Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

Bryson · Joined: 03 Apr 2016 Posts: 4

Hi, I'm a complete beginner here. Whilst I'm hoping one day to be in a position to be restoring a Triumph TR5 or TR6 (I did a Spitfire 1500 when I was a teenager which I really enjoyed) I was hoping to pick the brains of experts...

I'm burdened with looking after a Merc 350SLC, on behalf of my uncle, which is being restored professionally. I was hoping on some thoughts from the far more experienced on here regarding the quality of the welding/work that can be seen?

Any reassurances or criticism welcome!

http://f8mate.com/image/NSF%20BULKHEAD%20REPAIRS%20VIEWED%20FROM%20PASSENGER%20COMPARTMENT.JPG

http://f8mate.com/image/BULKHEAD%20NSF%20REPAIRS.JPG

http://f8mate.com/image/NS%20SILL%20FRONT%20END%20AND%20INNER%20ARCH.JPG[/url]

ps, Thanks for adding me to the forums Richard! Apologies if this post is inappropriate in any way.

ukdave2002 · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4104 Location: South Cheshire

I have to say that the repairs look a bit "agricultural" for a professional body shop. Idealy they should be nice butt jointed welds , planished so that they can't be seen.....It does of course depend on what your uncle asked for?

Dave

Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22446 Location: UK

As Dave says, it depends on whether it's a "good enough for MOT" job, on a tight budget, or a full resto at £rates to match? I imagine paying a pro firm to restore an SLC would soon eclipse its final value, by a long chalk.

It looks like odd scraps of metal have been used in the footwell/bulkhead area, stitched together with indifferent blobs of weld and "shaped" with the biggest hammer available to hand.

But again, it depends on what was agreed to in advance of work starting to a certain extent.

I'm surprised that any pro restoration firm would want to put their name to footwell repairs like that, budget or no budget.

RJ
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emmerson · Joined: 30 Sep 2008 Posts: 1268 Location: South East Wales

Not wishing to boast, but even I could do better than that!

Bitumen Boy · Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2016 7:31 pm Post subject:

I don't think the place I go to for MOTs would pass that - but that's assuming they could see it. I'm no welder or metalworker but it looks as if the guy doing that has had trouble with his white stick getting in the way.

Kenham · Joined: 12 Mar 2012 Posts: 209 Location: Kent

that looks like the ten minutes it took to weld my wheelbarrow !

Minxy · Joined: 22 Sep 2010 Posts: 272 Location: West Northants

As you used the words 'restored professionally' I would say that the work is nothing short of dreadful.

MikeEdwards · Joined: 25 May 2011 Posts: 2470 Location: South Cheshire

I'd suspect what's happened is the extra joins in the new metal are to make it easier to shape and fit - so rather than making (or buying - can't you get most stuff from Mercedes for these still?) the correct shape panel and welding it in place, they've made it up out of several smaller sections. The key might well be the balance between how much the owner is prepared for the work, and the extra time it would take to do it better - the gulf between the two might be too great.

I've done similar things on my own restoration, but then it's a decision I'm prepared to stick with in the interests of getting things done (slightly) more quickly. And, properly rustproofed and looked after, the work may well last at least as long as the rest of the bodywork does. It's not a great job, but as long as the price isn't for a great job, then maybe it will suffice. And if they suddenly jump in value to the extent that a proper restoration is merited, it won't be too hard to remove and do again.

Kenham · Joined: 12 Mar 2012 Posts: 209 Location: Kent

Your right there ,looking at that welding it would not be hard to remove, one good kick and the lot falls out.

Bryson · Joined: 03 Apr 2016 Posts: 4

Thanks for the replies guys.

I had doubts about the welds, having only welded once before but after checking out many welding geeks online these looked substandard, even to my eyes.

The person restoring is marketing themselves as a classic car restoration specialist. One man band but posh letterhead and everything! Repeatedly claims top quality work. Has a out the way workshop with about four or five cars in it. I'd need to check the invoices but I believe states £40 per hour (often makes a point of saying only actually billing half that due to the end value of the car, but seems it's taking more than twice as long as a well equiped garage would take to perform each task!).

The original assessement was £9k to strip major panels off and replace with new. This grew, and grew....and.....well, now we're in it to £18k and the car is still in bits. Was meant to be completed in Oct 2015, when I chased for update in December was presented with invoice for another £4k and photos of the car shockingly little different from previous invoice.

*sigh*

Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22446 Location: UK

I know what you're going through, I had an interesting time with a similar rebuild entrusted to a local outfit a few years ago. While I didn't have to pick them up on shoddy work, we had regular discussions regarding just about everything else ...

RJ
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Peter_L · Posted: Wed Apr 06, 2016 11:44 pm Post subject:

As far as expertise, when compared with many of the OCC members, I have little, but I am of age... and age brings life experience.

I know it isn't easy when family are involved but to me the photos look like a "quick fix, pay the bill" exercise more than anything else.

There is a comment on this thread about a wheel barrow. If I was mending my wheel barrow, the welding would be better.

There is no way that anyone here can fully understand what is involved in your particular situation, but I would suggest creating distance and looking at the project with more expert eyes.

Regards

Peter

Peter_L · Posted: Wed Apr 06, 2016 11:53 pm Post subject:

If..... that word with the BIG I and little f.

If only restoration newbies were to seek out sites like OCC before writing cheques, then I am sure £ for lb, much would be saved.

The guys/gals on here have no axe to grind, no back handers to take but what they do have are collective centuries of experience... and yet some times still get it wrong. So without all that, the devil awaits, big time...

MikeEdwards · Joined: 25 May 2011 Posts: 2470 Location: South Cheshire

Bryson · Joined: 03 Apr 2016 Posts: 4

If you want to see what a billed >500hrs totalling £18k of 'restoration'on a '74 Merc looks like -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NM-JiBy9HxA

I think I'm going to write up this experience, it might help someone else not make the mistakes I have. I certainly wish I'd found this forum earlier!