Nelly - my 1972 Daf 33 Luxe

[nelly]

Looking for a Daf Doctor capable of nursing my Nelly back to full health? Mechanically she is good, but bodywork frilly around the edges. All offers for a total body restoration are greatly and appreciately welcomed! Thanks, Mark J.

[spunkymonkey]

Whereabouts in the country are you, Mark?

[Richard DAF Webmeister]

ANOTHER marina blue one! I'm sure I've seen this one many times here and there over the years. I think it used to live in Hertfordshire when I first knew it.

[33grinder]

Wecome to the forum Mark!

If you can get her to Essex then we may be able to help out.

Is she a driver? Is she road legal?

[nelly]

We are in Southampton. She is a good driver and road legal, but could use a new wing or two, some welding and a new coat of paint to bring her into top shape. Happy to travel to see her get good attention from a 33 specialist..

[33grinder]

Well, I'm not sure whether we have any used wings so it would be a patch up job from Ken. Best to post some photos so we can see what she needs.

[v8gasser]

Hi and welcome , ive just spotted a photo of Nelly with white racing stripes on the Daf owners club website " Concours 2009 " page !

[nelly]

Thanks for this. Will get some pics between the dark blue Hammerite and email them over!

[33grinder]

Great! Thanks to SuperJoe the MIG is now working again so we should hopefully we'll be able to arrange a time when Ken can come down and sort some bodywork woes for you.

[nelly]

Thanks, does this mean you can visit to do the restoration or I would need to come to you guys? Mark

[33grinder]

It would probably be better for everyone to meet at Essex. Plus we have the spares here should Nelly be needing anything.

[nelly]

Thanks but might be too far for Nelly. Do you know any retorers on the South Coast?

[33grinder]

Not particularly but why is it too far? My 33 has been to Princethorpe and back in a day and Joe and Sian drove from Angelsey to Essex and back in a day! A well running DAF should be able to handle such a journey. Let's put it another way - if we came to you, which conveyance do you think we'd be using? A DAF of course!

[spunkymonkey]

150 miles or so? A 33 can do that in it's sleep

You're a bit far from us for me to get involved in any work on it I'm afraid but, if you'd like to meet up - and I can have a quick look over her for you if you like - we'll be heading down from Anglesey to the New Forest (Lyndhurst area) at the start of September for the Beaulieu autojumble. You're more than welcome to pop over to the campsite (site tbc) for a brew

Our chosen transport this year (about 320 miles each way) ..... our 1972 Daf 33 c/w camping trailer on the back ;D

[33grinder]

We're not a bad lot us DAFfers and always willing to help. Most of us are hard core enthusiasts who run them as daily drives. They are not the most economical and going two or three-up with a MIG in the boot (and it would necessitate more than one trip I should think) would be an expensive trip, whilst one up in a 33...

You'll find with less than 50 roadworthy DAFs around the owners are fairly spread out, except certain areas where there tend to be groups of enthusiasts like Essex and Derbyshire. These are areas where enthusiasts tend to meet up, so if you want several mechanical and welding eyes looking over Nelly then these are the nearest DAF centres where you need to go. That's not to mention the spares which are at the DAF centres. It really would be beneficial to pay one of these a visit for spares and repairs, not to mention meeting other enthusiasts.

An example is today where a 55 arrived around 5pm which a broken clutch. By 8:30 we had removed the engine, re-built the clutch, reinstalled the engine with just bonnet, grill and bumper left to fit. All that with tea brakes too! Had we needed to we'd have finished the job by 9pm. doubtless helped by being able to get the car to our barns.

If you decide to pay us a visit at Essex DAFs then do let us know and we'll arrange a time that a few of us can be there and give Nelly a good going over.

[nelly]

DISASTER! Rear lower wishbone fractured on Saturday as I went round a corner. The back driver's side wheel ended-up lodged under the boot with various debris on the road such as the shock absorber coil etc although the belts were not damaged. Am trying to find a replacement rear wishbone so they can save her, any suggested sources are greatly welcomed!

[nelly]

Thanks for the info John. Have some pics of the problem if you want me to email them on. The men from the AA were very nostalgic when they loaded her onto the lorry, recounting their experiences working on 33s when at college. Alas, none could recommend a source for a replacement rear wishbone!

[33grinder]

We should be able to John. Have asked Matt to take measurements of one.

[spunkymonkey]

Photos would be good - I'm still trying to work out why Betty's (it wasn't 'Tilly's, John ) cracked where it did because there should be very little stress where the cracks formed!

This is definitely an incentive to get our spare cleaned up and fitted rather than relying on the welded one though!

[nle33]

Nellie is now fixed and back on the road, thanks to everyone for their help!