Well, lets do this again! - Page 6

**mubezzi** · #76 (**permalink**) 08-08-2006, 03:03 PM

A few questions regarding panels...
Can anybody comment on the difference between NOS panels and those supplied by Italian suppliers making reproduction panels?
Do they both fit the same or is there truly a difference? Looking for GTV specific experiences. I understand that the sheet metal source is different between NOS and reproduction.
When did Alfa stop making replacement panels?
If the reproduction panels do not fit as nice as the NOS panels, what are the challenges in fitting reproduction panels?

**akitaman** · #77 (**permalink**) 08-08-2006, 03:08 PM

The dry-in time reaches it's max potential in 15 days. The epoxy can do no more after that. Groups like Harrah's use metal etch primers and epoxys as stop watches. In other words they apply it to secure the metal, and to stop any current issues, and at that point they don't have to worry about it . The point of the comment was to explain how some groups schedule out the restoration a year in advance. In a way that is what we did here. The whole car is primed in, yes we are going to remove the majority of the metal but we are priming today until we pick and choose where and what is getting cut. As for how it all comes together.....stay tuned.

Sneds 67 GT · #78 (**permalink**) 08-08-2006, 03:32 PM

Thats kinda what I figured you all were doing. I can't imagine the talent those guys have (and from other pics of your work, your included in there).

When I get rich, I'll give em a try!

Looking foreward to the updates!

**mubezzi** · #79 (**permalink**) 08-10-2006, 05:49 PM

I have a set of rear fenders (complete panels both left and right side) and a set of complete rocker panels left and right side (inner, middle and outer) on their way from Italy. These will be at Re-Originals by Monday next week and at the master craftsmen's palace by end-of-week. I look forward to having a painted, rolling chassis....

**akitaman** · #80 (**permalink**) 08-12-2006, 04:29 PM

Well, this just got a little more interesting. "The butcher" just brass welded the rear apron over the old apron! On top of that, he didn't treat either piece. Gez, okay no more fussing. I just want to cry..... the little car had better coming to it.

Stay tuned for more updates.

**1750GT** · #81 (**permalink**) 08-12-2006, 08:27 PM

..holey moley! What more is there...what more can there be?.....the guy that did this work previously should have all his air tools confiscated and destroyed for the good of all mankind!!Thank goodness you'll be putting these wrongs to right!

**akitaman** · #82 (**permalink**) 08-12-2006, 09:05 PM

I like how he cut the bumper mounts off....

I guess he was trying to drop weight.

nicke · #83 (**permalink**) 08-12-2006, 10:15 PM

Mubezzi, Akitaman I'm really speachless! That's one nasty surprise on top of another, but I'm sure it's gonna be great when done. This makes my '69 look like a walk in the park... Keep up the good work!

Cheers, Nick

**mubezzi** · #84 (**permalink**) 08-12-2006, 10:20 PM

This car actually gained in gross weight given the amount of bondo that was needed to cover the patch work. And given the quality of work we see right before our very eyes, it becomes so clear to me that this line of thinking would naturally follow. Of course he cut the mounts off to save weight...

**mubezzi** · #85 (**permalink**) 08-13-2006, 12:19 AM

Just so folks reading have some context, here are the diagrams needed to understand how the chassis comes together.

**akitaman** · #86 (**permalink**) 08-13-2006, 12:18 PM

I could not wait to get started on the lower front end of the car today. The metal work in this area is not that complicated but it became complicated because of the rust. Many different layers of metal reside here. All of which need to be replaced. We will be fabricating the damaged areas.

The battery tray will be fab'd. This means I need to be careful removing it, for it will be a template for the new one.

Every battery tray is different. The spot weld are never in the same locations and they are never the same amount of spots. Over the years it can become difficult finding them all.

Oh look! under the tray, more rust!

The lower cross brace need to be removed so we can get to the cancer behind it.

Oh look! more rust!

With the cross brace removed, we can see the extent of the damage to the area. The angle that this picture was taken from is under the car. The bottom of the picture is the sway bar.

Here's another angle of the same thing. Say... is that sway bar supposed to be bolted on?

Well at lease this side was bolted still.

Thanks for looking.

**akitaman** · #87 (**permalink**) 08-13-2006, 01:05 PM

Oh I forgot the cut outs. I think it's important to note that anytime we have a cavity open like this, we always want to take the opportunity to inject cavity wax and self etching primer. This will prevent rust in the future.

All that interior metal will be removed as well. I just wanted to show how complex some of the infrastructure is in this area.

peterosefirepit · #88 (**permalink**) 08-13-2006, 01:50 PM

How could this be worth it?

Nacho · #89 (**permalink**) 08-13-2006, 02:05 PM

Man, I love this thread. I thought my car was in rough body shape till I saw this one. I was getting scared that I bought a junker and I could never fix it. I am glad to see there is hope in the end. Mine has bondo in a lot of places similar to this so most of my work will be based directly off of these pictures. Thank you akitaman for keeping up with all your daily activity on this build and I want to tell you this will be a super help when it comes time to rip my ride apart and start over. And mubezzi, you’re a super brave man for getting this one rebuilt. This gives hope to those of us who have rusty Alfa’s that need restored.

**sono veL.O.ce** · #90 (**permalink**) 08-13-2006, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peterosefirepit

How could this be worth it?