White Fc Convertible

[danny]

Sorry to say that, but this looks terrible. I almost think that this car is to far gone to restore. There is a big safety issue with patching up all these bad spots. The total structure of the body will be compromised. I think if you dip it into an acid tank, there would almost be nothing left. I'm sure that there is much more rust hiding all over that shell. Everything can be rebuild, but sometimes....

[richrx]

Sorry to say that, but this looks terrible. I almost think that this car is to far gone to restore. There is a big safety issue with patching up all these bad spots. The total structure of the body will be compromised. I think if you dip it into an acid tank, there would almost be nothing left. I'm sure that there is much more rust hiding all over that shell. Everything can be rebuild, but sometimes....

I just noticed your reply Danny, I have to agree that without any attachment to this car then it wouldn't be in my driveway. A lot better cars have been scrapped too.

Believe it or not other than the areas you see the rest of the car is very well preserved. There is alot of rust at the front but the worst is known, where it's been removed the metal although surface corrosion is there seems solid, a friend who has repaired Shell's previous confirm's there's alot of work here, but definitely saveable. The photos do make it look a very scary project and possibly worse than it is. I hope.

Having considered the type of restoration this project will fall into recently with all the thinking space Covid19 can give. I'm happy to admit it's not likely to ever be a show winner. It's a save the rx7 any way you can project. It might not be pretty, but it'll be my work. Luckily or unluckily I'm stubborn and while it's not costing me much I'll continue until it becomes clear to a stubborn rx7 fanboy like me it's unsavable . Although I'm in no doubt Danny your right about the viability of this as a sensible or sane project.

The wings have rot, I'll hopefully repair them myself, and the car will wear it's scars proudly as I'll not be aiming for mint just solid as I can get it. It's after all my first resto.

Feel free to watch as I eat my words

Rich

[danny]

Hi Rich, nice to see your commitment to the car. You are probably right about the remaining steel.
I can only rely on the pictures. Another option is to use a complete front of a donor car. I have done this before. It's a big job also, drilling out all the spotwelds on both the front ends and weld everything back together. A lot of measuring is definitely needed here! is It's an option, just trying to help.

[richrx]

Hi Rich, nice to see your commitment to the car. You are probably right about the remaining steel.
I can only rely on the pictures. Another option is to use a complete front of a donor car. I have done this before. It's a big job also, drilling out all the spotwelds on both the front ends and weld everything back together. A lot of measuring is definitely needed here! is It's an option, just trying to help.

100% appreciated .. I need all the help I can get... Possibly more mental health related though

I did consider this option too, it's knowing where to put my resources. There not infinite and I'm always considering what's the best move and changing my mind.

However a recent contact with a guy stripping a shell wanted £ 450 or so for his floors to be cut and sent up. Which has made me realise that even using scrap Shell's its going to break the bank.

I'm having fun just now, trying not to let lack of time spent on it get to me. And doing my best to keep costs low and be proud of the cars scars


Rich

[richrx]

I've checked back through this thread it's a useful log of work, and time... 3 years ago I started this process. Unbelievable! But I'm still here and plugging away. So much so that I'm considering selling the FB due to lack of time.

So I'll attach a couple of photos of my handy work with the guidance of a very kind friend... There seems to be a few photos missing from my phone, so when I get more of the work I'll add them in.

Although still a long way from completion there is definitely some positive feeling towards the car just now!!!

Rich

This was where I think I had left this section



We progressed to this; after removing the spot welded panel..



Some light grinder and hammer work


Coated with 2k epoxy primer. Still to be painted...



The other side is done too, but these are the photos that have gone walkies... Oh and this arrived

[richrx]

And just to prove the other side is done too... I'm hoping to keep this moving alot more regularly now ..

Edit-the brush painting is rough!! I may have to sand and repaint a little



Rich

[DKWW2000]

I am glad you are continuing to restore it, when finished it will be good for at least another 30 years & you can know it was all your own hard work. Look forward to seeing when finished