Front End Panels

After installing the duct panel the shape was returning to the panels on either side of the grill opening.

But before continuing with panel straightening , repairs need to be made to some small cracks on the bottom right (passenger) of the grill opening.

The metal here is quite thin. Using a piece of copper to act as a heat sink and helps reduces the risk of blowing holes through the metal. Drilling a small hole at the ends of the cracks helps prevent the cracks from growing. I was quite nervous welding on an outer panel (even though it will be cover by the grill). 

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This gives some strength back to the panel  and now the beatings can begin!

Actually the panels didn't need all that much persuasion with the slapper to get a proper look.

Final shape will be made when the actual grill that will be going on the car  is available (this one will be replaced by a higher quality one).

The front end is actually starting to look like an MGA!

Front End & Radiator Duct

The car had the scars of being in at least one front-end collision. Body panels on both side of the grill were dented and creased, the radiator duct panel was also warped and misshaped. 

 

Replacing the radiator duct and valance "skirt" should help bring the shape back to the front shroud. Both these parts are available new.

The duct panel and the skirt were both put in at the factory using spot welds. To remove them, every spot weld had to be drilled out.....

 

......about 10 or 12 drill bits and a lot of holes later:

Out with the old :

In with the new:

Long Winter.... but some progress

While I took a bit of a hiatus over the winter months, the car was safely tuck away in hibernation.

This was the first snow fall of the year:

What seemed like an extra long winter season, has finally let up and work has started again.

This pile of junk last fall:

Has cleaned up nicely:

 I was particularly concerned with the valance, although it was not to badly rusted, it had seen a lot of curb damage. The shape was completely deformed and was not even close to the proper curve to allow it to attach to the car.

After sand blasting, I was able to work on the valance in the basement (when no one was home to be bother by the banging). After a good many hours with the slapper and dollies, bends and dings disappeared. Because of the double curves this piece was a bit of a challenge,  I had to work along one curve and then go over it again along the other curve, making minor corrections to the first curve.  I was very surprised to see how well the proper shape returned.

Although some filler will be needed, it will be kept to a minimum. The valance now easily attaches and matches the shape of the front of the car.