THE BODY

After two weeks at the bodyshop, I called Trevor and he was anxious for me to visit, Trevor had lost my phone number and was very pleased I had called. I popped in the next day and there she was, up on blocks, doors off, wheels off, paint and filler stripped back, with all the tin worm exposed. There had been, as was expected, a lot of filler masking the rot and some evidence of previous welding, but fortunately the rust was not extensive and was confined to just the outer skin.

It was decided that all four quarters needed repair panels and also the sills, unfortunately the photos don't really show the problem, but as I said not to bad considering the age of the car. I ordered the panels as soon as I got home and it was all with me before lunch time the next day.

I delivered everything the next day, including a new windscreen rubber seal, as the widow will have to come out. I was very pleased with progress and I saw Trevor make a note of my mobile number with a promise to call when it was time for me to re-visit, I expect that will be after all the welding is done.

THE TEASE IS OVER

Completing the stripping of Stella went easier than I expected. I tackled the doors next, I knew that removing the door cards and handles would be OK as I had done that before, but taking out the trim, glass and chrome frame plus the electric winder was a new challenge. The instructions in the manual are a bit sketchy, but a bit of common sense and it all came away.

Next was the front end. I had been wondering how I was going to get access to the bumper side bolts, but once I had removed the headlamps and shells it was obvious, again everything either unscrewed or unbolted without a problem. The black goo that was holding the chrome trim was cut through and all the trim was safely removed.

The only problem removing the hood was its weight, in this case the manual was explicit enough to unhook the springs and undo the bolts all in the right order and just as I realised I was not going to be able to lift the hood up and away on my own, my lovely wife arrived home. A couple of things got caught up, but without to much difficulty the two of us got it away from the car. Finally the tourneau cover was removed and the T bar, which I intend to recover and there she was, fully naked. All that remained was a bit of a cleanup inside and out with white spirit and paper cloth.

The low loader arrived just before 9am yesterday and now Stella is in the hands of Trevor and his team. I am not sure how long it will take to find out what new metal needs to be welded in, I will just have to anxiously wait!