GOOD NEWS...BAD NEWS

The good news is; with the new porta power I purchased, I pushed the driver's door post back into position.  Now the new patch panel can be installed.

The bad news; as I began to trim the patch panel, my air compressor died.  So now, without compressed air in the shop, fitting the panel will be a bit more difficult.  

Mondays...

Tom McCurry

Tommy's Topless Cars

tommystoplesscars@yahoo.com

843.338.2253

BODYWORK CONTINUES

There is one more obstacle to be overcome before the patch panel can be set in place.  The driver's door latch post was pushed inboard during a collision some years ago.  In order to repair the damage properly, a hydraulic porta power must be used to gently reposition the post.  The latch panel itself has been heated and straightened.  However, it must be moved in an outboard direction approximately 3/8".
While attempting to move the panel, the ram section of our porta power ruptured.  It's annoying to say the least, but, things happen.  I purchased another one this morning so we will be good to go Monday morning.






Stay tuned...
Tom McCurry
Tommy's Topless Cars
tommystoplesscars@yahoo.com
843-338-2253

SANDING ALMOST COMPLETE

 As we discussed in a previous post, it was necessary to remove the gray paint because it was flaking.  The green paint, however, is very stable.

The only remaining gray paint is on the roof.  Next the entire car will be "scuffed" with an 80 grit block to remove any places we may have missed.

We are almost ready for primer.

Can't wait...

Tom McCurry

Tommy's Topless Cars

tommystoplesscars@yahoo.com

843-338-2253

PATCH PANEL INSTALLATION

As we discussed previously, the installation of a patch panel behind the driver's door was necessary due to a poorly done body repair from years ago.  

After the damaged sheet metal was removed, the edge of the opening was crimped with a special tool that creates an offset as shown in the photograph to the left.  Now the patch panel can be fixed to the opening and the face of both panels will be flush.  Very little filler will be required.

The latch jamb for the driver's door, shown in the photo to the right, was also crushed.  I straightened it by heating the area with a torch and moving it back into position with the use of a slide hammer.  The jamb must still be moved approximately 3/8" in the outboard direction.  This will be done with a hydraulic porta power.  At that point, the patch panel can be installed.

I love this car...

Tom McCurry

Tommy's Topless Cars

tommystoplesscars@yahoo.com

843-338-2253

A BUSY DAY AT THE SHOP

Our engine builders, Paul and Ron, were in the shop today preparing the engine for final assembly.  All the components have been cleaned, lubricated and fitted.  The final shipment of parts is due tomorrow morning.  

 Yesterday, Bill and I had the bumper and grille parts sandblasted.  Today, I applied two coats of self-etching primer and began straightening the damaged areas.

 We also sandblasted the transmission tunnel.  It is in amazing condition.  I applied primer to both sides and an additional coat of the rubberized undercoating underneath. The topside will receive a final coat of green urethane to match the interior.  We plan to install a mat on the floor pan designed to reduce the temperature and road noise in the interior.

We welcome our followers from the UK, Canada, France and Australia.

Stay tuned...

Tom McCurry

Tommy's Topless Cars

tommystoplesscars@yahoo.com

843-338-2253

BODYWORK CONTINUES

In an attempt to re-shape the damaged sheet metal behind the driver's door, I discovered that the metal had been stretched and could not be tooled to near its original position.  A great deal of filler would have been required to restore the panel to a smooth finish.  This would decrease the longevity of the repair.

Therefore, I chose to replace the damaged area with new metal.  As shown in the photo to the right, the damaged area has been removed and the door jamb straightened.

I formed a patch panel from the remains of a BMW hood.  I chose a section of the hood that had basically the same contour as the damaged area.  The patch panel, shown in the photo to the left, fits very well.  Tomorrow it will be trimmed to the proper size and permanently fixed in place with 3M panel bond.

The finished patchwork will be undetectable.  The downside...Morris

is no longer an authentic British automobile.  The upside...now it will feel at home on the Autobahn.

More to follow...

Tom McCurry

Tommy's Topless Cars

tommystoplesscars@yahoo.com

843-338-2253

BODYWORK CONTINUES

Bill and I have begun the bodywork.  Thus far, we have removed the gray paint from the  bonnet and boot and they are ready to be primed with polyester primer.  Yesterday, we discovered an area behind the driver's door that had been repaired some years ago.  The repairs were inadequate.  

So, all the existing body filler and primer was removed exposing the damaged area.  You may be able to see, in the photo to the right,  the difference in elevation of the sheet metal.   Now, this area will be "tooled" to shape the metal back into it's original position.  

Stay tuned...

Tom McCurry

Tommy's Topless Cars

tommystoplesscars@yahoo.com

843-338-2253

BODYWORK CONTINUES

Now that the glass has been removed, the engine bay has been  cleaned and primed and the boot has been restored, the bodywork can begin.  

 I used a dual action sander and 40 grit paper to remove the questionable top coat of gray paint.  I noticed, when I began sanding, that the gray paint had a tendency to "flake".  That is, there was insufficient adhesion between the original green paint and the gray top coat.  Therefore all the gray paint must be removed.

The bodywork will continue tomorrow...

Tom McCurry

Tommy's Topless Cars

tommystoplesscars@yahoo.com

843-338-2253

GLASS REMOVAL COMPLETED

Now that the fixed glass and operating windows in the doors have been removed, the new glass and rubber seals can be installed.  The interior window frames have been cleaned and polished and tomorrow the window openings will be masked off to protect the interior from dust and overspray.

Bill cleaned and polished the dash.  It appears to be almost new.

The new windscreen and rubber seal was received today and made the trip from the UK to California and then to South Carolina unscathed.  I now possess a years supply of bubble wrap.

Stay tuned...

Tom McCurry

Tommy's Topless Cars

tommystoplesscars@yahoo.com

843-338-2253

REMOVING THE FIXED GLASS...CONTINUED

Notice was received today that the new windscreen and seal has been shipped.  I removed the existing windscreen and rubber and prepared the opening for the new parts.   The frame is in excellent condition.

Next, the door glasses and operators will be removed.  New window track seals, fuzzies and vent window seals have been shipped and should be received within the next few days.

The next step is to mask all the openings in preparation of the paint and bodywork.  

Stay tuned...

Tom McCurry

Tommy's Topless Cars

tommystoplesscars@yahoo.com

843-338-2253