Rover Sports Register Forum

Hello All.

Thought I would send a couple of photos of my car which I am hopeing to finish it in time for the RSR June meet. Yet to have it running though.

Oh my, that looks interesting. Keep us updated with the progress please

Mike,

Looks excellent- a proper classic! I look forward to seeing it in June.

Tony.

Nice car,
looks like a 1930 2L Sportsman's Saloon . What engine does it have?

I have a 1929 Coachbuilt 2L which I have been rebuilding for some time!

viewtopic.php?f=16&t=6

Good luck, if I can help please ask.

Paul

Hello Paul.
It is a 2ltr sportsman saloon.
I have fitted twin su carbs as the original stromburg is in two pieces and I found out that the carb manufactures of the time recommened a single 1.5" carb or two 1.25" carbs (it was fitted with an 1.25 updraft) for 2 litre engines.

I wrote the date as 29/30 for a reason as the car was registered on the 7/Jan/1930 so yes it is a 1930 car, but it is not quite right for a 1930 car. It is fitted (I believe from new) with 1929 type vacuum twin dipping headlights, hand throttle, choke and rear shock absorbers.But with a 1930 dash, Lucas distributor and folding roof: this was standard for the sportsman saloon in 1930 according to a sales booklet.

It also has twin sidemounts, vacuum brakes and 4 speed gearbox and the original suitcases in the boot. Although the suitcases are full of woodworm.

I have had to paint the radiator shell is it to rough to chrome. I had a new shell made but it just does not fit correctly so need to find someone else to make another one. This cannot be done before June so the painting is a stop gap move.

mike797

Hi Mike,

that all makes sense. I still have the stromberg (UV1) and a spare so am hoping to have enough bits to get one working. As you can see from my post I am rebuilding mine from the chassis up as I have had to replace all the wood. Hopefully will get the chassis moving under its own power this year. Vacuum brakes sounds unusual, I was aware of the mechanical servo option, is this what you were reffering to?

The twin sidemounts as I am sure you know was an option in the salesman book as was the fitted trunk. You could also specify indicator arms. I still have the ML distributer and coil which again are hard to source. I also had the vacuum dipping lights but they had been modified to electric solenoid dipping so I am going to keep that one, I have the vacuum operating control which will be converted to a switch.

I look forward to seeing it if you manage to bring it along.

Paul

Hows it doing?

Hello Paul.
The front seats are now in the car although I am still waiting for the rear seat to be done. The engine is now running but not tried to drive the car as the clutch is not quite right at the moment. Also still need to set up the brakes and sort out a leaking petrol tank. Hope to get it MOTed in a couple of weeks.

MC informed me that you have a charging problems. I was quoted £1000 minium, to have the original 3 brush dynamo rebuilt as it was originally a special build type and not many companies can or will rebuild it. That was replaced with a modern dynamo and regulator. Dynamo fitted into an excentric tube and regulator fitted into the original cutout unit. Total cost less than £200 and easier to replace if it goes wrong. But I may dump the mechanical regulator and fit a digtal type as it is not charging at tick over. I supose I could have gone down the altenator route but chose not to.

mike797

Mike,
I hope you are able to do all you need and get the car on the road.

My charging problem was not very serious, I have had the original dynamo serviced, it only required new brushes and the front bearing, it is now back in the gearbox with a new chain. I intend to keep the original 3 brush system with as much original parts as possible. The cutout is an OCJ2 which is not just a cutout but has a second relay which Rover described as a boost relay, in reality all it does is force the dynamo to output full charge by connecting the Field and Output connections on the dynamo, this, Rover claim eliminates the need for a high/low winter/summer charge switch. The dynamo is switched to full output when the lights are on as well. I have checked the operation of the unit on the bench and the relays were out of spec with regards to their cut in and drop out voltages and the boost relay had been well and truly mangled by someone in the past, so I have replaced the cutout with a series diode (SM74611 Smart Bypass Diode) and the boost relay with a modern alternative, all within the cover, so not noticeable but still keeping the 3 brush system working.

If you are using a 2 brush dynamo as a replacement it wont charge at tickover, the cut out in the regulator wont connect until about 12.8 - 13.0 v output.

Paul

Hello Every one.
Rover now running and have taken it for a short run. I will not be taking it to this years show as there are just too many small snagging things to do. Plus two big problums. Main one being the jammed starter motor, which was working fine and quite nicely stopped working just as I tried to put the car back into the garage. The not so funny fault was two screws falling out of the steering wheel rim which lead to a very iffy drive home, there are only three screws in it to begin with.

Still I'm still pleased to have driven it and it is posably the first time it has been on the road for over fifty years. Even if was only to go to a local garage to be MOTed, which was not done, mainly because one of the carbs started flooding. Just another one for the snagging list

Do your bit for the enviroment and keep driving the old classic vehicles, mike797