Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

Minxy · Joined: 22 Sep 2010 Posts: 273 Location: West Northants

Hello all.
So I have never done it on an old car that had a separate chassis and tub. I used to build rally cars as a job and I have done several re-shells on modern cars some years ago.
So knowledge isn't an obstacle and I have a 7metre square garage with upstairs storage space so can anyone advise the pitfalls I could expect beyond those of space and skill set.
Thanks in advance

peter scott · Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 7215 Location: Edinburgh

I think it's better if you can avoid it but if serious corrosion needs attention then it makes life very much simpler.

Clearly you need to tie the body together so that it doesn't collapse when it's lifted off and you also need to ensure that you have good strong lifting points.

http://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk/forum/phpbb/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=7917

Peter
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https://www.nostalgiatech.co.uk
1939 SS Jaguar 2 1/2 litre saloon

ukdave2002 · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4240 Location: South Cheshire

7m square garage! That's about the size of 4 phone box's Wink

...I know what you mean Smile

I did my MGA as a body off restoration. Disadvantage is time space, and the possibility of the body flexing or distorting, so I replaced the sills when the body was still on the chassis and as it was a roadster made a frame out of angle iron that held the top of the body together, before I lifted the body off.

Advantages are that you can restore to a factory spec, many jobs are easier because of the better access available with the body off. Painting especially as the body in most cases would have been painted separately to the chassis.

I guess the ultamate question for me would be"how much restoration is required" I'm currently working on moy Morris Z van, I could take the body off , but frankly I can get at everything that bed restoring with it on ( I hope I don't regret saying that as the restoration advances!)

What vehicle is it you have?

Dave

Rootes75 · Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2015 4:15 pm Post subject:

Personally I wouldn't take the body off if I had a choice. I would only do it if I were restoring to concours (which I wouldn't) or if the tube was so shot it required it.

I suppose in essence it is down to what or how much work is needed?

colwyn500 · Joined: 21 Oct 2012 Posts: 1745 Location: Nairn, Scotland

If it has a separate chassis and that needs serious welding YES, otherwise NO
Having restored one "body-off" car it occurs to me that the reason I did it was because all the books and magazines implied that you had to for a serious restoration. In fact it was largely pointless and created a few problems for me.