My 1937 Mk 2 Ruby ADY 95 is my most challenging car to keep 'original' not in terms of its basic structure which is sound but the not so durable bits such as head-lining, upholstery and currently paint flaking off the bonnet encroaching on its coach-lines. I'm forced to admit that they are coming to a terminal stage which is possibly not unreasonable after a life of almost 80 years! Big deal some of you might say but it's nice to witness such original bits especially when others spot and admire it. I've photographed them with a rule against them and if anyone is interested I can forward copies of these photos. In a last desperate bid to retain the front ones and resist re-spraying I'm dropping matched paint in successive layers on to the bare metal patches (after a coat of Kurust) and where the flaking is most prominent on top of the bonnet (which flexes the most), I will wait a month until the paint's really dry and gently sand and 'T-Cut' to match the new patches as closely as possible to the original paint.

http://s793.photobucket.com/user/doctorbob7/media/P1050910_zpstrtbkqmd_1.jpg.html?o=0

Location: Ferring, West Sussex

I can't believe how delicate and skilfull the application of the coachline is at the front end of the Ruby...your dedication to maintaining this level of originality is to be commended, I have to say the first time I saw Ady in pictures outside that Art Deco Garage in East Preston (which I think is now a residential development) I adored it for its originality.

Ivor, thanks for your encouragement and compliments, the coach-line may have been more pronounced at some stage and worn down by repeated cleaning and in particular polishing but over the last 10 years I've spared it the latter. As far as I can remember it always has been very delicate and in general owners tend to copy it too thickly and in too pronounced a colour. Must admit that I wouldn't mind someone else taking over the car's care but the last time I let go of a similarly original car (Big Seven)the new owner made a complete mess of both the paint-work and dashboard 'wood grain'. One of the best reactions to the car is usually from an elderly gent who asks to 'sniff inside the car' and comments 'you cannot restore that (musty leathery) smell'! Maybe its best next destination is a museum but they seem a bit of a dying tradition !

Location: Ferring, West Sussex

That's the problem with owning such an original car James, you become the custodian of a piece of history and restoration simply is not an option...I liken it to getting hold of the Mona Lisa and thinking, well, with all those cracks all over it, I think I'll give it a repaint!

It's such as shame the Box saloon I'm doing at the moment had already been completely stripped as the original photographs show that an awful lot of it could have been saved with some careful deep cleaning, but there you go, at least I'll be able to drive it without worrying!

Ivor, I'll send you a photo of the other side to show how close I came to disaster !

Location: Ferring, West Sussex

Mike, the coach-line is so worn down that it has disappeared in places ! As far as the car's colours are concerned, I'd be greatly relieved to find they was wrong because I could then respray the car without any guilt! I've owned ADY for 34 years (since 1982) and she resided in a local car showroom for the previous 30 years. 60 years ago I think that it would have been very odd for anyone to change such an original car to such a subdued colour combination.

Location: Ferring, West Sussex

Oh, I agree,James; I am sure that's not a repaint. I was just commenting on the unusual colour scheme. It is most unlikely anyone would have gone to the trouble of replicating the coachlines if it had been repainted.
As a matter of interest, what is the trim colour? I would have expected grey paintwork with a blue coachline and blue trim ...

The interior is grey to match the body colour. The thing that might distinguish my car from other Rubies is that it is a deluxe model, the gold coach-line might be an extra detail along similar lines to 'body-kits' offered on today's cars. One of the most other challenging areas to keep original is the headlining which only has the odd tide mark mainly from a leaking sunroof fortunately only happens in really heavy rain.

Location: Ferring, West Sussex