Classic Alfa Forums

My word.....I’m not sure whether to say thanks, or sorry ! A blind person must have repaired that previously.

Hi Tim.
Funny really, was on about it to Keith and saying I hope you don't mind me spending time on it, but I know you want it to be about right rather than clearly wrong so I'm sure we can come to an arrangement.

No problem, as you say needs to be done right, and that old mess was definitely wrong, I was feeling more sorry for you than me .

I knew what I was getting myself in for mate, all part of the fun

Top repair kev .
There really are some cowboys out there. I thought it was just me getting the bogdes to fix
Going to be a great sud when finished

Great repair Kev, it is going to be nice and strong again now.
We all know that repairs need a bit of filler to pretty things up, but it has no strength.
I always say it is like a plasterer skimming a badly built wall. They could skim it perfectly, but if the cement is bad, the wall will still fall down or crack. You need a solid foundation.

I do have sympathy and understanding when these repairs are unearthed, more often than not the job is done as quickly and simply (cheaply) as it can be as the customer usually asks "how much" before considering how good the repair is, this is often when it comes to an MoT failure.
If the guy repairing the rotten sills and floors is told to get it done within an hour or two then there isn't the time to do the job right. Often used to get into that situation at the VW place I was at a few years ago. Boss would quote an hour and a half to weld the floor where the jacking point had rotted out pushing the floor through and taking the sill edge with it, an hour and a half to take the seat out and peel back the carpet, make the repairs and put it all back together....always ran over with him stressing there wasn't the time to be fussy, didn't matter how many times I got the grump about having to make a rough job as time wasn't there. Glad I'm not in that situation anymore, vowed I never will be either, would rather stack shelves than do that.

Having said that though there are also people out there that charge top dollar and still don't care what's underneath.
As Keith says, it's the foundations that are the vital part. Anyone can make a turd look shiny.

Just seen the previous poor repairs to the left of the drivers screen pillar over the round hole where the dashboard fits...

Maybe I should have sold Dave this shell instead

Yes, still a few bits to tidy up Tim but we're getting there

Should be attacking the drivers rear quarter top soon, doesn't look as bad as the other side was.......

KevJTD wrote: doesn't look as bad as the other side was.......

Yeh ! we have all said that mate

Had some jobs to do at home today, wasn't going to travel up to the unit as was getting on a bit, but as I won't be going up for another couple of weeks I thought I ought to go.

The drivers side rear quarter top that looked better, wasn't really any better surprise surprise, but the inner section was better at least!

Again, body filler over rust holes on the outer panel, dodgy looking repair on the inside.

Same process as the other side, cut a big hole, make a repair piece, weld it in..


Inside piece not so bad, just really the flange and a hole near the B post, which I have welded up, just the camera flash on the shiny metal …


Short and sweet, like my visit to the unit.

As I said before Kev, you have done a lovely job of those quarter panels. I buckled my panels, so mine have kack in them

Cheers mate. I'm pleased with them myself too! Definetly pays in the long run to be very patient with the welding, will still need a skim of filler but no real distortion to the original metal so only really to fill in the welds and level it out slightly.
At least it won't be over rusty chasms now!

Kegsti66 wrote:As I said before Kev, you have done a lovely job of those quarter panels. I buckled my panels, so mine have kack in them

School boy error tut tut

now now boys

Kev - if you get a few mins, could you post the rear end pic after welding up the fog light holes. My old man wants to see it

Hope you are well !

Of course, forgot that the issues over the forum update (still ongoing unfortunately...) had lost a couple of weeks posts....

An abbreviated version of events..

Started off repairing the gullet above the rear panel.

The rear panel Tim wanted the rear inner lights filling in so started off making an infil section..
Then tacked in...
Smoothed in fush..
Both sides done.

Well, it’s decision time........I have to to choose a paint colour for the Sud.

I quite fancy Orange still, or even the tangerine Dave did the TVR in. However I may very well need to sell it in the near future so I think a sensible White instead. Although Kev keeps mentioning red.

Would you buy a tangerine Alfasud ?

Red White or Green - it’s the holy trinity of Alfa colours.

If you go for tangerine stick a confederate flag on it but leave the daisy dukes in the wardrobe.

Every time ! But I prefer blue cars mainly, though the Arbarth yellow is fabulous.

Look at the colour schemes of Arbarth's that might help you.

With things as they are I'm taking the opportunity to isolate myself up at the unit, as good a place as any!

The tailgate Tim already mentioned was a lot worse than we thought. What we did know, but I'd forgotten about, was the rusty hole near the hatch hinge. That was a nice reminder when talking the hatch off..
Didn't take the knotted wheel long to find the weak points.
Rot cut out, from the roof section that comes down and the gutter section that goes up behind it.
Treated with Jenolite into the sections that hide behind, although all rot is now removed.

First job to repair the gutter section, makes the flat area for the roof repair to be fastened to and braces against the hatch mount for strength.
Repair piece for the roof made up and let in.
All straightened out now with a skim of filler.

Today I lifted the bonnet to remember another area I'd overlooked, I did know the opening around the pedal box mount needed repairing but again, the memory failed me..
Rot out, patch made ready for fitting..

I used the mounting plate to clamp the repair section flush, you'll notice extra holes that don't line up... not a mistake, the mounting frame is l think a sprint or 33 one. Came across this before, they have different holes to the Sud, so both types can now be fitted like the old had been modified to suit..
All back to solid again, a bit on the inner arch flange repaired for good measure too..

Abarth yellow for me

Cracking work there Kev.

Rsfruitbat