1990 country squire resto/lowrider in UK

[VicCrownVic]

...we should be good to roll next summer.

Light at the end of the tunnel?!
Can't wait to see this one done.

[sly]

Light... and it's not a train!

[andyfanshawe]

Here's a view of the chassis outside my home garage and the body tilted for rocker panel redesign.




1.5mm thick steel sheet bought and cardboard templates cut for the rocker panels.



This photo may make it clear how Im going to do this.





Since the car will sit on its rocker panels, they need to be strong. So I am going to build the replacement panels on the outside of the drivers side (as you can probably tell from the photo above), then cut out the old rockers and first weld in reinforcement sections that sit inside the rocker sections and tie together the inner, outer and door kick panels.

Ill see if I can get a quick sketch............

[gadget73]

Bit limited on height there. Is that thing touching floor and ceiling on opposite corners?

[andyfanshawe]

Bit limited on height there. Is that thing touching floor and ceiling on opposite corners?

Interesting you should say that! When the car is tilted at right angles to the floor, there is about 2mm clearance at the top and bottom! Made for interesting calculations when I designed the tilter.

Andy.

[dmccaig]

Glad you're back. Scrupulous work. Donald

[GoodSamaritan]

I have been away a long time, glad to see the project is still progressing. Incredible work as always Andy.

[knucklehead0202]

Lookin' good buddy, glad to see you're back at it. Be awesome to see that beast on the wee U.K. roads, lol.

[Grand Marquis GT]

Looking great, professional as always!

You're really making me want to pick up a welder.

[andyfanshawe]

Back onto this monster for the next few days.
Be interesting how many of the original forum members are still around reading this from day one...all those years ago!!

Anyway, bodyshell back on its rotisserie and drivers side outer rocker panel cut out


Interesting sight inside. i thought all this was rust free, but........

But it doesn't stretch too far luckily, and is not severe. So I will media blast it clear and epoxy paint inside before welding.

This is the picture of the back of the outer rockers. Notice the rust that was towards the front of the vehicle.

Another good view of my home made tilter!

Internal reinforcing panels next and I will start to weld the new panels in.

Hope I can remember where all the parts are to put this car back together!! Been a loooong build.
Amazing what obstacles life throws in your way sometimes.

Andy.

[sly]

welcome back!

[VicCrownVic]

Back at it, YES!
I was just wondering about this build recently after a new member from the UK with a 1985 Colony Park posted in the Newbie and Guest Forum.

[Tiggie]

Ahh rust. Where there is a little, there is lots more hiding! The inner rockers on my 88 have been literally gone since I got it. Hopefully there is enough metal there to blast clean.

[grandwagon]

glad you are back Andy!!!!

[packman]

I'm still here. Still amazed at the level of detail and the diligence put into this project.

And yes, totally agree with you on the obstacles part. Simple engine swap turned into a saga of sorts. Haven't even touched the body yet :-/