815 coupe restoration

[Kevinlincs]

A few years ago I acquired this car as part of many a deal with my good friend Richard, can't recall now how it all came about and what deals were made but I know we originally intended to restore it between us but as the years passed it became my sole ownership with a deal or two for my cars going Richards way.
The car came from Colin Clamp of the consortium, it has damage front and rear apparently from an incident during transportation at some point.
It has sat idly and patiently for a good few years now, well a short time I guess in its 60 year history!

[Kevinlincs]

The boot and rear panel has taken a good thump, a replacement boot lid came with the car and I'd originally intended to pull the back end straight but recently I have had word from Colin that he has a used but straight rear end that I will be buying from him.

[Kevinlincs]

The drivers floor has some rot under the pedals but overall it doesn't seem bad considering its age...

[Kevinlincs]

Rear window needs to come out as the shelf under the parcel shelf has a fair amount of rot in it, most likely the window seal has been leaking or it's just due to the age again..

[Kevinlincs]

Those shots are all from a few years back, 2018 or 19 I'd guess. It's been sat in a corner of the workshop since whilst I finished all the other tasks and distractions.
Now the time has come to tackle this car, intended to be my last full restoration so a car I intend to take my time over and make a decent stab at.

Today I pushed it over the pit to finally have a look underneath to see what state it is all in, and to decide if I also need the used front end that Colin also has.

The drivers side floor needs a good portion replacing, rot at the aforementioned pedal area but also the rear end has been patched before and needs doing again plus the box section where the seat mount cross member sits is destroyed.

[Kevinlincs]

Seems the drivers side is the worst, whole length will really need replacing.

[Kevinlincs]

Passenger side appears to just need a small section near the subframe mount doing plus a small hole half way down, of course that could all change once work starts but the usual method of stabbing with a screwdriver didn't reveal any dull sounding crunchy pieces so first impressions aren't enough to put me off.

[Kevinlincs]

May be a little while longer before I make a start as I want to make a workspace inside the workshop first so the dirt and dust that will be generated can be better contained as there are other cars stored that need to be kept clean or at least not covered in grinding sparks and the usual dirt thrown up.
But I'm looking forward to getting on with it at long last 

[lancialulu]

Write it up for VL!!!!

[Kevinlincs]

Write it up for VL!!!!

I did wonder about doing another "amateur restoration" piece for the mag Tim, or asking if it would be worthy, but in reality it'll take a while before I make a start on it and I've no plans to rush so it'll be a year or two in the making. Might mention to Jack if he would like a sporadic piece from next year maybe, I need to make a workspace first so it'll be the winter before work commences most likely.

[Kevinlincs]

The rear has had a thump apparently in a transportation incident, something about cars not being strapped down well and the Flavia being constantly rammed by the car behind it on the low loader!
I didn't think it had been moved too far inwards but with the "new" bootlid fitted it was clear that it needed more than a little tickle!

[Kevinlincs]

It had also splayed the rear quarter panels outwards too, you could fit your fingers between the bootlid side and the quarter!

[Kevinlincs]

I'd already acquired a portapower some years back ready for this task in the hope I'd be able to get it somewhere close. Very happy with the end result, came out quite well all things considered.

[Kevinlincs]

Gaps are now great, all came out well.

[Kevinlincs]

I am getting a better rear panel to graft in so the dents don't matter, it will all be changed. I also have a new lower valance that came with the car so the damage will soon be a thing of the past.