The horrors underneath the paint...

[PaulColeman]

I started to strip the paint off my car today to discover the horrors which lay beneath. When I bought the car I suspected the previous owner had done a few bodges but I hadn't realised how much filler he'd used. He'd virtually crafted the rear end out of filler, which he'd applied over rusty metal. How he thought this wouldn't crack when he slammed the rear door I don't know...

It just goes to show you never know what's under all that paint until you take a look. I'm glad I took the plunge and removed it.

Paul.

[osgii]

The edge of the trunk gives you quite a good idea of the accuracy's previous owner... It looks all but well made.

[ChrisC]

Men was like that. At least one previous owner had used cardboard and under seal and filler over the top. This is how I ended up doing a full body restoration rather than just repairing a few bubbles.

What's the plan now? I ask because you are probably like I was at this stage - wondering if the rest is just as bad....

[PaulColeman]

Yes, it didn't look as bad when the rubber was in there. Everything he has done has been done badly and I will redo the whole lot. It's going to be expensive... new boot floor, floors, inner and outer sills, cross member, bonnet and reskin both doors.

The filler on one of the rear wings was 1/2" thick where he'd filled over a big dent!!

Paul.

[andrewh]

A real 70's bodge. I didn't think there were too many left like this now. Glad I had a total body rebuild rather than buy an unknown quantity. Good luck

[PaulColeman]

No that's the sad thing thing, this has been done within the last 10 years.

I didn't have the money to go out and buy a ?40k or ?50k car so it had to be a bottom end restoration project. At least that way I can spend the money bit by bit as I go along.

They only built 2000 RHD 4.2 FHC and that was the model I wanted so it's difficult to find a car in the first place. It's not as though you can go and see half a dozen restoration projects and then take your pick. Those days are long gone.

Paul.

[PaulColeman]

It looks a lot better with all that filler gone...


The panel will need some work but should be salvageable.

Paul.

[christopher storey]

This rear tonneau area is actually very complex and you need to be sure that what is under that outer panel is in fact present. There is a drainage tube in steel which should lead from a hole in the recess ( cut away in your picture ) for the rear door seal, to a position above the number plate. If you have a look at the metalwork restoration photos for my FHC on xkedata, 1E20357, you should see a pic of it exposed. If it is not on xkedata, I can e mail you one

PS I've just checked, and if you click on the metalwork restoration section it will produce 31 pics, and the one which shows the internals is about half way through the June 2008 section

[PaulColeman]

Thanks for the reply and info Chris. How effective is that drainage tube though once you glue the boot lid seal in there? Do you have a picture of where on the recess the tube is? I'm hoping to save that panel rather than replace so I need to make a new gutter section for it.

Thanks, Paul.

[Nick]

Paul,

There are a couple of photos of the seal and drain position in this thread:

http://etypeuk.com/forum/viewtopic.php? ... highlight=

Nick