01 May Spanner Works: JP du Plessis

A regular feature by senior workshop technician JP du Plessis outlining the activities of FMM’s workshop personnel who are responsible for repairing, renovating, refurbishing and restoring the museum’s large and varied collection of vehicles. This month, JP reports on his preparation of the majestic Isotta Fraschini that was a star exhibit at the George Old Car Show…

In February, FMM took some special Italian vehicles to attend the George Old Car Show. But before we left, we needed to check to see that the cars started and ran smoothly enough to either drive all the way, or onto and off a trailer and around the show grounds for the parade. It was decided the Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8 would be transported on a trailer, as it is still very close to original, despite being built back up to its former glory from a pile of parts. Also, it is 101 years old this year! There had been some reports of the car running rough on previous drives and the service schedule showed it was time for a service, so the preparation responsibilities fell on JP du Plessis.

The Isotta was brought into the workshop for inspection, during which it was noted that the oil filler and drain plugs had a unique shape milled inside, which required the fabrication of a few special tools to loosen and tighten them again. After a few quick sketches for templates, a session in the fabrication bay proved successful in manufacturing suitable tools. The car was then prepared and test driven to get an idea of the issues noted previously, and also to get the oils warm so it could be drained more easily. After the drive, the oils were drained thoroughly overnight and the 7,4-litre straight-eight engine refilled with fresh oil the next morning.

The spark plugs were removed, cleaned and checked for correct and even gaps. Then a leak was found on the water pump drive connection, so it was loosened from the engine-auxiliaries drive shaft, cleaned, sealed and tightened up. The wooden toolbox, located on the passenger-side running board, had some water marks on it. It was duly sanded and painted with linseed oil, leaving an authentic finish. The car was then fired up and attention was given to the carburettors and distributor. The linkages were adjusted slightly and freed up, as they seemed to be dragging and sometimes got stuck when controlling the throttle, advance and retard settings from the steering wheel.

The grand old Isotta was then taken for a drive on the L’Ormarins Estate and all went well. It still is tricky balancing the steering controls when approaching inclines, but once you get the knack for it, the chitty-chitty, bang-bang subsides! All went well at the George Old Car Show as well, and the Tipo 8 was a VIP guest under the SCOCC Tent.

For more info on the 1922 Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8, feel free to visit the following links:

https://www.fmm.co.za/collection-in-action-i/

https://www.fmm.co.za/behind-the-wheel/

https://www.fmm.co.za/anniversary-celebration-1922-isotta-fraschini/

The George Show report and more photos of the variety of cars can be found here: https://www.fmm.co.za/george-old-car-show/