Before the works commenced
And here we go
Step 1 - Dismantling of the car
The first step to begin the restoration was obvious. We had to take as much apart as possible to get to the body which needs sandblasting, rebuilding and new paint job.
Not an easy task on the car that was abandoned for such a long time. The interior caused a lot of problems, specially the door handles. It was not easy with electrical parts as well as most of the wires were damaged.
Now all that's remaining is the dashboard and engine + gearbox and car will be ready for bodyworks.
Before the works commenced
And here we go
With front grille removed more problems show up
Back of the car stripped of the tail lights
Most of the exterior parts removed
Getting ready for engine bay
The interior stripped down
Problematic door showing original paint
Almost done
Tail lights close up
Step 2 - Chrome parts refurbishment
The chrome parts are precious therefore they have to be handled with caution.
After applying cleaning agents, rust removers and chrome polish, most of the parts are in great condition. Some of them will need the new chrome layer, but all in all we are happy with their condition.
We have also found some hidden gems in the trunk, such as Opel Commodore door handle and exterior mirrors.
Shining like a new
Some parts for other classic cars
Step 3 - Dismantling of the car continues
The interior is fully stripped down. The only remaining part is the steering wheel that will be useful when taking the car to the workshop for body restoration.
The rest is also removed as much as possible with the exception of the engine bay. We have found the car needs new electric wires and hoses. Last step to come before the car is taken for sandblasting, bodywork and painting, is taking the engine and gearbox out.
So far we were able to remove some parts under the bonnet and the bonnet itself. The big moment is coming up soon.
Cooling liquid hoses for cabin heating radiator
Cooling liquid valve for cabin heating radiator
Intrument cluster cabling
Lights and wiper switches
Bonnet hinge and suspension cup
Windscreen washer fluid tank
Coolant expansion tank
Alternator
The interior fully stripped down
Current state of the car
Step 4 - Removing the engine, gearbox and the rest of the equipment
Last stage of dismantling is now complete. All parts that will not be part of the body restoration are removed and stored for repairs.
The fight to prepare the car for body repairs has ended. The car is stripped down to body itself and the suspension. The rest is removed and stored for refurbishment, repairs or restoration. It will soon be time to give it away to professionals to fix the rusty bits... which means almost the whole car.
Big thanks for Zachodniopomorskie Klasyki for taking part in this stage.
Engine ready for hook up
Making sure everything is ready
Cargo straps secured
Gear levers disconnected
Break pump soon before it was removed
Engine's lift off
Out of the bay together with the gearbox
The car is ready for the trip to body workshop
Step 5 - Taking the car to the body workshop
This is the time we have been waiting for since we bought it. Finally the car is out of the garage and brought to professionals for body repairs.
After making sure the car is left with suspension and steering only, it was taken on the trailer and transported to professional workshop for body restoration. This was very exciting moment and we are looking forward to results.
So far the only thing we found was problem. The whole body was bent during lifting by previous owner.
On the way to the workshop
At the body workshop
Step 6 - Making 3D model of the car for checking of colour schemes
When the decision is made not to keep the original colour of the car, the problems start. What body paint to choose? What interior? How is it going to look at the end?
To answer all of those questions we have decided to aid our decision making process with computers and 3D model of the car.
Our Ford Taunus has been transferred to virtual reality completely. For now we only show what it looked like when it was new. Next stage will be finding the best colour scheme for the body and interior. We will show our ideas soon.
And yes, we did it by ourselves.
The first steps taken
Basic model in 3D environment
Final render of the car in its original colour front...
...and back
Step 7 - Getting the car ready for welding and body restoration
The big moment is coming up very quickly. Soon we will start on body restoration works. First thing to do is to assess the condition of all the parts.
Before we could commence with welding of missing or damaged body parts we needed to take all removable parts off and assess the damage.
It looks better than we thought. Apart from the floor, the bulkhead and forward part (to a degree), the car is in reasonably good condition. We shall know more after grinding and sand blasting.
Some damage seen on the lower section
The back of the car is pretty good
Visible damage of the bulkhead
The forward part of the floor needs reconstruction
Step 8 - Welding works commenced
The restoration works on body have started. The progress is good, even though we have found some more problems that we could not see before.
We are at the stage that the floor geometry is reconstructed but it will be changed to proper plating at later stage. The quarterplates are being fixed. The sills are almost done. There is a work ongoing on the doors and hood.
Slowly but surely we move ahead.
The temporary floor to restore geometry
Some panels will be left
Ongoing work on quarterpanels
Sills done, the rest is ongoing
Str. der Republik
17321 Löcknitz
Germany