Hello, hello look at those production values shooting through the roof. And amazing work by your fair hands on the car as well. Mate, this channel has to fly sooner or later. Keep up the fine work you’re doing.
Oi, are you saying my production values weren’t high before? 😉 Just kidding obvs - thanks Dave, we’re in very similar boats. You have a nicer January though 😬
Matra Simca Rancho, the car the may have been my first! Mum was going to get one in 1977 had all the brochures but I was gutted that she ended up with the Chrysler Alpine which ended up being my first car (which I loved but not a Rancho) Always loved them but only got the toy model. 😜 loving the series.
I’d take a win like that any day! Looks very good! Like the video style too - there’s something of a Tony Hart feel about the presentation - which is always a win!
Yep - for a shit windy January, thats definitely a win, and you've inspired me to get on with some fixes my campervan needs too ( because i'm in a rut with it ) Wanna choose my lottery numbers ?👍
Ha! You don’t want to trust me with lottery numbers, that’s not something I’ve ever been any good at. Good luck though! Vans are extra challenging because everything is so heavy duty.
I feel your pain at this time of year, I'm procrastinating on my w124 rebuild right now! Impressive work though Martin. One channel on YT that I have found useful is Yorkshire Car Restorations, they do some incredible fab work on entire sections of cars that have simply disolved, so that's always good for inspiration also.
Totally agree, I binge watched Yorkshire Car Restorations when I was laid up with the ‘rona before Christmas. I learned way more from watching them ‘crack on’ than from any of the how-to channels. And their real-world-but-good-quality approach is inspiring too, as you say.
Definitely need a win, at least you have the unit to work in. I need to replace a heater matrix out on the driveway once this storm passes. Your not the only one who lies awake at night thinking about little engineering projects by the way. That A Pilar looks to have some intricate detail so I'm guessing a replacement isn't available anywhere if your having to make one. That makes the wheel arch on the Honda look like child's play by comparison.
Hats off to you for doing that stuff on your driveway. I did talk about that in the original take - I used the word heroes - but in the end I edited it out as there was too much preamble before the actual metalwork. I meant it though.
I’d call that a win, too. Looks like you’ve thought the process through, your fab and welding work’s solid and you’ve made yet another excellent video. Great stuff!
Thats a Win in my eyes, very good fabrication work. I know what you mean about January, Im Welding my Honda Civic and im having to hold off until the warmer weather arrives, so for now ive been having to refurbish the trailing arms instead.
@@GrandThriftAuto there’s plenty of jobs to keep me occupied on that civic 😂 I’m hoping I can bring it to FOTU this year. Ideally I want the whole underneath of the car nut and bolt restored 😁
Tommy the Toolbox says, "Well done Martin". Yet again another motivational video.... I feel almost inspired to roll my own sleeves up but then... my arms would get cold. Thanks again.
Excellent video, and for me it's also a source of inspiration to carry on with my own project. Last week I spent two hours lying on freezing concrete just trying to work out how I might go about repairing my Peugeot Expert's sill, without success. At the front there's a meeting point of the inner, middle and outer sills, the inner wheelarch, an outrigger, a jacking point, the sill closing piece and the bottom of the A pillar, and it's all rotten. Watching this has boosted by motivation to start cutting out the rot and work out how to make the pieces.
Yikes, that sounds like a nightmare. The Rancho sills are similar - the shapes are simple but there’s so many layers. I’m planning to make some of it _before_ I cut everything out so I don’t lose the reference of how it’s supposed to fit together. Good luck!
Excellent work! Very impressive how you built a complex shape using basic tooling, little experience but a great deal of careful thought. I’ve always loved the Rancho so I still great to witness this special rescue
Very true - although I did make some of the tools myself. The only real must-haves for this job were a grinder, welder, hammer and bench vice, oh and a bench; everything else just saves a bit of time.
Good call starting with a difficult part of the work. IIt is an "excellent start" and does show the "promise of the future". Looking forward to more of this interesting project. Well done!
This is how we learn. There really is no other way - you just have to bloody well get on with it and see what happens! I would say for a novice, you did excellently.
