1951 Hillman Minx Restored and Delivered

Rudra Sen · 29th December 2011, 20:37

Pavan, that last image of that speedometer.. Can you make it work?
What make is that? From SMITH?

anjan_c2007 · 29th December 2011, 20:43

Pavan, am having a good look at the pictures and text. The Hillman is in safe hands and will emerge in a showroom condition. Delays, unpleasant surprises and unprecedented problems are a part of restorations of such classics and vintages and I think I am too small, when I talk about it to someone like you who has restored so many of them.

PAVAN KADAM · 29th December 2011, 20:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rudra Sen

Pavan, that last image of that speedometer.. Can you make it work?
What make is that? From SMITH?

I just cancelled my post. Now sir, please see the meters

Yes those are indeed, ORIGINAL SMITHS meters..

Quote:

Originally Posted by anjan_c2007

Pavan, am having a good look at the pictures and text. The Hillman is in safe hands and will emerge in a showroom condition. Delays, unpleasant surprises and unprecedented problems are a part of restorations of such classics and vintages and I think I am too small, when I talk about it to someone like you who has restored so many of them.

Dr Anjaan, sir you have been a great inspiration, thank you for your kind words.

Yes, there is a deadline, and i am pretty confident i will not falter.

basky · 30th December 2011, 10:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by PAVAN KADAM

Now sir, please see the meters.
Yes those are indeed, ORIGINAL SMITHS meters..

How are the dials refinished? Hand painted or a digitally copied and reworked print?

PAVAN KADAM · 30th December 2011, 10:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by basky

How are the dials refinished? Hand painted or a digitally copied and reworked print?

The dials were digitally copied and re-printed.

The meter guy is a specialist in re-working such magic, i was blown away when he had worked on the Topolino meters, and this time, i did not want to loose an opportunity as the car was coming along really well.

While i went with the ORIGINALITY for the Topolino, Took the CONCURS route for the Minx Meters

The AMPERE meters were re-worked as i was not happy with it, Will post that very soon.

basky · 30th December 2011, 11:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by PAVAN KADAM

The dials were digitally copied and re-printed.The meter guy is a specialist in re-working such magic.

The AMPERE meters were re-worked as i was not happy with it, Will post that very soon.

That was a lovely piece of work. The new colours look much better. It is the fine effort in the details which makes a difference in the final product. Fantastic effort in getting together a good team of sub-specialists. Just like a conductor in an orchestra. Keep it coming.

mac187 · 30th December 2011, 11:35

Hats off to your attention to detail. What a fantastic piece of work being done here. If you wish to part with any, I would love to have one of your cars.

*Rated 5 Star*

mbz180 · 30th December 2011, 15:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by PAVAN KADAM

The dials were digitally copied and re-printed.

The meter guy is a specialist in re-working such magic, i was blown away when he had worked on the Topolino meters, and this time, i did not want to loose an opportunity as the car was coming along really well.

While i went with the ORIGINALITY for the Topolino, Took the CONCURS route for the Minx Meters

The AMPERE meters were re-worked as i was not happy with it, Will post that very soon.

Wow, Pavan, you have really done wonders on the meters

.

Now I feel like an idiot. I just received a Euro spec speedometer for my Merc 180A (not the other gauges) with the complete assembly. It's in mint condition (mine had flaked off and was discoloured in a few places), but I paid 100 Euros for it on EBay Germany

Had I known about your dial resto quality I would have much rather sent my old dial to you to work your magic!

mbz180

PAVAN KADAM · 30th December 2011, 16:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by basky

That was a lovely piece of work. The new colours look much better. It is the fine effort in the details which makes a difference in the final product. Fantastic effort in getting together a good team of sub-specialists. Just like a conductor in an orchestra. Keep it coming.

Well, thats too much of a flattery, Thank you once again

Quote:

Originally Posted by mac187

Hats off to your attention to detail. What a fantastic piece of work being done here. If you wish to part with any, I would love to have one of your cars.

*Rated 5 Star*

Anytime buddy, anytime you come over, i will let you drive my cars.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mbz180

Wow, Pavan, you have really done wonders on the meters

.

Now I feel like an idiot. I just received a Euro spec speedometer for my Merc 180A (not the other gauges) with the complete assembly. It's in mint condition (mine had flaked off and was discoloured in a few places), but I paid 100 Euros for it on EBay Germany

Had I known about your dial resto quality I would have much rather sent my old dial to you to work your magic!

mbz180

Ha ha ha, Dont worry, you can send over the old meters, i would not mind getting it re-stored.

