An Introduction: Chris Collins and Morris Tilly Project

[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.

[jack neville]

Both sides are now complete with inner guards manufactured and welded in place. I will get them blasted for better paint adhesion. Chris has primed all the timber which has been glued and screwed together ready for fitting. In the meantime I assembled one of the doors.

[jack neville]

Any little dents were straightened in the outer skin. It was then a simple matter of cutting the two inner sections were they overlapped and manipulating the lap joint so when welded together and ground down the welds would be flush. The edges were then hammered back over and redressed. I needed several clamps to get the corners tucked in tight to start with.

[jack neville]

Completed side panels back from sandblasting ready for paint and assembly.