Yep, that is definitly a win. And this piece of metal art looks amazing. Well, might took some time but it is DIY. I'm not even able to get a flat sheet of metal together properly... Chapeau!
Rewatching this I feel that this way of restauration is more in my league, no English wheels or other stuff that needs a deep thought behoren and during the work. Still it is out of my league and continue to enjoy watching you
You can always weld the back side to add more strength and then grind back or even leave if not seen. Try to get it tacked in then if using the small welds try over lap them as if doing tig welding you’ll get a better weld and clean copper will aid it from sticking to weld when using as a heat sink. Small things I’ve learnt from welding cars for over 30 years and when fitting on car check back of area to weld to for undercoating or paint and especially waxoyl as waxoyl is highly flammable I found that out when fitting new sills on an old mk3 escort it set fire to rear quarter luckily I always have water spray bottle or air line and a co2 extinguisher to hand. Fire blankets are good especially to cover glass as grinding sparks burn glass badly so does weld splatter
We hope you keep winning as that will get that Matra back on the road. Thoroughly enjoyable to watch as always! BTW, do you enjoy the cutting and welding, or do you consider it a necessary evil?
I’m liking it more now than when I started - grinders and welders are fairly intimidating pieces of equipment until you get used to them. It’s really satisfying to make things out of metal though.
Thanks! It’s an R-Tech MIG 180 inverter welder - very stable and reliable so excellent for beginners like you and me, and their customer service is great. Recommended. Link: www.r-techwelding.co.uk/mig-welder-r-tech-i-mig180
Is it worth amending the title to include '- Matra Rancho update' on the end? It might just boost your viewing figures as people might not realise that it's really about this fine car. Great work.
Thanks - interesting point. I’m experimenting: I had some feedback that the number of people interested in a specific car is quite limited in the grand scheme of things, so I should make the thumbnail and title about the ‘human story’ rather than the car. So I’m trying it to see what happens. I genuinely don’t know if that’ll work, but the pattern has been that each Rancho video loses two thirds of the previous one’s viewers, but this one seems not to be doing quite as badly.
Hello, hello look at those production values shooting through the roof. And amazing work by your fair hands on the car as well. Mate, this channel has to fly sooner or later. Keep up the fine work you’re doing.
Oi, are you saying my production values weren’t high before? 😉 Just kidding obvs - thanks Dave, we’re in very similar boats. You have a nicer January though 😬
You've been showing rest of us up since you started! @@GrandThriftAuto
@@davesclassicgaragetours Ha! Don’t think that’s true, particularly in your case, but thanks anyway. Doesn’t seem to be doing me any good, mind.
Excellent work Martin, looks really good for such an awkward shape
Matra Simca Rancho, the car the may have been my first! Mum was going to get one in 1977 had all the brochures but I was gutted that she ended up with the Chrysler Alpine which ended up being my first car (which I loved but not a Rancho) Always loved them but only got the toy model. 😜 loving the series.
I’d take a win like that any day! Looks very good! Like the video style too - there’s something of a Tony Hart feel about the presentation - which is always a win!
Ha, thanks Simon! I was a massive fan of Tony Hart when I was a youngster.
Yep - for a shit windy January, thats definitely a win, and you've inspired me to get on with some fixes my campervan needs too ( because i'm in a rut with it )
Wanna choose my lottery numbers ?👍
Ha! You don’t want to trust me with lottery numbers, that’s not something I’ve ever been any good at. Good luck though! Vans are extra challenging because everything is so heavy duty.
I would say that’s a pretty damn fine ‘win’ … excellent work, and you will never notice the weld marks once it’s fitted. ❤
I feel your pain at this time of year, I'm procrastinating on my w124 rebuild right now! Impressive work though Martin. One channel on YT that I have found useful is Yorkshire Car Restorations, they do some incredible fab work on entire sections of cars that have simply disolved, so that's always good for inspiration also.
