FHC resto nr. 167; Steering column

Finished another small job today, the steering column to be precise. Actually this job started in the summer of 2017 when the parts from the column (together with lots of others) were sent of for coating. In this case e-coating for the two parts of the column itself and zinc plating and (black) passivating for the other parts of the column.

Time to search together all the necessary (coated) parts and assemble the column. Here the biggest problem was remembering where I had stored them. But in the end all were found in various locations. A few hours wasted there again I dare say!

And with the handful of parts back home in the garage the assembly of the column was pretty straight forward. Though putting the two pieces of the column together did need some persuasion with a light copper hammer. After which fitting the two clamps was easy. I even remembered to use the correct torque figures for the allen head clamp screw (20 Nm) and the lock nut (50 Nm).

And maybe you are wondering why the teaser picture at the top of this post? Well that picture is hiding something that is about to happen in the next few weeks if all goes well!

FHC resto nr. 166; Interior light

Or small steps at a time, to get the ’76 car finished! Several years ago I spent some time cleaning this early roof mounted interior light, which I found among my spare parts. This was removed from a parts car a friend broke in 2016. The light corrosion on the metal parts is clearly visible in the pictures below

Fast forward to September 2020 and I found some time to clean the light properly. For this I used the same method as for cleaning the connectors of the various wiring harnesses. Which meant immersing the armature in a solution of rock salt, dissolved in hot water and cleaning vinegar. After leaving it in this solution for 15 minutes it was rinsed of with clean water and dried. Final job was getting rid of any remaining oxidation with an assortment of small wire brushes.

The cover was cleaned using hot water and liquid dish soap. With a final polish with tooth paste and an old electric tooth brush. And as a finishing touch I painted the outside silver, using a Tamiya paint marker.

And while I was in the shed today, to check a few things for the repairs of the DHC, I thought it a good idea to fit the interior light to the inside of the roof. Mainly because I had it in my hands for the umpteenth time! A rather straightforward job. Although I took a little extra time to make sure I had the correct location, before cutting a hole in the custom made head lining!

Seasonal Greetings

Christmas 2024 and the year 2025 are nearly upon us.

Time to wish you all a Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year!

Let’s see what the New Year will bring!

2025 Calendar Bèrke

The cover:

A few pictures of the car during various tours for work or abroad over the past 10 years.

Clockwise from the top left;

1. Sunset during the repairs of a sewage pipeline on the eastern bank of the river Meuse.

Ebberstraat Velden (16-08-2016 NL);

2. On top of the Timmelsjoch in the early evening (02-09-2023 I);

3. Waiting with my camera gear for a lunar eclipse that turned out to be obscured by clouds.

Schoor Neer (27-07-2018 NL);

4. A sewage pipeline relocation project in the context of a flood protection program.

Beekstraat Beesel (11-05-2022 NL);

5. Timmelsbrücke Moos in Passeier (23-09-2016 I);

6. In front of the Hotel Pfandleralm. Jaufenstraße Sankt Martin in Passeier (04-09-2023 I)

Another year over and time for my traditional calendar post. 2024 was again a rather poor year for my TR7’s. Life and work again intervened. Though there was some progress on the ’76 car! But problems with the water pump of ‘t Kreng meant a fair amount of my spare time was aimed at getting the various leaks sorted. And that still is a work in progress as winter’s come!

As 2025 will be the 10th anniversary since I bought my current daily driver, I decided to use that car as the subject for the coming year’s calendar. So this year I’ll bore you with some pictures of my 2008 Land Rover Defender 110 Station Wagon, called Bèrke, taken over the past 10 years.

January:

In front of a closed potato wholesaler.

ZLSM railway emplacement Simpelveld (21-11-2018 NL)

February:

Patiently enduring the heavy downpour.

Silberhüttstraße Stulz (13-09-2023 I)

March:

On a local green-laning tour. Hoverheideweg Belfeld (03-11-2018 NL)

April:

Another sewage pipeline relocation project in the context of a flood protection program.

Sunrise over the valley of the river Meuse, Hagendoorn Neer (28-10-2021 NL)

May:

On top of the Timmelsjoch in the late afternoon.

Just across the border with Austria (10-09-2021 I)

June:

The final stage of replacing a sewage pipeline using the proven HDD technology,

pulling a more than 900m¹ long HDPE630 pipeline in one piece through the prepared bore hole.

Daniken Geleen (21-06-2022 NL)

July:

Another sewer line relocation. This time for the widening of the A2 motorway.

Ophoven Echt (06-05-2020 NL)

August:

Near the toll booth of the Timmelsjoch near Hochgurgl (19-09-2023 A)

September:

In front of the Hotel Pfandleralm.

Jaufenstraße Sankt Martin in Passeier (16-09-2024 I)

October:

At the start of the 34th edition of the LTV Nachtrit, after the final check of the road book.

Rolduc Abbey Kerkrade (28-10-2023 NL)

November:

During a local green-laning tour.

Bosheideweg Belfeld (03-11-2018 NL)

December:

Back home after a wintery green-laning tour. (07-02-2021 NL)