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Bodywork Repairs

M

MMacD

New member
I have a 1979 SC which is in need of tlc.
I am planning to strip down and rebuild the engine & mechanicals over the next few months and would like to do this myself.
However, the body also needs some work, particularly to the floorpan and door pillars. This is not something that I would do myself.
Does anyone have any suggestions for a good bodywork restoration specialist in Surrey/South West of London that would be able to give me an honest appraisal of the likely extent of work needed before we start.
Thanks.

MMacD
 
Depends how rich you are doesn;t it!

I know its not Surrey etc but I have had good results from RFM Coachworks in East Sussex near my home. I'd be happy to tell you of my experience. Its a 2 man band so you get to talk to the boss, who knows his stuff.

 
Don't limit yourself to local specialists you may not get the right people. In London I can recommend Bodytech, ask for Ricky and 911 Bodyshop, ask for Chris snr. both in Wembley. Bodytech repaired asmall localised areaof corrosion in the engine bay and sprayed it. Workmanship I give a 9, attention to detail 8 as they didn't rewire it correctly. 911 Bodyshop recently repaired and painted a front bumper and splitter, they get 9 for workmanship and 9 for attention to detail, they infact fixed my interior light when all others had failed. Why don't ypu post what you think is wrong here first before you need a course of valium to recover from the estimates.
 
Thanks guys.

Bones, I don't know how extensive the work is likely to be, but I think that the valium is probably a good idea.
Although the car looks fine from the outside, there is significant corrosion (around 200mm by 400mm) in the floorpan where it joins the cill at the front nearside.
As the underside is covered in bitumen style underseal it is anyone's guess how extensive the corrosion is, however I have prodded various points with a screwdriver and it seems that most of it is solid.

I would like to go to a specialist who I can trust to give me an honest explanation of what is needed and an estimate. My bank balance is by no means unlimited, but I don't expect this work to be cheap and I do want it done properly. It may also be that they tell me the corrosion is too far advanced to be dealt with and more significant work is needed.

I should have paid more attention in welding class!
 
Sounds nasty, you can get significantly lower repair bills if you are prepared to travel outside London give yourself a fairly wide area to travel to from your home. Once you've decided that post again and we should be able to find someone in the area.
 
Tuthills are just off J11 of the M40, about an hour or so from Heathrow. Their bodyshop knows 911's inside and out and their rates are great, especially considering their expertise (they must rebuild two 911's a week in there). They will do it properly in not too much time and the guy who paints for them is unreal IMO. Give them a try for a quote if you decide to venture out of London.

Otherwise I have a buddy who builds WRC rally cars over near Evesham and I know he won't cost a fortune, though the price will ultimately come down to how busy he is and what he finds when he takes it apart. His paint guy is pretty spot on too.
 
MMacD dont limit your search to just Porsche "specialist" as the job is not that hard.
About £150 in panels from Bert, most of the work is in the preparation I did the offside on mine last year I cut out the old panels and trimmed and fitted the new panels by self tapping them in place and then subbed out the welding and spraying. This year the MOT found the same rot in the nearside B-post I have cut out the B-post, sill, kidney bowl and jacking point support plate. I plan to have a go myself at the welding and spraying.
I will post some pictures as I get on with the job.
Baz
 
Baz, I like your can do attitude.
Although I am confident that I can get the mechanical bit right, with the body stuff I will probably stick to plan A and arrange to see Tuthills.
Thanks guys.
 
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