Practically Classics Forum

I suspect the Matra stand will be quieter as you can't really panel beat a Matra

True, but then you don't need to Instead we'll be trying to resuscitate a barn-find Bagheera.

So limited time yesterday but managed to get the boot lid into polyester and the rear wing that landed on the floor when wet with primer back into primer along with the front panel and the other rear door, also prepped the steering column tube & the column gear change tube and got them into primer and the bits of stopper on the bodyshell were flatted back & spot primed also masked up various n=bits of the bodyshell ready for basecoat & lacquer - get ready to smell the paint fumes on the forthcoming posts

Had a solid run at it today - first job was final prep on the steering column tube and to get this into the interior colour of 'Old English White' (cellulose) so that Keith's daughter Amy can collect it late this afternoon - Keith is assembling the running gear / drive train in advance of the NEC Restoration Show and needs the column to build back up with shaft and steering box - but whilst I was at it I also got the column gear change tube in final colour (this has already been rebuilt) I then cracked on with preparing the front wings / front panel and underside of the bonnet for final colour (solvent basecoat / 2 pack lacquer)

Next was the final prep & masking on the boot area & engine bay followed by spraying the basecoat to these areas along with the bonnet underside the edges on the two front wings and the front panel

So at long last here comes the shiny stuff - images will appear a little misty has they were taken immediately after painting

More progress - Front wing fastenings sorted / primed & the front wings fitted

Then fitted the doors to check the aperture gapping but the doors were not fitting correctly - rear door has to be fitted in order to fit the front has the hinge forms the centre of the hinge column - soon worked out what the problem was - doors back off and cleaned the hinge sockets of polyester & primer then refitted them - The polyester / primer alone was offsetting the apertures by some 2mm

Doors back off and the shell prepped / masked up for basecoat - couple of coats of basecoat applied but some very minor areas that I am not happy with so these will get sorted this morning - then a scotch up and the shell will be recoated in basecoat prior to the lacquer being applied

Nothing like a deadline for getting the hours in / extending the working day - fortunately I am not the only one - 60 miles East of my workshop my fellow Jowett sparing partner Keith has rebuilt the drivetrain and is now just pulling all the trim together that we have purchased / amassed over the last few years - this includes new trim / rubbers / seals / parts as available & refurbishing / cleaning / checking all the existing - I spent over a week sorting / repairing the chrome before it went for plating (all chrome for the early Javelin is very, very rare) - seats are recovered, new carpets and a headlining await fitting - Keith has assembled most of the drivetrain has sub assemblies to save time when it comes to the fitting up of the shell