Creature comforts first

Although the car is based on a 1965 Triumph Herald I was determined to make it look as "period" as possible. Apart from the use of Allen headed button bolts on the wing supports and crosshead screws holding the outer panels in place, the obvious starting point was the interior. Both dash and seats had to go - the former a piece of exterior ply supporting the original Herald switchgear and instruments, and the seats being more suited to a 1960s boy racer (black velour bucket seats). The other thing that grated was the use of foam backed cord carpet to cover the floor, doors, and other inner panels. Over the course of many years and several soakings from rain, the carpet had become, how shall we say, dank! And it had stuck to the floor and other wooden parts that it covered.

What should I do with the seating? There were two options really. Either a pair of period individual seats, or as used in the MGs and Morgans of the time (1930s), separate seat bases but a single full-width backrest. A photo of a suitably equipped MG was the decider - two seat squabs and a single back rest it was. 

I consulted my local car upholsterer and he suggested that if I made up some formers, he would trim them to match the photo of the MG seats. A piece of exterior ply was duly sourced and a couple of days later I delivered the three pieces (two seat bases and a back), now varnished, to the trimmer. A six week delivery timescale was promised - an optimistic  view I felt given past experience of the man, who, although very good, was prone to rather extended timescales. I asked him to get enough of the light green leathercloth I had requested to cover the seats and allow me to trim the interior of the car.

I set about stripping out the old carpet and cleaned up the ply floor. With  time on my hands I decided to tackle the engine bay which had become very dirty over the years with some components rusting in the process. The tin of MG engine enamel (maroon) that I had used for the A40 came in very handy, and items such as the dynamo and starter were taken off, derusted and painted.

 Amazingly, and contrary to past experience, the trimmer was as good as his word and the seats were ready as promised. They looked exactly as I had hoped. With the remainder of the leathercloth as well as the seats, I set of home. Now the fun would begin.