As some may know in January 2018, my brother purchased a 1973 Devon that had been advertised on a well known auction site but did not sell. He drove the van home and it was a small adventure in itself. On the way we learnt that there are no pipes connecting the heat exchangers to the chassis tubes so HE was cold whilst I followed in HIS nice warm car. The pin on the accelerator pedal came out on the M1 and it was squeaky bottom time fixing it on the hard shoulder.
When purchased it looked like this and it soon moved into a garage where work such as the removal of the wrap commenced , all with the help of 'friend not on benefits'. Then up in the air she went, pop top roof came out as did the interior and engine. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
The roof apron hid some issues on the roof which were soon addressed. Taken back to bare metal, rust treated and filled getting it ready for priming. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Soon the roof was primed and the gutters are surprisingly solid. Also welded in some stronger plates where the pop top roof supports attach. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
It was decided a new front panel wasn't going to be fitted and as the front panel where the badge fits was pushed in it was popped out and filled. In addition the rust was cut out, the metal rust treated and new metal fabricated and welded in before filling and priming. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Nearside of the front clip too. The screen was removed and that too was treated and primed Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
So now the front clip is all done and primed. The dents in the cab doors and engine lid are also filled and primed Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
The rest of the Windows have come out and it became clear why the louvre window was leaking. So some repair work has been done Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
The nearside doorstep had some rust So it was cut out and the repair made to try and emulate the original. It's soon to be filled and smoothed ready for priming. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
The apron has been detached from the pop top for preparation for priming Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Removal of the petrol tank revealed that the original colour was brilliant orange. The petrol tank contained the remains of several cheap plastic fuel caps But now the cargo floor has got to come up This is because the removal of welded on belly pans revealed the fact that work is needed to the inner sills, chassis, outriggers and jacking points (probably cross members too). Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Got an action shot of the brother actually assisting (note the middle finger about to be raised to me). I reckon there are some 400 spot welds holding the nearside panel of the cargo floor in. I believe they are all done so with luck half the floor will be out tomorrow afternoon. We’ve decided to work on one side of the chassis and inner sill at time so as to try and retain as much structural integrity as we can whilst the repair work is done. Friend not on benefits (Ed) has continued with the bodywork too Tomorrow will be 14 days since we started. Just hope we can keep up the pace. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
No work on my part today as the Boiler man has been at my home. However ‘Friend not on Benefits’ (Ed) has put some primer on so as to put some guide coat on so as to flatten the panels. This means I’ve got to keep out the garage a few hours longer. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Well it’s out And started to clean it up to see what needs to go and what can stay. However it looks like the other side of the cargo floor has got to come out now as the crossmembers need to be changed. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
