Good start to an interesting restoration, all ways good to have a plan of action and a schedule of work. I would keep the underside and internal original as possible and make the outside look very nice. Good luck with your your school project an excellent programme. (Your Dad is a great reference point as you develop your skills). All the best Bob
Great to see restoration started 😮 Will keep watching the progress Keep up the good work Harley😊😊😊😮😮 They were well made when new so it’s should be great😊😮
I think I would go for a complete refurbishment myself, but I’d probably be wrong in doing so. Your idea of keeping as much of the history of the vehicle is far more interesting Harley. Really exciting project 👌
What a magnificent example, Harley! I would keep the original paint on the interior, it is the glue that keeps all the car’s stories together. Just get the mechanicals working and see how it turns out.
Such a cool wee car. I’d prefer to see this restored just to tidy operating condition and used by a child as was intended by its builders. I remember my Dad making an “airplane” for me when I was about 4 from two crossed scaffold planks with a stick nailed the front of one of them for a propeller. To me with my then fertile imagination it seemed very realistic and the bee’s knees. So this car would blow a kid’s mind!
Great to see the restoration process under way. Since I first subscribed to Car Traction and Old Classic Car, I have learned and agreed/accepted that the best restoration is one that is as original as possible. So in terms of what to do with the Austin, my thoughts are to apply new paint to the outside (because the old paint has been removed), and clean/oil the existing wheel and interior paint. I think to be able to be able to say at the completion of the job, "this is the paint the original owners saw in 1953", is pretty darn special.
Harley..again a nice video....if the pedal car was mine, i clean the original paint on the inside with a polish cleaner, then wax it to preserve the paint, you can do the same thing with the original paint on the wheels..(an advice, as a bicycle restorer i always make a lot of pictures of details, before i take anything apart, just for reference and to see what the condition was as found)...when the project is finished, you can use the pictures for before en after pictures...the outside of the car i would paint with semi-gloss instead of high-gloss, it looks a little bit older/original when it s not 100% shiny, for the seat i would probably use old dark red leather... Harley, i will continue to follow your work with interest..Sorry for my poor English language, i am from the Netherlands...Greetings Jeroen
Morning! It's a super start to your college project. For what it's worth, what would make your final examiner see what you have done is to restore as much originality a s possible, and hopefully all you own work helped not too much my expert dad. Moreover, if it is pristine and all sprayed up etc, it would smack of professional restoration which was perhaps paid for. I am sure the academic 'rules' of the project are to be able to see your work, though under advice, which you videos will prove.. So this 80 year-old says keep it as original as possible. It's a great thing to do and it will make the Pathfinder stand out as a non-professional restoration which will inevitable be seen. It will make it stand and and create questions at show where you will hopefully eventually show it, thus proving your superb enthusiasm and admirable effort.. Go for it!😐 Rob
Restoration to minty would be a mistake, I think. Yes, in that condition they draw many thousands of pounds in the collector market, but I agree with treating the rusty surface and painting it. I don't know how far you need to go for the project grade, but spray painting it on the outside would be my recommendation then once it is completely dry perhaps "ageing" it with the oily rag treatment. Give the seat a bit of upholstery with some second hand vintage material. It is not so much a restoration as a rejuvenation to operating condition as I see it. You two make a good team!
Looks like the rear axle may be bent too ive restored a few pedal cars the front could be duplicated by any good shop . all in all that car looks very good and heavy !!
Well I will go against most and am not one for "patina" it just looks like a rusty car ,it would not look like that when the guy got it for Christmas I would make it concourse , I have restored three Raleigh choppers to mint they get more appreciation than rusty ones 🤔 but I know your dad is one for "oiled rust "😁
Hi 👋 I think you neex to take it to the dump. Only joking. I think it would be better to keep it as original as possible. But then I don't know about these things. It's going to be interesting following your progress with it . 👍
Well I would strip and tear it down and make it look like it just came from the maker. Otherwise it would be like putting lipstick on a pig and giving the impression it's a sloppy job and you're in it for a quick money or your trying to Cheat some unexpected buyer
Thanks for your view, the car will have to be fully stripped regardless of how much we paint it. I want to make the car how me and dad would like it, and we certainly won't be selling it on
Good start to an interesting restoration, all ways good to have a plan of action and a schedule of work. I would keep the underside and internal original as possible and make the outside look very nice. Good luck with your your school project an excellent programme. (Your Dad is a great reference point as you develop your skills). All the best Bob
Great to see restoration started 😮
Will keep watching the progress
Keep up the good work Harley😊😊😊😮😮
They were well made when new so it’s should be great😊😮
I think I would go for a complete refurbishment myself, but I’d probably be wrong in doing so. Your idea of keeping as much of the history of the vehicle is far more interesting Harley. Really exciting project 👌
I think I might repaint the whole body and interior, but keep the wheels original
What a magnificent example, Harley! I would keep the original paint on the interior, it is the glue that keeps all the car’s stories together. Just get the mechanicals working and see how it turns out.
