The Triumph Dolomite Club - Discussion Forum

Thanks Andy it's appreciated, over the last 2 years I have lost a lot of heart, especially when you knock what looks like a little bit of rust then and it keeps falling out. You just have to keep going, the best saying I keep saying to myself especially if I don't get something right the first time is: If at first you don't succeed try and try again.

If I don't like the look of a repair I start again, and if it really gets to you, just walk away, leave it and then go back when your feeling that bit better.

Then you get loads of support of various member's here, there a good old crowd and keep you going with the invaluable advice on what to do next especially when your unsure.

If it wasn't for these guys I probably wouldn't have finished, and those peep's know who they are.

Good Luck with your's and if you ever need advice just ask, were all here to help.

All the best

Darren

Engine back in, Sorry no pics yet but the Engines back in

I'm getting all excited, things are starting to take shape and I'm loving this TC even more now, welding is taking shape and a I can see the light, just a little but I can see it.

I'm not posting up any pics of the engine yet, a few things to do before I do that.

So more welding done, basically I have sealed up the n/s sill and made a plate to go on the inside of the rear arch to close the sill up, I have got to seal the front but need to find some pics of the shape to help me out a little. Also fitted the rear arch repair panel and it is bloody strong, just got to flatten the welds.

Once those little jobs are done I have to finish the inner arch, not much welding to do there, but I needed to have the arch in place to do this. Then it's just a case of finishing the o/s end caps and rear arch, similar to what I have got to do on the n/s.

Pics:











All the best

Darren

Is that a Skoda Fabia bonnet you are cutting up? And why didn't you take the repair panel right up to the top instead of leaving that gap?

Ha ha close Alan, Skoda Felicia, it was of my old car, I was going down the local dual carriageway last year and the bonnet catch failed at 70ish in the fast lane. the bonnet was badly crunched in the corners.

The gap is there because I need to make it with the lip for the arch, once I have done tomorrow I will post a pic.

Many Thanks

Darren

It's just we have just bought a Fabia Darren....so it might come in handy if you get my meaning?

Love the re-cycling of another bit of scrap metal into something worthy again. Well done mate

Thanks Mate,

My little Skoda was the best car I had ever had, sold to a polish girl in Feb and still wish I had it. Just keep that bonnet catch greased, there known for failing.

All the best

Darren

Today I finished the small plate to the arch that Alan picked up on yesterday. It took a while to get it right but it was worth it as it fitted really well.

Then I flattened the welds on the new arch and also the repair plate to close of the sill. Not bad for an afternoons work.

pics:











Getting there

Many Thanks

Darren

to you for having a go. I do admire you guys who get stuck in with the bodywork.

Thanks Mart, nice to see people like yourself that do such a splendid job on the Sprint's give me good feedback.

All the best

Darren

You deserve it mate. Think about it; you've started with little or no previous experience of restoration work and now you have a car that'll soon be one of the most solidly put together examples out there and why? Because you're doing it correctly and it'll last as a result.

Your attention to detail is going to pay dividends in the long term. Before you began, this car didn't seem to have much of a chance.

Thank you John for the comment, it really is fab to hear such good things.

In the week I concentrated on closing the sill joints with the body and the soffitt, and also sill to soffitt, now you can really see and hear the strength.

Well last night and today have been pretty tough making the end cap for the driver's side, which took around 8 hours to do today. It was worth it though as taking my time it has come out quite well.

One small problem with it though. I'm struggling with getting the wing to sit right with the section I have welded on. All the way through fettling the wing fitted fine until I welded it in. Still bloody pleased with it though.

Some Pics, the last pic shows the wing in place.























This is the pic of the wing on.


5 weeks to go

All the best

Darren

Been a busy day again forgot to take some pics of some of the painting I done on a few bits and pieces. And also of the front o/s inner wing end cap that I welded in, will do a pic tomorrow.

Any way, made and welded in the end cap on rear of the o/s sill. I have got to do a little bit of fettling there, also put a patch on the join in the rear footwell from the inside, also going to put a plate on the outside as it's a join I want it to be ultra strong. Just wish panel making didn't take so long. Getting well bored of welding now, but if I'm going to get some paint on bits I need the welding finished. Just got the n/s front end cap to do then I can finish the inner arches.

Some pics:







All the best

Darren

Been a busy day again forgot to take some pics of some of the painting I done on a few bits and pieces. And also of the front o/s inner wing end cap that I welded in, will do a pic tomorrow.

Any way, made and welded in the end cap on rear of the o/s sill. I have got to do a little bit of fettling there, also put a patch on the join in the rear footwell from the inside, also going to put a plate on the outside as it's a join I want it to be ultra strong. Just wish panel making didn't take so long. Getting well bored of welding now, but if I'm going to get some paint on bits I need the welding finished. Just got the n/s front end cap to do then I can finish the inner arches.

Some pics:







All the best

Darren

Excellent work as always! Really impressive