Another Wreck, another Race Car.....

[Peter Jones]

The car has had a rear collision at some stage in it's life, the floor in the rear was quite wavy. It hadn't been too well straightened out when they replaced the rear panel.

This is where Dennis had to help me out, the metal was very stretched and it took more expertise than I've got to pull it all back into place.

We actually deepened some of the swage lines to pull it in and the lip around the tyre well was squared up too to give back it's strength.

One area was quite buckled and had to be shrunk with the oxy before it would lie flat.

The wheel well will be replaced with a flat panel, maybe aluminium with a cross fold or maybe a fibreglass one from performance trim.

The floor is pretty thin in places from rust, welding it was a delicate job and it'll take a fair bit of hi-fill to make it look right for paint.

[Peter Jones]

Still welding away. Nearly got around all the seams now.

Starting to get into some of the mods.

[Valver.]

Lovely attention to detail with this one!!

On another note: sorry I haven't been in touch re those head studs. Will be away until next Tuesday, but can call in Saturday/Sunday week if this will suit?

[Jarred]

i was just thinking about this project on the weekend!

Glad you're still doing it!

[Peter Jones]

Lovely attention to detail with this one!!

On another note: sorry I haven't been in touch re those head studs. Will be away until next Tuesday, but can call in Saturday/Sunday week if this will suit?

Cheers, yeah I'll be about, just give me a call and make sure I'm home.

[dubmc]

great stuff pete! this is one of my favourite threads on here, keep it coming!

[Peter Jones]

Did some more work on the rear apron today.

With the spare wheel well gone I needed to make a new brace for the rear apron as well as finishing off the second row of speed holes.

[roccodingo]

coming along nicely Pete, holes are looking the biz for sure !!

[Volksee77]

looking very nice and professional there Peter, what are you using to pull those holes through

[roccodingo]

looking very nice and professional there Peter, what are you using to pull those holes through

One of these

[Preen59]

Way cool, Pete.

Don't throw all those bits out.. I'd like to see how much it all weighs when you're finished.

[Peter Jones]

Don't throw all those bits out.. I'd like to see how much it all weighs when you're finished.

I'm kinda curious too.

I've been collecting all the metal I remove, I'll weigh it all up at some stage and let you know.

Ultimately of course I'll weigh the finished car.

[Peter Jones]

looking very nice and professional there Peter, what are you using to pull those holes through

As Grant pointed out the gadget is pictured earlier in the thread.

The device is a combined punch and flare. It's quite vestatile and can be used to punch a hole, flare an existing hole or punch and flare simultaneously.

They come in a range of sizes from 1 1/2" through to 2 5/8". These holes are 1 1/2" but the diameter of the flared section is about 2".

Here's a link to the manufacturers site. You can buy them off e-bay or places like Summit racing.

Allstar Performance - racing and high performance car parts, accessories and specialty tools.

Summit Racing

As well as removing weight, flaring the edges of the hole stiffens the panel, making it quite rigid.

My reasoning behind perforating the rear apron was to reduce drag, With the wheel well gone it's just hanging in the breeze.

I could have removed the apron entirely but I wanted to keep the shape of the car.

[Dimitri]

really nice work so far!

[Preen59]

Yes I notice a lot of people cut the apron off the Mk1s in full race trim.

I'm kinda curious too.

I've been collecting all the metal I remove, I'll weigh it all up at some stage and let you know.

Ultimately of course I'll weigh the finished car.

Yeah, weighing the finished product is the ultimate goal I guess.. But it is definitely interesting to know how much you got out of removing metal from it.