P1800 restoration - early Jensen car

Forgot about this thread....

The car drives, after some valuable help from Ian and Eric (Hi Performance Auto). The wiring came me a headache for a few days, as expected. I managed to learn something in the process, so that's good.

Had this pretty distributor set aside for the car:

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/exim-cars/49522670818/in/album-72157705263258735/" title="Untitled"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49522670818_9406c58e91_z.jpg" width="480" height="640" alt="Untitled"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

We couldn't get spark and couldn't figure out why. Turns out the cap wasn't making contact with the rotor. Swapped out a nasty looking distributor and fired up the car a couple of weeks ago.

In the meantime, I buttoned up the undercarriage and made sure the car was road-worthy.

3M undercoating, it took 4 bottles to do the 4 wheel wells. Undercarriage stays in paint.
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/exim-cars/49622061851/in/album-72157705263258735/" title="Untitled"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49622061851_cd708ae3f1_z.jpg" width="480" height="640" alt="Untitled"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/exim-cars/49622333972/in/album-72157705263258735/" title="Untitled"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49622333972_dd28ce5b55_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Untitled"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/exim-cars/49621550248/in/album-72157705263258735/" title="Untitled"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49621550248_77f9b66150_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Untitled"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


I didn't pay attention to the fact that the flange on my axle wasn't compatible with the flange on the driveshaft.

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/exim-cars/49622335732/in/album-72157705263258735/" title="Untitled"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49622335732_57d50b402f_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Untitled"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/exim-cars/49621557558/in/album-72157705263258735/" title="Untitled"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49621557558_9f82260b23_z.jpg" width="640" height="481" alt="Untitled"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The early cars had U-bolts to hold the U-joints directly onto the flange. Rather than use some allthread and have an unreliable set up, Ian and Eric sent me the correct companion flange from a 64+ model.

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/exim-cars/49622063521/in/album-72157705263258735/" title="Untitled"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49622063521_60d682e090_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Untitled"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/exim-cars/49621557873/in/album-72157705263258735/" title="Untitled"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49621557873_693d281beb_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Untitled"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

It looks awesome. You're doing a far better job than Jensen did when it was new.

That looks great Matt!

Thanks, I really appreciate it. I'm on the fence about the seam sealer on it. There's no way to do a clean, neat, straight line job with it and still have a good seal. I wanted the car to be water tight (or as water tight as a Jensen built 1800 could be), so I seam sealed the undercarriage but it looks messy to me. The second car, I sealed from within the cabin and it gives it a much cleaner look.

Here is what the car looks like:
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/exim-cars/49621554858/in/album-72157705263258735/" title="Untitled"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49621554858_f389c688ce_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Untitled"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Back to updates, we got the car fired up for the first time 2 weeks ago:

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/exim-cars/49622074936/in/album-72157705263258735/" title="Untitled"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49622074936_7c6a3b9a4b_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Untitled"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

It ran on a vac advance distributor, old, old points, an aftermarket ignition switch and a blue coil zip-tied to the clutch line. Smoke show as we burned the oil that had run onto the exhaust manifold when I filled it without checking to see if the valve cover was secured.

I didn't want to deal with rattles or noises when driving it, so I used a knock off Dynamat product:

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/exim-cars/49622344847/in/album-72157705263258735/" title="Untitled"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49622344847_395618172e_z.jpg" width="480" height="640" alt="Untitled"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/exim-cars/49622073506/in/album-72157705263258735/" title="Untitled"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49622073506_5d7a3ca475_z.jpg" width="480" height="640" alt="Untitled"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The headliner is a wooden structure with the fabric stapled to it. Tons of fun to put together....

I left the windshield off for now and we put the back window along with its trim. First time doing it, it wasn't as bad as I expected.

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/exim-cars/49622072001/in/album-72157705263258735/" title="Untitled"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49622072001_c9f09b3cd2_z.jpg" width="480" height="640" alt="Untitled"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

And here she sits while I order the windshield I should have ordered months ago....

