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Stunning!

So.... this thing isn't ever going off-road, is it?

Ohh it will get used Vince

This was my 712 restoration.....it was a 12 year restoration (I figure this will be a 4 to 5 year job)







....and this is a trip somewhat later

Yeah but let me guess, you immediately drove home and went through the drive-in bathtub full of Evian water to rinse it all off, right?

Have you been looking over my shoulder as regards my Pinny washing regime

When I was out in February, I spent an hour at the carwash getting the worst of the mud off, then another day cleaning and detailing, then I took it out and got it dirty again

In August my niece is getting married and she wants the 712 as her wedding vehicle, so I daresay I'II spend heaps of time cleaning it....... I hope the white bridesmaid's dresses won't dirty up my clean Pinny.

looking good Peter, can't wait for the next update.

Doug

A few mates came over today and helped me roll the "ridges" on the roof edge and centre panels.
......then we threw a few snags on the barbie

Looks like there's a few years experience at work there...

Yep, there is Stekay ............ and all of us are 4WD/6WD owners and enthusiasts.
The tall guy is into 101 LR's, and the other has a radical custom built Defender, err Rangie err I'm not sure what it is, but it has a forced articulation suspension system.

I picked up the custom aluminium radiator I had built the other day.....I've always been dubious as to whether the standard radiator would be capable of handling the possible 40+C conditions of Central Australia so I had a unit built with an Aussie core that the bloke assures me will handle extreme heat.

The initial fitment showed the unit still needs a bit of "tweaking" of the inlet/outlet pipes etc, but it fits perfectly in place and under the cowl.

Progress, albeit slow, continues

Well it's been a while since I posted any pics of the rebuild and as a few people have contacted me asking what's going on I thought I'd better make an effort to post some more pics.

I've been busy with work etc, but now that the Uni year is virtually over and the current research projects are coming to an end, I'm once again back to a situation where I'm becoming more "time rich" (but "money poor" )
I also decided to modify the side rear lift up sides, hinge points which has slowed progress somewhat.

I always tell students that the best designs are based around "KIS" (Keep It Simple) but I stumbled over my own words
In an effort to minimise any rain that entered the body when the sides were up, I originally had a complex system that lifted the top roof section slightly when the side contacted a hidden seal with the idea that the "dam wall" effect would stop water dripping inside. In the end, I rebuilt the hinges, hinge ponts/door structure etc so they are now just basic, rugged assemblies, and if a few drops, or a little water gets inside the back when it's raining heavily, so be it.........I think the Pinny will survive

A lot of people might think that work has not progressed much since my last post, but detailing and all the little bits and pieces take time.....Pretty much construction of all the "new" body panels is finished, apart from the right rear door (which I hope to start on this weekend) but making things like the Swage & Jenny Die to make the "pressed in" top rib is slow work, as you do a sample, then modify the die a little etc, etc.
Lining up the roof panels proved tricky but a basic wooden template helped immensely (yes, I know the little rear rib doesn't line up ....that's a little cut and shut job for the weekend ).
The roof and side panels are currently all held in place with small wooden wedges, Cleco's and Peanuts, but in a couple of weeks my spot welding team (the old guys in the pics above ) are coming over for a days work.

OK so here are the pics of the body/platform to date:

Outstanding work. Recreating those body parts and fabbing the dies to do it is well beyond my skills and show the true craftsmanship your putting into your rebuild. I bet when completed your truck will be nicer than when it rolled out of the factory!. Keep up the good work an keep the picture coming!

WOW Peter the quality of work you achieve from your relatively small home workshop really is amazing and stunning!!!
Should you ever need an extra hand with any task I would be glad to help out...BBQ attendant perhaps

Cheers Warren.

At a loss for words regarding the work!

What's a "snag" and how does it taste?

I was always taught "KISS"- the extra S is for "stupid".

VinceAtReal4x4 wrote:What's a "snag" and how does it taste?

A snag is an Australian word for sausage that you BBQ.

It tastes great when washed down with a hydraulic sandwich.