Here, most of
the lower front valance has been cut away, showing the damage to
the front cross-member. This will need to be cut away and
replaced as well.Page 2 of the Cortina Bodyshell Restoration
Here, most of
the lower front valance has been cut away, showing the damage to
the front cross-member. This will need to be cut away and
replaced as well.
This cross-member, known as the "front chassis closing panel" is normally available from the Owner's Club.
The remaining part of the front valance, at the left of the photo, is still to be removed.
Never take off too much metal at a time!
Now the front closing panel has been
replaced and the remaining part of the front valance removed.
The holes in the closing panel are to Ford's original specifications. You can use them to inject rust-inhibitor when the job is done!
A job like this is going to take quite a while to do. There is a lot of welding required, and since the work is at the front of the car and will be noticed, you have to do your best welding!
If you are in ANY doubt about the chassis being out of alignment, you MUST get professional advice.
A close-up of the sidelamp area of the
front panel. You can see the mounting bracket behind the front
panel.
At the very bottom, left of the photo, you may be able to see a "C" clamp helping to hold the lower part of the front valance in place prior to welding.
New front panels are available from time to time, but they tend to be traded quite often, never actually being used on a car. I have seen the same panel at several events, the price increasing all the time!
With time and effort, you should be able to repair most of the front panel assembly.
The lower front valance held in position
by three clamps. There is a "C" clamp at each end, and
a forked welding clamp in the middle.
Make sure you spend enough time lining this panel up before welding. Once you start to weld, it will be very difficult to make alterations.
Those holes in the front of the valance (the three in the middle) are very difficult to form. Remember, some-one MADE this replacement panel. It was not pressed-out like the original. You are paying for time and skill when you buy a replacement panel like this.
The front valance has been welded in
place and everything looks okay!
Here, the front wings are being trial-fitted, together with the bonnet. Note the use of screwdrivers to hold the bonnet in the required position.
Look closely at the left side headlamp ring. Two miniature clamps are being used to hold the front of the wing in position relative to the headlamp ring.
There is still a lot of work to do on the front valance. The surface rust must be completely removed, then the panel is filled and primed as required.
Just to show that these things do come
good eventually, we jump forward to show the front end "some
time later". (Several years!!)
There is a lot of dust showing up in this photo.
The spot lamp bracket is home made and later you will see it supporting 4 X 7 inch spot lamps.
The radiator fitted here is actually the wrong one, but it did the job until we got the correct, larger 1500 radiator.
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Page last updated:- 12 November, 2000 13:52