[manishalive]

Karlos great going there, to see all those original parts is mind blowing. I have 2 questions by the way -

1.) Did Indian cars came with Italian lights right up to the delight or did we had PA parts, in my cars I have seen PA front park lights, would that be aftermarket stuff, and do these need to be chrome plated.

2.) On the inside door opening handles do you have part numbers as well. I don't have so asking.

[karlosdeville]

Originally Posted by manishalive

Karlos great going there, to see all those original parts is mind blowing. I have 2 questions by the way -

1.) Did Indian cars came with Italian lights right up to the delight or did we had PA parts, in my cars I have seen PA front park lights, would that be aftermarket stuff, and do these need to be chrome plated.

2.) On the inside door opening handles do you have part numbers as well. I don't have so asking.

As far as I have seen on many very original cars, the Selects and Super Selects came with PA stamped aluminium units. Why my car has all Italian units I cannot explain. Maybe they had special VIP quota cars?

Since I had only one Altissimmo taillight and one damaged Altissimo number plate light, I'm fitting aluminium units for now, till I find replacements.

The inner handles are stamped with this part number. I am missing 1 handle.

[manishalive]

Originally Posted by karlosdeville

The inner handles are stamped with this part number. I am missing 1 handle.

Thanks for the reply. Wow this is new info for us. Could this be export model??

Also I am asking for the door opening handle inside the door. I have these window winders with part number but door opening handles do not have part numbers.

[DHABHAR.BEHRAM]

Dear Karl - perfect in everything! Just put the S1 alternator mounting bracket for reliability's sake. The current one is the aftermarket Lucas TVS unit, known to give problems. Use the Fenner 1020 mm size cogged belt. It is a little hard to find. Alternatively, you can use Fenner 1000 mm which is easily available as it is used in the M&M Jeep. Original Autolec water pumps are still available in Alagendran Motor Stores (now Dhanam Motor Stores) in Coimbatore. Maybe Dr.Kannan can help.

Best regards,

Behram Dhabhar

[mbz180]

Originally Posted by karlosdeville

13th October 2015

The car finally back on 4 wheels. The wheels themselves were blasted and painted, but in great shape anyways. A couple of missing clips were replaced, and new MRF Twin Tread cross plies were fitted. Luckily I had bought them some time back, now they are hard to find.

Karl,

The detailing is truly stunning! I'm so happy looking at photos of that engine bay, I'm sure it's actually better in person!

A thought - is the radiator upper tank supposed to be polished brass and not painted? I would have thought that they were painted but then I know next to nothing about Fiats.

Regards,

P

[karlosdeville]

Originally Posted by mbz180

A thought - is the radiator upper tank supposed to be polished brass and not painted? I would have thought that they were painted but then I know next to nothing about Fiats.

Am used to seeing them in this combination, and earlier I checked for reference with original cars, all of them had a bare brass radiator top, so have left it this way. Should anyone be able to confirm differently, that's a different story.

[karlosdeville]

27th October 2015

The interior starts to go in - it is a mix and match unfortunately. Wherever the original remnants were intact, we have re-used them. Where mot available, we will have to use the closest match, which to be honest is not that close. The plan is to complete the car for now, and eventually when we can figure out how to custom print a fabric, to redo parts like the door panels and wheel arch covers.



Most of the hardware is installed and looks great after careful detailing. Even though hidden, the idea is to protect it long term from corrision.


The seats have been tightly wrapped in a thick plastic sheet, and neatly crimped and tailored. Hopefully this should preserve the seats from further damage. I wonder what it will be like to sit on a plastic cover though!

[boeuff]

Originally Posted by karlosdeville

1st October 2015


Oil filter container repainted in what I assume are the correct colours. Eventually need to figure out what decal to make for it. Filter cartridges themselves are not available, so was custom made.
]

Karlosdeville,
Can you please elaborate on how the filter cartridges were custom made.

[karlosdeville]

Originally Posted by boeuff

Karlosdeville,
Can you please elaborate on how the filter cartridges were custom made.

Shall find out and share.

28th October 2015

My car does not have the original dry element air filter housing, so have substituted with a later Padmini unit, which looks very similar. The colour maybe is too bright, will wait to compare with an original sample.



As we did in the Herald, we plan to fit a detachable console with tell tale gauges like oil pressure, charging etc. Luckily the original integrated temperature gauge is working, will need to repair the fuel gauge. Since we will be using the car for long distance I will have more peace of mind when monitoring parameters. Its bolt on, so no permanent damage, and can be removed before entering Pebble Beach



For now the side door pads, under dash shelf etc are upholstered with a plain cream material, till we can match to the original.

30th October 2015

Work continues on the number plate. New aluminum (= no rust) base plates were cut. The casting has some flaws and pitting, though I am keen to keep the older style of polished letters on a black plate. Still experimenting, lets see how it turns out.





