Restoring the Rear Sections

In this second set of photographs you can view the progress of the restoration of the back panel, parcel shelf and rear passenger seat upright. The final photographs show the completed rear section, including the boot floor.

The Initial Fit

In this photograph the new Rover rear panel has been trimmed and clamped in place prior to welding.

The Rover panel would normally stretch to the roof, and includes a rear roof gutter. Only the lower three-quarters of this panel were required.

The filler hole for the second fuel tank is missing, Andy will have to create a suitable hole once the panel has been fitted.

Inside View

This view shows the initial fit of the rear panel and parcel shelf from the inside of the car.

Notice that the parcel shelf is yellow. The original panel was bady corroded and has been replaced by an apporopriate panel taken from a donor mini, supplied by Mini Machine.

Welded in Place

The new rear panel has been welded in place. The side seams will be finished later. They require a little more grinding to smooth them down prior to leading.

Notice the mounting panel for the boot light, far right. This panel didn't exist on the original cooper, so at some later stage Andy will remove it.

Rear Valence

The lower valence welded in place, the original component has been re-used.

Once attached it added considerable strength to the rear section of the car.

Parcel Shelf

Next the replacement parcel shelf was welded in place.

The two reinforcing panels, that also hold the captive nuts for the rear seat belts, have yet to be welded in place.

These mount below the ends of the parcel shelf.

Seat Panel

The original rear seat panel has been tidied up and refitted.

This panel had been badly creased by an rear-end accident earlier in the Cooper's life. The crease was caused by the raised wooden boot floor, fitted to all Cooper S models, transferring the impact from the back of the car directly to the back of the seat panel.

Notice the grey sealant, this will be used thorough the car.

Side View

This photograph show a sideways view of the rear seat upright and parcel shelf welded in to position.

To prevent any corrosion, Andy has spayed the newly installed panels with primer.

Finished

A view showing the new boot floor and battery box, including a coat of protective primer.

Notice the brackets to hold the raised wooden floor. These two brackets are mounted at the left and right sides of the seat upright panel, a few inches up from the bottom.

Also notice the two raised runners used to locate the base of the petrol tanks. Located at the far left and right of the floor.

Final Full View

A final close up shot showing most of the repaired, refitted or replaced rear panels. A good job Andy!

As mentioned earlier, the seams still need to be finished in order to get the desired de-seamed appearance.

This photo also shows one of the diamond shaped reinforcing panels mounted in the corner of the boot floor, wheel arch and rear seat upright. An identical panel exists on the other side, not visible in this photograph.