1973 Austin 1300GT

Great to see the progress - The ADO16 very much reminds of the Javelins - lots of double skinned areas / fillets / angles / curved panels - nothing is simple and most areas get bodged by previous owners  - When it comes to forming panels I too just form by eye to hand - I don't have any expensive / fancy kit - still cut my sheet steel by hand - I have a used 4' box pan folder and I wouldn't be without my shrinker / stretcher but other than that its hammer / dollies / blocks of wood & a couple of beech shaping bats  

lets get back to this sill area



Its quite a complicated structure
You have what we know as an inner sill, then there is a centre sill and then a piece that bridges the centre sill to the inner sill and floor. Then the outer sill links all those together. Its quite clever in that its very strong but its a rust magnet. And you can see if you simply put a cover sill on these, its just a disaster waiting to happen.



amd to show the differance between the genuine and non genuine sill ends.



and the differance in pressings, im not looking for a concourse job here, just a solid useable 1300. So I am happy that this is what will fix the rot.



lower A post repaired





new top section fabricated. Due to the machine mart folder and using reasonable gauge steel it does struggle to get crisp folds. But as they say in Yorkshire - it'll be rite..



and the inner sill fabricated that links the inner and centre together.

















and lets try and remake the end bit like the factory, I forgot to take pictures but the door was tried on and its all fine.



and look whats arrived from expressed

that looks perfect GN, thank you

Thanks, one has been ordered.

Im nearly at the stage of fitting the front end. Basically back to the position where I started with this project but with 'a much better' starting point to fit panels.
So where I left it the sills were fitted and I needed to tackle that subframe mount. I really struggled in my head on how to approach this, I had no repair panels/the PO had basically lost all the referance points.
So after trying the subframe in again and cross checking measurements and rechecking and unbolting and rechecking (oh and seeing another 1300 to take measurements from that !) I had a base I was comfortable with. It was far too complicated a panel to make in one go.
So I made a base panel to work from


Then made a reinforcment to match the N/S



Id missjudged this bit so cut it off and remade it



Id left the steering rack mounts in place as they were a good referance and again was checked andrechecked (oh for a jig to mount this on. The subframe will have to do !!)





The N/S for reference. Excuse the mess (I do clear up avery so often - honest)





I then needed to tackle this section, this is where the water drains from the scuttle cavity. You can see the new inner wing section and the remains of the previous 'repair' So that was to be cut off and a new piece made using the new N/S inner wing for reference.













I forgot to take a picture of that last piece welded in but thats done now.

So next job is to mount the subframe proper/lower the stands and measure/measure and remeasure.
I have all the front panels ready now although the front panel needs more work. Ill start by refitting all the doors working from the back to the front. Im actually looking forward to the next bit as that will show the greatest progress hopefully...
Watch this space

As is usually the case, I got roped into helping a mate with some welding - suffice to say its but the GT back somewhat. Plue with the show season its been nice to go to a few shows with my other motors. Thats not to say nothing has progressed on this.
I am not great (dont have the patience) for mechanical wizadry so a very good friend agreed to assemble the engine and gearbox for me.
To say I am very happy is an an understatement - just hope I can keep it looking this good in readiness to be fitted.















I need to take some time of work to have a serious carck at some progress on the welding. Anyways that has really cheered me up.