Restoration

[Ben Nichols 1979]

Hi Guys

I thought some of you may (or may not!) be interested to see how my willy 3 is coming along. Work done so far:

New inner and outer sills
New rear arches
Rear chassis rail repaired
New bonnet
New doors
New bootlid
New front and rear bumpers
New windscreen
All freshly painted (pics are first coat)
Body to be painted tomorrow and Friday before being baked over the weekend

Loads of work done (125 hours of bodywork and 95 hours of body prep!!)

Other jobs to do:
New exhaust
New lights
New fog lights
Engine/gearbox to come out when funds allow for full engine bay paint and detail the engine as well as cambelt etc etc.

Hopefully she'll look great when finished

http://williamsclio.co.uk/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=8302&stc=1
http://williamsclio.co.uk/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=8303&stc=1
http://williamsclio.co.uk/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=8304&stc=1http://williamsclio.co.uk/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=8305&stc=1
http://williamsclio.co.uk/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=8306&stc=1
http://williamsclio.co.uk/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=8307&stc=1
http://williamsclio.co.uk/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=8308&stc=1

Before:

http://williamsclio.co.uk/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=8309&stc=1http://williamsclio.co.uk/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=8310&stc=1http://williamsclio.co.uk/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=8311&stc=1http://williamsclio.co.uk/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=8312&stc=1

[Fdl76]

So far so good... Keep up the good work!!!! Lot of efforts... But worth it!!!!

[ianbirch]

The rust on that tail gate is truly impressive....:)

Regards Ian

[Ben B]

Please keep this updated. I love these threads.

[PhilW]

Looking good, should be completed in time for summer eh

[Ben Nichols 1979]

It should be finished in time for Easter and the first proper run will be to Le Mans in June. It's quite often my daily driver so between now and Le Mans it'll be running around town etc.

ill try try to post some more pictures tomorrow. Some of the hidden rust was eye watering, it's scary what lurks behind outer sills, arch liners etc. MOTs are frankly useless when it comes to that.

It does mean though I have quite a few bits left over. Doors, tailgate (!), two bonnets, bumpers etc. not sure whether to keep them as parts are getting harder to find or flog them. Doubt the tailgate is worth a great deal in that state, funnily enough though it's looks fine from outside!

The he only thing I do need to sort is the sunroof, looks a massive work up though.......

[Stu-DUF]

Ben

really love the work your doing. I'm in the middle of a mini resto myself all diy and a bit more bodge (glass fibre rattle can and underseal) than yours. However something we have in common is a non working sunroof. Mine is mastic'd up and is dry as a bone but I would truly love to get it working. When I was at Mark Fish Motorsport he said the job typically is a pig taking four or more hours labour alone.

[Ben Nichols 1979]

My roof worked but the last time I closed it it made a hell if a noise and sounded very unwell. Been too scared to use it since!

im about to convert the garage back into a garage so may have the confidence to try again when I know I have somewhere to store it undercover

[Chris197F1]

Thats some resto you have done/doing there Ben, well played sir!

[northy]

your man is moving quick - how long have you been at it?

Any more pictures???

[Ben Nichols 1979]

Hi Northy

I dropped it off in late Feb, its a great place at the moment they have 3 x BMW CSL's, 1 x Porsche 356, 1 x Chevy Impala, 1 x Jensen Interceptor, 1 x Nova GSI and mine all on the go at the same time. The Porsche and the CSL's are £50-£60k restos each!!

Pics below:

Before
http://williamsclio.co.uk/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=8315&stc=1
http://williamsclio.co.uk/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=8316&stc=1
http://williamsclio.co.uk/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=8317&stc=1
http://williamsclio.co.uk/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=8318&stc=1

During:
http://williamsclio.co.uk/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=8319&stc=1
http://williamsclio.co.uk/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=8320&stc=1
http://williamsclio.co.uk/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=8321&stc=1
http://williamsclio.co.uk/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=8322&stc=1
http://williamsclio.co.uk/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=8323&stc=1
http://williamsclio.co.uk/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=8324&stc=1
http://williamsclio.co.uk/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=8325&stc=1
http://williamsclio.co.uk/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=8326&stc=1
http://williamsclio.co.uk/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=8327&stc=1
http://williamsclio.co.uk/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=8328&stc=1
http://williamsclio.co.uk/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=8329&stc=1
http://williamsclio.co.uk/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=8330&stc=1
http://williamsclio.co.uk/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=8331&stc=1
http://williamsclio.co.uk/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=8332&stc=1
http://williamsclio.co.uk/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=8333&stc=1

Finishing stages:
http://williamsclio.co.uk/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=8334&stc=1
http://williamsclio.co.uk/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=8335&stc=1

[Ben Nichols 1979]

Arches
http://williamsclio.co.uk/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=8336&stc=1
http://williamsclio.co.uk/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=8337&stc=1
http://williamsclio.co.uk/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=8338&stc=1

Its proved to be a lot dearer than I ever dreamt but at least she'll be solid for years to come - she's a keeper!

[fresh]

good work... will look awesome when all done

[andreas395]

Wow a lot of work going into saving this8)=D>

[Gustavo7]

great work! looking good!

I'm taking mine to Le Mans as well!

Eurotunnel booked for Wednesday 14th/6 8:00 AM, coming back in the evening of the 18th around 20:00.

[Ben Nichols 1979]

We are on the Wednesday morning fast ferry from Portsmouth and Monday afternoon back. Camping near the Dunlop bridge (musee campsite) inside the circuit. Pop along for a look if you like

[northy]

man i love a good rust picture!

Im well into that rear arch repair panel aswell. Any more pictures?

[Timmy C]

Wow that's some proper rust there sir!! Frightening how bad it is when hidden away and you dig deep!!

