This post continues the high-level description of the body shell repairs.
Reference the previous posts on the body shell repairs; door skin replacement and remaining body repairs – 1
Rear quarter panel repairs
Next up was tackling the rust hidden behind the rear quarter panel (behind the rear wheel) on the right side of the vehicle.


Rear wheel arch and jacking point repairs
New repair panels were fabricated for both the left and right rear wheel arches (forward of the rear wheels). The right side required more extensive repairs.



Both the rear jacking points were replaced, along with some rusted areas behind the jacking points.

Sills and spats
New sills and spats were fitted. As with the door skins, we found that the spats took a bit of work to ensure that the edges aligned evenly with the bodywork. Lin Rose found similar issues.


Saddle panel – under the front Grill
The saddle panel under the front grill required replacement – this is a common problem area. A new panel was fabricated, test fitted and welded into position.



Panhard Rod mounting reinforcement
Eric Kriss helpfully mentions, in his post on post-blast body assessment, a Jaguar Service Bulletin which recommends strengthening of the Panhard Rod mounting bracket.
We decided that making up this little bracket was a good idea, and that there would never be an easier time than now! Mike and the team made up a bracket similar to the one shown in the service bulletin.


Wow! Another milestone has been reached, the body is finally completed! There have been numerous other repairs and the result is absolutely worth all the effort. In Mike Baucke’s words (The Surgery) … “The MK2 has reached an exciting part of the restoration … we have completed all of the filling* and finishing*. The body looks excellent and has never been as straight”.
There is a pause at the moment while the coffers are refilled. Also the BIG decision re colour needs to be thought about.
* Filling, finishing, straightening, and shaping of all exterior body panels. This covers all body panel repairs, old accident repairs, new and old factory welded joins on panels, new panels fitted, and all dents removed.
Congrats, Phil. She looks good now!
Lin
Thanks Lin!
Hi Phil
Remembering how hard it was getting body harness thru sills I wonder if you shouldnt have put them in in place before welding sills
Kjell
Hi Kjell,
Yes I did think about that and I have convinced myself that I will be able to get a draw wire through the grommet holes. I can’t see that I will ever get the loom through the saddles you can see in the image before the sills were fitted. So will have to use some modern wiring sleeving for good protection. Time will tell.
Thank you for your comment!
Draw wires and some serious cursing will make it in a few hours :-). In my case I use standard harness from Autosparks (GB) so B post wires are integreted in one sleeve part of the way. So I used two draw wires simultaneously. One long for the whole distance front-back grommet holes and one shorter thru grommet in bottom of B post for those white-purple wires
Thanks! That is a very good point, I am designing my own harness so I will consider that in the planning.
Hello!
Just wondering if yo know the function of the brackets visible in photos 5,6,7 on this page. The ones just above where the repair panel has been fitted.
Thanks in advance
Hi Sam,
I “believe” they are for seat belt mounts. In my car these holes were plugged with plastic screws.
Cheers, Phil