Lagondaforum

Subject: Re: Barn find 16/80 project

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That's frankly amazing, Colin.

To go from a scant collection of a few odd parts and end up with pretty well all the right ones for a particular model...well done!

What could so easily just have become another bitza special will instead add another Lagonda to the ranks...excellent.

Laurence

Subject: Re: Barn find 16/80 project

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Hi Laurence

Thank you very much for your kind words.

A very well known restorer "based on the Berkshire, Hampshire Borders" has been very helpful. He regularly has authentic Lagonda bodies made for him and reckons a frame would be about £8k. I will go as far as I can with correctness so a new owner (who ever it is) can enjoy the car with the existing bodywork, knowing that it can be upgraded later to make a really good car.

Colin

Subject: Re: Barn find 16/80 project

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Hi Colin,

Keep up the good work!

I am interested in your chassis painting technique. I am not familiar with the 16/80 chassis - does it come apart as the LG45 chassis? The side rails and cross members are separate items bolted together? Contemplated whether paint the chassis in pieces but wondered if the paint thickness would be an issue when bolting back together? What about the bolts, are they painted?

David

Subject: Re: Barn find 16/80 project

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Hi David,

Thanks for your note, I am pleased to respond with some pictures.

The first shows the chassis being completely dismantled to the point where the cross members are riveted in place. This is how it was blasted.

The second shows the chassis back after painting. I had started to put some of the parts on, The springs were all blasted and etch primed.

The third photo shows all the running gear which was powder coated and ready to assemble. This was semi-gloss finish and made the parts absolutely delightful to handle. This is why the job has gone so well.

Paint thickness is an issue so I took the following approach:-

(a) Key machined areas were masked after blasting but before powder coating and they did a good job here. In terms of fitting,

(b) I needed to ream out many of the holes so the bots would go through. I have plenty of fixed and adjustable reamers, the latter being the most useful.

(c) I also had to scrape off the power coating when a part needs to be made to fit using a bearing scraper. I have several of these and I have been taught how to sharpen them. With care, one can get a very good edge on one and this is needed .

(d) I had to run a tap through many holes. I blasted all the original Lagonda bolts and re-used them where I could, cleaning them down with die nuts, Lagonda used a lot of 20 TPI treads on larger bolts and I have accumulated some nice taps and dies in the larger sizes such as 1/2" x 20 which I have used a great deal for cleaning up threads.

I had loads of zinc plated BSF nuts and the chassis looks quite smart with these left self coloured

Once the chassis is fully assembled, areas that show will be filled and painted with gloss black, along with the wings and bonnet. It this point I expect most of the bots to be painted over.

I am pleased with the results so far. I had a huge advantage of starting with a pile of bits so very little dismantling was involved. I am as intrigued as everybody else as to how well it comes together for the rest of the job. And I do need to sell it...

Colin M34

Thumbnails of attached images:

Subject: Re: Barn find 16/80 project

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Hi Colin,

Many thanks for your detailed explanation and pictures.

What chassis paint and primer did you use?

I like the idea of only powder coating the bits that presumably are fairly easy to take off and re-do should they get badly chipped at a later date. The only items i have had powder coated weren't a success. Runs and and areas with an obvious thicker layer. I think the trick is to find a powder coater who takes a bit of care and not squeezing them in at the end of the day after his commercial jobs. Have you a recommendation?

David

Subject: Re: Barn find 16/80 project

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Hi David

I agree with your experience on powder coating and was sceptical. However the technology seems to have moved on a lot and I was very impressed by the results from this guy. He works from an old airfield in Suffolk.

The secret may be that the parts are basted and powder coated almost immediately afterwards. He uses a hell of a compressor for blasting. It's the type used to drive road drills so the parts are really clean.

By the way, this is "commercial" work - it cost over £1000 to do the chassis and wheels. Perhaps that's why he took care.

I will find out about the etch primer and chassis paint used.Time will tell if this is successful.

Colin

Subject: Re: Barn find 16/80 project

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That does seem quite expensive so would hope for a good job. By commercial was meaning the regular trade customers rather than us one off job car enthusiasts.

David

Subject: Re: Barn find 16/80 project

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Hi David

Yes he worked hard on doing the chassis and it was the "right price" for a good job. I felt it was good value for money.

A professional restorer in the area also uses this guy.

Colin

Subject: Re: Barn find 16/80 project

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Hi Colin - looks great! Any chance you can get some thickness measurements off the springs? Mine are not original except for three of the four leaves with the eyes in the ends and I'm unable to find the correct thickness for the other leaves. I'm guessing 0.218"...

Alec

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Subject: Re: Barn find 16/80 project

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Colin

At this rate you will be able to offer a road worthy car by the summer - impressive result, starting with a chassis found in a hedge!

Kind regards

Simon

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