Elven Immortality
Our latest ClassicMaster restoration was this beautiful Riley
Elf owned by Mr. Vidler, which he'd purchased from an old lady who sadly
killed an owl in it and didn't wish to drive it anymore. He stored it for over
15 years in a barn planning one day to restore it to its former glory.
Over a period of four and a half months, Minimaster carefully disassembled
the vehicle, stripped it right back and rebuilt it to Mr Vidler's
requirements.
We took out the interior, engine and subframes, cut out all the rot.
For places where there were small holes or no longer any panels, Chippy
set about making repair panels from sheet steel, welding them in and
rubbing them down. We then fitted proper Heritage panels and spot welded
them in, making especially sure they were all aligned properly.
Having completed the body preparation, we then had it painted in
its original colours, and waxed to protect it from corrosion. Work
started on renovating the engine, electrics, transmission and brakes.
The engine was put back in, and the trim added with Mr. Vidler's
enthusiastic help, particluarly with the chrome work.
The interior was refurbished including the dashboard and it was
all reassembled and checked.
Mr. Vidler, owner of a local haulage firm, is chuffed with our
work and is excited about taking his Elf and his wife with him
on a trip around Norway in June. We plan on writing a feature about
his trip in a subsequent article.
We at Minimaster wish him and his Elf a wonderful future. We
have also pledged a donation to the RSPB in memory of the owl
that met its untimely death.
