The Triumph Dolomite Club - Discussion Forum

Rear bumper will remain whole. Just done a very rough photo edit. Definately whole at the back!

Today saw me taking the battery earth cable off. This had a little lump of weld on it to hold it in place. Now removed. The o/s inner wing (engine side) mostly taken down to bare metal, no welding required. Also managed to get the very awkward bumper iron nut off, at least I will be able to take them off now and clean them up.

Just finished stripping the front end down to bare metal, just a couple of hard to reach bits left to do. Literally about a thumbnail amount. The inner bit of the front end is down to bare metal as well. I reckon an hour's work will see it all ready for rustkilling.

I hammered the dents out and filed off the lumps from the n/s end of the front valance, ready for rustkilling and filling. I also started to strip the o/s front wing down to bare metal as well. Not a bad days work. Very pleased about the bumper iron nut

Debating whether or not to make a n/s replacement 'mickey mouse ear' (as Nathan calls 'em), 'cos the one on the car is a bit nasty, rusty, thin and very 'flexible'.

It's basically a bit of flat steel with some holes cut into it. The other side is reasonable.

Now where's that cornflake box gone??

Yep,, cornflake box is fine for non-structural bits like that Ken. But remember to paint it well or it'll go soggy

Never let me down re: sill patching before, although the shreddies pack is generally a bit more robust.

That's because they're knitted - the weave pattern acts like glassfibre instead of the squashed-together-MDF-style of cornflakes. Material Science - don'cha just love it?

Ken, you must be living off Cornflakes by now

Excellent progress on the front end, looks like the valance shouldn't be too difficult to patch

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1978 Triumph Dolomite Sprint (project thread)
1966 Volkswagen 1300 (project thread)
1962 Austin Mini (project)
1962 MGA 1600 Mark II
1965 Mobylette SP50 (project)
2001 Rover 75 2.5-litre V6

I have a nice sheet of steel to cut out a proper panel. Roll on the weekend...... or maybe after my scan tomorrow

After all of this bodywork there are the mechanical bits and dodgy wiring to sort out...... now that does scare me.

The old manky 'mickey mouse ear' has now been removed nice and neatly. A cardboard template has been made and a metal panel should creep into existence at the weekend. I will add 1/2" to the straight edges so that I can joddle them slightly (maybe).

Ken,
I feel a bit rude asking, but did you have to remove all of that metal? Maybe it is a lot rustier than it looks, but doesn't it just need the top and edge replacing?
I guess that your lock up is nice and dry, too. I am sure if I stripped the paint off the Toledo it would start rusting within a couple of days.

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1959 TR3A, 1970 Triumph 1300, 1974 Toledo
Thanks Photobucket

You're not being rude mate, just interested and I love it when people contribute to the postings, especially this one

Justyn is mostly rude, especially with regards to bears.

The whole 'ear' was bent, buckled, warped (whichever word fits best) with varying degrees of thick and thin metal in evidence. I don't really think the piccies showed it in all it's true unpleasantness. Plus it was mucho rustier on the none cleaned up side as well.
It really wasn't worth the effort of just taking off the upper edge section.

At least I know that this will be a sound repair, plus it will be done in slightly heavier guage steel and will be less 'wibbly' as a result. You are right about the lock up being dry (well, mostly), it does help. Don't forget though that the steel will be keyed with a DA prior to rustproofing and primering which would remove any remaining traces of rust.

See what you think when it's all back in place.

Ken

I've been wondering for the last few posts what on earth the "Mickey Mouse Ear" was. Now I know

_________________
1978 Triumph Dolomite Sprint (project thread)
1966 Volkswagen 1300 (project thread)
1962 Austin Mini (project)
1962 MGA 1600 Mark II
1965 Mobylette SP50 (project)
2001 Rover 75 2.5-litre V6

You just had to ask.

Yes, but then I'd look stupid

Looks fairly easy to make up though, which is good. When does the welding start

_________________
1978 Triumph Dolomite Sprint (project thread)
1966 Volkswagen 1300 (project thread)
1962 Austin Mini (project)
1962 MGA 1600 Mark II
1965 Mobylette SP50 (project)
2001 Rover 75 2.5-litre V6

Have to take the wing off properly, remove what is left of the old support/reinforcer and clean up in the area generally.

I will need to tweak the new top channelling where the edge of the wing sits as well. One more repair panel needs making, actually, two need making. The new reinforcer/support panel needs to arrive in London and then welding can commence. Realistically..... maybe another three weekends.

Want to pop over to give me a hand?

Ken