First Post

[Alan Whyte]

I have just re-joined the club as I hopefully have some time now to repair my car. I purchased the car nine years ago on eBay and collected it from near Lyme Regis. It ran well on my way back to Kent, so I was quite pleased. Before moving to East Sussex, I took it for an Mot. The examiner said that I should not have been driving it as he considered it to be a death trap. As the car had not moved from my garage since the purchase, I then realised that I had bought a lemon with a very dodgy ticket on it. So I then knew that I had some task ahead of me. I stripped the car years ago and saw that at least the drivers floor and inner sill needed replacing. So I purchased the items from Derek and then work stopped.
Last week I removed the front wing which was in a terrible state and needs repair parts. I then started removing all paint, underseal, fibre glass, rust and some materials that I wasn't familiar with. I can see on the forum that many members have come across the effects of the dreaded tin worm.
What I can't find is help/knowledge as to what is the preferred path forward in removing floors, inner and outer sills, etc. I am possibly using the forum incorrectly. Any help would be appreciated.
Many Thanks. Alan.

[austina40sam]

HI Alan,

Yes it does look like you have a fair Amont of work ahead of you. Where abouts in East Sussex are you? There might be a local garage that can help? Im in Seaford.

[Alan Whyte]

Hi Sam
I am in Mayfield. Thanks for your reply. I wish to gain as much knowledge from photo's, video's etc before contacting the professionals. It appears that the repairs carried out in the past on my car are sub standard lap welded patches or worse.
With an older vehicle I'm guessing that it would be difficult to find body shops that had prior experience in replacing inner sills etc on an A40.

[austina40sam]

Hi Alan,

There is such garages around however finding one in your area may take some time. Lots of help and advice via the club. Glad to have you on board and do contact the club any time, even if its just to say how your getting on with the car.

[scotty]

Under the rebuild of UCE 13 you will find pics of the work our fabricator completed to replace the sills on the car plus many other pics of the floors and general structure of the shell.

[Keith Bennett]

Welcome to the madhouse Alan. When you get round to removing the front and rear screens, don't try pulling the stainless steel trim away because it will distort and put you in a world of pain when you try to refit it after the respray. Just carefully cut the perished rubber seals away and lift the glass out.

Best of luck with the restoration!

[exlkrs]

HA HA HAHA! we've got you now, there's no escape. You're here until Farinhalla!!

[Alan Whyte]

Under the rebuild of UCE 13 you will find pics of the work our fabricator completed to replace the sills on the car plus many other pics of the floors and general structure of the shell.

Thanks Scotty for the suggestion. I found the photo's that you mentioned and they should be of some help.

[Alan Whyte]

Welcome to the madhouse Alan. When you get round to removing the front and rear screens, don't try pulling the stainless steel trim away because it will distort and put you in a world of pain when you try to refit it after the respray. Just carefully cut the perished rubber seals away and lift the glass out.

Best of luck with the restoration!

Thanks Keith for your advice. I have not removed the screens yet. I hope to remember the tip in the future.