Bodyshell restoration

[stag66]

Hello everyone,

I started repairing my Stag 2 years ago and following a break during which we moved house , I have got back to working on it.

It is now completely dismantled and I find myself in a quandry.

The shell is pretty far gone -replacement offside outer sill,repair required to inner sill, replacement front valance,radiator support,headlight assembly,and both front wings needed.Both front inner wings requiring extensive repair,battery box,rear wheel arch repairs required - inner and outer,miscellaneous repairs required to boot floor,rear valance and light panel.
I am still considering repairing it myself ( and learning a lot on the way ) however factoring the cost of replacement panels,the considerable time I will need to spend repairing it and the cost of a respray on top of this I wonder whether a replacement shell might be the way to go.

I have seen an Ebay seller advertising a blue shell with others to follow item 170895352968.
I would need one in Topaz Orange.

Any one here have any feedback on the quality etc of the work?

Any help gratefully accepted,


Ken

[Dave M]

Sorry cant comment on the quality of the shells but keep it Topaz its a colour that grows on you.
Dave

[stag66]

Yep,can't be any other colour .
Ken

[edd]

Have a word with sam who has the user name staginhiding he should be able to help ! if you decide to venture into the restoration there is lots of help on here as well !
Regards Edd

[mjheathcote]

They seem very good value for money.
I gave my shell to a body restorer, and got a fully repaired and painted shell back 4 months later.
That cost my over £5k....22 years ago!

[stag66]

Thanks guys,

I contacted a local restorer in June.
He quoted approx £8000 and I provide the panels.

All in would probably cost over £11k for a painted shell.

I,m going to have to bite the bullet soon - either get the panels and try it myself or get a shell.

Ken

[Staghound]

I had my shell shot blasted,4 wheel arch panels and other welding,then painted/laquered by a chap in Shap village,Cumbria.I'm very happy with the job and although it seemed a lot of money at the time,it was a good one stop shop experience and allowed me to get on much more quickly.If you want more details PM me (he has done many Stags and owns one).

Andrew.

[jleyton]

I've seen that shell and it's excellent.

If I could'afford it then I'd buy it for my car

Cheers

Julian

[Staghound]

Mine cost way less than the above figures,PM me for details.

Andrew.

[brian0443]

Looks good Ken. Sent you an email
Brian

[Westfaling]

£4500 - I couldn't get a shell repaired and painted down here for that kind of money. It cost me about that to get it finished and painted having done most of the rust removal myself. From what Julian says it would seem like a no brainer unless originality/matching numbers is important to you. It should greatly speed up your restoration time too!
Nick

[staginhiding]

Hi Ken I have sent you a personal message..Sam

Hello everyone,

I started repairing my Stag 2 years ago and following a break during which we moved house , I have got back to working on it.

It is now completely dismantled and I find myself in a quandry.

The shell is pretty far gone -replacement offside outer sill,repair required to inner sill, replacement front valance,radiator support,headlight assembly,and both front wings needed.Both front inner wings requiring extensive repair,battery box,rear wheel arch repairs required - inner and outer,miscellaneous repairs required to boot floor,rear valance and light panel.
I am still considering repairing it myself ( and learning a lot on the way ) however factoring the cost of replacement panels,the considerable time I will need to spend repairing it and the cost of a respray on top of this I wonder whether a replacement shell might be the way to go.

I have seen an Ebay seller advertising a blue shell with others to follow item 170895352968.
I would need one in Topaz Orange.

Any one here have any feedback on the quality etc of the work?

Any help gratefully accepted,


Ken

[mjheathcote]

Not too sure about speeding up the rebuilt time, yes it will, but having a lovely shiney shell just means "can't fit that back" so you end up buying new/reconditioning everything! Took me 5 years once I got my shell back!

[edd]

I'm treating my car as a hobby so the fact that buying a shell would be cheaper when you take into account the hundreds of hours in time its a no brainer. If you feel your able to carry out the work it's very rewarding but it does take so much time tinkering with what seems like easy tasks. I love doing it myself even if the results may take longer to achieve. Plus I have found just buying the equipment can run away. I had to buy a new motor for my compresor plus mig wire and the paint for the whole car alone will run into hundreds without the labour.
Maybe also get a local club member to take a look in person or post a few pic on here
What ever you decide hope it all goes well
Edd
Edd

[stag66]

Thanks everyone for the help.

I have a few options here and will let you know how it goes.

Ken