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My BJ7 restoration photos

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John Loftus

John Loftus

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As the restoration progresses, I thought I would put some of the process photos on my website. The body is scheduled to be painted tomorrow so I have some more pictures to add soon.

https://www.loftusdesign.net/restorationweb/

Cheers,
John
 
Nice... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif Are you going to repaint it the same colors as before? Or new?
 
Great pictures John. Are you going to keep the car white?
I too am restoring a BJ7. Just in the tear down/apart stage.
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
 
John,
I am getting ready to repaint my BJ8 (ph 1). I have a concern about replacing the air intake grille on the bonnet. The bottom corner edges appear quite sharp and I am worried that it will be very easy to scratch the new paint when putting the air intake grille back. Suggestions?
 
Skip,

I assume you are talking about the surround part that goes on the outside of the scoop. The corners can be tricky. I suggest you pre-fit the part before painting to make sure the primer has not been built up too much and then use electrical tape to protect the paint during installation. If you fold over the electrical tape to cover the adhesive, you will get more protection and should be able to slide the tape out after the part is installed. Also, remember to use fiber or rubber washers between the surround and the bonnet surface to keep the surround chrome from dimpling when you tighten down the fasteners. I use locktite on the fasteners and only tighten lightly.

Henri and Johnny,

Color ... that has been a hard decision. I'm stepping out of bounds in terms of originality with a very very dark green (almost black) and OE White side coves. I already had redone the interior a few years ago (black) and that had an influence on my choice also.

Cheers,
John
 
Great photo album. It is nice to see it done right. Too many people take short cuts then wonder why their cars don't run or look quite right. Good Job!
 
Wow- Looks great this one of the nicest "rust-free" cars I have seen in a long time. I wish mine looked that nice when all the paint was removed.

Good Luck-

Kmeyer
 
Woah, John!!! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif That album is great!! So reminds me of our current project!!!! Thanks for sharing! I'll have to investigate that website (*** is it easy to use, etc...???***) from home, where I have my pictures and try to get something up on our BJ7 project, also!

Very nice!!!!! looks fabulous!
Cheers,
 
Pretty impressive John! Just looking at your sequencing makes me realize just how much work I have yet to do. I'm at the chasis repair stage and was interested in your technique for pulling out the depressions in the rails where the PO's had applied jacks etc. under the car. Also, on your dogleg repairs, were you replacing the pillar attachment flares as well as the face of the panel section, and was that a 2-piece construct?

Nice work all around!

Lance
 
[ QUOTE ]
I'm at the chasis repair stage and was interested in your technique for pulling out the depressions in the rails where the PO's had applied jacks etc. under the car. Also, on your dogleg repairs, where you replacing the pillar attachment flares as well as the face of the panel section, and was that a 2-piece construct?
Lance

[/ QUOTE ]

Thank Lance .. there is a bit more information on the technique I used for pulling the frame dents .. make sure you read the whole thread.
https://www.britishcarforum.com/ubbthread...part=1&vc=1

Regarding the dog leg repairs ... both the front surface and the returns at the bottom and pillar side were replaced with one fabricated piece. The original formed bead on the wheel arch side was retained when cutting out the damaged area. This made it easier to retain the continuity of the bead. I did order one dogleg replacement panel but the bead was not the same as on the fender so Antonio made the panel patches from scratch. Let me know if this answered your questions well enough.

Cheers,
John
 
Thanks, John. I just read the entire thread, and as it turns out, I have that same PAP from Harbor Freight!

Timing is everything. I was just looking at the dented frame as I worked on some inner body repairs over the weekend and thought about posting to the forum for advice!

Regarding the dogleg repairs, when you say "one fabricated piece", do I take that to mean that there are three pieces to the fabrication; the bead, the face, and the flange? The reason I ask is that in addition to the dogleg repair that my fenders require, I also either need to replace the entire length of the flange or buy an expensive replacement fender.

Thanks again,

Lance
 
[ QUOTE ]
Regarding the dogleg repairs, when you say "one fabricated piece", do I take that to mean that there are three pieces to the fabrication; the bead, the face, and the flange?

[/ QUOTE ]

Hi Lance, Sorry, I was using the word 'fabricated' to mean 'created', not as 'an assembly of parts'. The new patches were created from one piece that was cut and folded to match the original. On both repairs the original wheel arch bead was retained. On the first picture the pillar flange is part of the new patch (can't see it from this view but the metal bends around 90 degrees). On the second picture the original pillar flange was retained because it was undamaged. On both repairs the bottom flange was part of the new patch as you can see. I have highlighted the welded in panels in light red and placed the old panels next to the fenders so you can see the cut lines. Of course the front panel surface has curvature which was formed with a planish hammer (looks similar to an english wheel but has an air powered hammer on the top side and dies/dollies on the other)

Also, if you are looking to farm this out, you might want to check with https://www.vintageautomotive.com/ I haven't used their services but the metalwork in the pictures looks very good.

Cheers,
John

dogleg1.jpg
dogleg2.jpg
 
Hello John, Your photos are excellent and the work you are doing is really good. I'll have to be doing that to my BJ7 someday. Right now my wife and I are enjoying it too much to completely take it off the road. I think your work has helped alot of us BJ7 owners.
Thanks Dave. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif
 
Just a quick progress report. The painting is done along with the reassembly (the painter preferred to paint the panels seperately so there was no overspray and then we carefully reassembled the parts) Most of the color sanding has been done and the Old English White side coves were painted yesterday (no pictures of that yet). I'm going out of town for a few days but the final buff should be completed by my return. Here's a few pictures:

paint1.jpg
paint3.jpg
paint2.jpg

opps, the color sanding went through in one small area so the right wing was resprayed.
paint4.jpg
 
Nice ! - very nice!!!
 
John,
Your paint job is gorgeous!! Love it. I think I recall that you are going to try the engine install through the painted body work is that correct? Please be careful.

Where did you get the rivet squeezer if I may ask?

Lin
1960 BT7 in restoration
 
[ QUOTE ]
The paint is finished! Brought the car home via flatbed truck today and it feels good to have it safely back home. I took a few photos and updated the website. Time to raise a glass to celebrate a major chunk of work completed. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif

https://www.loftusdesign.net/restorationweb/

[/ QUOTE ]
Wow, just gorgeous! I love the reflection off the rear panel /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif
 
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