EOW 1W MATRA 1.9 RESTORATION

[TELBOY]

more:-

[Grapes]

Wow I love that upholstery! Is that a different door panel from the brown ones or re-upholstered? Did you also re-foam that chair?
I have a whole set of spare seats and my plan is to do something similar to that. I just don't know how yet and where to start and where to find the time.
I always liked the two tone I seen in the pictures of the Bagheera and this definitely has the same vibes for me.

[TELBOY]

The door cards I re-upholstered, I to had some spare seats so I took the best ones and did a little repair to the sponge. The covers came from Politechnic in france. If memory serves me the do about 15-20 different types. In all honesty they needed a lot of sewing to get right.

[Grapes]

Ah I've seen those on their site but those pictures don't look nearly as enticing as seeing it actually on the chairs. Good to know they still need a lot of sewing.

[TELBOY]

And so the year of "tinkering" begins, when I find all the things I have done wrong, the things that don't work and the things I don't like. So far I have driven it about 800yrds and found the brakes appear to be dragging (think I may have the hand brake adjusted to tightly), that first gear is uncomfortably close to reverse and during my long distance trip (see above) the auxiliary driving lights stopped working!!! as did the reversing lights.

[suffolkpete]

The handbrake cable should always have sufficient slack to allow the operating arms on the wheel cylinders to return fully when released, otherwise the self-adjustment will not work.  If the brakes drag then check that the pivot between the pedal and the master cylinder is free, this is a common problem when a car hasn't been used for a while.

[TELBOY]

Thanks Pete, hadn't though of that. Have just driven it around the block, fixed brake light ( blown bulb)  but now noticed speedo not working! I have a spare so will make sure the drive isn't seized first. Apart from that have had absolutely zero time but she does appear to drive fine, shame the steering wheel is on the wrong side lol. Will take a bit of getting used to.

[roy4matra]

And so the year of "tinkering" begins...

Congratulations Terry on 'completing' the restoration.  The car certainly looks good in those photos, and is a tribute to all the time and effort you have put in.  Yes, I know the next step will be finding out all the niggles or things that need a little more work, but once you have a car that can be used, it becomes much easier.  A 'rolling' restoration will usually proceed faster than one that is still off the road.

Roy

[TELBOY]

Thanks Roy, I am in no doubt that without your, and too many other people to mentions help I would have given up years ago! I have had it checked over at a garage and have a list of things to put right! mainly little faults such as headlights not lined up, camber well out, couple of lights not working, hand brake adjustment, gear change needs adjusting, front roll bar rubbers, all little things in my opinion that shouldn't take me long, but I am going to go for a full calliper rebuild all round. It is back in the garden under cover as I'm in the middle of installing a new kitchen! Realistically it will be in the new year before I get cracking again but I cant wait to start enjoying her and giving the other car a rest!!!

[TELBOY]

hello all,

Apart from the difference in price, is anyone aware of any differences between the new fuse boards sold by CARJOY and SIMONS.
Am thinking of getting one and just wondering as the prices are 40 euro different (not including the one sold with fuses and relays)

[matramurena]

Not sure if there is any difference. You will still have the old connectors to the fuseplate though and I think these are where most electrical problems are comming from.

[TELBOY]

Thanks for the info. Roy converted mine so the connections are the only thing that is good! The actual tracks on the PCB are showing signs of wear so it's only a matter of time before they give up the goust.

[TELBOY]

I have had only a little use due to the usual wet winter and spring. After I "hooked up" the vacuum warning light I was initially pleased that the vacuum light went off upon starting and after a couple of minutes running would stay out for a couple of days on inactivity when the ignition was turned back on. However I discovered after the first trip of a few miles that the light would come on and the engine would begin to hesitate and the idle was very erratic. This, to me, indicated a vacuum leak when the engine reached a good operating temperature so I removed the inlet manifold of the 1.9 engine and on very close inspection it could be seen that there were signs of a bypass leak.. The manifold had obviously been drilled and tapped to connect the vacuum pipes for the light operating vacuum attachment. I decided not to attempt to tap a larger thread but instead blocked it up and fitted an electric vacuum pump. This has cured the erratic engine which would manifest itself after about 10 mins of running. The vacuum warning light now stays out and the engine runs very nicely indeed. (Little trip down to the river at Twickenham 2 days ago)

[Gib]

Mucky Duck , fallen in there a few times whilst not quite sober.

[tonyz59]

Hi Terry, is you brake servo plumbed in on the electric vac pump as well as the lighting, or just used for the headlight raising/ lowering ?