Advice before I start

[Parcel]

Hi,
Looks as if I will be repairing my Mark 3 after the comments from you all in the Poll Section.
Also Peter at the Transit van club was keen to see it repaired and not scrapped.
I am currently listing and costing the work......
I will have to do the front wings and the outer wheel arch panels much like Andyg.
Some work around the front steps
Front spring hangers and front cross member
Some work to rear cross member and rear inner arches.
Bottoms of most of the doors.

Sound a familiar list?

Now for the advice please.
The only unique aspect of the van is the paintwork (was a competition prize back in '87).
Should I repair as much as I can leaving the van as original as possible, patching and repairing
Or should I replace complete panels?

New panels will cost more but be quicker and last longer
Patching will cost less, require much more fabrication and shaping and probably not end up being so crisp at the end.

What ja fink?

[neilc5023]

new panels if you want mint van but use loads of waxoil on the non protected inside side?

[AlanN]

Wings, cills etc are straight forward enough, but the front & rear arches, Im sure you could use short panels and have them replaced by a clever panel beater... Seen enough classics cars done this way without a quarter panel etc being replaced.

[Luke]

theres not many panels that arnt available for the mk3 transit so it will make the resto easier - depending on your skill level if you weld on the panels filler flat it as good as you can get it then pay a pro to finish it off perfect

good luck with it and keep us updated (lots of pics) a full resto is just a like series of minor jobs each time you work on it set a target of what you want to get done and dont let it get you down - if need be take a break for a while

[rover]

Any decent paint shop should be able to mh yur pad make it look as good as new

Go for full panels, you can then be sure of what rust issues you have, like the inner wings etc..

Rover.

[BROWNYS V6]

mk3 and rust now theres a surprise(not) glad to hear another one being saved,good luck with it keep the pics coming

[Parcel]

Thanks,

Good idea about treating restoration as a series of smaller jobs.

I had decided to do one section at a time and keep the time off road to a minimum each time.

If I pull it all to bits the job will never be completed!