Cutting a hole!

I finally found the pictures from where my friend Jim and I (and Ally, of course, couldn't have done it without her) hammered the fender back into shape...ok, roughly into shape, but he did far better than I would have done...and then the hole we had to cut out. The metal in that spot was just far too gone; it had previously been folded over and not prepared well, thus it was way too rusty as well as being creased and stretched. I'm still waiting to shape the replacement sheetmetal, but I have the cardboard pattern cut and waiting...

The black is from both Eastwood Rust Converter and POR-15...I'm using the POR on the inside panels and the Rust Converter (which is friendly to delayed top coating) on external panels.

It's interesting to look at these pictures today; as you can tell it was warm -- on the other hand, we had about 6 inches of snow last night through noon today. I've also attached a picture of Ally today in the snow just 'cause I felt like it... :-)

Parts still needed (not many, thankfully!)

Ok, here's a list of what I still need or would really like to have (really just an excuse to update the blog). Any leads on the following would be most helpful:

• manual transmission driveshaft
• Stag front seats
• Miscellaneous stainless trim strips (to replace drilled or bent ones)
• Method of mounting cable operated gas pedal from Mk. II into Mk. I
• One more pair of new (repro is fine) MGB overriders
• AMCO bar for front like the one on Vern's car
• Time, time, time......

I hope the holiday season was wonderful for all of you!

Jamie

Work Continues, Albeit Slowly...

No pictures of further work at this point, but suffice it to say that after many hours of pounding by my friend Jim Croce, the fender is salvageable. I did cut out about a 5" x 6" area that was both too wrinkled and too rusty to save...it was apparent that the folks that preceded us merely beat the fender in and sculpted with body filler rather than actually doing bodywork. So, I've made the cardboard template and the next step is to cut the sheetmetal patch and weld into place.

I'm also on the lookout for another 2000/2500/2.5 to give me something to drive in the meantime...must be running or very close to running, but rest of condition and location are relatively unimportant. It would be nice to have a 4 spd or 4spd+od, but I'd buy an automatic if the car was right. Again, it doesn't have to be pristine, just be running or close to it.

Ally is REALLY looking forward to having her car (the Estate) on the road.

In the meantime, I'm enjoying driving the new TR6 (see pictures) and the Spitfire (see pictures). Thank you all for the continued messages of support and love.

Jamie

Pictures of current status

After grinding away the paint over bondo over paint last night, I decided to post some pictures of the current status of the project.

• All the items in the car are parts for the car
• All the boxes on the roof, hood (bonnet) and windshield are empty boxes for shipping the Triumph parts I'm selling weekly on eBay (here's a link to my current auctions)
• I'm not sure what I'm going to do about the damaged front fender. I have several friends that are better with sheetmetal than I am, I will be asking them to take a look before I decide what to do. Chris Witor has new front fenders, but at 195 pounds plus shipping from the UK, I'm looking for a more affordable alternative...
• The post-it notes on the rear window are the working plan for the restoration...i.e. what I need to do next!
• The weird looking thing stuck to the back of the car is the neatest trouble light I've ever seen. Comes with a magnetic back, a separate flex-head spotlight AND a built in magnetic tray courtesy of Black & Decker.

Anyway, here are the pictures:

Before I started grinding...

And after....

You can the problems best in this last picture:

So, now you know where the project stands. PLEASE write a comment or drop me a line at

tr6driver@yahoo.com I'd love to hear from you!

The project begins again...

For the few of you that are following this blog, I wanted to let you know that Ally and I are doing OK, and that last night I resumed work on the Estate. After taking off a LOT of paint and body filler from the left front fender, I am left wondering whether or not I should just replace the fender or not. They aren't priced too badly, but shipping from England is incredibly high.

I have a couple of friends that are much better at bodywork than I am, so I'll get a second opinion before doing anything rash. UNLESS SOMEONE OUT THERE ON THIS SIDE OF THE POND HAS A LEFT FRONT FENDER SITTING THERE FOR SALE!!! (hint, hint!)

Anyway, thanks to those who have provided emotional support during this time. You know who you are and we love every one of you... :-)

Jamie