Something a Bit Different

Author
Discussion

forsure

2,121 posts

269 months

Sunday 12th July 2015
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Riley Blue said:
Almost perfect - ditch the seats, that horrendous exhaust and the dash-top gauges and it'll be spot-on. Love it!
My thoughts exactly.

sunbeam alpine

6,946 posts

189 months

Sunday 26th July 2015
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Mike, are you still coming over tomorrow?

Have sent you a PM - could come up to Antwerp and meet up.

Give me a call - tel number is in mail.

interloper

2,747 posts

256 months

Sunday 26th July 2015
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My word that's brilliant, I am a tad envious!

I also like the red buckets, weirdly they suit it.

guru_1071

2,768 posts

235 months

Sunday 26th July 2015
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that's a beauty

im a mini man, through and through, but do have a secret desire for early 1960's French stuff

I guess its because my granddad had a ds15 (long before I was born) and he always went on about how good it was

enjoy your purchase!

(though I would get rid of the seats....a pair of nice small cobra cubs would go in there a treat!)

Keep it stiff

Original Poster:

1,766 posts

174 months

Wednesday 29th July 2015
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Having managed to run the gauntlet of Channel crossing chaos I managed to get to and from Antwerp on Monday to collect the Dauphine. It was a drive of nearly 700 miles within 24 hours and included six hours waiting time at Dover and three hours waiting time at Dunkirk. (My sympathies go out to the many families holiday makers caught up in this.)

The weather was pretty shxt for my drive back, this is my third classic and the collection of each one has coincided with having to trailer them home in pouring rain.

I'm very pleased with my first impressions, it looks to be a very solid car and whilst I'm not yet 100% sure I think the paint, or at least most of it, could be original. I had forgotten quite how small the Dauphine is and combined with the modern bucket seats it really is a pretty tight fit for me. The original interior is in good nick and everything looks OK with the engine conversion. Other than 100 yards on to my trailer I have not driven the car as yet. The MOT is booked for Saturday which will be my first proper chance to take a good look at things.

I think there are two options for this car, either continue down the route of making it more like a rally rep, for example by adding a cage and other accessories, alternatively tone it down a bit. Toning down was my original plan and I'm pretty sure that is the route, this will require getting rid of the modern buckets to replace with a more period pair, removing the competition harnesses, changing the big bore exhaust to finish with a more subtle twin and finding a neater solution for the Halfords looking three gauge screwed to the dash.

I just love some of the original 60's finishing, the steering wheel is so tactile, the sliding rear windows and its general stance etc. Here are a few quick pictures, I can update with some more as soon as I get a bit of time to progress things.










Flip Martian

19,708 posts

191 months

Friday 31st July 2015
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What a lovely old thing. If you like the 60s feel of the fittings I would go with that and put back more of the same. Nice to have something pretty unique. The seats, gauge and exhaust are the things that spoil the look of it a bit for me. Such a beautiful shape. Enjoy!

Getragdogleg

8,772 posts

184 months

Friday 31st July 2015
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Nice, but they are quite renowned for rolling over, My father had one that he capsized and it seems that they quite like turning shiny side down.

Great looking car, have fun !

Keep it stiff

Original Poster:

1,766 posts

174 months

Saturday 1st August 2015
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MOT pass this morning. Other than a pretty pathetic screen jet all OK. Very solid underneath, far far better than I was expecting.

I can now start hunting for a nice pair of seats, while Swansea process the V55.

Mr_B

10,480 posts

244 months

Saturday 1st August 2015
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Quirky ! Love it.

e21Mark

16,205 posts

174 months

Saturday 1st August 2015
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I think it's very cool.

XOcette

129 posts

121 months

Sunday 2nd August 2015
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That looks lovely. It should be a lot of fun!