A happy day in the workshops of @trailerqueenres as the new channels from KlassicFab in Columbia arrived. Thanks to Gerson for the prompt delivery of an awesome product !
A parcel from KlassicFab in Columbia has arrived :) The awesome new ( and correct ) heater channels from Gerson !
Kabrio update #25 (cont.) … Further work on the floorpans, with a panel being crafted and let in to the centre section of the rear torsion tube, where the nosecone of the Berg5 gearbox sits. Also, a brake pipe mount was missing from one side, so Gav made up a new one. The top quality floorpan halves supplied by Wolfsburg West have been tacked in place with the body temporarily refitted, but will not be fully seam welded until the heater channels have been replaced on the body.
Kabrio update #25 … As we are still waiting for the OG channels and boor floor to arrive from the US ( they were meant to be here in May !!! ) Gav has turned his attentions to the floorpan.
The pan halves removed before blasting, but there was some corrosion in the ends of the frame head, which needed sorting. Once opened up, and cleaned / cut out Gav sealed them up internally, then prefabricated the closing panel and welded it all up beautifully.
Kabrio update #24 … Unfortunatelty at some point in its 50 year history, someone had butchered one of the semaphore boxes in the rear quarters, to fit sedan semaphores. I was always concerned about how it could be repaired, as its virtually inaccessible. Not a problem for @trailerqueenres though ! Gav removed the box from within the inner wing, flattened it out to make a template, them fabricated a new box, using a couple of bits cut from the original one to make it good as new !
Kabrio update #23 (cont) … Gav has continued on the offside too, working his way along the top of the rear quarter, replacing all the rotten metal.
Kabrio update #23 (cont) … Moving slightly further back, along the rear bodywork that the wooden rear bow will attach to, there was more corrosion ( no surprises !). Top pic shows how is was, middle pic shows the cut out section alongside the new panel that Gav has fabricated. The 3rd pic shows the cutout, and the last pic shows the new section in place. Great work as always from Trailer Queen Restos :)
Kabrio update #23 … Gav has been doing more fabricating around the inner rear quarters. The top pic shows the strengthening panel that came out of the nearside (update #22), and underneath is the refabricated, and repaired version !
This is where it all happens ! “Vert Central” other wise known as Trailer Queen Restos @TrailerQueenres
Kabrio update #22 (cont) … Coming around the rear header bow mount, the offside was in pretty bad shape, due to many years of water ingress ! Gav drilled out the spotwelds to remove the inner skin, so he could sort out the bits independantly. The outer skin is all done, but there is ALOT of work to do on the inner skin as no repair panels are available to Gav will be fabricating them !!!
Kabrio update #22 (cont.) … The Karmann fabricated metal work around the upper rear bodywork was always prone to rust, as this is where water would find its way to if there were any leaks in the roof or rear windows. A kabriolett that has live in the UK for 50 years is likely to have leaks, and mine certainly did ! Starting with the rear lip, which the wooden header bow gets nailed to, Gav @TrailerQueenRes has fabricated a new section contoured and curved to the exact Karmann spec.
Kabrio Update #22 (cont) … The rear bumper mounts have been hacked to bits over the years, as folks have fought to remove seized bolts, shearing them off in the process ! I ordered the excellent repair panels from Hookys Panel Shop, so they can all be made good by Gav ( @Trailerqueenres )
Kabrio update #22 (cont.) …. The firewall is not in bad shape, though there is tinworm in the left and right corners. The side trays were a bit battered from numerous engine in & outs over the years. Gav has drilled out the spot-welds to remove them so the bumper mounts can be dealt with. They’ll be replaced with the excellent repair panels from HookysPanelShop which are slightly narrower to allow for a longer stroke motor ;)
Kabrio update #22 …. Been a while as Gav has been having some IT issues down in Bude ! Work has started on the back end now, and theres lots to do :( The original ‘60 Kabrio decklid was in fairly good nick, but the blasting revealed lots of pin holes around the bottom, so Gav has drilled out the spot-welds to remove the inner skin, so he can fettle it all.
