Uncovering Hidden Damage and Fabrication
The first stage was what I call “pre-paint stripping.” Using extremely coarse grit sandpaper, we manually removed the old paint and, more importantly, the heavy layers of old body filler that were hiding shoddy repairs. It’s always a relief when an owner is prepared, and luckily, Bruce had sourced new old stock (NOS) panels for the most compromised areas.
We replaced the left fender, left quarter panel, and the rear panel. This wasn’t just a simple bolt-on job, however. We straightened metal braces underneath, replaced the rusty battery tray, and even fabricated custom braces that aren’t sold by major suppliers like Clarks Corvair. We also completed essential repairs on the original rocker panels and replaced the panel under the front windshield—a well-known rust hotspot on these cars.
Once the initial metalwork was done, we installed all the new and repaired body panels. This crucial step allowed us to check gaps and panel alignment meticulously before sending the car off to the media blasters to get the metal 100% clean and free of any hidden rust.
Check your inbox tomorrow for part 3 of this transformation.
Many thanks to Gabe for giving us a look into his world of Classic Car restoration. We hope you have enjoyed these articles and have a new appreciation for what goes into a professional restoration. To learn more about Sterling Restorations or to book an appointment for a consultation, please click on the logo below.
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