There is a large gap in the rear seat back and base - it had me confused for a while, till we realised that the upholstry base probably drapes down further, which was sewn up when readying the seats. Need to scratch our heads on this one.



31st October 2015

Finally she looks like a car again! First trials taken, no nasty surprises. The front end is standing too high, though we have to wait to see if it settles. The sun shade is just not looking right, it maybe an incorrect size. Lets see how this goes.

[Stanher]

Originally Posted by karlosdeville

There is a large gap in the rear seat back and base - it had me confused for a while, till we realised that the upholstry base probably drapes down further, which was sewn up when readying the seats. Need to scratch our heads on this one.

I remember when I'd once procured a set of original but reupholstered seats for a fiat select I had then, I noticed a similar gap between the top and base pieces though not as much! As the top of the rear seat in these cars swings forward and lies flat when maybe to make room for extra luggage, I presumed the gap was necessary when the top swung forward.

[Drkannant]

Originally Posted by DHABHAR.BEHRAM

Dear Karl - perfect in everything! Just put the S1 alternator mounting bracket for reliability's sake. The current one is the aftermarket Lucas TVS unit, known to give problems. Use the Fenner 1020 mm size cogged belt. It is a little hard to find. Alternatively, you can use Fenner 1000 mm which is easily available as it is used in the M&M Jeep. Original Autolec water pumps are still available in Alagendran Motor Stores (now Dhanam Motor Stores) in Coimbatore. Maybe Dr.Kannan can help.

Best regards,

Behram Dhabhar

Hi Karl & Behram sir,

Actually just this evening I went to Dhanam motors to get a water pump for my MILLECENTO as there was radiator water leak through a small hole from the pump. I was told that the seal might have gone.

I could only get a make called " Mummizo " or some thing costing about 650 rupees. They did not have any other make. I did ask them for a different make as I had got this same brand earlier.

I will ask the mechanic not to fit it tomorrow. I will look for this Autolec brand and if available here I will buy an extra one for Karl and courier it to him.

Any help from my side here in Coimbatore, please feel free Karl, I am at yours and Behram sirs service.

Thanks & regards.

Dr. Kannan.

[Drkannant]

Hi Karl & Behram sir

Made some calls to Fiat specific guy in Dhanam motors, found 2 Autolec water pumps!
Will be getting one for me tomorrow, will buy one for Karl if he needs it.

Karl please call me if you need it. My number 9994078668.

Regards.

Dr. Kannan.

[DHABHAR.BEHRAM]

Dear Dr.Kannan - thanks for the goldmine find! , I knew that he had them, I would have picked them up if I had come to Coimbatore. .

Dear Karl - your water pump pulley is not original, it has 5 holes which seriously affects reliability. Do you have the metallic fan? If yes, you will need to find a pulley with two holes only, and fit it. Also fit a two hole spacer in front of the fan blade to subdue NVH. I had forgotten to mention this in my last post so telling now.

Best regards,

Behram Dhabhar

[karlosdeville]

Originally Posted by Drkannant

Made some calls to Fiat specific guy in Dhanam motors, found 2 Autolec water pumps!
Will be getting one for me tomorrow, will buy one for Karl if he needs it.

Much obliged Dr.!

Originally Posted by DHABHAR.BEHRAM

Dear Karl - your water pump pulley is not original, it has 5 holes which seriously affects reliability. Do you have the metallic fan? If yes, you will need to find a pulley with two holes only, and fit it. Also fit a two hole spacer in front of the fan blade to subdue NVH. I had forgotten to mention this in my last post so telling now.

Thanks - will understand better from you when we meet next.

3rd November 2015

The car is nearing completion, finishing touches are in progress. The cast letters and numbers for the plate had many flaws which would be visible since I wanted to keep them polished. They were sprayed silver instead, they look as good.



I'm confident these plates will give a nice period look.


A few of the original wheel clips were weak, which were replaced. We sourced a set of local repro hubcaps (which do look pretty close), and after much adjustments got them to fit.

[kasli]

Originally Posted by karlosdeville

Much obliged Dr.!



Thanks - will understand better from you when we meet next.

3rd November 2015

The car is nearing completion, finishing touches are in progress. The cast letters and numbers for the plate had many flaws which would be visible since I wanted to keep them polished. They were sprayed silver instead, they look as good.

Attachment 1435793

I'm confident these plates will give a nice period look.
Attachment 1435794

A few of the original wheel clips were weak, which were replaced. We sourced a set of local repro hubcaps (which do look pretty close), and after much adjustments got them to fit.
Attachment 1435795

May I ask how come you are running black on white instead of white on black for the number plate .
Carry paint for the long journeys ! It's a joke

Cheers