Riverhaus
German Classic Car Garagiste
Auto Union DKW NSU Porsche Volkswagen
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Riverhaus German Classic Car Garagiste Auto Union DKW NSU Porsche Volkswagen
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Featured here are some previous customer projects we have undertaken. (lots here so please be patient - if you are on dial up booking a short holiday may be a good idea)
1969 VW Beetle 1300 (aka ''Bertie'') Discovered by Riverhaus Bertie was found abandoned under a hedge in a Hertfordshire village having previously suffered heavy frontal damage following a tense moment with a Mercedes. A new owner was found who bravely funded the cars restoration.
The entire front end of the car was rebuilt using replacement panels and while this was in progress the appearance was subtly changed to the earlier 1960's shape.
More work was required to heater channels, rear suspension mountings, inner rear wheel arches, bumper mountings and floor pans before the car could be prepared for painting.
The original engine was retained and found to be in excellent condition. Following painting and detailing it was rebuilt with electronic ignition and more efficient alternator based charging systems. A German BAS extractor exhaust header was fitted to boost engine power along with an extra sump and spin-on oil filter to extend maintenance periods.
Further work consisted of a re-wire, replacement brightwork, heated front and rear screens and interior retrim. A set of replica BRM alloys provided the final touch!
1973 Trident Venturer 3 litre
Awaiting restoration...
For those of you who are unfamiliar with the Trident marque here is a potted history.... Trident Cars (originally Viking Performance, a TVR distributor) were based in Ipswich and built approximately 130 Tridents produced between 1966 to 1976. In 1965 Fissore of Italy working with stylist Trevor Fiore designed and manufactured the bodies for TVR. Four were built (three coupes and one convertible). However, TVR were unable to realize the potential of the Trident and instead sold the project to Viking Performance including 30 American Ford 289 cu. in. engines. The first car under their auspices was displayed at the 1966 racing car show after some board room disagreement with Fissore over design and payment issues.
The first generation of cars named Clipper utilized Austin Healey 3000 chassis and standard suspension and were powered by the American Ford V8. Bodies were manufactured from glassfibre at Ipswich. When the supply of Healey chassis ran out the company switched to a lengthened version of the Triumph TR6 chassis which used standard suspension and running gear (apart from the gearbox and differential unit) from this car. The Venturer also used the same TR6 chassis but was powered by the Ford Essex V6. Another variant was the Tycoon which this time used the Triumph 2.5 PI engine with automatic transmission.
Trident Cars faced financial problems in 1974 but a new car was introduced in the shape of a new Clipper with a larger 360 cu. in. V8 which was aimed squarely at the US market. Sadly no interest was shown and only one LHD car was built. The company remained trading until its demise in 1978.
Throughout its production few revisions were applied to the Trident save for various attempts at reworking the front end which the company never got quite right - the car finally received an opening rear hatch which greatly improved the cars practicality. 39 Clippers, 84 Venturer's and 7 Tycoons were built as well as some Venturer kits; some 45 cars are still in existence worldwide.
This Venturer was registered in 1973 and was discovered in a lock up in Wales in 2006 where it had lain for 29 years! The car was complete even down to its very Seventies orange sheepskin seat covers and found to be in remarkably sound condition. The engine (Ford Essex V6) was not in running condition.
The body was carefully removed to enable work to the chassis, running gear and engine to be carried out. After the chassis was stripped of all components it was sandblasted and then inspected for faults. Apart from some localized corrosion and a broken differential mounting which was replaced and reinforced all was found to be in good condition. The floor plates which are a common rust trap were renewed. The complete bare chassis was then etch primed, painted and injected with waxoyl.
The chassis was then reassembled refurbishing as many of the original components as possible. Copper brake and fuel lines were fitted and the braking system rebuilt renewing all brake hydraulics, flexible lines, shoes and pads.
This car was supplied with the Essex V6 originally fitted to a late 1960's Ford Zodiac Mark 4 The engine was completely disassembled and found to be in good condition internally but no 5 piston had suffered damage caused by over heating and had several broken rings. Another problem was corrosion to the aluminum inlet manifold which was so bad that a replacement had to be sourced. No water jacket corrosion was found but all internal waterways particularly in the water pump and water heated manifold for the carburettor were badly affected. This is a common problem with the Essex V6 if regular coolant changes and the proper use of anti-freeze are not adhered to.
Engine reassembly; the cylinder heads were machined to accept harder valve seats to enable the use of unleaded petrol
The engine and gearbox were reunited with the chassis and after some further work to fuel, cooling and charging systems the engine was started for the first time in 29 years!
Next - the body! For more information about trident cars go to the Trident Cars club website at; http://www.tridentcarclub.fsnet.co.uk/
1970 VW Beetle
''Ouch'' indeed - the dangers of eating too much toothpaste and driving on public roads, this bug was the unfortunate victim of another driver losing control and hitting it side on. On closer inspection we found that as well as the front quarter being bent the heater channel and floor pan were rotten....
....so all affected panels cut out and renewed.
Just add some Jaguar pale yellow et Voila!
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Tel: +44 (0)1827 715623 (North Warwickshire, UK) 8.00am to 6pm. mobile : 07984 123105. e-mail; kevin@riverhaus.co.uk.
Callers by appointment only.
© 2012 K Leaworthy/Riverhaus
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