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/exim-cars/49622069696/in/album-72157705263258735/" title="Untitled"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49622069696_cd29c6828c_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Untitled"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

I'm sending it back to the body shop for some paint correction and will then put the hubcaps on it. Looking forward to slapping some miles on it after the car sat for so many years.

That looks really terrific. Hard to believe it's the same car pictured in the first post.

*unclicks "like" button*


*just so I can click it again*

As far as the seam sealer goes, shouldn't be on the interior and exterior? It probably was sprayed on at the factory.
I think it looks fine the way you've done it.
What is the Dynamat knock-off that you used?

Looks amazing!

sksmith said:

As far as the seam sealer goes, shouldn't be on the interior and exterior? It probably was sprayed on at the factory.
I think it looks fine the way you've done it.
What is the Dynamat knock-off that you used?

Click to expand...

Thanks for the kind words guys.

I buy it at Lowe's, it's basically window flashing. I don't remember the brand but it's almost identical to some Dynamat materials. There's a wider, thinner material available but I don't like it even if it's easier to use.

The early cars (the Jensens) appear to have had no seam sealer. I have two 1961's and neither have any seam sealer but my 63, which was an early Swede had plenty of it.

Excellent efforts man, really, my hat is off to you!

Beautiful work man... excellent.

As to the seam sealer, you can lay down a paint tape mask to outline the seams, apply the sealer and smooth lightly with a plastic bondo scraper, wait a bit and then pull the tape before the stuff gels completely.

Wow amazing !!

I forgot update this thread. The car has been done for a little while now but with kids home due to school closures, wife working from home, etc... it's been a zoo. With good weather, the P1800 has been on DD status and I've loved it.

Here are some pictures taken this past week, color code 70 red is super bright in the sun, almost orange-ish brown in the shade and plain old dark red in some lights. It's not my favorite color but it works very well on the lines of the P1800.

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/exim-cars/49731786358/in/album-72157705263258735/" title="Untitled"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49731786358_6e11e2a0ce_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Untitled"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/exim-cars/49732654772/in/album-72157705263258735/" title="Untitled"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49732654772_03862b1229_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Untitled"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/exim-cars/49731786058/in/album-72157705263258735/" title="Untitled"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49731786058_6366694f11_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Untitled"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/exim-cars/49732654607/in/album-72157705263258735/" title="Untitled"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49732654607_ca5e1849d7_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Untitled"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/exim-cars/49731790643/in/album-72157705263258735/" title="Untitled"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49731790643_8b48d8eeac_z.jpg" width="480" height="640" alt="Untitled"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/exim-cars/49732338706/in/album-72157705263258735/" title="Untitled"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49732338706_4648e7de72_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Untitled"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Since the car came from the factory with an M40 and not the usual M41, I had to source a dash plate, make small plugs from an old dash plate and use it to cover up the holes on the dash for the OD switch and light. The car came to me without its original dash, someone had tried to convert it to 1800E interior and failed miserably.

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/exim-cars/49731790638/in/album-72157705263258735/" title="Untitled"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49731790638_ed35ff8f68_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Untitled"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Looks lovely!

Thank you! Hopefully someone likes it enough to buy it, I want to get going on my 63 ASAP. Ian and Eric have some goodies that will go into that car.

Wow!
Wish the economy was still strong, I might've been able to talk my wife into this one.

Nice work. Did I spy another 1800 in the works?

nel621 said:

Nice work. Did I spy another 1800 in the works?

Click to expand...

I have a 1963 that's next. It's an early Swede but has all Jensen interior and trim pieces, I'm assuming it's what was on hand when it was built ? We did the frame extensions, rockers and floors on the rotisserie for it and it won't be painted the original white. That one will piss off purists.

So amazing! Must feel great having it on the road

Hank Scorpio said:

So amazing! Must feel great having it on the road

Click to expand...

For sure, it made me forget the metal shards in my eye, the countless cuts and burns during the metal repair phase and all of the other frustrations and delays.

It's also motivation to hurry up and finish the next one, because I plan on keeping that one.