Can this be replaced?

Post by **ADO16** » Tue Dec 29, 2009 3:45 am

Just thought I would ask if these panels can be replaced? It seems that on this side of the car it was hit and the previous owner must of had the body guy pull it out but I'm not satisfied with it so I'm replacing instead of trying to straighten it out.

Post by **mike.perry** » Tue Dec 29, 2009 9:39 am

Bodywork is not my department but I would think that just about anything can be replaced.
It looks as though the inner wing and engine bay floor panels also need replacing, I would also give the front end a complete alignment check, front chassis leg, suspension mountings etc and possibly the floor pan.

Post by **jonathon** » Tue Dec 29, 2009 9:39 am

It can be repaired. I'd be tempted to fit a new full leg this side though. Check the bulkhead X member for bulging or denting, plus the screen pillars and maybe even the front joint of the roof.
All panels are available for this work, but measure them as best you can against the ones you have as some of then seem to have different fold lines, are either smaller than originals (inner domed wing) or longer than original (some tie plates.
Make plenty of measurements to get the legs parallel and support the car so that this front corner doesn't drop.

Post by **ADO16** » Tue Dec 29, 2009 4:14 pm

This is a picture of the screen pillar that I have to fix as well as various other parts where it was hit. I will have lots to do on this side! The two front chassis rails plus the center crossmember and complete floor will also have to be put right, so there's big fun ahead. The challenge will be to keep everything square.
Thank you for the input, but I will need lots more as time passes!

Post by **mike.perry** » Tue Dec 29, 2009 4:30 pm

That should keep you busy!! As long as you can get the body alignment and the doors to open and close and can get any replacement panels then you have a chance. Make sure that you have bracing struts welded in if you have to chop panels out.
Best of luck.

Post by **rayofleamington** » Tue Dec 29, 2009 6:13 pm

It can be repaired. I'd be tempted to fit a new full leg this side though. Check the bulkhead X member for bulging or denting, plus the screen pillars and maybe even the front joint of the roof.

Also common is bulging/distortion of the bulkhead, near the edges above the inner wing domed area.

If you're doing the car for sentimental reasons, then that's understandable. However if it's just a project, would it be worth to find another with a better shell to start with?
A few decades ago I started a major resto on a 4 door before finding out that the rear end was quite distorted from an old crash. The project was a useful learning curve (I did a half floor, full sill and complete crossmember and was about to start the other side) but the damage at the rear made it an easy decision to quit and cut my losses

Post by **ADO16** » Wed Dec 30, 2009 3:22 am

rayofleamington wrote:
It can be repaired. I'd be tempted to fit a new full leg this side though. Check the bulkhead X member for bulging or denting, plus the screen pillars and maybe even the front joint of the roof.
Also common is bulging/distortion of the bulkhead, near the edges above the inner wing domed area.

If you're doing the car for sentimental reasons, then that's understandable. However if it's just a project, would it be worth to find another with a better shell to start with?
A few decades ago I started a major resto on a 4 door before finding out that the rear end was quite distorted from an old crash. The project was a useful learning curve (I did a half floor, full sill and complete crossmember and was about to start the other side) but the damage at the rear made it an easy decision to quit and cut my losses

I can't disagree with you more but I'm somewhat determined to at least try to restore this one only because of it's rarity here in the states. Believe me, if I could find a better body to start with I would not hesitate to. I do have a friend in Seattle, Washington that is an extremely talented bodyman that I will ask for a second opinion now that some question has come up. The nice thing is I really don't have very much invested into this car if I have to cut it loose.

Thanks, and I do respect your opinion on it!

Steve

Post by **ADO16** » Wed Dec 30, 2009 5:07 am

Here's another picture of the bad corner that's part of the bulkhead.

Post by **kennatt** » Wed Dec 30, 2009 10:36 am

here's a competition ,whats the car behind the moggie,Hilman imp maybe

don't let on yet addo

Post by **ADO16** » Wed Dec 30, 2009 5:27 pm

kennatt wrote:here's a competition ,whats the car behind the moggie,Hilman imp maybe don't let on yet addo

Kennatt,
Do you need a hint yet? It's a MK1?

Post by **RobThomas** » Thu Dec 31, 2009 11:17 am

Austin 1100/1300 or Triumph Toledo?

Post by **mmjosh** » Thu Dec 31, 2009 11:26 am

mini clubman

Post by **Dean** » Thu Dec 31, 2009 11:46 am

Boeing 747?

Post by **ADO16** » Thu Dec 31, 2009 3:29 pm

Let me know when you give up! You'll be very surprised.
I've owned it for 20yrs (second owner) and it's next on the paint list as it's had a crappy paint job by the previous owner in the early 70's. The first owner passed the car around between 3 brothers that were going to college at the time so I was fortunate to buy it way under 100k.
I use to drive it 140mi. round trip to work daily when I lived in the San Francisco Bay Area so it has zero rust.

Post by **kennatt** » Thu Dec 31, 2009 9:30 pm

daff 33

Post by **ADO16** » Thu Dec 31, 2009 9:52 pm

kennatt wrote:daff 33

Close, but no cigar!

Clue #2
They made over 1 million....but not this model.

Post by **RobThomas** » Fri Jan 01, 2010 9:51 am

One of the communist block rehashes of the Fiat range? FSO Polonez, Lada etc?

Post by **kennatt** » Fri Jan 01, 2010 10:14 am

Post by **ADO16** » Fri Jan 01, 2010 3:21 pm

This one is close to your home, not an Eastern Euro box.
Clue #3

Was the Mini's nemesis on the track in the 60's!!

Post by **Veitchy** » Sat Jan 02, 2010 6:03 am

Lancia Fulvia or maybe Fiat Arbath ?