December 2006

This month has seen the final work carried out on the chassis and the start of the work on the body. The chassis having been returned in anti-corrosion grey paint was painted matt black as 2RT2’s were when new (unlike later ones that were silver). The refurbished compressor went back on, the gearbox was drained, checked, tested and refilled and the front brakes were checked and replaced where necessary (and a small wasps nest removed!), the original type wheel hubs being fitted and work is currently ongoing on the rear brakes. The floor supports of the lower deck saloon were laid, all done to the exact specifications of the original drawings. The chassis itself was in great condition and is 100% original with no structural parts actually requiring replacing. The floor supports are made of 80% originals that have been cleaned and treated, although a couple were two far gone to be saved, however 90% of the wood inserts needed replacing. The next stage now will be the first six vertical framings going in which will start to take the structure to just above the lower deck window line, all these have to be built from new as the originals have rotted away to about 30% of their original size! From there some of the 1800 individual parts that are stored will start to go back on, from tiny brackets, to seat frames, around 1300 of them appear to be reusable, which will give a great percentage of originality for this classic. With Christmas coming up a chance to wish regular readers of the updates (are there any out there!!??) a Merry Christmas and due to the break in work, for most, the next update will be at the end of January.