Stripdown

To get the best compromise between a full restoration and spending loads of cash we decided to keep the body on the floorpan. We would strip everything back as far as possible to give the best overall paint job.

The first task to remove the running boards, front wings. In doing this we found several of the captive nuts were missing and on the rear wings a few of the bolts had sheared off altogether. Same story with the running boards too - 3 sheared bolts. When removing the rear bumper we found several what seem stress cracks around the bumper mount brackets which will need repairing.

As I had new wiring loom from Wiring Works in the US then the old loom would have to be removed. This is what it started out as;

Then removing every component starting from the front to the rear of the car. This is part way through removing the dash area parts. At this stage the glass was still in place. The rare rear view mirror was intact but the chrome was quite pitted - we wonder whether this will respond to re-chroming or if this is weak material. Sun visors were rusted in place and do not turn - bah.

Which also meant the hood had to come off.  The hood is attached with about 40 or so tiny wood screws along the rear wooden frame. Fortunately the wood is or appeared to be very intact. The rear window rubber will need to replaced with the type with a chrome trim type. Feeling the other wooden bows they seem to be solid and intact - however only the person recovering the roof will know for sure.

Removing the very intricate wind up windows is very difficult. This part of the strip down took quite a few hours. Note in the pictures only the passenger door has the strengthening vertical bar (black in pic) for the door pull to hook onto. This is the end result;

Several times we had to turn the car around - with a little helper;

The engine was still in at that point plus the seat. Mrs Fordham helped me out with the engine which was only held in by 3 bolts. Hmm.

25/06/2005