138 replies to this topic

[hawk]

Hi Guys,

Recently my Dad bought an LH Gpak locally of a guy that drove it around on his P plates when I was driving my old UC around.

It sat outside rarely driven for the last 10 years which took its toll on the car.

On the plus side it came with both full rear quarter cuts which will come in handy. it's a complete still drive able car thay hasn't been cut up at all or bastardised too badly.

At this stage the plans are for rust repairs, a home paint job and get it on the road with the 202 and 4 speed. It won't be retaining the Gpak scheme as Dad doesn't like it.

Car as purchased
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Started stripping the car down to assess the worst areas.

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radiator support panel won't need any rust repairs.
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[hawk]

Rear floors are pretty solid considering with a couple of small holes.
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Lower guards are both good.
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Drivers floor is good.
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Boot floor is actually pretty solid although will need a few patches. Hoping to get away with not replacing the whole floor.

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Roof/ Gutter above the passengers rear door is buggered.

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[hawk]

With the parcel shelf as bad as it is, a replacement has been sourced and should be getting picked up next weekend.

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Started unpicking the parcel shelf on the car to see what we're working with underneath.

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[hawk]

Under the rear windows section is pretty buggered. still deciding on whether to go all the way to the seam with the new parcel shelf or cut and weld.

The inner section will need repairs either way.

I drilled through in most Ares as the majority of the parcel shelf is getting replaced as is the whole lower rear windows channel.

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While unpicking the section of parcel shelf, Dad worked on stripping and priming the spare rust free bootlid.

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[LHSL]

Looks like a lot of work but well worth it.
Keep them coming.

[Shiney005]

That roof section will be a pain in the butt to repair.  More photos of the work as it happens please. 

[hawk]

Will do as there is more progress. Currently waiting for the parcel shelf cut to arrive before I cut anything else out.

There's a few repairs on this car that won't be fun, I'll try document as much as I can. I'm no expert and neither is Dad so a bit will be learning along the way.

[Statler]

Now is a good time to be thinking of putting retractable seatbelt in the rear.

 

What are your plans Hawk?  

[hawk]

If it was mine, it would be going factory Gpak scheme. Dads plan is aquamarine at this stage, no flares. Keep it 202 aussie 4 speed.

Waiting to get the parcel shelf before cutting too much up on the rear of the car. The lower area on both shelves have issues so I made up a patch panel ready to go. It will be trimmed based on how much of the parcel shelf we replace.

Made it out of 1.2mm cold rolled steel. Shaped with a hammer and chisle.
The tabs on the boot Chanel side are to replace the rusty sections, while leaving the good metal there.

Paper Template:
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Bent to shape:  20221106_140821.jpg   121.36K   11 downloads

Test fits pretty well for my first ever patch made from scratch.

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In the meantime Dad stripped and rust converted the spare bonnet.

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[skap]

Far out, lots of hard work ahead

[hawk]

Well the parcel shelf cut was finally ready for pickup today. So made a start assessing what is usable and prepping it for fitment.

As supplied
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top panel removed, we are going to need to make one good one out of the two, then patch a couple of sections that are bad on both.

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Lower section of the new one was rougher than I was hoping for so we will need to use the one on the car and patch it.

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Prepped on all sides, might get it blasted before installing to save a bit of time.

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Got this section off the same car the parcel shelf came from

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Also a massive Thankyou to forum member Cook for helping out by giving me a floorpan he didn't need.

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Hopefully tomorrow I'll start cutting the parcel shelf out of the car now we know what we're working with.

In the meantime Dad repaired a hole in the underside of the bonnet and primed it.
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[Statler]

If it was mine, it would be going factory Gpak scheme

Me too.  

[hawk]

Cut out the existing parcel shelf today and cleaned up the old spot welds.
So far it appears to fit well.
I'm hoping that by documenting the repairs thoroughly it can help anyone else who has similar repairs to complete.

One interesting thing to note is that the UC repair panel didn't appear to have the support brackets from the wheel tub to the parcel shelf while the LH does. This has changed the plan of attack in thay area for us, now opting to patch the existing corner rather than use the UC section due to the sheer number of spot welds to drill out.



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[Heath]

Well done! Hopefully you can maintain this pace. Looks like you're giving it a properly concerted effort.

 

The braces you're talking about... as in wheel tub to parcel shelf?

Present on the LH, but not present on the UC, correct?

I guess similar to the LX Torana hatchback always having the tubs tied into the sides of the car, but only some UC's having it.

[RIM-010]

Nice work! Keep it moving

[hawk]

Well I've been out of action for the last week getting my Galbladder removed.

Dad spent the week stripping and repairing the nosecone. it was in pretty bad shape but not rusty. He was going to source a better one but I convinced him to use the one we have.

drivers side headlight surround on the nosecone had previous filler work so that was left alone and the passengers side top section above the grill was dented pretty bad.

first up was filling the holes in the lower nosecone.
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Dent knocked out as good as possible and filled.
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In hifill primer ready for shadow coats.
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I did a little today, against the doctors orders. Couldn't help myself.

Removed the last of the rusty section on the drivers side. Decided to patch here rather than replace the whole section Just for ease of access.

The other reason is the UC parcel shelf didn't have this brace from factory.

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Tomorrow's plan is to weld up the small hole on the C pillar you can see, make up the patch panel and possibly start welding it in.

[308 Sunbird]

Wow it's coming along great Steve well done.
Not even an operation can slow you blokes down.
What would Doctors know anyway:)

[Shiney005]

Don't forget to treat all inner panels while you have access to them.

[hawk]

Thanks, thats the plan. we are planning to rust convert then use some kind of cavity spray. What would you recommend to treat it? Just a rust converter sealer?

[hawk]

Ended buying rust converter sealer and sprayed that inside the brace. I'll apply cavity wax at some point as well.

Filled the hole in the C pillar
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filled a few small holes on the passengers side
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Made up the patch panel. Used weld through primer underneath and left the top raw steel.

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welded in

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After cleaning up the welds.
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[Heath]

Well done.

[hawk]

A bit more progress over the last couple of days.

First up I had the new parcel shelf blasted and we primed it.

cut out a section on the passengers side of the parcel shelf
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patch made up and tacked in
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Finished
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Top side with the parcel shelf clamped in position for fitment checks
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Tomorrow the plan is to tackle the drivers side in the same spot. Then hopefully the parcel shelf can be welding in on the weekend.
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This is the upper panel after blasting. I cleaned up the lip and cut the required sections from the old one.

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On another note, I'm currently looking at an LX for myself which if I purchase will mean my UC will be for sale. Currently have it listed as EOI, to gauge any interest as I'd want to sell fairly quick if I get the LX.

[Shiney005]

Any pics of the UC Steve?

[hawk]

Got most of the other side done today. Ran out of wire and Gas so off to get more tomorrow.

Chop chop
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Patch mostly in place.

Welds aren't the prettiest on the inside but have good penetration. just a prick to clean up being in the corner.

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As for the quarter being chopped up, it's getting a full drivers side quarter due to the wheel arch rust and damage around the tail light bucket. the quarter will come in past the boot hinge so that cut section is covered.

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[Covert]

Nice work Hawk, another LH being restored