Totally agree, I binge watched Yorkshire Car Restorations when I was laid up with the ‘rona before Christmas. I learned way more from watching them ‘crack on’ than from any of the how-to channels. And their real-world-but-good-quality approach is inspiring too, as you say.
Definitely need a win, at least you have the unit to work in. I need to replace a heater matrix out on the driveway once this storm passes.
Your not the only one who lies awake at night thinking about little engineering projects by the way.
That A Pilar looks to have some intricate detail so I'm guessing a replacement isn't available anywhere if your having to make one. That makes the wheel arch on the Honda look like child's play by comparison.
Hats off to you for doing that stuff on your driveway. I did talk about that in the original take - I used the word heroes - but in the end I edited it out as there was too much preamble before the actual metalwork. I meant it though.
The journey of 1000 miles starts with the first step!
Eek, I hope it’s not _quite_ that far 😬
@GrandThriftAuto after the first step, you are closer to the finish. Best of luck
I’d call that a win, too. Looks like you’ve thought the process through, your fab and welding work’s solid and you’ve made yet another excellent video. Great stuff!
Thanks Alastair!
Please give us more video's. I would like to see more on the Lancia Gamma.
Sorry. I’ll try and make something on the Gamma in the next few weeks.
Thats a Win in my eyes, very good fabrication work. I know what you mean about January, Im Welding my Honda Civic and im having to hold off until the warmer weather arrives, so for now ive been having to refurbish the trailing arms instead.
Very wise. The good* news is there’s always something else that needs doing, right?
*probably not good
@@GrandThriftAuto there’s plenty of jobs to keep me occupied on that civic 😂 I’m hoping I can bring it to FOTU this year. Ideally I want the whole underneath of the car nut and bolt restored 😁
@@Roverjoe I’ve just subscribed to your channel so I can follow along 😊
@@GrandThriftAutothat’s ever so kind! Thank you 😁
Amazing repair section to a difficult area to fix on the car. For a beginner you did an amazing job.
Thanks Nigel!
Hi Martin, well done! For inspiration/ help with technique suggest you watch a few episodes of Ryan at Yorkshire Car Restoration.
Totally agree, YCR is probably my favourite channel at the moment.
Tommy the Toolbox says, "Well done Martin". Yet again another motivational video.... I feel almost inspired to roll my own sleeves up but then... my arms would get cold. Thanks again.
Thank you most kindly Doctor Toolbox. Might I suggest some nice elbow-length silk gloves, Audrey Hepburn style?
Excellent video, and for me it's also a source of inspiration to carry on with my own project. Last week I spent two hours lying on freezing concrete just trying to work out how I might go about repairing my Peugeot Expert's sill, without success. At the front there's a meeting point of the inner, middle and outer sills, the inner wheelarch, an outrigger, a jacking point, the sill closing piece and the bottom of the A pillar, and it's all rotten. Watching this has boosted by motivation to start cutting out the rot and work out how to make the pieces.
Yikes, that sounds like a nightmare. The Rancho sills are similar - the shapes are simple but there’s so many layers. I’m planning to make some of it _before_ I cut everything out so I don’t lose the reference of how it’s supposed to fit together. Good luck!
Excellent work! Very impressive how you built a complex shape using basic tooling, little experience but a great deal of careful thought. I’ve always loved the Rancho so I still great to witness this special rescue
Great work again Martin. Nothing beats you.
Thanks Alastair!
Dedication and patience personified. Great stuff, Martin.
Thanks Brett!
It is marvellous what can be done if you have the right tools, the right material, and the space!
Very true - although I did make some of the tools myself. The only real must-haves for this job were a grinder, welder, hammer and bench vice, oh and a bench; everything else just saves a bit of time.
When you are restoring a car you must be able to do 90% of the work, and yes working in your own garage can be a challenge.
Good call starting with a difficult part of the work. IIt is an "excellent start" and does show the "promise of the future". Looking forward to more of this interesting project. Well done!
This is how we learn. There really is no other way - you just have to bloody well get on with it and see what happens! I would say for a novice, you did excellently.
Thanks!
