Repair or Bodyshell Swap?

[mjthewlis]

OK, oh wise ones. Here's the scenario:

1973 Stag Mk2. Been in garage for over 10 years. Engine runs & drive train appears OK. Upper bodywork OK but tired. Sills OK & so are posts & suspension mounts. Removed back axle & made detailed insection underneath. The old under seal has dried out and mostly fallen off with result that all the panels are rusty. The rear wheel arches need repair and the rear under seat pan is shot. No holes in floors and front end looks reasonable.

I would like your opinion on way forward:

1) weld repairs, clean rust off and treat with rust converter. Reseal & put it all back together.

2) get 2nd hand bodyshell, paint it my colour of choice and transplant everything.

Anybody in West Yorkshire would could spare a few minutes to have a look very welcome. HD8 area code.

I await feedback with interest.

John

[len]

Hi John
I am not close enough to view your car . but would say surely you must restore this car as simply changing the bodyshell is slightly dogey isn't is ?
and where would you find a good bodyshell ? Your car sounds like its pretty good to be fair ,Are you able o do a bit of bodywork ?
How about some pictures of the worst bits ?
Len

[jagojules]

Yep I recon repair is a better option than a re shell = yours doesnt sound too bad to start with .

[Neil W]

Yes it easier when you start with a fully reconditioned shell as below then build up the mechanics but it is not cheap - best to strip your car to the bare bones then get a feel for the work needed.

This was £ 5k - 3 years ago.



Then a bucket loads more £



A few pictures for the experts to see as said before may help - not me though as been there - done that

[new to this]

John

is the front end of the car good,wings inner arches and doors etc,when you start stripping the car your find more rust,if the rear arch has gone check rear chassis legs and spring mounts

dave

[Neil W]

This maybe an option if your engine etc are good ?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Triumph-Stag-1977-/201417826390?hash=item2ee5702056

[pollystag]

Surely if you reshell it will become a different car with a different chassis number?

[1959terry]

OK, oh wise ones. Here's the scenario:

1973 Stag Mk2. Been in garage for over 10 years. Engine runs & drive train appears OK. Upper bodywork OK but tired. Sills OK & so are posts & suspension mounts. Removed back axle & made detailed insection underneath. The old under seal has dried out and mostly fallen off with result that all the panels are rusty. The rear wheel arches need repair and the rear under seat pan is shot. No holes in floors and front end looks reasonable.

I would like your opinion on way forward:

1) weld repairs, clean rust off and treat with rust converter. Reseal & put it all back together.

2) get 2nd hand bodyshell, paint it my colour of choice and transplant everything.

Anybody in West Yorkshire would could spare a few minutes to have a look very welcome. HD8 area code.

I await feedback with interest.

John

You car doesn't sound that bad however if you have not got the ability to repair it I would suggest either getting someone with the skills to repair it or sell it and buy one that someone has already done the hard work on.

[new to this]

You car doesn't sound that bad however if you have not got the ability to repair it I would suggest either getting someone with the skills to repair it or sell it and buy one that someone has already done the hard work on.

Terry

hes already said he has rust on inner wheel arch,and seat pan,when you start pulling it apart,your bound to find more rust than you first thought

dave

[Neil W]

Surely if you reshell it will become a different car with a different chassis number?

Yes - the shell you bought will ( or should ) have the chassis no & registation number with it.

So you actually rebuild the car of the new shell then scrap your original car once the mechanical bits are transfered or sell the old shell on complete with chassis / reg number.

You are not allowed to reshell an old car unless the shell is brand new - ie use a reconditioned shell of another car then transfer the chassis & reg number of your old car to it.

Neil

[malc4d]

Who the Ef.... will ever know...... !!! ! One shell is the same as another.

[richardthestag]

http://www.classiccarsforsale.co.uk/news/classic-car-news/1507/dvla-launches-historic-vehicle-crackdown/