Q. Which is the best timber to use for wood frame restoration? |  |
A. Ash is recognised as the timber of choice in the UK. It is important that the wood is seasoned correctly and has the right moisture content - kiln dried ash is not recommended. It is also necessary to understand the profiles of the timber (that is, the parts of the tree which are appropriate to use).
 The mighty Ash
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Q. Should I use marine plywood when required? | |
A. Yes, but do beware: most timber and builders merchants stock substandard marine plywood. The real thing can only be obtained from specialist suppliers or by special order and is more expensive than inferior types. The difference is the nature and standard of the glues used - top quality marine ply sold in the UK will carry the relevant British Standard kite mark.
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Q. Can I do the woodwork myself? | |
A. Restoration of ash framing is highly skilled work. The ash frame is the foundation for the whole project. The panel maker, and subsequently the sprayer and trimmer, all rely on the frame being correct in every aspect. Achieving smooth contours, maintaining even gaps around doors, boots, and bonnets, fitting winding windows and sunroofs, are all complicated procedures requiring careful thought and planning. As with most do-it-yourself tasks nothing is impossible, but it is worth bearing in mind that a great deal of time and concentration goes into the manufacture of car frames by professionals. This is quite apart from the detailed knowledge required. In other words, tackling the work yourself will not necessarily produce faster results - or cheaper ones!
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Q. I would like to start on the chassis of my vehicle but I will need to remove the body. Should I brace it up first? | |
A. The only reason for removing the original body is if it is to be replaced by a completely new or different body. A body restoration should be carried out on its existing chassis. Only then can the chassis be restored. Should a body be removed from the chassis, problems often arise. The body will tend to lose its shape so doors will no longer fit and most importantly, when the repaired frame and chassis are brought back together they almost certainly will not fit as before.
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Q. I have been offered a "basket case" by a local farmer. The car has a history and is potentially valuable, but its most recent past has been spent in a collapsed chicken shed. Is it worth doing and how do I get it out of the shed? | |
A. Going ahead with a project depends on value of the car, rarity, history, finance, skills, and time available. The first thing to do in this case would be to inspect the ash frame then brace it up as much as possible to prevent the frame from collapsing when the car is moved. Never throw anything away: save any of those rotting pieces of timber and take notes of where they came from. Photographs should be taken of the entire car from every angle, including close-ups of joints and each different section of the frame inside and out. Measurements and drawings could be made also, and any parts that need to be removed should be clearly labelled with a tie.
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Q. Will it cost a fortune to have my vehicle restored? | |
A. It's never easy to say how much an individual project will cost and one needs to maintain some perspective on the cash and sentimental value of the vehicle. I attach a good deal of importance in coming to view a car at the outset in order to more accurately assess the cost of the project. Occasionally I find that an ash frame is not in so bad a state as the owner first thought. Often it is possible to have the work done over an extended period, allowing staged payments to be made.
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