Norms Restoration - 31 Seater Projects

1952 AEC Regal III [2547]

2018

Body April

Norman Julian 18 Apr
I managed to get this window ledge panel on as well
Norman Julian 18 Apr
Finally I'm getting into the bread and butter stuff.
I will be replacing most of the flat panels as I go round.
The 3 panels around where the radiator sits had extensive work done on them so I am pleased that they came together without too many issues.
The panel on the left of where the radiator sits had metal welded into it so now I have to shape it back in to the small panel on top of the radiator.



Chris Dempsey
The jig saw puzzle is coming together Norm
Stuart Brown
What are the body panels made of?
Norman Julian
Aluminium
Stuart Brown
Looking Awesome!
Greg Scott
looking good norm !
youve given me another dose of inspiration !
Peter Kallenbach
I hope youre going to polish and not paint the outside to show your Awesome work Norm
Norman Julian
Might have to Pete!
Painting might be very expensive.
Peter Kallenbach
It certainly is Norm,
Keep up the good work
Norman Julian
I'll try
Norman Julian
She looks so happy there, doesn't she?
She keeps marking her territory so no one else can park there.
Brian LeQuesne
Looking good Norman.
You are sure putting some effort in there.
Looking forward to future updates.
Norman Julian 19 Apr
A short day today but I did align everything up around the radiator and pop riveted those panels and sheets.
I haven't as yet done the side sections because I'm not happy with the way they secured the running lights originally, so I need to get access to the frame again.
The 2 triangle brackets on the right are used to hold a supplementary destination sign and the yellow number under them is a run number.
This one reads run 107 from the Ryde dept.
Why not use R for Ryde I hear you say!
Well the "R" is already being used at the Randwick Dept.
Norman Julian 22 Apr
I put these rear egg shell panels back on and relieved that they lign up with the frame holes.
The near side eggshell panel had several holes close together and I think it was readjusted and new holes drilled because of a rear ender it had at some stage and the last wall pillar was crushed up the top and when it went back for repairs the egg shell panels were adjusted accordingly without repairing the wall pillar.
When I repaired this pillar it moved the back end about 40mm.
More good luck then management the emergency door gap is even all the way round

Comments
Norman Julian
This is the crushed pillar.
It also carries the wiring for the door lights and door actuator etc.
Gary Russell
Are you planning to reinstate the rear destination display?
John Clarke
I coule never really see the point of the rear display.
Was it so that you could see that you'd missed your bus as it trundled off into the distance?
Norman Julian
No Gary!
Norman Julian
I did though at one stage consider it!
Stuart Brown
FIG JAM time when things are right like this....
Norman Julian
Fluke more than anything!
Stuart Brown
Maxwell Mcroberts
You are a betterer speller than me Norm
Maxwell Mcroberts
Mum I can`t find my bike
Norman Julian
I sometimes wonder about you Max.
Norman Julian 23 Apr
Not going to bore you with photos as much.
I started sheeting in earnest today.
Because every exterior flat sheet will be replaced, it is a slow process.
Charles Shipway
Piker Norman we deserve a number of shots as the sheets go on there is a chance of you causing the dedicated followers to become over stressed without our regular up dates M. A. T. E
Just a plea for just a few please
Norman Julian
OK you win, Charles.
Charles Shipway Thank you Norman I and many others will sleep well To night and we al thank you for your kindness
Gregor Neil Robertson
Hope you brace sheets with some sort of soundproofing.
In the old days of live Radio Drama the BBC sound effects staff waggled their sheets for thunder!
Worked very well!
Norman Julian
Graeme Knappick
I don't ever find your photos boring. ��
Norman Julian 26 Apr
For some reason this back half round window panel is a different size to the rear panel.
Originally when I pulled the panel off I thought it was odd and very ordinary looking.
I have adjusted and made it even.
The other thing are these bottom window panels.
These are aluminium and have a look at the corrosion in this one.
There are 10 of these panels and all 10 suffer the same problem.
I have finished them all off by sanding the corrosion off and primed them in prep for going back on.

Norman Julian
The frame of the bus had primer on it and to a certain degree so did the aluminium, but here you see corrosion formed. My advice to anyone contemplating a project like this even though the bus may look good is to take it apart in areas and have a good look.
Norman Julian
The other thing is that pin holes have started to appear in the bottom of a few of these corroded panels.
They aren't bad enough to warrant replacement.
They are a lot of work to make anyway.
When they are in position I will paint a sealer on the bottom of them to seal any holes.
Greg Scott
i cut and folded the first one of my (window trays )
i call them ? tonight norm !
all of mine were severely corroded !
i flattened the old one out then traced it over the new aluminium !
had to make a smaller angle bracket for the folder to achieve the folds !
will tig the corners in the future will post pics on my site within the week !
Avsie Paul
When starting a new restoration of a coach or bus, where would you make a start, body, mechanical or bits of both,,
strip right down or move around in sections at a time.
I am keen to learn ready for when I take one on.
Thanks for any advice
Norman Julian
That's a hard one, Avsie Paul
Norman Julian
Surfice to say I went overboard with this bus but will look at the other 2 projects very differently.
My advice is to look at it and some up what needs to be done and take action.
I never intended on doing what I have done it really just evolved.
Avsie Paul
Thanks bud seems I am of the same mind in that case
Norman Julian
The good thing about aluminium is that when you take the corrosive environment away it instantly stops decaying.
Greg Scott
amazing material !
to think mine spent 21 years in and out of the weather then 44 years 24/7 in the weather !and a good deal is still in terrific condition !





Norman Julian
You can see the unevenness in this photo.
Gary Russell
As I posted on David Bugby's recent restoration post, it is good to see the under the skin work being properly done.
Norman Julian
Here we go Garry.
You are basically new to this group so you wouldn't have seen this.
Robert Schofield
Great Work,Norman.
You Seem A Patient Man.
Go Well.Best Wishes,Always.
Norman Julian 28 Apr
Yesterday I visited my local hardware and he had in stock 4 packs of this beautiful and basically clear cypress.
I have had my ear to the ground for 2 years looking for the right timber to do the floor with and I will be buying this.
I have looked at preloved stuff and it was either too far or there either wasn't enough or split or people wanting you soul as payment.
I wont use any ply timber.
I want to use tongue and groove.
The original stuff was some sort of pine but it was hard to identify.
I need 16 sq metres or about 118 linear metres.
They say it is kilned dried but through my experience with knowing and selling timber I will buy it now and let it dry out.
The steps are cut tightly both ways to see just how far the timber shrinks.
If at all.
I haven't seen 22mm or 7/8" timbers like the original flooring for many a year so this 19mm will suffice.
The timber width for the steps is 85mm wide and the floor is 135mm wide.

Greg Gibson
Not wanting this to sound bad but I think you should allow some room for the timber to also expand.
I have seen timber framed doors with a loose Centre panel with clearance on each side expand and then break the dowel joints in the frame.
If the floor is tight then it will still expand and blow up in the centre.
Norman Julian
Cypress tends to shrinks when green Greg.
In any case that is why the steps for now are just sitting there and not screwed off.
It's a pity this timber wasn't available earlier on.
With this dry weather we are having would have been a good test.
Last updated
May 2018
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