Battery box

My car didn't have any batterybox/floor anymore, probably due to the damaged front and a rusted battery box. Meanwhile, I reconstructed a new batterybox;

Trunk & Rear fenders

With carefully removing bad parts, I am starting to replace the trunk floor. Actually, when I bought the car from the pictures, I thought the trunk was not too bad. :-)

Well, surprise....!

Luckily I have found a replacement (New old stock) part. 

I had it media-blasted and primered in welding-primer.

Reconstructing inner fender:

First mock-up for new outer fender:

And started on the rear end:

Lately, I have been making little progress on repairing the trunk and rear section. The rear had a severe damage, which was repaired with lots of bodyfiller!. It was definitely too bad to restore, so I decided to remove and replace a large section. Taillight mountings were ok, so I decided to leave them in place. 

First, I made a new cross member for the top of the rear section:

Then, it was time to cut out the bad part out of the rear section, and weld in the new cross member:

This also gave me the working space I needed to work on the trunk:

Now.... connecting the pieces, so the new rear section can be welded in.

First, a trial fit: 

Starting to look like she should .......

Meanwhile I fully welded the trunk and the inside rear plate.

The big gap in the rear end is finally closed and I am really happy with how it turned out. On this picture, it still looks a bit 'messy' but actually it looks very good. The crowned panel stayed in shape very nice during welding. I will post some new pictures in the next few days. Next steps: weld lower spotwelds to the trunk and close side fenders.

New grill

Made my own, brand new grill! Looking much better! (Not quite finished :-) )

Finishing will happen later on in the process. First I will work at some other parts.......

Great News: Worldwide Fiat1500Ghia Forum now online.

Go to www.fiat1500ghia.com/forum to register and contact eachother.

The site needs a little tweaking and tuning, but it works !!

Any questions / remarks about the Fiat 1500 Ghia or about my restoration project can be sent directly to alwinschulten@gmail.com.

Sandblasting parts

Something has been eating my doors......
Left door was pretty rusted at the bottom so after sandblasting the bottom part was, well..... gone.

Right side door is slightly better. Also the bonnet and trunk lid were sandblasted. After welding the 'big bits', the entire car will follow.

Trunk lid in epoxy paint, since it's the only part that doesn't need welding.