Finnish Francesca, 1973 targa resto

[210bhp]

And more,







This really just illustrates that even the best looking shells have the potential for major bodywork with lots of new panels needed. Not that I didn't expect it because the instruction to Barry was to make as good as new.

Regards
Mike

[210bhp]

Tools, skill and experience are needed. Barry communicated frequently and it goes without saying that I always felt 'in touch' with the project even though I was the length of the country away. I have photos of every step of the way and here are just a few of the lhs repairs with tools, skill and experience in abundance......













Regards
Mike

[911hillclimber]

As beautifully done as ever.
Great to see the pics and the commentary.

[andy888]

UPDATE please michael..............

[210bhp]

UPDATE please michael..............

Ok Andy.
There's a lot of metalwork to get through yet. Barry attended to every detail.

More bad news



And a multitude of little soft areas of metal as Barry called them down the left hand side two of which illustrated below. Barry systematically worked through each one slowly ticking off his list.





Soft areas repaired







What repair? Where?



Regards
Mike

[210bhp]

More brilliant bespoke fabrication



Superb prep,



Welded in place



Looking nice,



Regards
Mike

[210bhp]

Even more bad news..............

Moving further back to the rear wing area Barry investigated a kink which became more apparent once he had cut off the outer rear wing. His conclusion was that there had been a very small impact just behind the door. Not enough to move the targa bar position but enough to throw things a tiny bit off square. Maybe a car park incident? Anyway, with Barry's own suitable bracing technique he set about cutting away the rust, the previous repairs and make good and straight. As he said, this is critical to getting good door gaps and alignment for opening and closing.














And all this on a seemingly pretty good looking shell.

Regards
Mike

[210bhp]

The base of the targa hoop and surrounds was just as crusty. A weak spot on Richards car too if I remember correctly.







Regards
Mike

[210bhp]

I'll let the pictures speak for themselves. This was the part of the repair which simply had me lost for words. There were many many photos of the build up of this section including lots of fabrication but I will just post a few to summarise Barry's fabulous work,









The end of the lhs problems?

I don't think so.

Regards
Mike

[210bhp]

You can see a hint of what was to come on the right of this photo



Regards
Mike

[210bhp]

A seemingly good shell lovingly hand stripped with great care by Mika and Barry does this to it!



Regards
Mike

[Tp81]

Lovely work, in the safest place. Scary.

Hopefully catch up soon.

[andy888]

is the black coating a weldable primer?

[yoda]

Crikey Mike. As you say, looked like a nice shell but plenty to do still. Barry is doing a lovely job as always.

Looking good.

[murph2309]

The base of the targa hoop and surrounds was just as crusty. A weak spot on Richards car too if I remember correctly.



Regards
Mike

Yep. Mine was pretty crusty there too....



Ended up looking like this though - the man's a genius....



Looks like it was tough going on yours though Mike - although the work that Mr C does on these cars really defies description many times. Loving the resto - looking forward to further updates.

R