Bodywork Session 2 - Day 6 - refitting woodwork and panels

Day six of our second session.

Today we begin to replace the woodwork that will sit underneath external offside panels and refit such panels.

We’ve not progressed to reinstating the woodwork and panels around the fuel cap/fuel tank and the one above the larger side locker until the fabricated fuel cap collar and support pillar behind the locker have returned for fittment.

Six of CRG163’s original illuminated panel apertures have been found over a number of weeks, during the course of removing panels and rotten woodwork.  These waist panels have remained hidden beneath double paneling for fifty four years unbeknownst to everyone, having assumed that they were removed during October/November 1971 in favour of ordinary panels.

Our original plan until last week was to return CRG163 once more to its ‘National’ white livery, however since finding the six original panels and apertures our plan has now changed.  It would be such a shame to panel over these panels once again now that they have been found.  We have therefore decided to return CRG163 to its original livery of Tilling cream and black, as carried from new in 1970 to October/November 1971.

We therefore use the fourth offside original waist panel to measure in preparation for fabrication of a new illuminated panel and aperture that will sit above the front wheels each side of the vehicle.

New woodwork if fitted in preparation for panel fitting.

The fourth original offside wait panel from the front is now refitted.

Another angle of the original waist panel with illuminated aperture as fitted.

The rear offside wheel arch and pillar before being panelled, displaying perfect straight lines from the rectification work undertaken.

The large offside rear wheel arch panel is fitted, having been sanded and prepared on Sunday.

The fourth offside waist panel from the front with original illuminated aperture is used to form a template for fabrication of a new panel for this section above the front wheel that will contain a new illuminated aperture.  The same will also be undertaken to the corresponding nearside panel.  This will then bring the smaller illuminated panel apertures on CRG163 to eight as original in 1970, that being four on each side of the vehicle.