Just bought a semi dismantled Excel.. What could go possibly go wrong!

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Zaphod
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Posts: 242
Joined: Mon Aug 23, 2021 21:38
Model: Excel SE
Colour: Blue
Year: 1990
Location: Uffington

Re: Just bought a semi dismantled Excel.. What could go possibly go wrong!

Post by Zaphod »

OK time for an update..
The driver's side carpet was torn up and partially missing and the passenger side was filthy and not looking like much would remain after it had been scrubbed so that all had to come out, the headlining had been ripped out and replaced badly by a previous owner with creme vinyl which had lots of air bubbles and lumpy glue. So I have replaced the carpets and started on the headlining.

This is just as I was clearing the lumps of glue from the roof.
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I hooked an oversized section of headlining in the gap at the rear of the roof and used bits of cardboard to wedge it in

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Then sprayed High Temp glue on the underside of the roof and upper face of the headlining material.

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and then cut the excess off with a Stanley knife OK the edges are a bit rough, but the trim panels go over that area...

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and then put the rear seats back in, I know the bit over the roll over bar will have to come back out when I do the front section next weekend but it's safe from dirt where it is!

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and some pics of the rest.. Eventually I might get the leather clean!

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Of all the things I have lost I think I miss my mind the most...

1952 MG TD
1957 MGA 1500
1959 Austin Healey Sprite
1975 MG Midget 1500
1990 Lotus Excel

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Hawaiis0
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Model: Excel SA (No 3); Elite 504
Colour: BRG; Dirty White
Year: 1986
Location: West Oxfordshire

Re: Just bought a semi dismantled Excel.. What could go possibly go wrong!

Post by Hawaiis0 »

I capped my rear section with a piece of plastic U Channel sprayed black.

Just push fit it into the gap between glass and roof with the excess material holding it.

Did a tidy finish.
Nothing is fool proof. Fools are clever!

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Hawaiis0
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Posts: 4130
Joined: Sun Jun 30, 2013 18:39
Model: Excel SA (No 3); Elite 504
Colour: BRG; Dirty White
Year: 1986
Location: West Oxfordshire

Re: Just bought a semi dismantled Excel.. What could go possibly go wrong!

Post by Hawaiis0 »

Was the aerial foil in ok condition under the front section?
Nothing is fool proof. Fools are clever!

Zaphod
Senior Poster
Posts: 242
Joined: Mon Aug 23, 2021 21:38
Model: Excel SE
Colour: Blue
Year: 1990
Location: Uffington

Re: Just bought a semi dismantled Excel.. What could go possibly go wrong!

Post by Zaphod »

Hawaiis0 wrote:
Tue Sep 20, 2022 17:58
Was the aerial foil in ok condition under the front section?
It was. Sadly, the glue used for the vinyl headlining is a bit too strong and it's ripped a lot of it off. I am wondering if a roll of speed tape will do the job!
Of all the things I have lost I think I miss my mind the most...

1952 MG TD
1957 MGA 1500
1959 Austin Healey Sprite
1975 MG Midget 1500
1990 Lotus Excel

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Alan_M
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Posts: 1121
Joined: Sat Aug 12, 2017 01:17
Model: Excel SE, Excel SA, Elan SE
Colour: Red, red, white
Location: South Wales

Re: Just bought a semi dismantled Excel.. What could go possibly go wrong!

Post by Alan_M »

Zaphod wrote:
Tue Sep 20, 2022 23:50
Hawaiis0 wrote:
Tue Sep 20, 2022 17:58
Was the aerial foil in ok condition under the front section?
It was. Sadly, the glue used for the vinyl headlining is a bit too strong and it's ripped a lot of it off. I am wondering if a roll of speed tape will do the job!
Just glue some Turkey foil on the roof to replace it. Needs to be metallic.

Zaphod
Senior Poster
Posts: 242
Joined: Mon Aug 23, 2021 21:38
Model: Excel SE
Colour: Blue
Year: 1990
Location: Uffington

Re: Just bought a semi dismantled Excel.. What could go possibly go wrong!

Post by Zaphod »

Well, I finally drove it.. Brakes work, steering works, gearbox and clutch work.. Now I need to get the lights all working again, the radio to work again and the windscreen changed.. then I can take it for an MOT! Didn't take too long really...
Of all the things I have lost I think I miss my mind the most...

1952 MG TD
1957 MGA 1500
1959 Austin Healey Sprite
1975 MG Midget 1500
1990 Lotus Excel

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MetBlue
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Posts: 1401
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Model: Elite 74 & Excel 92 (SEish))
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Year: 1974
Location: Northampton

Re: Just bought a semi dismantled Excel.. What could go possibly go wrong!

Post by MetBlue »

Major milestone. And in under 2 years : Well done. Just the final push to the finish line then
Tony
What goes together.... Must come apart.

Pete Boole
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Model: Elite
Colour: Monaco White
Year: 1974
Location: Nottingham

Re: Just bought a semi dismantled Excel.. What could go possibly go wrong!

Post by Pete Boole »

Yep - excellent progress! Just in time for the summer :D

Pete

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