1952 Jowett Bradford Utility

The roof fabric has now had another 2 applications of the colourant 



Meanwhile the frontal panels are being removed to allow access to complete the flange edges and the undersides 

The seat backs have now been assembled - they are fluted so these need to be pocketed then stuffed prior to fitting to the seat frame 



Replicated to the original pattern complete with the piping beads 



The backs have yet to be stitched in to place to form a pocket assembly 



Then the entire fabric back slides on to the steel seat frame in one piece  

 

Your Mrs turns out some nice work, they should look the part!

She is a remarkable sewist - and a remarkable woman.

Progress on the nearside front panels now that they are removed - The inner wing is very battered with previous poorly executed repairs from a previous life although some of this goes unseen - the areas that are visible in the engine bay I have tidied up prior to primer & paint 



The offside front panels have now been removed from the van 



I've also removed the few items that are fastened to the bulkhead within the engine bay namely the coil, regulator box & wiring harness - The bulkhead has previously been poorly prepared / painted - This I will clean up and apply a coat of primer & paint to whilst painting the other items in black for the van 



The chassis area & front axle has previously received a poorly applied very thin paint finish - its flaking off in some areas whilst forming surface rust in other areas 



It wont do the van any justice when the freshly painted panels are refitted to it - I'll give it a clean off & degrease then apply a proper coat of paint to it - I'm at pains not extend / find further work on the vehicle but equally also don't want it to depart from the workshop looking like some areas have been left unaddressed (The downside of undertaking work that has partially been undertaken by others) 



More progress updates to follow  
 

Offside front wing & quarter panel flanges now completed along with the underside seams sealed 



Offside front door removed 



Hinges removed & prepped whilst also marking each hinge for location - The small parts keep appearing and it tends to be the smaller items that consume the hours at this stage 



Unlike most vehicles built from the 1950's onwards none of the apertures or doors have weather seals fitted to them - The most you get with a vehicle of this type of construction is a furflex trim that runs around the apertures that acts as a draught proof measure (sort of) 



There are a lot of open seams between the ash frame of the door and the steel door skin - The more of these that I can seal / protect against water ingress the better - none of this would have been undertaken at the factory but a few hours spent at this stage is more than worth it in prolonging the future lifespan of the vehicle 



However its important that the two drain slots are left open / clear at the base of the door 



The door apertures will also require some preparation works prior to paint 


 
Meanwhile the engine bay / radiator have been masked up in preparation for paint 

Small parts removed from the rear doors prepped for primer 



Rear doors removed and undersides / flanges prepped & sealed 





Which allowed access to the flange edges on the rear door pillars 



Nearside rear pillar is completed 



Offside is being progressed 



Meanwhile the offside front door aperture profiles have been completed & sealed 



Nearside rear wing undersides now completed 



Its several years that I last had a restoration in the workshop with so many loose panels & parts that all require individually stripping / cleaning / repairing / preparing / sealing / priming / paint & polish 



That's the larger parts 



Alongside the bodyshell 



Then the seat frames / seat spring bases & backs / front bumper & dashboard panel 



The internal window surrounds hung on the wall  



Then in excess of a hundred smaller items in the box and on top of the compressor all requiring the same treatment - There are 3 colours to take into account too - It's a very long road getting to this point and not one that can't be achieved through attempting to rush the process - At times it can get frustrating because just when you think that you are close to applying primer more parts appear 



And there's still a few more to prep yet - the gear stick & steering column would benefit from fresh paint - left as they are will look completely out of place with everything else in fresh paint - Thankfully as of today I should complete all preparation works and primer can start to be applied tomorrow - Ah, just thought of something else - the wheels will require the tyres removing and the rims preparing / painting at some stage too   

Some sorting got the bulk of parts separated into the different colourways - Body colour stood against the door and black on the floor 



The wings along with some smaller items were hung to the panel stands 



I'll have to paint the black in at least 2 lots - I just don't have the room nor the hanging space for all the parts / panels in one painting secession 



Some tips on painting smaller items - A expanded polystyrene block utilised with pop rivets helps hold the very small items in place whilst they are painted 



And foam edge protection is great for holding bolts in place - you don't even have to mask the threads up using this method 


 
Front wheels removed and the chassis raised 



Then on with the primer 













Guide coat & flatting back today prior to paint 

Panel areas spot primed then keyed back once cured - Then everything is panel wiped twice prior to being tacked off (light dust removal immediately prior to the paint being applied) 



With the cooler temperatures being present I'm using a fast hardener - I'd normally utilise a medium to slow hardener in temperatures above 18 degrees 

















The panels will be stored for now whilst the bodyshell is prepared and painted along with the closing panels - everything will be flatted & polished as the van is reassembled