Mk1 restoration...what have I let myself in for!
Turbo Mini Forums

I think Id cut the new panel so the join is about 3/8" lower than the swage line. It will be easier to fill later on.
Dont forget the same jigs were used for 40 odd years for quarter panels so they are going to be well worn out by now and the shape wont be quite right, try comparing it to your other car - you could even make a cardboard template of the curve from top to bottom and try it on the MK1 to see how far out it is

Paul

I seriously doubt it!

Andy - its a genuine panel, ive tweeked it a little more today and its looking pretty good tbh.

Paul - I did exactly that today, its made it a little more flexible at the top and help alot with lining it up.

Ive added a top lip today.

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1/4mile in 13.2sec @ 111 terminal on 15psi

Well ive had a succesful afternoons work. As my spot welder is currently broken, I decided to make a start on the offside, and sort out some rotten patches out.













Offside wheel arch and spare wheel clamp now in.

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1/4mile in 13.2sec @ 111 terminal on 15psi

Really impressive especially as it was in such a state to start with.

Cheers Ross.

Matty your doing a great job there!

matty thats impressive

i have a cleco set here if you need to borrow it

Thanks for the comments! To be honest I thought It would be xmas by the time I got to this stage! :lol:

Neil, have they got long arms? If so I may take you up on that offer!

I resorted to plug welding the last few panels in, so I could get the quarter panel in place. Its in but it took ALOT of persuading. I started with the top section then worked my way down the panel. The door shut looks good, I just need to tidy up the last inch. Its only tacked for now until my spot welder decides to work again.

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1/4mile in 13.2sec @ 111 terminal on 15psi

Well ive had an eventfull day! Spot welder is now fixed, made lots of progress, ended up in A&E having my eye scraped to get a metal splinter out (and I was wearing goggles)! Unfortunatley ive got to go back tomorrow for a second dig. :(

Edited by matty on 3rd Nov, 2010.

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1/4mile in 13.2sec @ 111 terminal on 15psi

Ohh been there my friend. not nice the old eye scraping.

Looks like good progress, and everything looks better with a bit of primer on.lol

Rick

Looks good. I've also been there. Had some pretty young nurse poking round inside my eye lid. Shame wifey was with me...

this is fairly coming along - i think it took me about 6 years to achieve what youve done so far!

Just read the whole thing, brilliant work-been there myself but to knowhere near this extent and always with datums to work to, it must a ton more difficult without. Done the eye thing too, its horrid!

Keep up the great work

cheers
oli

On 5th Oct, 2014 Shauna said:
What that's crazy, you go commando hahaha! How heavy is your helmet ?

It looks like a car again!!!

Well, in the boot......

What's the fit of the quarter panels like around the B pillar? Mine haven't come out well...

good skill matty, keep up the good work

Team www.sheepspeed.com Racing

Thanks for the comments, im hoping to have it back on its wheels tomorrow, all going well!

Andy - The passenger side was spot on, I checked the panel gap with the door in, and it could be any better. :)

The drivers side, ive literally just checked and it isn't so good...instead of the panel butt joining the B pillar, the panel ends about 3mm further forward. Ive got 2 options...

1. When I fit the A panel move it 3mm further forward to correct the gap of the door at the back edge.
2. When I reskin the door, shave a little off the back edge the 'shrink' the door by 3mm?

Im thinking the later would be easier, and not effect any other panels?

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1/4mile in 13.2sec @ 111 terminal on 15psi

I'm in the same position with a pattern panel on the driver's side. I'm going to bash it into shape as best I can and see how it looks. I'm not convinced about the gap with the seam on the rear panel either. I may end up with some slits in it to pull it in...

Thinking about it, I might try and run a 3mm cutting disk vertical up the panel next to the B pillar and try and shorten it that way.

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1/4mile in 13.2sec @ 111 terminal on 15psi

This is such an amazing thread. Really impressed Matt - great work.

I guess you could grind the lip of and then trim the panel back so that they meet and then weld them back together.

More progress has been made today...very happy!





I think I can get away wothout any filler on this join. Fingers crossed the other side has turned out as good, that'll save loads of time during the prep stages!

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1/4mile in 13.2sec @ 111 terminal on 15psi

Oh Yes!!

fantastic work - makes me want to go start mine all over again

top work, i wish i had the skill required to do panel work like this, it really is art

Jack Jones

Astounding progress once again, I know how much work is involved in doing this and I just can't believe how quickly you're getting it done. Those welds on the inside edges of the quarter panel are really tricky to grind down aren't they?

Good luck with the front end.