B9473207 LRXFE is out of storage

M

mndave

New forum user
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HI Guys,
I wanted to introduce myself and to ask my first question(s). I’m sure there will be many more to follow.

In October I was able to purchase B9473207 LRXFE from a gentlemen that had owned it for the past 40 years. He raced it here in Minnesota for 10 years and had many trophies to show for it and in 1983 he parked it in his garage where it sat for the past 30 years. I can’t see any signs of an accident and it still has the original paint, interior etc. From 10 feet, the condition looks pretty good but on closer inspection, it has rust along the bottom 3 inches of each side and the usual chassis rust. Interestingly, some things like the pan hard bar mount is just fine but the traction bar mounts will need significant repair. In addition, the end of the chassis where the bumpers attach are very rusty on two of the rails.

My goal for the car is to make it a nice daily driver and I would like for it to be mechanically dependable and structurally solid. Because of that I will have the engine(289), trans, rear end and the suspension rebuilt. In addition, I would like to completely rid the car of current and potential future rust problems.
So, for my first question. I generally see owners cut out the rust and then weld in new metal and then do their best to protect the car from future rust with Epoxy paints. I have also seen owners who will use electrolysis to remove rust from some of the smaller items on the car such as the suspension and rear end. Has anyone used electrolysis for the entire body of the car? What are the pros and cons of that approach? Thanks for your thoughts.

Lastly, for members who are in Minnesota. I would welcome the opportunity to connect with you to discuss body shops and other resources that know our vehicles. Is there an active club for Tiger owners?


Thanks
Dave
 
Welcome

Enjoy the obsession. Free satire and sometimes even good advice can be found here. . . .
 
Welcome and post a few pics--always nice to see another Tiger......where in Minn are you located? I get to Austin every few years..
 
Active Tiger Club?

You found it!

This Forum is sponsored by CAT, The California Association of Sunbeam Tiger Owners. We have an International Membership of currently over 600 Members. Info to join? http://catmbr.org/member1.htm

CAT is not for profit and no one filling the Officer positions or running CAT Parts or Moderating the web site and Forum is paid a nickel.

Member dues support our annual operational costs. The most significant cost is publishing Tiger Tales and mailing it to Members 6 color issues annually.

TEAE, Tigers East Alpines East is also active and supporting the Marque owners very well.

Rick
 
mndave said:
Has anyone used electrolysis for the entire body of the car? What are the pros and cons of that approach? Thanks for your thoughts.

Thanks
Dave
Click to expand...

Not heard of anyone doing that... many have the car acid dipped.. gets into all the hidden areas.. but the flip side is you then need to work out a way to protect those hidden areas after they have been stripped and not many people have access to a tanking system to dip it in a primer/zinc etc..

photos of the cars problem areas would help us guide you.. post pictures.. ask questions and I ma sure people will be able to guide you. Cat is a greta place to start!
 
Tiger in a pit.

Several guys do the dip for the smaller parts. Some have also used a plastic or metal dumpster. Here on CAT and the UK site Mal I think in NZ has a great thread on his restoration and E bath. A big enough pit lined with plastic and a big enough charger maybe a 50 amp model would make it do able. I have heard the method has been tried but only in word of mouth by other non Tiger guys. I think the main con is it is rather slow. The pos is no metal is lost as the rust is pushed off of the parent metal, also the interior areas get treated as well. Since the cars of the period have no galvanizing bath when new as modern cars it give a chance for you to do so. I used a kiddie pool for a hard top. I bet a above ground pool could be built around a car and sourced cheaply. It's a big ask but the reward seems great. It's non toxic washing soda so it could be done. Welcome and look forward to your results. Cheers
 
storage

dipping the body is the way to go. it is a two tank process but the rust process is gone when it's done. the dipping does require extra work getting the body clean before the application of the epoxy primer but it's worth it. hidden rust is gone. the sunbeam restorations we have done over the years have been dipped with the exception of one. it was a rust free car that the wife bought in California in 1994. doug decided to have it blasted instead of dipped. that was his first and the last. we fought dust falling out for a couple years. we did let the car set thru a flood and it did wash out all of the dust but that required the second restoration of four sunbeams. everything since including the current Harrington restoration have all been dipped.
 
