#11
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After stripping the car down, I came across some accident damage to the front end, bent chassis rails indicated this quite clearly. Along with that, some of the reinforcement panels and inner guards which are part of the front sheetmetal had rust and were quite thin in parts.
This made the decision quite easy for me to fabricate new panels. Before doing this, I was careful to take many reference measurements as I want it to all go back together correctly. I made a simple brace to tie the front shock/engine mount points together, then it was a matter of disassembly armed with a drill and spot weld cutter
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Daniel Perfection = Patience + Perseverance |
#12
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The decision was made to remove the old panels as carefully as possible so I could use them as patterns for new panels. So far this is working ok for me. I do also have another body shell that I'm using to cross check dimensions and reference points.
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Daniel Perfection = Patience + Perseverance |
#13
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Starting with the front inner guards, I needed to make tooling to put the triangular pressing into the panels. This was just a simple tool using some plate etc and clamping the sheet in between while pressing in a small workshop press. There is a 5mm lip that is turned out at 90 degress around the outside of the larger panels which I turned by hand, hence the light sanding marks around the edge of panel. I gave it a light sand once I had dressed the turned up lip.
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Daniel Perfection = Patience + Perseverance |
#14
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I think these cars all had the front rails bent up at the factory to adjust the angle of the front suspension. ( the front crossmember seems to be welded flat to rails then rails bent up to tilt the member back, then rest of sheet metal was added to tie it all together.) My 59 sprite is this way too.
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The Rod Doctor, Richard Crees |
#15
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I repaired numerous Sprites and Midgets inc Frogeye into the 90s when they were more normal run arounds rather than the classic status that they now enjoy.
In the nicest possible way, I think the reference to front chassis rails is a little bit "Wishful thinking". The only rails that I had to isolate and straighten, much as in this restoration, though to be fair, not so neat, were bent due to being walloped. They bent at this point due to it being point of least resistance. Once the tie / inner wing section is removed, it is fairly soft and a fairly straight forward section. Now the 1/4 elliptic spring mounting points on the Frogeye used to be a standard MOT repair area - that was a horrible job, especially if you wanted all four wheels to remain on the ground - well it was the 80 / 90s. You couldnt get the decent repair sections that are available these days. Luckily standards have improved.
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Richard "Everything is in the system, if it aint working, the system aint right" |
#16
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Nice, neat and clean work on your parts Danial, appreciate your pictures, Dan
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Dan Shady |
#17
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Quote:
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Daniel Perfection = Patience + Perseverance |
#18
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Quote:
I've been keeping an eye on your 356 project too, great work. It's handy to be able to see Peter to get some advice. Very cool car though, keep up the good work
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Daniel Perfection = Patience + Perseverance |
#19
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Quote:
Yes, thankfully there is a vast array of parts available for these cars. I know that most of the panels I'm making can be bought, but I just wanted to make them for the experience and what I can learn out of it. Cheers Dan.
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Daniel Perfection = Patience + Perseverance |
#20
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Thanks Dan, appreciate the encouragement.
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Daniel Perfection = Patience + Perseverance |
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