1973 Austin 1300GT

Wow. What a nightmare,123 spot welds. Did you use a milling type of drill bit or one of the hollow toothed bits?

I was at a quandry with this project and deciding what the next steps were. I couldnt finish the o/s subframe mount and floor off as I need the subframe fitted. When the PO welded the n/s inner wing and trumpet sections they had lost all the original pressings etc. So thats why the scuttle had to come off. This did tell me that the inner wing 100% goes in first then the wings and the scuttle. So not being familiar with the build on these I am simply trying to make logical steps so eventually it all comes together. This meant I needed to remove the newly fitted N/S Inner wing, google and ebay tells me the PO paid a lot for this panel it was such a shame it had been thrown on like it had. (but also a blessing that it had not been properly welded otherwise it would have been scrap).
So latest was to take the panel off as best I could, I needed to see what was underneath and get to the bottom of why the PO couldnt get the n/s wing to fit.
Well it became obvious when you look at the pictures, the new inner wing had been fitted over the old one. So while its left me with even more of the GT apart it wont be long before I can make some steps forward.



Luckily the inner wing was only tacked in place down the back edge(it was seam welded on the inner bit) So I sacrificed that gusset panel to save the new inner wing. I worked on the principle it was easier to make the bulkhead gusset panel over repairing the inner wing.







And what was hiding underneath



Sacrificed that triangular gusset panel to save the inner wing.



After a bit of cleaning up we are here - lots of work to do yet though



Why BL spot weld the trumpet panel on is beyond me as its impossible to fit the inner wing with that in place. So drilled that off, added that I will clean both sides and paint before welding back together.





Not sure what do do here - its looks a bit messy.



Managed to rescue this flange



And thats it for the evening



So thats where we are at, next stage is to repair all those holes in the wheelhouse section ready for the inner wing to fit. The front panel is with the blasters. When that inner wing is repaired Im going to be lowering it down onto 4 axle stands and fitting the front subframe back in to do some drop check measurements ready to start the alingment with the panels. I am trying to do as much prep work as I can prior to weeks holiday in November where I want to have the front welded on. Or thats the plan.

In other news, my new wiring loom has arrived and the engine is ready for reassmbly - will post loads of pics up for that in due course. The gearbox is still away. Still lots to do and lots of steps backwards in the hope we can go forwards soon.Given how complex these cars are, I am so glad I bought this, I can imagine plenty of cars out there that will need serious work in this bulkhead area thats just covered up with underseal and paint.. If you are interested in these, make sure you check this area properly. Use these pics as guidance.. Caveat Emptor

You are so right about these being subject to no amount of bodge - the vast majority of the model would fail the MOT on the trumpet panel and most owners / repairers would opt for the quick fix of tacking a overskin panel over the top of the rotten original with the front wing still in situ - next to impossible to access - all it did was cover up a major structural defect - the repairers just slathered the area in underseal to hide the bodged repair - the same trick was used with sills & floorpans - There's lots more of them out there that are way more worse than what you have - But its nice to see the progress on this 

Sorry to hear about your mother - parts and cars can wait.

Glad to have you back

Thank you, much appreciated. My mum has not been well for a while but it doesn't make it any easier. My dad passed away suddenly many years ago so just the small family now. My mum wrote a journal of her life, and while reading it she put in it that I was always filling our house up with car parts in the loft.. Made me chuckle as still doing it now to my wife's annoyance.. :-)
Nothing changes...
Any road expect some updates on this very soon as I'm in focus now..

Time for some updates, my car mojo took a hit but I am back on it again. I hope you like updates as there will be a few coming. Still lots to do so dont be expecting miracles here it is an old Austin thats been off the road nearly 30 years after all !!

First job - lets see what panels we actually have now. The front panel was blasted and is sitting in etch primer. I tried to source a better example but no joy so that one is being repaired come what may.



I have spent so much 'thinking' time on this as it really was a mess. But I have to start somewhere, there may not be logic to what I am doing but keep with it. Back in the day I was always told to work back from your first straight panel so in this case the 1/4 panels. I cant do that as the PO started at the front and worked back.. They left it in such a state, I need to rectify some of that before I can go back to working from the rear of the car. The next updates may explain that.

So first job, lets get back to the O/S/F inner wing and sort some of this mess out. That trumpet panel needs to come off, its such a shame as it looks a genuine panel. I tried to save it but they proper butched it on so sorry but its scrap, with a new expressed panel to replace it.. Such a shame but needs must.











I think you will agree that was best removed - more to follow

Then onto the flitch, i wont be fitting the trumpet section as i dont want to make too solid - when wings and bonnet lined up then I will fit them. I was confident this needed to go in next. If I have to play about with it later so be it. Just wanted to get those A posts solid again.











Then close that A post up





And thats it for the O/S for now - next plan is to make a temp subframe mount for the o/s and have a trial fit of stuff and see where we are..

I have to be honest and think i massively underestimate the structure on these. Its sole destroying,way too complicated for its own good.
But progress is progress and i'm happy all the panels are here for the rebuild now. Ive had a few good days on it so lets update you.

Lets start with the subframe mount and cut this old mess out.



You cant imagine how much this weighs, its a missmash of steel and filler. I have no referance to work from with this so its best out of the way.



That leaves me with a big hole



So lets try the subframe in - I have 3 fixed points I can work with that have not been touched.



The inner wing is just loosly placed for the basic alingment (more on that to follow)





Lets try that front panel on - yep looks ok ish .



That allowed me to position the subframe mount



And from the inside, the shape is far too complicated to make in one go. So I am just working on the mount itself.