Hey all... Its been a while since I have been on the forum and even longer since I have looked at the Belair.
I gave up and buggered off to Europe rather than spending the cash on the car. It basically came down to the fact that I simply cannot justify the money on 4 door Belair.
However, after a good mate gave me the keys to his Porsche 997 GT3, and winding it up to 322kmh (bees dick over 200mph) on the autobahn out of Frankfurt. I realized 3 things: 1. I want a Porsche 997 GT3 2. I will ever have one 3. I need a toy.
So this in a round about way brings me back to my bloody Belair. After re reading some of the posts from you guys, I am starting to entertain the idea of attempting the body work myself.
Keeping in mind that I may not be the most useful of blokes....
Can you guys suggest some resources to get me started? Websites, books, DVD's and any wise words?
Hi Nate,
Good to see you back on here again. been a while.
Over here the local polytech (Tafe in melb) runs a basic metal working course for sheet metal with a body repair focus.
runs saturday morning for 4 hours 26 weeks. teaches the following in basic form;
accuracy in folding, welding with gas, tig, mig, shrinking and stretching, corrosion protection after welding, teaches how to form a dome in a flat piece of metal with a hammer then cut the centre out of the dome and make a new centre for it and weld it back in place and hammer it up.
Really good course, $550.00 for the 26 weeks and you get to bring in stuff that you are working on at home and get a hand with it from the tutor.
The tutors are usually old school coach builders or panel beaters that know their stuff.
Ron Covell has some good books and videos on basic metal shaping etc, give a list of basic tools etc
Im an electrician and i am now not afraid to tackle pretty much anything on a car body (maybe with the exception of a roof skin repair in the centre??)
All i can say is get some of the basic tools and have a play, tin snips left and right hand, hammer and a dolly and see what you can shape.
good luck
Steve