1947 Jowett Bradford Utility: 'The Power of Retro Rides'

Let me tell you something that most of you already know - Having participated / been a member of several other forums previously and over a long period 'This forum without exception has some of most helpful retro / classic chaps / bods / people / ladies that you are ever likely to come across'

'Nuff Said'

I can but only agree

Needed to clean up a little bit in the workshop so with the van now running and with the help of a milk crate for a seat I ventured outside with the van to a bit of spring sun - some pics but the van is covered in dust at present







Workshop back in order - ran the van back in and up onto axle stands and dropped the wheels of it



Ran the wheels over to the tyre centre and they removed the tyres & tubes there & then for me - I shall run the rims over to the blasters in the morning



Then turned my hand to get the rear lamps wired up



New harness made up for the spare wheel flap and the supply taken directly from the original harness but with addition of an earth



Side lamps working - not overly bright but this is only a 6 volt system - I doubt that Tim would ever use the van in the dark



Then sorted the brake lights - spent a load of time cleaning up & adjusting the brake light switch which is actuated on the rear brake rod (no hydraulics - rod brakes all round) - I could get them to come on but the switch would then not release when the brake pedal was released - eventually got it sorted



Next - looked at the door mirrors



Which need to fit here on the front doors



There is plenty of the ash frame to fasten to at this point but the stud on the mirror is an insufficient length - I am going to have source mirrors that externally fix by screws rather than a stud



Polished the front door glasses up - fastened the window regulator to the inner door panel - greased the window regulator channels and fitted everything has one unit



Door catches & keeps could also now be fitted



Nearside door now has locking ability - I need to flat & polish the paint on the door prior to fitting the external door handle



Then onto the offside front door with a repeat of the process



The glass is pretty stiff to move in the new glass felt channels - tip here is to add a little white grease (aerosol type) down the channels which reduces the friction - don't overdo it has the grease can also attract / trap dust & debris which then makes the situation worse



Catch & keep also fitted to the offside door

Starter button is a bit hit & miss and was also getting a tad warm this morning when I went to start the van



I had left the centre dash loose until I had checked & commissioned all of the electrics - so it was just a matter of easing it back off the main dashboard



Removed the starter button - copper contacts slightly dirty but also the connection ring is slightly deformed from the years of use



I flatted this square again and cleaned the contacts up on the opposite face



I will clean the cable terminals up and reassemble it all in the morning - with just the charge warning lamp to fit which should also be here tomorrow the dash centre panel can fitted permanently



More tomorrow

"Next - looked at the door mirrors



Which need to fit here on the front doors



There is plenty of the ash frame to fasten to at this point but the stud on the mirror is an insufficient length - I am going to have source mirrors that externally fix by screws rather than a stud

"



Chris,

A possible alternative to finding screw-on mirrors would be to find threaded sex bolt barrels with proper thread and length, similar to that shown below:



The one shown is 1 1/2" long, but many more lengths are available, from sources such as: www.mscdirect.com/browse/tn/Fasteners/Bolts-Screws-Cap-Screws/Bolts/Sex-Bolts-Binding-Posts?navid=12108778+4287224796

Just a thought,

Lance

First job was to run the rims over to the blasters and has all the schools were on holiday it made for a nice drive out



Put the starter button back together and fastened the centre plate up to the main dash



Although a slight improvement the starter was still somewhat sluggish for my liking - I removed both the cables from the starter - terminals were badly oxidized cleaned them up and fastened them back and achieved the improvement that I was looking for - then fitted the windscreen trim surround



Followed by the felt trim between the screen rubber & the screen trim



Tim had supplied some good used handles for the doors the old ones either being in a very poor condition or simply missing - I needed to polish the upper frame of the door first before fitting the handle





Once fitted I then flatted & polished the lower section of the door and rear panel on the nearside





Whilst on the polishing front - I flatted / polished the nearside rear wing



Then marked the wing piping up for trimming and hole aperture punching



Then duly fitted





Cleaned the brass petrol filler cap up - the neck to the tank requires touching in - in black and there is a rubber grommet that fits on the neck to the rear panel



Then a repeat of the process on the offside











So its well on its way but I now have a deadline - Tim would like to collect on / around the 18th April - he is organising a Jowett Bradford rally over the first May bank holiday - 4th - 7th May at which he would like to debut the van and I have no doubt that he wants to trial / test & put a few running miles on it before then - I estimate that I have about a weeks work left on it and currently run with a list in my head - most of the work is now on the interior but it's pretty straight forward enough - pretty enjoyable too - onwards then

Oil pressure gauge was straightened up yesterday when I did my end of the day checks - has for the chrome bezel - it's either dechrome it but there's no guarantee that's its brass to match others - paint it black which is probably the better option or leave has it is - I will see what Tim the owner of the van wants but it's nice to note that others suffer from OCD too

When fitting the rear arch trim will you be applying any form of protection to rubber to stop water ingress from the rear of the panel joint or are you just relying on the paint finish?

Don't really have the luxury of time to go down the electroplating route and I shall very much doubt that it will trouble the owner - whilst it may trouble myself and others I have to respect that it his money and I am doing my level best to maintain a sensible budget with this restoration - I would not worry about the door handles has most pedestrians with a realistic level of fitness can walk quicker than this van can drive - has it is only 2 cylinder / 950 cc / 17 BHP - however in it's day it was a very capable little machine and can still outclimb many other vintage motors on steep hills.

For a 'budget' restoration you sure put a lot of effort and expertise into turning out this vehicle.

I'm sure that the owner will be very pleased with the result and please note you have given us all, as usual, a standard to strive towards.