The Portuguese Aurelia .........the Phoenix has arisen......

[Parisien]

I'm sorry to have upset a few members with the last image.

It was my way too subtle attempt to convey the fact that the B12 has moved to it's latest location, the garage of the mechanic whose going to re-assemble the car.

Currently installing the wiring loom.

Garage meeting with original disassembly mechanic this week

In the meantime out with old and in with the new/refurbished actually!

P

[Parisien]

Initial meeting was very useful, some notes from the strip down in 2012 plus a small hoard of self fabricated tools were retrieved.

The strip down mechanic could remember plenty of titbits of information too, hoping it all comes flooding back. He also offered to make himself available for the fiddly/tiresome/frustrating reassembly of doors and windows!

A box of new parts , steering column and box were deposited, inspection and refurbishment to take place after loom fully installed.

Please note horn topic too!

P

[chriswgawne]

Was the original loom beyond saving? And if so, was it complete enough to be able to simply copy it?
I think B12 looms all used cable with quite thick PVC insulation so in my B12 ( from the 1st srs prodn with a 2 piece propshaft) for example the original loom is in perfectly useable safe condition. It also still has the majority of the original number tags on it which is handy .
Chris

[Parisien]

I didn't think so Chris, plus there had been additions and it looked pretty tired. However it was largely complete, plus had a wiring loom diagram to keep us right.

I added in an extra circuit to facilitate a stand alone brake light to sit on rear parcel shelf, having been rear ended a few times over the years, once on my wedding day, and the second time in the same car!

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[simonandjuliet]

Not sure how you are planning to do your new loom, here is one I did for an HY van - pinned the old one to a board and then made the new one alongside

For the Aprilia and Ardea, I have added extra wires for indicators and phone chargers ! I didn't do hazard lights, but maybe I should have done that as well

[Parisien]

Loom was remade in March, trial fitted since, just a few adjustments/finessing of same.

Just trial fitting dashboard and components,switches etc currently

No doubt a few things need checking and tidying over next few days

P

[Parisien]

As you can see the front rubber mat is as found in this pic, a bit creased, very dirty and a tad stiff.

I looked on the Cicognani site and whilst there's a huge choice for the B20 nothing at all mat wise for a B12.

Has anyone refurbished a 71 year old rubber mat and what products are recommended?


All suggestions welcomed!


P

[simonandjuliet]

I have used soap and water with scrubbing brush and then an Autoglym product - rubber bumper renovator I think - it's a green liquid that revitalises the rubber

[Parisien]

Thanks Simon, there's a few tears/splits too, just hope I don't add to them, will use appropriate glue on them

The mechanic whose doing the work has a mobile sandblaster visiting to do a tractor he's also renovating ( tractors are huge over here, classic cars a poor second).

A previous owner thought he spice up the engine bay by chroming the air filter box. It's looking very sorry for itself so will get him to lightly blast it too!

NB. As per pic, note more newspaper pieces found inside the actual filter, those Portuguese mice will set up home anywhere!!

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[Dikappa]

Frank,

I wonder whether the B20 matt would be different from the berlina one?  It all seems to be in the same place?  maybe worth a question to Cicognani? (horribly expensive though the stuff...)

[Parisien]

Just had a look Koen, they are different especially on passenger side where the cut out is deeper, mind you it would be tucked up under the dash and at a mere €168 plus postage a snip!

I've fired off an email to Cicognani.

I don't suppose any one has a decent LHD B20 second hand one for sale?


P

[Dikappa]

I just went down to check and indeed, on the B20 the battery box is lowered some 4 cm, and on the side of the battery box the top of the 'chassis member' has been bent down.  Another thing learned!  I already wondered why the ventilation shutt-off was lower on one side, now that is clear.

 

[Parisien]

Cicognani suggested I send a paper tracing outline of my mat, they are closed til 25th August though.

Thanks Koen

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[GG]

Many years ago replaced all early B20 mats w Cicognani. Supposedly made from same molds, but they were a bit different in size, and now a bit thicker. Workable, decent, but not as unique as the originals. Prefer a damaged original to the newer mats, if possible.

[Parisien]

Thank you for that Geoff, Koen and Simon, my mat may well be too far gone, was looking for black rubber solution to fill the holes, fine with backing to support splits and tears, but holes are a bit more difficult.

I shall try after further research

P