10-01-2018, 08:46 AM
I love AYV23. The fellow who originally “restored” the green/black RP featured a few months back would be in ecstasy with that one. Cars in near that state were to be found here to early 1960s but anything with a hint of rust was eliminated from the roads by absurdly pedantic w.o.f standards 40 or so years ago. The cars were not designed for long body life The car depicts all the common defects. The door bottoms were made to rot out early. (That handiwork as Martins was doused in every rain) The battered rear guards very typical (even on cars with bumpers!). Rear window leaks have contributed to rust above the guards and behind spare wheel.. Much of the rear floor and behind guards of my own car was replaced inside15 years. Although the car did begin life in a wind blasted seaside suburb and would have been driven through saltwater puddles. (Yet unlike moderns the radiator is not corroded). The original paint must have been very lacking as little subsequent damage despite years outside.
I am mightily surprised by Martins findings. The RP is an odd structure. The chassis extension is too light to support adults plus kids in the back plus a carrier and the slightly reinforced body carries much of the load. Leaky window seals caused much early corrosion in the rear floor area. I have always assumed the consequent rear sag pulled the top of A and B posts back to produce lozenged door openings and the typical RP appearance. I cannot find my giant wallpaper square but I am sure I have verified in the past. The next visitor will get a job holding strings. I assumed raising of the rear body might assist if sag not too locked in by welded repairs, and steel roof, as mine.
I am mightily surprised by Martins findings. The RP is an odd structure. The chassis extension is too light to support adults plus kids in the back plus a carrier and the slightly reinforced body carries much of the load. Leaky window seals caused much early corrosion in the rear floor area. I have always assumed the consequent rear sag pulled the top of A and B posts back to produce lozenged door openings and the typical RP appearance. I cannot find my giant wallpaper square but I am sure I have verified in the past. The next visitor will get a job holding strings. I assumed raising of the rear body might assist if sag not too locked in by welded repairs, and steel roof, as mine.