Aprilia Cabrio - here we go again

[Dikappa]

You can almost use the wood as a template to make more coins!

[simonandjuliet]

It seems that the coins of the pre-war period had holes in them already, so they didn't even need to drill them

Still on the subject of coins, the plot thickens ......

I delivered the renovated frames back to the upholsterer in St Chinian and he said that during the dismantling of the seats he found another coin.

This one is REALLY interesting, it is a Vichy France 1 Franc coin made in 1944. They were only available between 1942 - 1944 and probably only used in France.

So , it does suggest that my car was here in 1944 !  If that is the case, with the upholstery evidence does that mean my car has always been a French PininFarina Aprilia ??

We know that Ardennes were finished here, does that mean Cabrios were as well ??

Quote from Wikipaedia:

 "During the Nazi occupation of France (1940–44), the franc was a satellite currency of the German Reichsmark. The exchange rate was 20 francs for 1 RM. The coins were changed, with the words Travail, Famille, Patrie (Work, Family, Fatherland) replacing the Republican triad Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité (Liberty, Equality, Fraternity) and the emblem of the Vichy regime added.

[frankxhv773t]

Unfortunately the fact that the coin was only issued from 1942 to 1944 doesn't necessarily mean that it got into the seat at that date. It only means it can't have got into the seat before that date. However it could be taken as corroborative evidence even if not conclusive evidence.

[stanley sweet]

Fantastic bits of history. I trust the 'washer' will be returned to its rightful place in the seat? Perhaps you should drill a current centime and use as a washer elsewhere as a little bit of interest for future restorers.

P.S. have you checked that double floor properly for Nazi gold?

[mikeC]

Unfortunately the fact that the coin was only issued from 1942 to 1944 doesn't necessarily mean that it got into the seat at that date. It only means it can't have got into the seat before that date. However it could be taken as corroborative evidence even if not conclusive evidence.

This is true, but equally I doubt if the Vichy coins stayed around long after 1945, so it probably got left in the car long before the car had a chance to be imported ...

[simonandjuliet]

Frank, you are right it is corroborative rather than conclusive , so is part of an increasingly interesting (for me) story about the origins of the car. FCA can only confirm the date of construction for the chassis, not even where it went once it left Lancia in 1937

So I am still looking for the gold hoard with its bill of sale, delivery instructions and dates ......

Dog was here today because I need to prepare the back of the car so the hood can be trial-fitted (next week !). He arrived with a tool I have not seen before - the pin-puller. It significantly reduces the amount of filler used which makes me happy

Hopefully paint will go on tomorrow

[frankxhv773t]

Dog's pin puller looks a far more elegant solution than the attempt to use self tapping screws that has been made on my Flaminia.

[DavidLaver]

Both work...

[simonandjuliet]

Dog has finished the top edge and I stripped and painted the interior rear section, so getting ready for the hood next week. I still need to make the new wooden frame that sits inside the lip

[stanley sweet]

What's the final colour scheme to be? Beautiful glossy black and..................?

[simonandjuliet]

...... probably a dark red, probably !

The roof and headlining are due to be fitted next week so the final job before Clement gets here was to replace the wood behind the lip. I don't know how to steam and bend wood so I found a nice piece of pressure treated floor timber and fitted it in several pieces.

The curves are quite complex !

Held in place with stainless screws and a coat of oil to protect it all for the next 80 years

[simonandjuliet]

The new roof-lining has been fitted and first fit done for the roof

It has been fascinating to watch, start at the back and work forward, keeping the fabric under tension is key

The roof has been marked up and removed and will be adjusted and finished next Tuesday - can't wait

[lancialulu]

Good days work. Black hood?

[Dikappa]

What a progress!!!  You best already start looking for the next project Simon!

[simonandjuliet]

And today it was finished - in black

It is beautiful and I am lucky to have found a real (young) artisan who knows what he is doing and just gets on with it - and for a fair price

The fit is perfect, good tension on the fabric, no wrinkles and it folds neatly. The only things that I am not 100% happy with are the aluminium pin beading strips. They are a bit too "bling" so I am going to replace them with "Hidem" banding instead. The lower trim I'll keep.

It is a significant step forward and next step is to finish the welding on the floor pan and then to paint the bodyshell. Once that is done I can concentrate on the mechanics/wiring:brakes etc etc whilst Dog does the rest of the bodywork

I have found a chromer to do the bumpers, headlight surrounds and other bits