BT5 Repair panels

Winston Teague · Post by **Winston Teague** » Mon Mar 15, 2010 6:23 pm

The time has come to think about a bit of bodywork on my '61 BT5. Bottom edge of the front panel has rot as has the o/s headlamp surround. Any info/advice on sources of repair sections and panels both positive and negative please???? I have fab gaps so not eager to do a whole front panel and any recommendations of fettlers for this work and an outside only back to metal respray after would be very welcome. I'm based in rural Worcestershire and don't want to send it too far away. Many thanks in advance.
Winston

Barry · Post by **Barry** » Mon Mar 15, 2010 8:01 pm

Winston Teague wrote: I'm based in rural Worcestershire and don't want to send it too far away.
Winston

I would highly recommend that you send it as far away as you need to, if it means finding the perfect person for your car, especially if it's already fundamentally straight.

The bottom line is that whether it goes around the corner, or 300 miles away, it's still got to be trailered (or driven), and you might visit, what, three or four times during the work. The work, on the other hand might be expected to last ten, twenty, thirty years or more.

Of course, if you are lucky enough to have two perfect people for the work, one round the corner, and one 300 miles away, then easy, go for the local one. Trouble is, it never seems to work that way. The truth is that the restoration world is awash with people claiming great things (usually with pictures of work already primed / undersealed / seam sealed etc).

Those that are sympathetic to your car's needs, have a decent knowledge about your particular model, have the skills to genuinely do a cracking job, can work for a fair price, and finally keep to a reasonable timescale once the work has started staying within some sort of sight of original costs (phew!, that was a mouthful

) are well worth travelling for. To put it another way, if you get the wrong person you could end up in a world of pain. Well worth investing some serious time and mileage in doing your research: you'll never regret it.

Time to go, my High Horse needs feeding

.

Seriously, best of luck with your quest

.

Barry · Post by **Barry** » Mon Mar 15, 2010 8:04 pm

Sorry, forgot to say: I don't work on 356's (ought to try one really, but not for now), so just advising as a neutral party, so to speak

.

40 scout · Post by **40 scout** » Mon Mar 15, 2010 10:46 pm

Hi Winston

I've got this panel which might be handy for you to cut out the sections you need.

It's been lightly blasted at Roger Brays, is not rotten at all - it was removed by them from a 356 being restored with a new clip - I used some of it for my 356.

http://m.flickr.com/photos/35984440@N06 ... 6/sizes/m/

Steve

Ren · Post by **Ren** » Tue Mar 16, 2010 8:25 am

Well if Winston dont want it I might.

Winston Teague · Post by **Winston Teague** » Tue Mar 16, 2010 6:38 pm

Many thanks all of you, Wise words indeed Barry, Very interested in the panel Steve; How much? Ren, are you in a hurry as if i dont need it after all i would happily pass it (or whats left) on to you? W

40 scout · Post by **40 scout** » Tue Mar 16, 2010 9:54 pm

Hi Winston

I paid £200 for the panel and collected it from Roger Bray personally - how does £100 sound?? ( I believe they are around £500 for a new one).

I can also let you have a copy of the original invoice for your history file.

Al the best

Steve

Winston Teague · Post by **Winston Teague** » Tue Mar 16, 2010 11:53 pm

Hi Steve, is it T6 or T5? I need to work out if the bits that matter are the same, If they are The price is fine. W

40 scout · Post by **40 scout** » Wed Mar 17, 2010 7:01 am

It's T5 Winston - I'll miss it as a garage wall decoration!

Steve

Winston Teague · Post by **Winston Teague** » Fri Mar 19, 2010 8:13 am

Can't believe no one else has experience out there! W

58A - 71E · Post by **58A - 71E** » Fri Mar 19, 2010 10:42 am

My 2p, for what its worth....
I think the problem is that the areas you describe are not straight forward pieces to fabricate - both are curved and will require a lot of hours to get just right.
I was in a very similar situation with rot around a headlamp bowl and the lower edge shot - in the end it was more economical to replace the front clip - ok this is not cheap and this was for an A, but I wouldnt rule this out as an option.
Also, Barry is dead right in his advice - I dont know rural worcestershire - but cant imagine there are too many 356 conversant folks there - spend a bit on some 95 ron and take it to someone who knows what they're doing first time!

Ignatzcatz · Post by **Ignatzcatz** » Sat Mar 20, 2010 10:22 am

I am pretty certain I have an offside headlight and small wing section that I cut out of my 356B T6 when I welded on a complete front end and n/s wing. If you can find an illustration from a panel supplier of the replacement front end panel, well that is how much wing is left back from the headlight bucket. If it's any use let me know.
Ign......zzz

58herbie · Post by **58herbie** » Sat Mar 20, 2010 3:42 pm

40 scout wrote:It's T5 Winston - I'll miss it as a garage wall decoration!

Steve

Steve.

has winston or Ren bought the panel from you???

if not can i pretty please.

cheers

Jon

mail me @

jonathan.hunt@virgin.net

40 scout · Post by **40 scout** » Sat Mar 20, 2010 3:53 pm

Hi Jon

I'm pretty sure it's headed to Winston - will let you know if anything changes - I've also offered him 7 other panels surplus to requirements - will give you a pm if he dosent want them.

Cheers

Steve

Winston Teague · Post by **Winston Teague** » Sat Mar 20, 2010 5:42 pm

Hi Guys, Have decided to have all of Steves Panels but will offer on any I have left over after the job. I have decided to tackle the job in the autumn and will post progress as it happens. All the best, W

DDK - Die Deutschen Klassiker