Finally started the post accident bodywork

[Jim Stabe]

Some of you may remember that I had an accident on the way to the MGB 2017 car show at the end of June. It has been hot and humid here in July and I didn't have the ambition to start on the bodywork. I did cut the back off of the fuel tank and clean out the remainder of the peeling sealant that caused the engine to quit on the freeway and the ensuing accident trying to get to the side of the road. My belt sander shed the rubber coating and I have not been able to fit the replacement pieces to fix the tank. I got the refurbished wheels back yesterday and the belt sander is now back in service.

 It was cooler in the garage today so I decided to begin pulling the fender and front valence back out . After about 3 hours of pulling and banging it is finally back to the rough shape that it was. I still have some tears to weld up in the metal and some finishing to do but it looks close. I probably have a couple more hours before it is ready for epoxy primer and filler but its a start. I am out of argon for my TIG welder so I need to fill the tank so I can weld in the patch panels in the tank. I want to get it back on the road and drive it some to make sure nothing else was damaged in the accident before I start the final prep for paint. Maybe I can have it painted by Thanksgiving.

[rficalora]

That's pretty impressive, Jim.  Even blowing up the pic it looks like you got it very straight.

[Jim Stabe]

Sometimes I surprise my self. It did come out remarkably straight. I'll never be good enough to metal finish something like that so no filler is required but it's close enough that a skim of Bondo will take care of it.

[MGBV8]

Darn good body man, Jim!

[Jim Stabe]

Thanks Carl

[Jim Stabe]

Here's how it turned out

[MGBV8]

As they say, "Gooder'n new!"    

[kstevusa]

Looks great!  maybe a thin skim of body putty, don't know if you can wipe "Bondo" that thin.  :-)

[Jim Stabe]

Actually there were a couple spots that I wasn't able to raise that required more than a skim coat. The areas where the pinch weld in the fender meet up with wheel arch were just too stiff to move back to level so I had to fill them.

[DiDueColpi]

Jim, as always, your attitude and determination never fail to impress.
And your skills are not too shabby either!

Live like you mean it.
Fred

[Jim Stabe]

I'm just curious, who keeps looking at this? There hasn't been a new post on here for over 6 months.

[Scott Costanzo]

I just did because there was new post indicator!

[rficalora]

Me too .

[Jim Stabe]

Merry Christmas to all of you who have kept looking at this thread since I last posted over two years ago.

[MGBV8]

Reference material.  

Merry Christmas!

[Jim Stabe]

I guess I should post a picture of the car painted for closure.

[MGBV8]

Perfect ending!