Next project - ‘62 997 Austin Cooper

[Dearg1275]

Thanks for the encouragement Andrew, always welcome.

D

[Dearg1275]

At last, the first panels welded in. Drivers side A panels inner and outer. I like to do the outer first so I can get some sealant in useful places. Much will blast off later but not that hidden away behind metal.
Here is my take on A panels.

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[Dearg1275]

Decisions, repair or replace the right quarter panel.

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The wheel arch will have to be replaced so I thought nothing to loose by having a go.

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Out with the old,

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and in with the new.

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With the difficult bit done I’m happy to do the repairs at front and rear edges of the wheel arch. Surface rust doesn’t take long to get hold!

D

[Old English White]

Very neat . That's a tricky little area to repair.

[Dearg1275]

Yes, it’s nice when it goes right. Front edge of rear wheel arch with a touch of lead loading done today.

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[Dearg1275]

Skipping about a bit with tasks. I tackled mission impossible today, or so it seemed. The boot lid.

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Most of the rest of the lower frame is in the same state. Nothing ventured nothing gained and heritage boot lids are rather dear.

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It’s all a bit rough but will look better with some filler or lead. I may not use it depending on how the outer skin repairs go.

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[Old English White]

It is certainly worth a try though. I bought a Heritage bootlid for mine but wasn't entirely happy with it. I never got the fit quite right and the number plate pressing is wrong
I don't know what they cost now but I paid £80.00 for mine which was a good bargain even then.

[Nick W]

the heritage boot lid they use on there mk1 shell looks to fit ok, maybe they have improved it.

[Dearg1275]

It is certainly worth a try though. I bought a Heritage bootlid for mine but wasn't entirely happy with it. I never got the fit quite right and the number plate pressing is wrong
I don't know what they cost now but I paid £80.00 for mine which was a good bargain even then.

Heritage Mk1 boot lids are now £348.48. I does make you want to have a go at repair. At least this one will end up with less filler than it used to have.

D

[Dearg1275]

The boot lid is as good as I can get it. I used lead on the outer side of the skin on the basis that if I need to bend it here and there to get a better fit the filler won’t crack.

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It will need some more modern filler to finish off.

I hope it fits!

D

[billycooper]

So chuffed you using as much of the original metal as you can !

[Dearg1275]

Thanks Steve. It’s so tempting to scrap a panel and fit a nice new smooth one that just needs a lick of paint to be perfect. However, with a car that is so nearly good it does feel wrong. OK, it will never be perfect but it probably only ever was when it rolled of the production line. Witness the filler in the boot lid beneath Smoke Gray paint along with all the other layers. I may leave some of its history under the boot inner cover board (it still has the original).

D

[Andrew1967]

Some great metalworking there Dave.

We are lucky with Minis that so much new its available and forget that for many classic car restorers, metalwork like you are doing is the only option.

Keep it up - this is a really interesting project

[Dearg1275]

Boot stripped, filled and primed with epoxy. It should tidy up fine when the primer/filler goes on.

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[roger mcnab]

hi dearg1275
that boot lid looks like a new one very neat work and a tribute to your patience
cheers roger mcnab

[Dearg1275]

Thanks Roger.

D

[morris-miner]

Stunning bit of craftsmanship, well done sir.

[AndyPen]

Stunning bit of craftsmanship, well done sir.

Very, very impressed!!

[Peter Laidler]

Brilliant work. Any reason for not filling the holes in the number plate light recess?

[Dearg1275]

Peter, yes I may want to use them if I decide not to fit the swinging number plate carrier. It’s only in primer so any decisions can wait.

D