VA138, the next chapter....

[Matt Cotton]

Great work James. Good job you had the panels available too - well planned.

[James467]

Hmmmm, it seems that theres a dent in the roof!

I cut out a small rust hole to repair and thought "thats a lot of filler on the roof", it went downhill from there.

Lots of dust later and a depression about 5mm deep was uncovered! It looks like someone had had a go at knocking it out before, unfortunately all they have succeded to do is to stretch the metal.







It looks like something fell on it, I am curious to know when though as the vinyl top looks quite original and theres only evidence of one layer of paint. What are the chances of this happening at the factory I wonder?

I used the heat method and managed to get the worst of it out



I'll need to bodywork the rest as flat as I can then probably get the shrinking disc on it and see how good I can get it, this isn't going to be easy.

[new to this]

James

whats a shinking disc ?

Dave

[James467]

It's basically a large flat stainless steel disc that fits in an angle grinder. You go over the high spots on the panel with it then quench the steel, it levels the panel out.

Much more controlled than my blow torch!

[James467]

I have managed to get the worst of the dent out and been able to rough out the shape and roof profile.





I haven then been able to cut out the rusty pitted section along the seam to repair the section that I first set out to do!





There are some low and high spots but I can now get a repair section tacked in and shaped, I have to be really careful about putting too much heat in here so I think it's out with the TIG!

I am pleased with progress so far, once I get the planishing hammer on it the panel should go a lot smoother.

[dollyman]

I have never seen a sunroof that small James?

Sorry i'll get me coat..................

Tony.

[James467]

Yes thank you Tony!

Hole is filled in,





and after a lot of work it is now flat, well back to where it is supposed to be!



I'm still convinced that this happened at the factory.

[Carledo]

It wouldn't surprise me if the dent was factory fit - and the filler that repaired it!

After all, it was a Sprint, it was gonna have a vinyl roof anyway, no-one was ever gonna see it!

And with VA138 being SUCH an early car, built WELL before the June launch date, there probably weren't enough spare panels lying around to replace it!

I was watching a youtube vid the other day, about the 68/69 Dodge Chargers used to play the "General Lee" in the Dukes of Hazzard TV show. Though the General didn't have a vinyl top, ALL production Chargers had one, and thus the massive seam that ran diagonally across the Charger's C pillar was left exposed and unfilled by the factory! (and became a famous rot spot that has bedevilled B body Mopar owners ever since) Another job for the stunt car crews to do before a car could be released for filming!

Steve

[shaunroche]

...with VA138 being SUCH an early car, built WELL before the June launch date, there probably weren't enough spare panels lying around to replace it...
Steve

Never noticed it was built before the launch! Are there any/many earlier than this in the club, or indeed, on the road do we know?

[James467]

What Steve said is exactly what I was thinking, it may even have happened on the transporter down from Speke where the bodies were built.

[James467]

On to the home straight now I think.

The new boot lid was slightly tight so I have adjusted the rear wing and it now sits square.



The bulkhead, wheelarch and chassis leg welds have all been linished.






and the subframe has been refitted!

[Jummyboy123]

Hats off to you sir. Your effort on this car is second to none. She'll be a right minter when she's done. I hope you're dropping a nice bit sr20det engine into it !!!

[James467]

Hats off to you sir. Your effort on this car is second to none. She'll be a right minter when she's done. I hope you're dropping a nice bit sr20det engine into it !!!

Thanks! It's Shauns car so he's in charge of the engine!

[James467]

A lot has been happening, but nothing thats really worthy of photos. Linishing welds, tidying up, redoing bits that I'm not happy with, gapping the bonnet and seam sealing areas that I know the body shop will forget!

I have done the sill trim holes and the front bumper mounting, the door bottoms will be done last.

Finally the car is back on all 4 wheels again ready to be turned around tomorrow.

I should be finished in the next couple of weeks.

[Tony Burd]

So what measurements did you use for the sill trim holes?