AFrench Blue '69 GTV Restoration

[1750GT]

Fabio...don't get ahead of me now....I still need to do the driver's side! For me the fun fun will begin after the body comes back from paint. How's the Super coming along by the way?

[smestas]

Rossano,

Great updates. Do you plan on doing any extra seam welding while you have the car on the chassis tilter?

[1750GT]

Simon, there are a few areas that I know I will need to strengthen up a little for sure...around the steering box attachment mount holes for example (I'm seeing some local deformation ) and at some failed spot welds along lower edges on the front of the car (most likely caused by the front fender bender that the car experienced at some point). I don't see a need to go gung ho with seam welding everything up since this car overall does not have heavy rust at the major structural areas and most of the spot welds are still very solid. Now if this car was going to be turned into a hot track car or racer I'd definitely probably go that route...but as a weekend only easy driver...I don't see the need really...do you?

[SuperFab]

Rossano...soon I hope to get back at it. Body and paint means big $$ and unfortunately there are a few other items in the queue . Per your comment...the same goes for me...the fun comes after the paint job!! For now, the Fulvia is running really well so I am not overly sad...besides, vino is in the cantina and soon the snow will blow! To keep from "rusting" I am going to help my friend with his Datsun 260Z project this fall/winter...my Alfa is next (the piggy bank should recover by then...). Per adesso, dobbiamo aver un po' di pazienza

[SuperFab]

A note regarding the steering box and idler arm mounting points...check out my posts on this (somewhere). I welded in tubes that bridge either side...honeycomb sandwiched between skins...you know what I'm talking about

[1750GT]

I'm finally back on the GTV again....and man it sure feels great. I finally got around to pulling off the top flange of the outer sill....and double side welded it back on to the main section.

...some distortion from welding occurred...so I had to straighten it back out...here it's all ready to go back on.



A few of the plug welds for the floor section were inaccessible in behind the "B" pillar. So I notched out the bottom end of it so as to get full access with the tip of the MIG.



...and the notched section has been welded back on.

[1750GT]

With the bulk of the outer sill welded back on I now felt comfortable removing the portion below the "A" pillar that was not removed earlier.



Good access allowed me to get the wire wheel in there and clean it up nicely. All the plug welds on the floor panel outer edge are now completed.



I usually apply 2 coats of self Etch primer and weld thru primer (on the flanges that get welded). The piece that was removed has been pre drilled, deburred, primed and is now ready to go back on. When there is no access to double side weld....I like to weld a back-up strip first on one piece. This way I know I have an even thickness of weld along the entire length ....also prevents burn through.



....here it's finished welded...

[1750GT]

Here I made a template for the forward inner sill plate.



then fabricated up the piece. Sometimes it seems that no matter how many times I measure and pre-fit....I always manage to screw something up....I formed the hole flange down instead of up....the wrong way! Yeah I know it's a small screw up but it peaved me off for about an hour.



Here it's been prefitted and ready to but put on. But before I can do this I need to fix up the original jack point due to the new floor panel contour being just slightly off form the original.

[GTV4EVR]

Really impressive!!!!!!!!!!!!

[smestas]

Awesome updates. Thank you for taking the time to share them with us.

[1750GT]

Thanks gents....now that I'm back on a roll...I better not stop! Today I was able to finish the mod to the jacking point. Because the new floor contour was slightly different than the original. I had to widen the flange out by about .200 inch.



I welded the new material in ...and with a little fitting and trimming it now fits just like a glove.



Now it's ready to receive the new middle sill piece I fabricated earlier.

[1750GT]

...all welded up and cleaned..



...all primed...



...the lower A pillar can finally go back on...hopefully tomorrow it'll get welded in.

[PSk]

Nice.

Pete

[tsigel]

Absolutly stunning work, and equally excellent doccumentation. Your photography is wonderful, carefully lit and framed- never easy in tight quarters. It is appreciated by all- please continue.

Thank you!

Tony

[1750GT]

Grazie per I complimenti Tony....posting pictures on an ongoing basis helps to keep me focused and hopefully I can maintain some momentum with the work.

The lower A pillar piece is now all welded in......finally.



The inner sill and passenger floor are about 95% complete...soon I can flip the car back to horizontal and start on the outer sill. I guess now's a good time to order that outer sill.