Body restoration history of my 1980 RX7

Kriton · Post by **Kriton** » Fri Sep 12, 2014 6:47 pm

I bought my car some years ago and was supposed to have been already restored. At the final end it was proved that it was a very poor restoration.
I firstly attach pictures of how it looked.
It looks O.K., doesn't it? but underneath the rust was working.
First it was a small bump that was developed in the top of rear-right collumn and underneath the rear fenders and the rear bumper (Not visible in these photos).
I finally decided to to a proper body restoration.
Photos and description of the procedure will follow

Kriton · Post by **Kriton** » Fri Sep 12, 2014 7:01 pm

After being stripped and bumpers and rear window removed the size of dammage was gradually revealed.

Kriton · Post by **Kriton** » Sat Sep 13, 2014 4:21 pm

Apparently, the corrosion was mainly focused on the top and on the base of the right rear column.

Kriton · Post by **Kriton** » Sat Sep 13, 2014 4:29 pm

Rear fenders had extensive corrosion. Even part of the rear left fender had to be totaly removed and replaced by new metal

Kriton · Post by **Kriton** » Sat Sep 13, 2014 4:44 pm

Wheel arches and rear bump area after treatment

Kriton · Post by **Kriton** » Sat Sep 13, 2014 4:55 pm

The car was finally fully striped to examine potential rust damages

codge · Post by **codge** » Sat Sep 13, 2014 7:54 pm

We've said on here for a long time that these cars hide their problems under a beautiful top body.
They hide rust very well indeed.

Thanks for sharing pics.

spoddy · Post by **spoddy** » Sat Sep 13, 2014 9:09 pm

its when i see a shiney fb and get told no rust etc that makes me think of this.
you do not know anything till you literally go right back to bare metal and with the fb being 30 years old on average
then there is going to be rust somewhere unless documented proof of grease/oil being pumped everywhere from the
day it rolled out of the factory.

so i have to sometimes stop and think is it better to spend about £1000 or so on a car you can strip down to its shell
and put in one of those baths that removes the paint, any filler and rusted parts and then cut out and professionally
weld up the 'holes' then put all back together, lot of money/work but then you'd know what condition the body was in.

i know of a mint fb for a few grand but i just wonder where that rust if indeed there is any, lurks.

Kriton · Post by **Kriton** » Sun Sep 14, 2014 8:27 am

The whell arches were sprayed

Kriton · Post by **Kriton** » Sun Sep 14, 2014 8:51 am

Car ready to go for the paint-job

www.RX7fb.com

Body restoration history of my 1980 RX7

Body restoration history of my 1980 RX7

Re: Body restoration history of my 1980 RX7

Re: Body restoration history of my 1980 RX7

Re: Body restoration history of my 1980 RX7

Re: Body restoration history of my 1980 RX7

Re: Body restoration history of my 1980 RX7

Re: Body restoration history of my 1980 RX7

Re: Body restoration history of my 1980 RX7

Re: Body restoration history of my 1980 RX7

Re: Body restoration history of my 1980 RX7