Some more pics for you guys..

Over the next 2 weeks, it was certain that Avinash (ace_hillman) had his overseas project and travel to US by Jan 3rd of 2012, and pressure started building, but my painters were more than willing to work on holidays too.

Actually the color on the car was BLACK, but funnily the color combo changed abruptly and i was made to choose the shade and Avinash made no bones in buying the Best of paints available in the market.

We zeroed in on 2 shades of ROLLS ROYCE, Damn expensive.

PAVAN KADAM · 30th December 2011, 18:15

Some more pics of the painted car.

manishalive · 30th December 2011, 18:36

Pawan,
The car is coming out good, the meters have been restored like new, is it the same guy in cmh road who worked on my car meters too.

PAVAN KADAM · 30th December 2011, 18:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by manishalive

Pawan,
The car is coming out good, the meters have been restored like new, is it the same guy in cmh road who worked on my car meters too.

Yes, Same guy Manish, RameshBhai has been re-storing meters for me since a long time now, and i sincerely have had no issues with him so far

The ONLY problem is, He's pricey. But no worries, as long as i am getting what i wanted, its fine.

BTW, these meter restoration costed us Rs.3500/-

basky · 30th December 2011, 19:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by PAVAN KADAM

The ONLY problem is, He's pricey. But no worries, as long as i am getting what i wanted, its fine.
BTW, these meter restoration costed us Rs.3500/-

Well worth it. Old saying: 'You give peanuts, you get monkeys'. You are getting very good quality and without hassles too.

I like the clean glossy ripple free finish seen. 2K painting in the open air and without all the protective gear and breathing air supply.

PAVAN KADAM · 30th December 2011, 21:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by basky

Well worth it. Old saying: 'You give peanuts, you get monkeys'. You are getting very good quality and without hassles too.

I like the clean glossy ripple free finish seen. 2K painting in the open air and without all the protective gear and breathing air supply.

Thanks for the comments

We are working on a closed booth, might happen in a weeks time once we move to a new place.

manishalive · 30th December 2011, 21:18

Wow this car is coming out real nice and quick too. By the way i am also satisfied with ramesh bhais work on my meter too.

And is this the final shade, looks good. I like the combo with the cream / ivory color.

29th December 2011, 20:37	#16
Rudra Sen Team-BHP Support Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 11,739 Thanked: 6,820 Times View My Garage	re: 1951 Hillman Minx Restored and Delivered Pavan, that last image of that speedometer.. Can you make it work? What make is that? From SMITH?
	() Thanks

29th December 2011, 20:43	#17
anjan_c2007 Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: India Posts: 8,619 Thanked: 22,319 Times View My Garage	re: 1951 Hillman Minx Restored and Delivered Pavan, am having a good look at the pictures and text. The Hillman is in safe hands and will emerge in a showroom condition. Delays, unpleasant surprises and unprecedented problems are a part of restorations of such classics and vintages and I think I am too small, when I talk about it to someone like you who has restored so many of them. Last edited by anjan_c2007 : 29th December 2011 at 20:45.
	() Thanks

30th December 2011, 11:35	#22
mac187 BHPian Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Plano, Texas Posts: 691 Thanked: 809 Times	re: 1951 Hillman Minx Restored and Delivered Hats off to your attention to detail. What a fantastic piece of work being done here. If you wish to part with any, I would love to have one of your cars. Rated 5 Star Last edited by mac187 : 30th December 2011 at 11:37.
	(1) Thanks

30th December 2011, 18:15	#25
PAVAN KADAM BANNED Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: NAMMA BENGALURU Posts: 5,602 Thanked: 2,555 Times	re: 1951 Hillman Minx Restored and Delivered Some more pics of the painted car. Attached Thumbnails
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30th December 2011, 18:36	#26
manishalive Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 2,550 Thanked: 1,134 Times	re: 1951 Hillman Minx Restored and Delivered Pawan, The car is coming out good, the meters have been restored like new, is it the same guy in cmh road who worked on my car meters too.
	(1) Thanks

30th December 2011, 21:18	#30
manishalive Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 2,550 Thanked: 1,134 Times	re: 1951 Hillman Minx Restored and Delivered Wow this car is coming out real nice and quick too. By the way i am also satisfied with ramesh bhais work on my meter too. And is this the final shade, looks good. I like the combo with the cream / ivory color.
	(1) Thanks