So, here we go, the final push!
The front door was much the same as the other side, I have a tool for forming this in my press so may end up making a load for Alun and club spares.
Then I forgot to take photos, but it was the same as the other side!
The rear door fought me, it really did. I knew that it was going to be trouble, didn't think it was going to be this much trouble! I cut the skin off.
This is an occasion when it is as bad as it looks!
This is what was left after I cut out the rust
I found a spare door which I forgot I had, it was stashed down the side of my garage with my old 1890s iron front gates that I removed ages ago! The frame looked fine but the skin was shot so I stripped the skin off, shame, it wasn't that bad but still required a lot of work. The problem is that once I start welding the frame I risk distorting it and throwing the door alignment completely out of whack. It really does open a nasty kettle of fish!
Mr Nicholas to the rescue with a good used rear door!
It was in far better condition than the ones I has, only really needed a minor repair to the top and bottom and a new channel
I test fitted it to the car and as you would expect it was out of alignment, just the top hinge and the bottom section. So after building it up it was out with the gas torch and big hammer!
After some "tweaking" it now fits!
I couldn't get the bottom to align properly, bending it would pop the panel in concave requiring a load of body filler. So I thought, sodit (get it!
) I'll just reskin the lower section. This way at least we eliminate any rust in the seam and get it aligned properly.
New door skin on, like the other side plus the channel this side.
And.........
Well, I say doesn't that look better!
Checked the gaps, I know sometimes things look better in photos but that's actually how they look!
On to the bonnet, the trailing edge needed gapping correctly. Not a difficult job, some filler wire and and a flap disc.
After some other bits and pieces this is what we have.
I am done for now, it is ready to go back to Shaun and be shot blasted.