Hello

[ColinB]

Ha ha! He has already separated it into Singer parts and scrap, so it no longer works as a tractor. I can recommend a Ferguson (or a Ford Ferguson in the States). Mine (1948 6v model) is very useful around the garden although we rarely get enough snow to warrant a snow plough attachment.

[ColinB]

I just picked up the newly nickel plated radiator surround from the platers. Simon who is the son of Colin who runs the works (Vehicle and General Polishers and Platers) is holding it. He was a little embarrassed and said I should really have a picture of the finishers rather than the chap who takes the money! Better than I had hoped so it has driven me to plan to re-finish the bonnet to try and get rid of the bubbles that appear. I will strip it completely and then use solvents and detergent to try and remove the oil in the pores of the steel which have caused so many flaws to appear in quite decent spray work when it gets hot.

The shot of it on the car looks odd because of the colour created by the flash. To say I am delighted would be an understatement.

[telco.2]

What a fantastic result; and it looks wonderful in nickel Bill

[Phillip]

WOW! is all I can say!

[DarcyG]

Colours add aged atmosphere, great work

[cdk84]

You lot are being all too polite.

It's bloody beautiful.

Brilliant!

[mikeyr]

You lot are being all too polite.

Well that is something I have NEVER heard my wife say about me

[ColinB]

I took her out for a run yesterday; we were out of tea bags so I drove to the post office on the village green to buy some. One the way home the rear fabric coupling disintegrated leaving me stranded but fortunately only about a mile from home. I walked home and got my spare which sort of fitted although only 4 of the 6 bolts would go in. Still it got me home. I can get new ones made but I wondered if anyone knows of a stockist?

The picture is Little Bea looking rather pretty on the green before the drama!

[Peter McKercher]

Nice shot and a lovely car Colin.

[ColinB]

She does look nice in a photo Peter. I will however have to respray her at some point as the paint continues to bubble off on a hot day. On the fabric coupling front Dick Preston suggested I tried the Austin Seven supplier A7 as he was pretty sure the Austin item would fit my Singer. From the measurements they gave me over the phone I think this is true so I have ordered one.

[Phillip]

Hey Colin!
Dick would certainly know the sources...
Another is GMS Polymer engineering in Birmingham.
They have the original Hardy Spicer tooling to make these couplings to order.
Tel 0121-551-5440
www.gmspolymer.co.uk.
I plan to get them for the Senior once the engine work is done.
The Junior is looking splendid!

[ColinB]

Thanks Phillip. Yes GMS will be my next option if the Austin ones don't fit. My only concern with ordering from them is that each one is bespoke made to one's own measurements, and its difficult to measure the centre-to-centre radius of the fixing bolts without an original as a pattern. A mistake could be quite expensive1

[Phillip]

Hmmm...agreed! I have one spare good unit that I hope to use as a pattern!
Good luck with the Austin option. It will save a lot of nail biting and grief!

[ColinB]

Fortunately the Austin Seven part fits perfectly and seems to be very well made. To be on the safe side I'll get a spare! My original one was well and truly shredded. I presume when one part of it goes the rest fails progressively. In case anyone is interested these are the dimensions of the part:

OD 4 1/8"
ID 1 3/8"
Thickness 1/2"
Distance centre to centre of the bolt holes 3 1/8"
Bolts 3/8"

[Phillip]

Hey Colin,

Looks the same as my Senior unit, except the Senior disk is larger.