Finnish Francesca, 1973 targa resto

[murph2309]

Ei paskempi

Right I'll stop being an annoying twat and stop with the Finnish. That's about all I know apart from good morning, how are you? Which might have limited comedy value.

[inaglasshouse]

Must say you are being admirably chilled, Mike.
Thanks for sharing the bad news as well as the good, it does help others avoid the same issues. Helped me anyway.

One small question, though - even if you don't want to engage in a dispute with Decorrosion Services, have you told them about the issue? If they know about it, they might be able to figure out what went wrong and do better next time.

[Burma-Shave]

Brilliant, great, love it.

For once I am reading a big resto thread just as it warms up, rather than after everybody has gone and all that is left is a messy room with party streamers on the floor and a few half finished Tenents cans.

DDK Scandi treffen sounds good too

[210bhp]

Must say you are being admirably chilled, Mike.
Thanks for sharing the bad news as well as the good, it does help others avoid the same issues. Helped me anyway.

One small question, though - even if you don't want to engage in a dispute with Decorrosion Services, have you told them about the issue? If they know about it, they might be able to figure out what went wrong and do better next time.

To be honest Richard, Barry and I threw the conversation backwards and forwards in the limited time we had together and really decided all I had was cicumstantial evidence. It could equally well have been a poor storage or transport issue caused by me. The boys at DS treated me like a king and could not have been nicer in both their customer service and work rate. They accommodated my every need and I don't want to sour our good relationship by a (now) historical moan.

There are two points really to make,

Barry's instant eye for metalwork issues with just a quick glance. It gives you confidence that he will attend to every detail due in the build.

If you are concerned about NOS panels you should check them before blasting (which I didn't) and agree before work commences what the state of play is.

In the end the issue was sorted at extra cost so I'm just relating really the only disappointment so far (and I know you have to expect at least one in a restoration) - and perhaps put up a caveat for anyone else about to embark on blasting work.
Essentially blasting, dipping, whatever, for preparing a shell all have their different fan bases and it better to relate all your experiences for others to decide which route is right for them.

It was a minor setback at best and it's sorted now but at the time I drove home 8 hours or so at the time with a bit of a grumpy feeling, that's all.

I'm over it now.

Regards
Mike

[210bhp]

And to make me feel even better a day or two later this was my first communication from Barry,


"the car is now on the jig (that was all I did today in fact).

On the whole, it fits pretty well. The rear's a fraction down (4mm or so) the front A-arm mounts initially look to be a little forward from where they should be. This might be since new, as there's zero sign of damage. Finally the front strut towers are a little off as well, again, zero signs of old damage.

Anyway, all about what you'd expect for a four decade old car in pretty decent condition."


I slept well that night,

Regards
Mike

[210bhp]

And the second email,

"Whilst the nearside turret was perfectly fine, the offside was well off, leaning inwards by a good 5mm. To offset this in the past, the wing mounting flange had been bent outwards.

The dozer was rigged, packing pieces put where needed (not shown) and the whole inner wing moved outwards."


Before



During




Afterwards



Regards
Mike

[murph2309]

That's cool. Metal magic.

[Burma-Shave]

Cool. Just reading on PH about Simon who has the 250k mile Murcielago that was a long termer in Evo for a while.

It hit a tree on a customer driving experience, and was pulled straight over a week, a few mm each day on a computer controlled jig. Presumably there are metallurgical reasons for this. If it wasnt straight by the end of the week it was to be written off..

[911hillclimber]

I think that is because it has an alloy chassis?
Been a very very long time since I did any metallurgy, so could be wrong..

5mm out is a very long way without any crash damage showing elsewhere?

[andy888]

a Scottish barn

Regards
Mike

i'm offended by that description! that is my dream garage

[210bhp]

And so you should be Andy, I apologise. It is indeed a great storage facility with every automotive tool known to man on hand. I shall now refer to it as 'Andy's Dream Workshop'.

Regards
Mike

[210bhp]

Following the pull at the front, the rear end was lifted 4mm by Barry. I love the attention to setting up before work even begins. The method for lifting is top secret so I can't show you details. With the shell firmly on the jig in the correct position Barry started at the front but before even that Barry made some bespoke fabricated pieces he knew were neeed to go along with the bought panels.

His work is lovely......







Regards
Mike

[jtparr]

Looking at those reinforces why I am looking forward to Barry starting on the E.....lovely stuff Mike....top marks Mr Carter..!

[Bigfoot]

I really miss those updates awesome work!!!

[210bhp]

So, where are these bits for.......... the front end, which seemed to be in reasonable shape in Mika's garage. Reality hits hard, what looked like a solid shell reveals 40+ years of life.

My plan was to keep as much original material as possible but not going to happen here,











Regards
Mike