POST 7 - JULY 2011 - DO YOUR WORST DAVE

With some trepidation I take the rear body section to Dave Ferguson at Hutton Rudby, Ace Classic Car restorer and Triumph TR expert, to do his worst with his sand blast equipment.  I know it has to be done and its probably going to make some sound looking bits a lot less sound, but what other options are there.  Some rust inhibitor and a bucket of filler would spare me the trauma in the short term, and after all, who would know?   Fortunately, Dave's been sandblasting delicate classic panels for years so knows how not to ripple those larger expanses of sheet steel.  He also knows that theres no point in "pussy footing" around corosion.  Every vestige of rust has to be completley blown away.  A few days later I return to see whats left. 

Apart from a few expected "perforations" it all looks straight, solid
 and intact. The  B post / shut panels, bottom of rear bulkhead and
bottom of tonneau panel will need replacing, which I already knew. 

 But just look at those fabulous battery boxes.  better than I could have hoped for.
As soon as blasting is completed, Dave sprays the entire, ultra clean assembly,
 with a light coat of etch primer to prevent new rust forming and to provide an
 excellent key for the next process.

Apart from some light corrosion along the top edge, the rear wings

are equally solid.  My 140 was completely rotten for the entire

bottom half.  Just how have these survived so well?

All in all a very satisfactory outcome.  The rear section and wings are now taken to bodywork Super Guru Alex Aitkin at Auto-Bodycraft in Stokesley to be repaired, have new metal let in, and then be honed and shaped to perfection.  The plan is to paint most of the inner body areas in the original factory matt black finish (unique to alloy and early steel 120's)  Other areas, typically under the wings will be finished in body colour Stone Guard.  The final paint finish will not be applied until the entire body is in one piece and in place on the chassis.