This is extremely inspiring! 👌🔧
Thank you and greetings from Sweden 👋😊
Hello there! I’ve just subscribed to your channel - love your GSs!
@@GrandThriftAuto Welcome! 😊👍
That recess thingy ( a very technical term) looks like half an ash tray! Wishing you the best with the future progress of this unique car....4x4. 👍
Thanks! The ability to conjure up an ashtray isn’t as useful to me as it once was, sadly.
Yep, that is definitly a win. And this piece of metal art looks amazing. Well, might took some time but it is DIY. I'm not even able to get a flat sheet of metal together properly... Chapeau!
Thanks Christian, that’s very kind! You have _much_ better skills than me in most areas though and are a real source of inspiration.
Very respectable workmanship👍👍
I think that counts as a win.
Complicated yes but you are getting there.
Look forward to seeing the work progress.
Definitely a win, Martin. You're pretty handy with the tin foil 😄👍🏼💪🏼
Thanks Frank! I’m getting better at it.
I enjoyed that. Thanks. This is what restoration is all about.
Thank you! 😊
Hi Martin hope you are keeping well and well done on the panel you have done some brilliant work there and a good step forward on the rancho!
Thanks Daniel! Doing ok thanks, and hope you are too - we’ll be even better when the weather gets a bit warmer and drier though, eh?
Rewatching this I feel that this way of restauration is more in my league, no English wheels or other stuff that needs a deep thought behoren and during the work. Still it is out of my league and continue to enjoy watching you
You can always weld the back side to add more strength and then grind back or even leave if not seen. Try to get it tacked in then if using the small welds try over lap them as if doing tig welding you’ll get a better weld and clean copper will aid it from sticking to weld when using as a heat sink. Small things I’ve learnt from welding cars for over 30 years and when fitting on car check back of area to weld to for undercoating or paint and especially waxoyl as waxoyl is highly flammable I found that out when fitting new sills on an old mk3 escort it set fire to rear quarter luckily I always have water spray bottle or air line and a co2 extinguisher to hand. Fire blankets are good especially to cover glass as grinding sparks burn glass badly so does weld splatter
Good advice. I do use a few fire blankets to protect the glass and other cars - they're a lot cheaper than welding blankets.
We hope you keep winning as that will get that Matra back on the road. Thoroughly enjoyable to watch as always! BTW, do you enjoy the cutting and welding, or do you consider it a necessary evil?
I’m liking it more now than when I started - grinders and welders are fairly intimidating pieces of equipment until you get used to them. It’s really satisfying to make things out of metal though.
Well done. Great work. I just leave my cars and focus on my stain glass through the winter months.
Thanks! That does sound like a good plan 👍
@GrandThriftAuto Just wet and windy. Again you did great work.
Excellent work Sir!
Very good work - well done 👍🏻
Thanks!
Very impressed . Well done
Thanks Rob!
Great job actually!!
Welding fab dog - nice one sir
Great stuff.
Thanks!
Top work!
Thanks!
Great work! Any progress is a win in my book!
Thanks! It’s good to make a start.
I'd say you did well there. Crack on! 👍
Thanks! I’m back on it today…
Excellent work! What welder are you using? I’m a beginner…
Thanks! It’s an R-Tech MIG 180 inverter welder - very stable and reliable so excellent for beginners like you and me, and their customer service is great. Recommended. Link: www.r-techwelding.co.uk/mig-welder-r-tech-i-mig180
Is it worth amending the title to include '- Matra Rancho update' on the end? It might just boost your viewing figures as people might not realise that it's really about this fine car. Great work.
Thanks - interesting point. I’m experimenting: I had some feedback that the number of people interested in a specific car is quite limited in the grand scheme of things, so I should make the thumbnail and title about the ‘human story’ rather than the car. So I’m trying it to see what happens. I genuinely don’t know if that’ll work, but the pattern has been that each Rancho video loses two thirds of the previous one’s viewers, but this one seems not to be doing quite as badly.
Please can we see some Gamma content
Yes, that’ll come - it’ll probably be a few more weeks though. It’s behind the Rover SD1, which I have been working on this month.