data plates

[Simonpfhc]

That area on mine is flat with no wrinkles.

[1954Etype]

I have seen a lot of s2 cars with this curved panel. They also used a sealant under the plate on a number of original cars we've had in.

[andrewh]

It does seem to vary enormously. I reckon rebuilders , well top ones, work hard to make this pretty uniform, but from the factory they seem to be a result of other panels being fitted. So for instance, if the inner sills protruded too much when being fitted with the sill closing panel then the fitter sometimes just belted the inner sill back to fit. This would create the kink I have. Maybe? The sill end carries the inner arch, which in turn is critical to the bonnet fitment, and the air cleaner bracket dictates the distance between the sill end and inner sill closing panel.

[andrewh]

this is mine



as you can just about see there panel has a slight curvature to it as it is the inner sill, and you can see this on the spot welds on the sill end which curve down in the line of the inner sill. None of the metal around the area has been replaced or damaged. Towards the sill end there is a kink which will stop the data plate from lying flat. I suppose I can straight it out but since the car is a California car with no rot, it will not be having any work in this area so don't want to start open heart surgery if I can help it. I just wondered whether anyone else had this sort of profile as it looks to me that it was perhaps just not finished particularly well. Difficult to get flat without cutting out a square for access and then welding in a replacement after straightening it.

[288gto]

Andrew,

Mine was similar. Having looked at quite a few I really do think it all depended on how well the panels were lined up for spot welding in the first place. If it is important to you,* isn't there a hole in the footwell that a dent removal expert could get through to sort it? Normally they only need a 25 mm hole. If not, a new 25mm hole covered by the inner sill trim and a grommet would be an ideal place to inject waxoyl re acquainted the vehicle with the joys of our climate.


* I straightened mine when I put new sills on, otherwise it would have annoyed me. But as my son keeps telling me, I am a bit "sad"!

Simon

[andrewh]

we are then, both Sad! the reason for mentioning it is that I NEED it to be uniform. Reality is, as we all know, the cars are being built to a far higher standard now than they were back then. I always like looking at period pictures of new cars to see panel gaps etc. I think the easiest way to repair this is to create a hole somewhere as you say. thanks good to know I am not alone!

[288gto]

After OCD adjustments.........



Good to know I've not, as suggested by close family members, got serious psychiatric problems.

Simon

[andrewh]

Beautiful! you may have serious psychological issues, but you are not alone!!

[paulsco]

This is the area underneath:



It is very easy to get it wrong. The sill can kick up where it welds to the front panel and it can be welded to the outer sill incorrectly.
You can see in my picture I was having problems getting it lined up with the outer sill, but managed to resolve it.
If the inner sill is slightly too far forward, it is easy to see that forcing this back would distort the top.

Paul

[andrewh]

thank you for that. I am sure mine is as it was made, i.e not perfect!

this is another photos of mine. I feel sure this was factory as its all perfect original spot welds. Not sure how to repair it but no doubt it can be done!