An Introduction: Chris Collins and Morris Tilly Project

[jack neville]

First panel done. Came out quite well.

[jack neville]

Two sets done. The formers barely suffered at all. Now just need a lot of holes drilled in them.

[jack neville]

With one set of rear side panels in place with their timber support and the roof all bolted up and in the correct position, I bolted a brace across the two B pillars to keep it all in place and then made up another new timber bulkhead which bolts to the rear of the roof.

[jack neville]

Using the other set of rear panels allowed me to lay out the timber frame as I cut each piece. A very time consuming excercise with each piece lapped into two others. I also did two sets at once so glad to have that out of the way.

[jack neville]

A bit more progress of the timber work. The side pieces are all now screwed and glued but not attached to the metal sides yet. The front main cross bearer is complete and joined up to the main pillar supports. The rear main cross bearer is cut to size and clamped in situ to hold the sides up. I am waiting on more timber for the rear tailgate hinge supports and rear floor step. I need that assembled to help get the whole body square before I put the floor boards in and make a tailgate. But before I can do that though I have to rebuild the inner wheel arches.

[jack neville]

The inner wheel arches were salvaged from the original sides and sandblasted. On closer in inspection they were too dented and with too many rusted through areas. I could have reused them but considering the rest of the rear body will be all new and straight, these parts would have detracted from the finished look. I have decided to make new ones but after working out how to do it I decided I could re-use the inner panel which was easily straightened. The top panel I removed by grinding away the spot welds of the top panel to preserve the inner panel intact. I new top panel was formed up using angle irons and G clamps and working from my pedestal vice.

[jack neville]

I then drilled a series of 6 mm holes around the edge of the new top panel and plug welded it to the original inner panel. One down.