things have gone from being a fairly simple task to something rather more involved.

The engine is virtually finished, all back together and looking rather smart in it's new and correct colour scheme. The multi coloured Hammerite finish applied by a previous owner was not a good idea.

The engine bay looked good in the matt finished "stonechip'' paint. That is to say it did look good until the new paint reacted and cracked. Another job to rectify that problem.

So what's new then? Well Brian and the lads were getting ready to get the engine back in, but whilst the car was on the ramp and Brian was starting to check everything over, we hit upon a bit of a problem. The Dart had always seemed to sit slightly uneven at the rear. I had assumed it was probably a low pressure in one of the tyres, or a weak spring at the worst. No such luck.

I called in one morning to check on the progress, and was informed that they had discovered something a little bit serious, although it could be sorted, but before anything else was done, I'd better have a look.

With the aid of an inspection lamp, I could make out what appeared to be a slight crack in the rear spring hanger. Upon further inspection, the two metal supports that strengthen the body and that are moulded in to the floor looked decidedly crispy. I had a word with Brian, and asked what the best solution was. "It's a body off job boy," came the response.

I thought for a moment, and considered the options. In truth there was only one option. The body would have to come off and I was into this project big time.

Two days later I called into the workshop again. The car was still on the ramp, but the body had actually been unbolted, and sat there raised above the chassis, well supported by blocks. It's when you see a car like that, that it occurs to you that things won't be quite the same again. I thought that as we had come this far, it would make sense to do absolutely everything that obviously needed doing, but it was the perfect opportunity to really go to town and get the car just how I wanted it.

So, a colour change was on the cards. I like the old English white paint, but my V8 saloon is the same colour. Parked on the drive next to each other smacked a bit of "His 'n' Hers". I thought about the other colour options that were available at the time the Dart was new, and frankly, nothing really grabbed me. Except for bright red.

My first Dart was red, and I loved it to bits. It's a personal choice obviously, but I just love red Cars.

The hood and carpets were almost new and finished in beige. With the added expense involved if I was to change them, it made sense to consider colour schemes that would incorporate the beige.

Obviously beige would go very nicely with the red, but as for the tan interior, I hated it. If you have tan interior in your Dart, I'm sorry, but it wouldn't be my choice and after all, I'm the one who has to live with it.

I made a call to a friend who is a coach trimmer. This chap is an ex Rolls-Royce craftsman. He trimmed my first Dart, then he trimmed my V8 saloon, and frankly I wouldn't use anyone else. I arranged for Bob to bring me some leather samples so that I could decide on a colour. He dropped in a rather nice sample in beige, a tan that looked alright as it didn't have the same orange hue as the existing upholstery, there was a parchment colour, and a burgundy red. I couldn't decide, and as a result of a posting on the club forum, Joachim Hegny e-mailed me pictures of his red Dart with a lovely beige interior. Problem solved, it looked very smart. Red with a beige interior it was to be.

The following day Bob rang me. He wanted to call and see me if I had ten minutes to spare. He arrived and said that if I would consider another colour other than beige, but that would of course still go with red, he just may be able to save me some money. Phrased like that I had to consider all options. Bob produced a piece of burgundy coloured leather. The quality was superb, nice and thick. I turned it over and he had stitched a piece of beige coloured piping to it. I was convinced.

The best thing was, it worked out cheaper than the normal price of hide, as someone had made a mistake when calculating how much his car would need for a re-trim, and wanted to try and recoup some of the money he stood to lose. The deal was done, and the colour scheme decided upon. It's not until you actually see the burgundy against a bright red that it really shows just how well they look together.

So if you're a purist, too bad. I know they weren't piped when they were new, but it was probably due to the cost. I reckon they look really smart with contrasting piping. To upset those purists among you even more, I'm having the seats trimmed in the later style of the 'B' spec, and also the door panels and the rest of the cockpit will be in leather as opposed to vinyl. It's a bit like that old argument for and against chrome wire wheels or painted wire wheels. Personal choice is what it comes down to at the end of the day.

So at this point in time, the body is off, the engine is all but ready, the chassis has gone away to be bead blasted before repairs are made as necessary, and when that's done, it will be painted along with the gearbox, axle and the suspension parts. The previous owner who had gone to town with the Hammerite multi colours must have had shares in the stuff. He had painted the springs and suspension red, metallic green and orange, and the rear axle red.

So, more to tell you next month, but somehow, I think the Dart’s planned attendance at the DLOC rally this year may be just a bit optimistic.

[Part 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 ]

If you wish to make contact with Esmond regarding this article then visit the contact us page and we will forward your messages on.

Fancy seeing you and your classic on these pages? Get in touch via the contact us page and we will let you know how you can provide your own article.