Restoring the Front Section - Continued

Radiator Grill

The latest Rover passenger side inner wings are virtually identical to the older, and now obsolete, panels. The biggest difference between them, is a large circular cut out used by electric cooling fans. This replaces the older grill style feature used in conjunction with engine driven cooling fans.

In this photograph you can see the original fan grill in the process of being transplanted.

Completed

The original grill has now been implanted and spayed with a protective coat of red oxide.

Notice that a number of other smaller holes, all non-original Rover additions, have also been filled and removed.

The view taken from the opposite side can been seen in the photograph below.

Front Alignment

In this photograph the front outer wings and front panel are being offered up and clamped into position prior to being welded in place.

Notice that the front sub-frame has once again been re-fitted. This is essential as it acts as a reference, allowing the front panels to be correctly aligned with respect to it.

Outer Wings

Most of the welding required to attach the front panels has now been completed.

Notice the passenger side A-Panel. This panel, and the corresponding panel on the opposite side, was welded into position at an earlier stage.

Also, notice that the join between the top of the wings and the widow screen base panel has been filled with weld prior to being de-seamed.

De-Seaming

Now that the front panels have been completely welded in place, the various seams have been removed and re-enforced with weld. These have then been ground down, and leaded.

Notice that even the front most seams, starting at the wheel arches and running just below the headlight apertures, have also been removed and leaded.

Right Hand View

This photograph shows a view of the almost complete, driver's side, front section - primed in the familiar red oxide.

The body shell is really starting to look good! The extra work involved in De-seaming has been worth it.

The very front has been left un-primed, as the wheel arches have yet to be slightly extended in order to allow them to accommodate 13" wheels.

Left Hand View

This photograph provides a similar view as shown above, but taken from the passenger side of the car.

Notice that the small upright strut has been removed from the grill area of the front panel. This must be re-positioned towards the driver's side of the car in order to make space for the Cooper's oil cooler and associated braided piping.