1961 E Type FHC (885036)
Total restoration


 

 
Specification (briefly) for this project is as follows:

Total restoration of the 36th E Type coupe built. The car will be finished in its original color scheme of Indigo Blue with Beige hides.

 
 

 
 

Update report - December 27, 2009

Darrell has now installed the front cowl panel he fabricated a couple of weeks ago, and has also fabricated and installed a repair panel for the left hand rear quarter panel/wheel arch.

 
Trial fitting new front cowl
   
 
 
 
 
   
 
Fabricating a new side cowl panel
 
 
 
 
 
   
Side cowl panel is shaped to match contour
of leading edge of door skin
Trial fitting side cowl panel with
new front cowl panel
Spot welding front cowl panel in place
 
 
 
 
   
 
Left rear wheel arch next up...
 
 
 
 
 
   
Fabricating and trial fitting a new
wheel arch repair panel
Panel is first tack welded in place
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
Seam is then TIG welded
TIG bead is then ground away leaving
an invisible repair
 
 
 
 
   
Inner wheel arch also requires
extensive repairs
New inner wheel arch panel was
fabricated
Wurth Body Wax is applied to all
inner surfaces
 
 
 
 
   
Seam between rear quarter and sill
is lead loaded
Door fit already starting to take shape
Rear tailgate fit is very poor and will
require extensive work

 
 


Installing new floors and outer sills...

 
 
 
Trial fitting new outer sills
 
     
Wurth Body Wax applied to all
inner boxed sections
 
Outer sill spot welded to outer
edge of new floors

 


Fabricating and installing new panels for the right hand side of the transmission tunnel...

 
     
   
     


Installing new inner sills...

 
 Wurth Body Wax is applied
to all closed box sections
Trial fitting the RH inner sill 
 
 Sill stiffeners welded in place
 


The bodywork restoration is now underway...

 
 
     
   
     
   
     


Back from the blasters, everything is pretty much as expected with the exception of the nose of the bonnet center section, which is very rusty.

 
     
   
Nose of center section very rusty
 
Some of the panels that will
be required


The following sequence of photos show Darrell fabricating a new sceen cowl panel from 18 gauge sheet metal.

 
 Making a template from the original,
rusted cowl panel
 
 Shaping on the sheet roller

 

 

 
 
 
Gerardo assists on the bead roller
Forming the screen seal edge


Cutting away corroded sheet metal to give the media blaster the best possible access to all inner panels and box sections...

 
Very early style 2 piece door skins
 
Cowl panel has perforations 
and will be replaced
   
Underside of cowl panel
   
   
Rear clip will be replaced
   
   
     
   
Bodyshell now ready for blasting
Disassembling the bonnet
 


We are delighted to get the restoration of this very early coupe underway. Our first task, after disassembly, will be to cut away the corroded sheet metal and have the car media blasted.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

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