Warren said:
Several guys do the dip for the smaller parts. Some have also used a plastic or metal dumpster. Here on CAT and the UK site Mal I think in NZ has a great thread on his restoration and E bath. A big enough pit lined with plastic and a big enough charger maybe a 50 amp model would make it do able. I have heard the method has been tried but only in word of mouth by other non Tiger guys. I think the main con is it is rather slow. The pos is no metal is lost as the rust is pushed off of the parent metal, also the interior areas get treated as well. Since the cars of the period have no galvanizing bath when new as modern cars it give a chance for you to do so. I used a kiddie pool for a hard top. I bet a above ground pool could be built around a car and sourced cheaply. It's a big ask but the reward seems great. It's non toxic washing soda so it could be done. Welcome and look forward to your results. Cheers
Click to expand...

Warren,
that is Brad 1380 on the UK forum. Several others have used the same or similar technique with great results on smaller parts. Saves a lot of work.

Cheers Mal
 
MINNESOTA TIGERS

Yesterday I got a suprise Email from MINNDAVE . Dave bought a Tiger. It seems that I infected Dave with TIGER FEVER some 35 years ago when he lived next door. It took 35 years to incubate, plus getting daughter married off. He bought it from the widow of Randy Zimmerman of Duluth Minn. Is there anyone out there that was an acquaintance of Randy Zimmerman or lives near Minneapolis that can act as mentor for a Tiger newbe?
 
Say what?

As the famous misquote of Mark Twain goes: "The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated."

Where in the world do people come up with this stuff?

It's been a cold and punishing winter here in northern Minnesota but-- sorry to disappoint-- I'm still alive and well. And, last time I checked, my Tiger was still safely tucked away for his winter hibernation in my garage.:)

Randy Z.
Duluth, MN
 
clarification

Randy Zimmerman appears to be alive and well.
David Zimmerman unfortunately is not. Here is an article re: the history of Minnesota Autosports and it talks about Dave Zimmermans involvement. this is the person that owned my Tiger before me. I have met his wife and family and will keep in touch with them as I make progress on the re-build.
http://www.mnautox.com/forums/conte...he-Minnesota-Autosports-Club-by-Don-Gettinger

As for Rogers comments, here's the scoop. I lived in Des Moines Iowa until I was 17 and Roger was our next door neighbor. Fast forward more years than i care to admit and I make this posting advising the forum that I have purchased a Tiger and that I was looking for a body shop here in MN. Roger responded with a personal message offering his assistance in getting me connected to other owners and potential shops. At that time he didn't know who I was. I think the moral of the story is that the internet is a small place and that Tiger owners are a special breed.

Lastly, I'm going to look for someone that does the auto dipping and learn as much as I can prior to making any decisions. I'll let you know what I find.
 
Back among the living...

Congratulations on your purchase, Dave, and good luck with the restoration. I restored my MkIa while living in St. Paul in the mid- to late-90's. The body didn't require dipping so I can't offer any recommendations in that area.

If you get up to Duluth some summer, feel free to give me a call and stop by. I'm always up for swapping resto stories and comparing notes.

Frosted but alive in Duluth,

Randy Zimmermann
 
Another MN Tiger

Hi Dave,

Good to hear that there are more Tiger owners here in MN.

I purchased my 65 Tiger (B9472344) about 9 months ago. Life and MN weather have slowed me down a bit but I have been slowly digging into what needs to be fixed to bring it alive.

I live in Apple Valley, MN and would be glad to help you in any way that I can. I joined CAT & TE/AE and they are both great resources.

It would be great to meet you and see your car when you have time, send me a private message if you are interested and we can set something up.

Good Luck and talk to you later,
Dan
 
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