Mk2 spitfire big first restoration

[madmark]

Always played with cars mainly engine wise always trying to get them a bit quicker. But dad said lets do summit sensible so my nieghbour offered us a mk2 with lorry full of spares as he had 2 cars but one was a back end right off but kept everything accept tub and chassies had to get it from kent which is 6 hour round trip but we could have it for 600quid plus fuel so a bargain.

[madmark]

So we get it home and stat to play.. and thats where the fun begins.  The n/s rear wing and sill had be renewed which seemed great. Untill we fit a door. We tried both spare doors and nothing would fit!! It over lapped the rear wing and 3/4" gap between door and sill.  We watch 36 videos of a guy on youtube restoring one and just so happened his was similar. So we did the same thin this is what we uncovered

[madmark]

We had to cut it from top of rear wing right through to bulk head and space it out. First pic is with small spacers so had to go more. Also cut rear wing back so we had a door gap.  

[madmark]

Next i templated the wing gap as got door pretty close now and welded it all back up. I had enough at weekend as ended up cutting top of sill right out as had 3 layers of metal in there already. So now um half way along that. Will do more later today and start to fill in little gaps.  

Please bear in mind never done welding befor untill this so all a big learning curve. But ive seen alot worse

 

But at least door is alot better fit than before luckily other side just needs the sill pulling a little to be right. Then we can brace the body and remove for massive prep up as going cream all over

[madmark]

Also found the engine that is in the car is a herold 1300 motor with over drive gear box. I do have the origonal 1147 engine and gearbox complete so will hide that away in back of garage incase we sell on one day but will stick with 1300 as i hear its a good combination for regualr use but will be removed and overhauld as thats my favorit bit. In the evenings when wifes at work i overhauld and cleaned the master cylinders all with new seals

[madmark]

Strip down nearly complete. Need to brace the body before lifting it off.. some one spent alot of time and money with part restoration due to every bush is new.  But took thermostat out of engine and looks like thatll need rebuild as pretty sure head gasket has let go

 

Body needs alot of work unfortunatley as both drivers and passenger foot wells have been patched up over and over so thinking of putting new in.  master cylinder area is thin with a couple of holes but found a company that again does that bit new as a weld in panel. And this is before we take it for blasting. im sure thatll unearth some more supprises