1955 Traction 11B "Barn Find" Project

It is like a big pop rivet but with a threaded core. They look good, but would need to buy the tool and the nuts. I think I will use a small hole cutter and then weld my captive nut to the rear of a large flange washer and then weld that washer into the same diameter hole that I will cut. Then at least it should fit and be a rigid section.

The rivnut would not work in this case as there is no real hole, it is split metal where the original nut has tried to pull through.

Did you get that engine part you were collecting at Retromobile?

On with the steering. The instructions are not great when it comes to the photos as they are too small and dark. It would be nice to have a diagram but I worked it out in the end with a few emails back and forth to EZ Power Steering.

Got it bolted in and wired up

[attachment=2:1o576srm]P1070246.jpg[/attachment:1o576srm]

It actually sits higher than I thought and is very close to the gear selector bars. Should be fine though. Only two holes need to be drilled.

I have also installed the main electrical box but only temporarily as I will remount this one I have put the carpet in. It is out of the way under the dash and all the screws will be hidden by the carpet with the smaller wires tucked behind.

[attachment=1:1o576srm]P1070254.jpeg[/attachment:1o576srm]

And finally I have a steering column back in the car. I tightened all the steering rack components and track rod ends and put the steering wheel on just to try it. Couldn’t feel much difference but then I think I might need to put the tires on the ground for that 😆

[attachment=0:1o576srm]P1070252.jpeg[/attachment:1o576srm]

What are the nails you are using? Rust-resistant, I assume?

Carried on with the door trims. This was quite time consuming and irritating when the nails did not penetrate the metal. But all in all, it is done.

I put in the head liner beading and the old cardboard. I also tried the arm of the rear seat and the side panel just to make sure I knew where the headlining should finish.

[attachment=2:3t11z33b]P1070263.jpeg[/attachment:3t11z33b]

Round the back and finished off the fuel tank connections and replaced the panel. Put in the sound proofing and strapped it all down with newly painted fixings.

[attachment=1:3t11z33b]P1070259.jpg[/attachment:3t11z33b]
[attachment=0:3t11z33b]P1070262.jpeg[/attachment:3t11z33b]

Thoroughly enjoying your restoration work.

When I did my interior I was advised by a certain London-based specialist to line (glue) the inside doors with sheet plastic to prevent ingress of water behind the door panels via all the cut outs. I did this although I made my panels out of thin ply instead of the original millboard so not that susceptible to damp.

I have also, after more advice, run some rubber door seal on the inside, upper edge of the door frames to stop water running off the gutter and finding its way into the car. This has stopped any water entering the car via the doors.

Have you glued the sound-proofing to the roof? If not you may find it will eventually sag onto the headlining material after time. I was doing a Slough car so fixings may be different.

Keep the great work up and keep posting!

@traction39 wrote:

Thoroughly enjoying your restoration work.

When I did my interior I was advised by a certain London-based specialist to line (glue) the inside doors with sheet plastic to prevent ingress of water behind the door panels via all the cut outs. I did this although I made my panels out of thin ply instead of the original millboard so not that susceptible to damp.

I covered mine with plastic held on by ‘Gaffa tape’ 😆 (it can be very useful – also wrapped the inner sides of the wheels over the rivets to contain air loss)

Out of interest is the 11B ‘Big boot’ floor different to the 11BL?

My BL has a panel above the fuel sender held in with 2 screws and a flap in the matting above that so it can be accessed if needed and I didn’t notice one in your pictures Ian.

😀 It has the brand name Duck Tape but I think it is actually Duct Tape, used originally in sealing metal ducting.

I had ordered some sticky back vinyl for the doors. Mine has grey vinyl on from when it was built but I could not save that at all.

Yes, the fuel tank fixings has a little panel and now you have reminded me I will cut a flap in the soundproofing so when I lift the carpet I can get to it.