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MG Maverick
United Kingdom
1045 Posts |
 Posted - 26/10/2019 : 16:28:25
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In with the parts came this wooden platform, it can only be a seat support. I have fitted the steering column that came with the parts and it would seem that Dudley altered the seat arrangements and fitted a longer steering column, any help, guidance or observations please. ( The happy chappie is not me ).
Also, there are two notches cut in the rear upright, any ideas why these were cut. ( Last photo )Thanks.
The white ply is only tempory while we delaminate the original ply and reapply to fresh birch ply to maintain the original surface.
Chris
J2353
J4129
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Edited by - MG Maverick on 26/10/2019 16:56:43 |
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Richard Hardy
United Kingdom
2159 Posts |
Posted - 26/10/2019 : 20:45:29
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Hi Chris
This steering column never ran with this car.
Once you drop the seat in, you will find that there will be absolutely no room to accommodate a driver no matter how emaciated.
I suspect the previous owner stubbled on a 6 cylinder length column, possibly for parts. You need the correct J2 column, not P type as they look wrong and not J1 as these are too short.
Hope this helps
Rich
Vintage MG Parts |
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LewPalmer
USA
3243 Posts |
Posted - 26/10/2019 : 22:00:15
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Slots are likely to aid in lifting the rear tray cover. I know I struggle mightily to lift mine.
Lew Palmer
PA1169, PB0560 |
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Richard Hardy
United Kingdom
2159 Posts |
Posted - 26/10/2019 : 22:28:44
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Just realised Chris, you are making a raised seat base.
If this is how the previous guy had it then his head height will have been above the top of the windscreen frame. Is it not all going to look extremely odd, and losing all the driving feel of a sports car?
It hardly seems surprising he and his passenger were killed when it turned over.
Rich
Vintage MG Parts |
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Ian Bowers
United Kingdom
941 Posts |
Posted - 27/10/2019 : 07:51:14
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Raising the, possibly unanswerable question, of Cottingham's height!
Ian Bowers
OD 6791
J3 3772 |
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MG Maverick
United Kingdom
1045 Posts |
Posted - 27/10/2019 : 08:19:19
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Thanks Rich and Ian,
Just another probably unanswerable queston. I cannot be sure that this was a 'Cottingham' modification, perhaps later, its impossible to know.
In any case this will be disregarded, as will the longer steering column which as Rich suggests may have been a spares donor.
Would anyone wish to swop for a J2 one ?
My thanks Rich for your expert advice.
Chris
J2353
J4129 |
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Colin Butchers
United Kingdom
1487 Posts |
Posted - 27/10/2019 : 09:56:17
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Have you been in touch with the Harrow Car Club, Chris ? As Dudley C was a founder (or at least a very early member) of the Club, and obviously a very highly regarded chap in HCC circles, some present member might just have photographs of him from which his height could be deduced.
Colin B. |
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MG Maverick
United Kingdom
1045 Posts |
Posted - 27/10/2019 : 18:49:09
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Hello Colin, Yes, Dudley was the secretary of the Harrow Car Club until his death. I have been in contact with them, but sadly they have no archived photos or members from those times. I even contacted Sir Stirling Moss, his parents were officials of the club at the same time, but had no response.
I have had a couple of messages stating that they have seen cars adapted in this fashion and I recall seeing something similar many years ago at Goodwood, unfortunately I had little interest and did not pursue it further.
I cannot believe that Cottingham had this set up as I am sure that the original steering column and wheel would have been written off in the crash. I will not be refitting this set-up with the platform as I consider it dangerous and ugly. Thanks for your response. Also thankyou Lew for the headsup on the slots, your explanation for their purpose makes sense.
Chris
J2353
J4129 |
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dade
United Kingdom
513 Posts |
Posted - 29/10/2019 : 15:55:54
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Hi Chris, can I also add a few comments relating to the seat "plinths" that you show in your photos.
I assume that steel bucket seats were screwed to the raised bases which as Richard Hardy suggests would make the driver and passenger sit "on the car" rather than "in it". If this was the case it would seem to me that the back of the bucket seats would have needed some bracing, as relying on the wood screws at the base of the seats to keep upright whilst braking and accelerating in rallying or racing would be a bit iffy.
The notches in the upstand behind the seat position may be part of a long lost support system, although the spacing is not ideal for this theory.
If on the other hand seat squabs were placed on the "plinths" how was the padded seat back braced, presumably a shortened version was made and used the back of the car to support the seat back.
I notice that the outside cuts of the 2 notches are slightly angled suggesting that something may have been "plugged" into the slots, perhaps the locating spikes of the amended seat back?
I am glad that you are not proceeding with this seat arrangement it certainly looks odd and precarious.
Wish you well with your restoration and please keep the pictures coming.
Russ
PB0333
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