Saving the Swallowtail

[Mk1sleeper]

His place is near Bungendore, east of Canberra.

Last time I was out there was over a year ago and he said he had a few swallowtail panels.

Yeah I spoke to Nick today, he's getting back to me about one, you're damn straight that he's pricey, but if he's got a good swallowtail panel it's worth it.
I may still be able to save the swallowtail that's on her (hence the name of the thread), I have the brand new big taillight rear, that I can use to replace the top lock panel above the taillights (it is beyond repair), but as I've said before its no good for taillight area, because it' just too different.
I'll know more on Saturday after we've pulled out the damage.

[Mk1sleeper]

So I had to take the recycling up to the bins today, so I used the golf! ( I live out in the sticks, it's a 2km round trip)
I think noise may be a problem for rego, but damn it goes well for a little thing, a damn sight better than I remember my old 1.8 going, plenty of torque right from the get go! Smooth right up to the red line, and sounded great.
I'm pretty excited about Saturday, and getting her back on the road!

[Mk1sleeper]

Well I had good and a bad day on Friday!

Lets start with the bad;
1 - I called my mate John to tee up today's repair session, and he is snowed under with insurance quotes for hail damage, so the repairs have been put off until next weekend
2 - I'm not sure whether I bought a MK1 ...or mice, 'cause they seem to be breeding at an alarming rate!........Which brings me to the good news... I think!

Good news is I had a lead on some good parts, for the back end, so I went out to have a look. Instead of coming back with a beaver and a hatch, I returned with 5 parts cars
Well actually 4 parts cars a good Diesel 4 door and 4 spare diesel engines, so I might have some good bits to sell once I get them all sorted!

What have I done!!!!!

[sports racer]

I don't see any problem.

If your driveway is 1k long then you've got lots of space to hide cars from the missus.

Cheers

Paul

[Mk1sleeper]

I don't see any problem.

If your driveway is 1k long then you've got lots of space to hide cars from the missus.

Cheers

Paul

Paul, The problem isn't hiding them from her, it's my son's big mouth!
He has a bad habit of trying to use these sorts of things as leverage.
Although it did backfire on him the other day when he dobbed the missus in for something,

[sports racer]

Just remind him it's a long walk for him to the bus.

Every day.

For the rest of his life.

[Mk1sleeper]

So I guess that I should give you guys an update seeing as a bit has gone on lately!
Patience isn't on of my virtues, so whilst waiting, for my mate to give me time on his Autorobot, I decided to pull out the worst of the damage with what I had available.
.
So I tied it to a bobcat and drove!!!.......Not quite but close.

Actually there was a fair bit more involved. To get the damage out needed pushing for inside, as well as the pulling from outside.

I don't know why, but I don't have a picture of the first stage pushing out the bulk of the damage, this one was pushing the left side where even though the hit was on the right, the force had pushed everything to the left.
after some dressing up the SWALLOWTAIL WILL be saved
this is after pushing it out and pulling the support panel out with the bobcat.

then after dressing everything up a bit
.
Yeah it ain't pretty yet but with a shrinking disc and a S**T load of work it will be like new!...NO BOG
I can't go any further now until I can pull the quarters out(they need a slow pull from the outside that I cant do)
To correct this!

and this

Once the inner panels and quarters are straight, I can replace the top panel with one of the 4 that I just bought, well 5 actually, but 1 is a new project!
Saturday looks to be the day, but I'm not holding my breath! John my mate had about 30 hail damage quotes to do between Tuesday when I last saw him and Friday arvo, if we're going to do the golf on Saturday morning..... fingers crossed!!!!

Cheers Scotty.

[Mk1sleeper]

Just remind him it's a long walk for him to the bus.

Every day.

For the rest of his life.

Paul That won't work the bus goes past the end of our driveway, which is only 100 metres away, the bins are at a mates place 1K up the road hence the 2K drive! That's all irrelevant though because his mother drives him to school every day anyway!!!

[sports racer]

At least you don't have your kid taking a video over your shoulder while you drive and showing it to your wife.

Honest dear, the speedo is miles out...........

[Mk1sleeper]

Give him time Paul................. he's only 8

On another note tomorrow is the day!!!!

Ill take plenty of photos of course!