1973 2.4E Targa Body Restoration
At a casual glance there doesn't appear much wrong with this car.
However closer inspection reveals all is not how it should be
Large door gaps a sure sign of weakness in the shell
Starting to strip the car down reveals previous accident damage.
Some poor repairs will need investigating further
Lots of filler hidding something
Inner wings seem good though
Rust in the sills
Carefully protected interior prior to paint stripping
Paint stripping begins
Revealing rust perforations in the bonnet
The previous poor repair work to the front suspension pan and tank support
A mess was made of the front panel
Previous repairs to the windscreen surround will need to be removed and done properly
Filler as thick as my finger in the sill
More accident damage to the rear quarter
Along with rust
Previous accident damage to the front bumper has been poorly beaten out.
Rear bumper also damaged and rusted through
Other half also damaged
We have a lot to do!
Suspension removed and shell fitted to the Jig
Removal of panels which will be replaced
Rust in the kidney bowl but we have seen far worse
Damaged section of inner wing removed so it can be repaired
Back on the jig
A few issues to sort out...
First trial fit of new panels
Trial fit of new suspension pan
Repair section fabricated for tank support
Trial fit of outer panels after straightening inner wings
Suspension pan and inner reinforcements (missing from the previous repair) welded in place
Sitting on the jig nicely now
Nice gaps
Upper tank support fitted now the front is sitting square
Making a repair section for the rear inner wing
More accident damage this time to the inner sill, floor and jacking point
Should be straight!
Straightening!
New section of inner sill
Making up the support piece for the lower A-post
Later larger kidney bowl fitted for added strength
Good gaps
Jacking point and floor nice and straight again.
Replacement targa gussets
Sills and kidney bowls completed both sides
The rear crossmembers currently available are shaped differently to those originally used on a '73 car. Early shape on top replaces the section from the new panel below.
Inner wing coated with epoxy mastic before rear quarter fitted
Shell now sitting square and flat on the jig
And off the jig
Trial fit of window frames, targa hoop and targa top
Front screen corners repaired
Drivers door required a new skin
New passenger door has detail differences to a '73 door so we backdate those to make it more original
Metalwork finished
First stage primer applied
This is rubbed down with 120 then 240 grade paper
And primered again
The same for the bodyshell
All the new panel joins are then seam sealed
Before an anti chip coating is applied to match the factory finish
2nd primer coats rubbed down
Underside and inside of panels painted
Outside of panels painted
And finally the shell is painted
All panels and the shell are flated back for a super smooth finish
And then polished back up
Suspension fixings Zinc Plated
And powder coated
Reassembled and back on the car
Plenty of cavity wax
Back on it's wheels
Almost finished
All Done
Reunited with it's owners.
