My 1960 Austin Healey Bugeye Sprite. A walk around the shell after I stripped out interior, wiring, doors, etc, then pressure washed the 30+ years of filth from sitting. This Sprite cost $400. It is complete minus motor and transmission. The reason I chose this particular car is because its right hand drive. I picked up a donor 1970 Midget for $200. Mostly rusted out but good motor, transmission, and bulkhead. Originally engine was locked up, but after disassembly, 1 & 3 cylinder were stuck, just from sitting up so long. Motor has low miles and shouldnt take too much to run again.
The first two pics show an original thumb screw and one I made out of stainless steel that are used to retain side curtians. Even tho the chrome plated ones are readily available for $7 each, I plan to make as many parts as time allows, especially if purchasing is cost prohibitive or I can make an improvement over original or whats currently available as replacement.
Pic 3 starts the general walk around of body shell. The bumper mounts were broken and welded to anything that would stick. Requires cutting with torch or cutoff wheel just to see if bolts can be unscrewed.
Pic 4 & 5 made me feel pretty sure the car was originally red, the first time, second time, and then white washed to prevent more rust while sitting in a field down the hill under a tree.
Pics 6, 7, 8, show rust in typical areas that will all be replaced with new panels. Most of these I will be able to fab exactly like originals. Bulkhead, reinforcements, floor pan, kick panels, fill panels, hinge posts, rocker panels, jack crossmember and repairs on forward frame rails. Outer skin is in good condition wil very little rust to repair.
Pics 9, 10 from rear of shell. I welded a carbide cutting insert to end of a dull file with wood handle. In a single pass it removes all paint, regardless how many coats to clean metal. No unnecessary grinding before any body work begins. Its time consuming, but no dust, not DA sander to wear out and no sanding disks to buy...for the moment anyway.
Pic 11 shows rocker panel rust thru. Very typical and as commonly done, lots of body filler to cover up rusted out spots.
Pic 12 shows engine bay after high presure washing. I diluted some phosphoric acid and applied it over the entire shell with a common sprayer used for pesticides and such. It disolved dirt and loosened the years of filth, making for less time and work for cleanup. And did a good job on the concrete floor.
PIcs 13, 14, 15, just shows interior shots of shell. The camera really makes it appear to have much worse case of rust than really does. The areas where paint is missing is really just clean metal. Now the process begins...
