The body shell up on stands so I easy access to remove the bituminous body deadener in the areas where repairs are needed
Inside the rear left wheel arch with the inner panel partially removed. The inner panels was a dirt trap, it was rolled over together with the outer panel to form the wheel opening. As none of this was effectively sealed rust formed between the panels.
The right rear wheel arch facing front, multiple panels spot welded together, another rust trap.
Trunk floor, rear right, this is the side that has accident damage and the trunk floor is rusted out where it meets the outer quarter panel.
Completed metal finish repair of the aluminium trunk lid, the panel was original made in 2 pieces, the weld line can just be seen across the panel between the 2 sets of badge holes.
Completed metal finish repair of the left door, with the lead wiping replaced, as the car was originally.
Replacement outer sill, while I'm not doing the outer panel work myself on this car, I'm doing as much as I can in preparation for the panel beater, so items like this I will be making myself.
The shell is now ready for the panel beater. All of this work will be done by Jerry Mlinaric, who has the skills to metal finish the car to a very high standard. The 1951 Vanguard Phase 1A ute is my daily driver, with 253 Holden V8 engine, TriMatic auto, power rack and pinion steering and Vintage Air air conditioning. Fun to drive and practical
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Repairs to the right rear quarter panel viewed inside the trunk. The image shows the replacement of the rusted lower area and part of the wheel arch opening.
Right quarter panel with sections of the wheel arch replaced, and truck floor section fabricated.
Wheel arch replacement section. An alternative method will be used to seal the wheel wells to the outer panel, that will prevent rust forming in future.
The body shell being straightened from the old rear impact that twisted the shell.
Part way through the repair at the rear. The outer panels on these cars were made in relatively small sections and welded together. Here the intersection can be seen where a verticle weld meets a horizontal weld. Originally areas like this were hand finished and lead wiped where simpler than getting everything straight. One of the problems with future reapirs is the the original finishing of the panels left very little metal thickness left for repairs. A patch will be welded into this area.
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