412 replies to this topic

[Tom Sanderson]

Well, my doors were pretty much gone, i do have some ok doors but I want them for something else. I just thought with the amount of work I've put in some new doors would finish it off nice :)

[SAL 821X]

An excellent amount on money your spending on this Tom....

 

It be possibly the most newest van around when it's done.

[minbin 69]

Well, my doors were pretty much gone, i do have some ok doors but I want them for something else. I just thought with the amount of work I've put in some new doors would finish it off nice :)

guess we could let you treat yourself to one bit you don't have to fix first

[Tom Sanderson]

I've been doing some finishing off underneath, I got the rear wheel arches spot welded and the rear valance and closing plates on








Then I made up some closing panels for the front section of the wheel arches






And added a bit of primer









I also tidied up the end of the sill where it meets the heel board



I reused the original front shocker mount bolting plates and got these welded into position





And finished off the welding on the front panel to inner wings





So here is how it's looking at the moment











Next thing is to get this cleaned up and fitted

[FlyingScot]

Excellent work Sir. Real quality in this restoration.

FS

[Ben_O]

Love your updates.

 

such great quality!

 

So what is after the lower dash rail? or is that it before prep and paint?

 

Ben

[Jared Mk3]

Better than new - real quality work.

[Nino]

Beautiful ! - but i still think you should keep the colors on the rear doors, if possible :) 

 

Kind regards Nino 

[Archived2]

Back in the thread I will admit I doubted this would ever go back together.

 

Not only is it back together its one of the best van shells I have seen! Much better than some mini 'specialist' work I have seen.

 

Excellent!

 

[Tom Sanderson]

Thanks for all the comments, I'm pleased with how it's turning out :)

I still have the lower part of the dash to weld in and some repairs to do above the rear doors along the gutter, also I need to make up some plates where the rear seat legs sit on the floor.
I'm going to leave out the spare wheel bracket and battery support because I think I am going to run the battery cable along the inside in the big groove in the floor with it being an mpi floor.

[SAL 821X]

I just love the back doors as they are Tom. 

 

If I were you in my opinion I'd match the colour of the tops for the bodywork and just leave the doors as they are.

 

Perhaps a blast of lacquer to seal them.

 

Looking at the rest of the workshop I guess you/family do this kind of thing for a living? 

 

Matt

[Tom Sanderson]

I might get some new doors yet, I've got the opportunity to buy the van that the doors came off so i might save them and restore the van back to the Curtis colour scheme. It's only done 7000 miles so is in excellent condition.

I am a panel beater but don't do anything like this at work, I work on brand new peugeots and Citroens so somthing like a bonnet swap is major surgery!

[Tom Sanderson]

I got the hole cut in the bulkhead today, I wasn't sure if I was going to do it or not but the main reason was so I can put it on the spit to paint the shell. Anyway I had to cut out the old price for a template first.



This is what I had to start with



And this is what I wanted



So I started cutting



And folded a lip onto the edge of the hole




A bit of primer and a couple of dash securing holes, jobs sorted.

[CMC]

Nice job & a great inspiration for a solid build ! Are you fitting a rear valance closing panel ?

[SAL 821X]

I might get some new doors yet, I've got the opportunity to buy the van that the doors came off so i might save them and restore the van back to the Curtis colour scheme. It's only done 7000 miles so is in excellent condition.

I am a panel beater but don't do anything like this at work, I work on brand new peugeots and Citroens so somthing like a bonnet swap is major surgery!

 

You would make a fantastic job of it.... get it bought! 

 

Having panel beating skills sure would make my own project much easier.