Bodywork Session 2 - Day 4 - Rear offside wheel arch issues

Day four of our second session.

We find an issue to the front of the wheel arch.  It seems that CRG163 may have been involved in some kind of a minor collision during its working life which needs attention and rectification.  We also have a visit from our dear friend Malcolm who recalled travelling on a Crosville coach on the London to Liverpool service sometime during 1970/1971 and recalls something running into the side of the coach ahead of the rear offside wheel arch during the journey.  Could it be that Malcolm was actually travelling on CRG163?!

Research has also been taking place into the replacement of CRG163’s Rawlings Vortex Ventilators which have deteriorated badly unfortunately and are causing issues.  Today a good friend unexpectedly provides new air vents for CRG163.  They are not Rawlings but are genuine new vents that would have also been fitted at the time on such fine coaches.  My grateful thanks to a dear friend.

We now start rebuilding.

A closer inspection reveals an issue as can be seen in the photograph.  Further removal takes place for a closer inspection so that the best approach can be taken to rectify.

New hard wood if fitted once the original rotten wood is removed as well as old screws and bolts.

We now begin the rebuilding phase.

The offside rear wheel arch receives further protection before all remaining parts removed are to be refitted tomorrow.

New and genuine roof air vents are received without expecting them from a dear friend.  These are not the Rawlings Vortext Ventalites as originally fitted to CRG163, but vents that were fitted to similar coaches of the day within the Crosville coach fleet and beyond.  My grateful thanks to a very dear friend.