WEIGHTWATCHERS HERE I COME !

It happened with no advance warning - my driver's seat suddenly became very uncomfortable - to the point of pain.
On examination all was revealed. The " stretcher " which supports the padded portion of the seat cushion had given up the ghost.
Probably dating from the late sixties or early seventies, this bucket-seat in blue dralon with contrasting tweed seat swab and tweed back
swab is one of a pair that came with my car back in December 2006. Described by more than one admirer as being very " Austin Powers "
I had, therefore, made a mental note to get both seats re-covered in a more macho looking neutral grey or black vinyl - some day.

The torn stretcher is made of a type of woven jute (like sacking) with a 4" wide rubber section heatwelded (?) on each side of the jute part.
The rubber parts on each side have a heavy wire inserted which in turns is attached at regular intervals to the seat frame with metal
hooks. The stretcher failed when the rubber section on one side split apart from front to back.

I brought the seat to Jason Loughrey (he of J & L Engineering in Castlewarden on the Dublin / Kildare border) his afternoon - who will fix and
replace the entire stretcher with an all rubber version. After that its off to Weightwatchers for me as I do not fancy a repeat performance.

So tell me, has it been fixed, did they make a good job of it?
Does this mean the next time you visit I have to hide the chocolate hobnobs?!

Yes Ali, alls well again. I collected the seat last Thur morning from J&L Engineering.
Jason had replaced the original seat swab with an all rubber substitute which he guarantees will support a "substantial" bloke ! (moi?).
The good news was that there was no charge - I had more or less promised him involvement in my latest project - an Irish registered
1965 Mk.2 Wolseley Hornet. This car has lain derelict in a Dublin field for the past 18 months or so. I had originally viewed this car as a
possible parts donor for my 1963 Elf. Jason, however, felt that this Hornet was too good to cut up & cannabalise - he views it as a possible
restoration project in its own right. I had already removed this cars indicator stalk + wiring for my Elf last Jan. where it now does the job.

Because this Mk.2 Hornet is a Dublin assembled car and has spent all of its life solely on Irish roads (which until recent times remained salt
& anti-freeze chemical free) the undersides are (astonishingly) in very good condition. It took 3 of us to push the Hornet over onto its side
(no engine) to confirm this fact - but it appears that apart from 2 holes - one at the drivers footwell and one in the boot - all looks sound.
The bad news is that all brightwork (including the Wolseley grill & both bumpers) have been "removed" by person or persons unknown.
The good news is that the interior is all present and correct - though the seats will require TLC or even re-upholstery) + the current &
original owner (a lady) has made me a present of the car and most importantly is looking for its original Irish "buff" logbook -only one owner!
Next step - soda blasting of the all metalwork & then spraying in yellow primer - & then see what panel repairs are required & that's where
Jason enters the scene.A rear subframe will be needed though the front one seems to be ok.The hydrolastic system is kaput:over to dry
The original 998cc engine & gearbox was missing but has been located (condition unknown) on a pallet in the current owners back garden.

(David - with apologies it has taken me so long to upload these for you, but I have had an extremely busy week and haven't been near my laptop (I wasn't able to upload them from my mobile).

Many thanks Ali for posting these pictures.
I must apologise for their quality which is down to the very basic camera in my phone.
I will rectify this on my next visit to the " field of dreams " where the Hornet resides in company with about 30 cars representing most
of the models in popular use in Ireland from the mid 1950s up to the late 1970s. Austins A30, A35, & A40 Farina ; two Ford Populars from the
50s ; Escort Mk1 Estate ; a Mini DeLuxe Mk2 complete with a tree growing up throught its floor & roof ; a Sunbeam Vogue ; a VW Beetle ;
a spit screen Morris Minor ; and several unidentified tractors. All of these vehicles have been " laid to rust in peace " but I intend to save
the Hornet which to my great surprise is remarkably free of the common rust associated with all Minis that have been subjected to winter
roads sprayed with salt &/or ice defeating chemicals. As the Hornet is a 1965 Irish assembled Mk2 and as Irish roads are only recently getting
treated in winter - its undersides, sills inner & outer, doors, front and rear wings, boot lid & bonnet all appear to be virtually rust free
The next step is to tow the Hornet home to a dry location. J&L Engineering want to soda-blast the entire shell and spray it in yellow primer.
This should reveal any areas requiring repair. There are only two obvious holes - one in the driver's foot well and one in the boot floor.
All this activity depends - as always - on budget and will probably take place sometime in 2013.
I am thinking in terms of having the car completely deseamed. This will require the removal of the seam between the A pillar and the front
wings and also elimination of all roof guttering. The original Tartan Red colour scheme to be retained but Old English White is to be applied
not only to the roof but also extended down to a line just below the windows. All bright work including bumpers will be eliminated - the
only exception being the Wolseley grill (with lamp) and the side-light embellisher/air intakes.
The car will then (externally) resemble the last works prepared Cooper S driven by Paddy Hopkirk to second place in the 1969 Circuit of
Ireland Rally.This event was won by Roger Clarke in the then brand-new Twin Cam Escort in its first ever outing.
David2010

Hi David,
Have you any photy's of the cars "Rusting in Peace" would love to see then, I have A30's and A35's and a Humber Sceptre which is a close relative of the Vogue

Hi Troutrunner (aka Paul ? )
I dont have any other photos right now but I hope to take a few when my Hornet is being dragged from its current resting place.
Bear in mind though that the field is completely overgrown and is very challenging to traverse, especially on foot !
Fortunately, my Hornet is parked up quite near to what passes for a pathway across the field.
The field's owner - a farmer - has already salvaged two A30/A35s (I can't tell which is which) - both original Irish cars - one grey and one
white. The Sunbeam(Singer)Vogue is a 70s model and together with a 50s Sunbeam Rapier is as far away as is possible from the path !
Will keep you in mind.
David2010

Thanks for your thoughts and reply David, I just find these graveyards facinating

Merry Christmas

I am pleased to report that my Hornet has to-day been rescued from the " Field of Dreams " (old cars laid to rust field).
It was not easy - a Ferguson tractor was needed to get the Hornet free of its jungle-like surroundings of long grass & bushes.
That plus the fact that a rear wheel (complete with hub) had been removed by person or persons unknown some time ago made the move
more difficult. Seized brakes and flat tyres conspired against us too.
Next step = The entire shell will have to be blasted. But which type of blasting ? Sand or Bead or Soda or Graphite Blasting ?
My local firm recommends Graphite. I wanted Soda, but they say that one of the down-sides of Soda Blasting is that eventually the new
coat of paint will simply peel off ! - after about 3 years ! They say Graphite - Can anyone advise me on the correct choice of blasting ?
David2010.

Here's another image of David's car which he asked me to put up for him ages ago and I clean forgot!
A thousand apologies, David. How is our dream car coming along? Any news?
Let me know when you're about for that tea and hobnobs session!!

Many thanks Ali for posting that picture of my 1966 Hornet Mk.II now standing on terra firma.
If you look carefully Troutrunner - you will see the nose of an Austin A30/A35 just visible to the left of my car - I hope to
post a picture of this car - assuming I can down-load it from my camera.
With a lot of help from my friends we were able to load the Hornet onto a trailer and it temporarily resides in a friend's garden
protected by a green tarpaulin.
Next step will be soda blasting (yes I've finally decided on soda blasting) just as soon as funds permit this.
David2010.