All MetalShaping

Go Back   All MetalShaping > Metal Shaping Projects > Automotive Projects
  Today's Posts Posts for Last 7 Days Posts for Last 14 Days  

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
  #11  
Old 11-06-2017, 05:05 AM
Dantheman84 Dantheman84 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Victoria Australia
Posts: 55
Default

After stripping the car down, I came across some accident damage to the front end, bent chassis rails indicated this quite clearly. Along with that, some of the reinforcement panels and inner guards which are part of the front sheetmetal had rust and were quite thin in parts.
This made the decision quite easy for me to fabricate new panels. Before doing this, I was careful to take many reference measurements as I want it to all go back together correctly.
I made a simple brace to tie the front shock/engine mount points together, then it was a matter of disassembly armed with a drill and spot weld cutter

Name:  IMG_2977.jpg
Views: 593
Size:  76.0 KB

Name:  IMG_2978.jpg
Views: 594
Size:  75.9 KB

Name:  IMG_3076.jpg
Views: 604
Size:  76.0 KB
__________________
Daniel
Perfection = Patience + Perseverance
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 11-06-2017, 05:10 AM
Dantheman84 Dantheman84 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Victoria Australia
Posts: 55
Default

The decision was made to remove the old panels as carefully as possible so I could use them as patterns for new panels. So far this is working ok for me. I do also have another body shell that I'm using to cross check dimensions and reference points.
__________________
Daniel
Perfection = Patience + Perseverance
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 11-06-2017, 05:33 AM
Dantheman84 Dantheman84 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Victoria Australia
Posts: 55
Default

Starting with the front inner guards, I needed to make tooling to put the triangular pressing into the panels. This was just a simple tool using some plate etc and clamping the sheet in between while pressing in a small workshop press. There is a 5mm lip that is turned out at 90 degress around the outside of the larger panels which I turned by hand, hence the light sanding marks around the edge of panel. I gave it a light sand once I had dressed the turned up lip.
Name:  IMG_2957.jpg
Views: 599
Size:  76.5 KB

Name:  IMG_2966.jpg
Views: 591
Size:  85.2 KB

Name:  IMG_3673.jpg
Views: 576
Size:  66.4 KB

Name:  IMG_3681.jpg
Views: 570
Size:  72.5 KB

Name:  IMG_3680.jpg
Views: 606
Size:  63.5 KB

Name:  IMG_3697.jpg
Views: 573
Size:  72.9 KB

Name:  IMG_3689.jpg
Views: 565
Size:  43.5 KB
__________________
Daniel
Perfection = Patience + Perseverance
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 11-06-2017, 01:31 PM
TheRodDoc TheRodDoc is offline
MetalShaper of the Month Nov 2020
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: iowa, USA
Posts: 446
Default

I think these cars all had the front rails bent up at the factory to adjust the angle of the front suspension. ( the front crossmember seems to be welded flat to rails then rails bent up to tilt the member back, then rest of sheet metal was added to tie it all together.) My 59 sprite is this way too.
__________________
The Rod Doctor,
Richard Crees
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 11-06-2017, 02:12 PM
Richard Lennard Richard Lennard is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Exeter, Devon, UK
Posts: 295
Default

I repaired numerous Sprites and Midgets inc Frogeye into the 90s when they were more normal run arounds rather than the classic status that they now enjoy.
In the nicest possible way, I think the reference to front chassis rails is a little bit "Wishful thinking".
The only rails that I had to isolate and straighten, much as in this restoration, though to be fair, not so neat, were bent due to being walloped.
They bent at this point due to it being point of least resistance.
Once the tie / inner wing section is removed, it is fairly soft and a fairly straight forward section.
Now the 1/4 elliptic spring mounting points on the Frogeye used to be a standard MOT repair area - that was a horrible job, especially if you wanted all four wheels to remain on the ground - well it was the 80 / 90s.
You couldnt get the decent repair sections that are available these days.
Luckily standards have improved.
__________________
Richard

"Everything is in the system, if it aint working, the system aint right"
Reply With Quote
  #16  
Old 11-06-2017, 08:54 PM
Onemorehammer Onemorehammer is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Huntsville, Al.
Posts: 170
Default

Nice, neat and clean work on your parts Danial, appreciate your pictures, Dan
__________________
Dan Shady
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 11-07-2017, 04:22 AM
Dantheman84 Dantheman84 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Victoria Australia
Posts: 55
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by TheRodDoc View Post
I think these cars all had the front rails bent up at the factory to adjust the angle of the front suspension. ( the front crossmember seems to be welded flat to rails then rails bent up to tilt the member back, then rest of sheet metal was added to tie it all together.) My 59 sprite is this way too.
Yes the chassis rails are angled up at front, 3 degrees for castor angle. Mine were angled up slightly more after they suffered a hit or two!!
__________________
Daniel
Perfection = Patience + Perseverance
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 11-07-2017, 04:26 AM
Dantheman84 Dantheman84 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Victoria Australia
Posts: 55
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by neilb View Post
good luck with it dan, did you bring it over from the uk or was it aus delivered?
Thanks Neil, appreciate that. It's an Australian delivered car.
I've been keeping an eye on your 356 project too, great work. It's handy to be able to see Peter to get some advice. Very cool car though, keep up the good work
__________________
Daniel
Perfection = Patience + Perseverance
Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 11-07-2017, 04:30 AM
Dantheman84 Dantheman84 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Victoria Australia
Posts: 55
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Richard Lennard View Post
I repaired numerous Sprites and Midgets inc Frogeye into the 90s when they were more normal run arounds rather than the classic status that they now enjoy.
In the nicest possible way, I think the reference to front chassis rails is a little bit "Wishful thinking".
The only rails that I had to isolate and straighten, much as in this restoration, though to be fair, not so neat, were bent due to being walloped.
They bent at this point due to it being point of least resistance.
Once the tie / inner wing section is removed, it is fairly soft and a fairly straight forward section.
Now the 1/4 elliptic spring mounting points on the Frogeye used to be a standard MOT repair area - that was a horrible job, especially if you wanted all four wheels to remain on the ground - well it was the 80 / 90s.
You couldnt get the decent repair sections that are available these days.
Luckily standards have improved.
Hi Richard,

Yes, thankfully there is a vast array of parts available for these cars. I know that most of the panels I'm making can be bought, but I just wanted to make them for the experience and what I can learn out of it.
Cheers
Dan.
__________________
Daniel
Perfection = Patience + Perseverance
Reply With Quote
  #20  
Old 11-07-2017, 04:30 AM
Dantheman84 Dantheman84 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Victoria Australia
Posts: 55
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Onemorehammer View Post
Nice, neat and clean work on your parts Danial, appreciate your pictures, Dan
Thanks Dan, appreciate the encouragement.
__________________
Daniel
Perfection = Patience + Perseverance
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On

Forum Jump

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:26 PM.

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.