2010 Portfolio of Classic Car work

A mixture of car makes, and a nice variety of jobs to do on them, made 2010 an absorbing year at the Workshop.

J-Type MG

  • Diagnosed and fixed an ignition fault
  • Traced and repaired an air leak in a fuel valve


This delightful little sportster had been fully restored, but a couple of annoying faults were keeping it off the road.

1934 Riley 9 "Kestrel"

  • Rebuilt jammed automatic clutch with a new hub
  • Cured failed oil pressure with new pump and valve
  • Complete rewire, fitted magneto ignition
  • Overhauled brakes, carbs, many other jobs

Having been idle since 1984, this very sound and original car needed a thorough going-over to put it back in service.

1951 Riley 1½-Litre

  • Replaced engine valves as one had burnt out
  • Got gauges and instruments working again
  • Sorted out parts mis-assembled by a former owner

The owner of this recently-acquired Riley RMA worked alongside me to familiarise himself with the car.


Another clutch of old cars in motion again

One of the aspects of working on classics which I like the most is getting a cherished but neglected vehicle running again. This year provided plenty of opportunity, especially with the Riley "Kestrel" which the owner bought in the 1960s and only stopped using when he ran short of time to keep up with the maintenance. A common theme - and it's where I can often help.

The pictures below show other jobs I completed in 2010, the work involved ranging from minor improvements to major surgery.