DDK - Die Deutschen Klassiker

To bring some balance to all these factory perfect restorations that seem to be taking over DDK I thought I'd start a thread on my current build, I have a rough plan but it's a work in progress and it will be a slow burn as it's a shop car and paying customers have to take priority (most of the time!)

As it was found after being off the road for a number of years.





Engine just about turned but not well enough to try to start it.



We dismantled the car and removed all the panels we knew were beyond saving and sent it off to Envirostrip to be stripped of all paint, underseal and rust.













It was then etch primed to prevent any surface rust whilst the metal work was done.





And mounted to the jig.

Looks very solid Jon, apart from the crusty rear slam panel corner it doesn't look like it needs much work? 81, 82?

It's a '78 car and was in fairly poor shape, the inner structure isn't bad I guess but as you'll see it needs its fair share of new metal.

Front panels cut away ready for earlier panels for the backdated front end.





New suspension pan





Reinforcing plate fitted



Early style tank support cut in.







Early front section of inner wing trial fitted



And welded in place together with battery box





Early front panel also fitted





Early front wings

Nice work Jon. You got a new workshop then..?

Relocated to a bigger premises last Sept Dave, extra space gets filled pretty quickly though....

Looking forward to this build

Interesting that you have gone back to twin battery boxes. Does that mean you are backdating the wiring harness too?

ah, Pallas lamps.......

Love it

Nice work Jon (as usual)

Jon, I've checked out your website and that's a beautiful new shop you've got with lots of lovely equipment and great processes to match your skills for 911 restoration. Looks like a 911 "center of excellence" to me. Very cool. John in Connecticut/USA.

Thanks guys, not sure about the wiring yet Jonny, using the old battery boxes was the easiest way to mount bumper brackets!

Probably no Pallas Mike, will likely weld up those holes...

Now the more observant among you will notice a broom holding up the bonnet, something I've done for years. However at about 4pm on New Years Eve said broom decided it had taken enough abuse and that holding up the bonnet wasn't in its job description and left without warning.

The result was a trip to A&E to have my nose glued back together!!



Lessons learned:

A&E gets very busy on New Years Eve!

The top edge of the inner wing is very sharp!

Always use two brooms.....

Oh dear, glad you're ok

Maybe you could book yourself in for a bit of backdating?

Actually that should be forward dating shouldn't it?