Such a cool wee car. I’d prefer to see this restored just to tidy operating condition and used by a child as was intended by its builders. I remember my Dad making an “airplane” for me when I was about 4 from two crossed scaffold planks with a stick nailed the front of one of them for a propeller. To me with my then fertile imagination it seemed very realistic and the bee’s knees. So this car would blow a kid’s mind!
Yellow would be fun 😊
While yellow is the best colour for any car, I think I will stick to the original colours
Great to see the restoration process under way. Since I first subscribed to Car Traction and Old Classic Car, I have learned and agreed/accepted that the best restoration is one that is as original as possible. So in terms of what to do with the Austin, my thoughts are to apply new paint to the outside (because the old paint has been removed), and clean/oil the existing wheel and interior paint. I think to be able to be able to say at the completion of the job, "this is the paint the original owners saw in 1953", is pretty darn special.
Harley..again a nice video....if the pedal car was mine, i clean the original paint on the inside with a polish cleaner, then wax it to preserve the paint, you can do the same thing with the original paint on the wheels..(an advice, as a bicycle restorer i always make a lot of pictures of details, before i take anything apart, just for reference and to see what the condition was as found)...when the project is finished, you can use the pictures for before en after pictures...the outside of the car i would paint with semi-gloss instead of high-gloss, it looks a little bit older/original when it s not 100% shiny, for the seat i would probably use old dark red leather... Harley, i will continue to follow your work with interest..Sorry for my poor English language, i am from the Netherlands...Greetings Jeroen
Hello from the UK, I am also a lover of patina but not sure what to do with the underbody paint yet
Morning! It's a super start to your college project. For what it's worth, what would make your final examiner see what you have done is to restore as much originality a s possible, and hopefully all you own work helped not too much my expert dad. Moreover, if it is pristine and all sprayed up etc, it would smack of professional restoration which was perhaps paid for. I am sure the academic 'rules' of the project are to be able to see your work, though under advice, which you videos will prove.. So this 80 year-old says keep it as original as possible. It's a great thing to do and it will make the Pathfinder stand out as a non-professional restoration which will inevitable be seen. It will make it stand and and create questions at show where you will hopefully eventually show it, thus proving your superb enthusiasm and admirable effort.. Go for it!😐 Rob
Had on̈e similar 60 odd years ago with 3 spoke wheels .
Restoration to minty would be a mistake, I think. Yes, in that condition they draw many thousands of pounds in the collector market, but I agree with treating the rusty surface and painting it. I don't know how far you need to go for the project grade, but spray painting it on the outside would be my recommendation then once it is completely dry perhaps "ageing" it with the oily rag treatment. Give the seat a bit of upholstery with some second hand vintage material. It is not so much a restoration as a rejuvenation to operating condition as I see it. You two make a good team!
I am going to enjoy this series Harley. Now, who are you going to get to do the first test drive?
Thanks, I will have to find a suitable child!
Looks like the rear axle may be bent too ive restored a few pedal cars the front could be duplicated by any good shop . all in all that car looks very good and heavy !!
Thanks, the rear axle on further inspection seems to be in ok condition
You get up far too early! 😂 try for a lie in on a Sunday in this weather! 😂
I'm a morning person 😉
@@CarTractionvids I used to be but it wore off with weather like this! I look forward to watching your video later! Great project!
Well I will go against most and am not one for "patina" it just looks like a rusty car ,it would not look like that when the guy got it for Christmas I would make it concourse , I have restored three Raleigh choppers to mint they get more appreciation than rusty ones 🤔 but I know your dad is one for "oiled rust "😁
I sure whatever you decide to do with your project it will turn out the way you want it to and that's all that counts
Hi 👋 I think you neex to take it to the dump. Only joking. I think it would be better to keep it as original as possible. But then I don't know about these things. It's going to be interesting following your progress with it . 👍
Well I would strip and tear it down and make it look like it just came from the maker.
Otherwise it would be like putting lipstick on a pig and giving the impression it's a sloppy job and you're in it for a quick money or your trying to
Cheat some unexpected buyer
Thanks for your view, the car will have to be fully stripped regardless of how much we paint it. I want to make the car how me and dad would like it, and we certainly won't be selling it on
What a shame when people get these opportunities and haven't got a clue
My sincere apologies for considering different paths we could take in the restoration, thanks for watching