Complete dedication though - well done, looks like you have really pushed out the boat and got it done properly!! What company is it you are using for the body work? Dare I ask how much its costing??

[Ben Nichols 1979]

Thanks Timmy. I'm using a company called Paul Baker Custom Metalwork near Marwell zoo

http://www.pbcm.co.uk/

Its costing a LOT more than I anticipated - just over 5 figures all told with the VAT...........!

[Timmy C]

Thanks Timmy. I'm using a company called Paul Baker Custom Metalwork near Marwell zoo

http://www.pbcm.co.uk/

Its costing a LOT more than I anticipated - just over 5 figures all told with the VAT...........!


Jesus Christ - well that car will have to be a keeper then!! But they are appreciating. More importantly they are iconic, cool and fantastic to drive. Use it, enjoy it!!

[Ben Nichols 1979]

Jesus Christ - well that car will have to be a keeper then!! But they are appreciating. More importantly they are iconic, cool and fantastic to drive. Use it, enjoy it!!Well, to be honest, I bought the car in October 2011 I think. Didn't cost me a lot, I've tried to sell it a few times and couldn't go through with it. My thoughts were always that it owed me bugger all so let it go, never could. Me and my 8 year old son go out and have fun, he loves it. To be honest, in the scheme of things it owes me bugger all now, I just love the car. It's just so much fun to rag round in. Long may it continue. I'll post more pictures when I collect her

[mrodz]

Out of curiosity, can't tell from the photos - were the sills / arches pov spec or did you somehow, miraculously manage to source 16V / Williams specific pieces?

[Ben Nichols 1979]

They we a mixture of pov spec and handmade from scratch - hence the costs!!

[Ben Nichols 1979]

Should be ready to collect tomorrow and then going to be detailed - yesterday's pictures below:

http://williamsclio.co.uk/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=8347&stc=1
http://williamsclio.co.uk/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=8348&stc=1
http://williamsclio.co.uk/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=8349&stc=1
http://williamsclio.co.uk/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=8350&stc=1

[fresh]

awesome

[Ben Nichols 1979]

Today's pics:

http://williamsclio.co.uk/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=8351&stc=1http://williamsclio.co.uk/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=8352&stc=1

[Chris197F1]

You having the work done in Australia? :p

[northy]

done a good job there. Full respray?

[Ben Nichols 1979]

think I had my phone the wrong way round!

Yes, full respray. Going for a detail when I get it back - steam clean arches, underneath etc etc.

[Coops]

nice work, looking minty fresh!

[Ben Nichols 1979]

Just given her a hose off at work, looking pretty!!
http://williamsclio.co.uk/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=8360&stc=1
http://williamsclio.co.uk/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=8361&stc=1
http://williamsclio.co.uk/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=8362&stc=1
http://williamsclio.co.uk/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=8361&stc=1
http://williamsclio.co.uk/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=8363&stc=1
http://williamsclio.co.uk/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=8364&stc=1http://williamsclio.co.uk/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=8365&stc=1

[LeeB]

Looking good, I'm getting my W2 done at the moment too and getting excited as it'll be ready in a couple of weeks.

[Ben Nichols 1979]

Enjoy Lee. The costs ran away with me a bit, hope yours is slightly more under control. Saw your post about fog lights. I don't think that Renault still do them and I know Valeo don't make them anymore (according to their UK distributor anyway!). A customer of mine is a Renault dealer and he managed to get some from Germany of all places.

Be be interesting to see some pics as and when. Mine looked ok but when they got in to it it was far worse than anyone thought.

[LeeB]

Hi Ben, I've just added a couple of pics in my 'thread' I started yesterday. Same as you regarding costs, originally I wanted the arches sorting and a few crusty bits on the sills, along with the usual stone chips and dents doing. It's turned out to include ALL the little crusty bits throughout the car e.g. Minor rust around the drain holes on the bottoms of the doors, minor rust spots in the inner arches etc. I took the decision that if is was in pieces I might as well as go the whole hog - in the long run its worth it.....at least that's what I'm telling myself and the bank manager!

At least you're though the pain now and just left with the enjoyable detailing and polishing.

[Ben Nichols 1979]

Thought some of you may like to some pictures now she's all done and polished - the paint is hard enough now! Still missing a few bits though!

http://williamsclio.co.uk/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=8440&stc=1
http://williamsclio.co.uk/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=8441&stc=1
http://williamsclio.co.uk/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=8442&stc=1
http://williamsclio.co.uk/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=8444&stc=1
http://williamsclio.co.uk/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=8445&stc=1
http://williamsclio.co.uk/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=8446&stc=1http://williamsclio.co.uk/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=8443&stc=1http://williamsclio.co.uk/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=8447&stc=1

[PhilW]

Looking great Ben, well done 👍

[fresh]

Good job

[LeeB]

Very nice indeed!

[Ben Nichols 1979]

Just sailed through the MOT! Not a single advisory!!! Woop woop!

[LeeB]

Nothing left to do but drive it then!!!

[Winters01]

looking good mate.... well done!

[Ben Nichols 1979]

Fog lights fitted too. Getting it all detailed then final decals fitted. Then all set for Le Mans

[Ben Nichols 1979]

So, back from the detailers, all looking sparkling. Before and after pics below, I think she looks awesome - decals now on too:

http://williamsclio.co.uk/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=8482&stc=1http://williamsclio.co.uk/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=8483&stc=1http://williamsclio.co.uk/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=8484&stc=1

http://williamsclio.co.uk/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=8485&stc=1http://williamsclio.co.uk/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=8486&stc=1http://williamsclio.co.uk/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=8487&stc=1
http://williamsclio.co.uk/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=8489&stc=1http://williamsclio.co.uk/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=8488&stc=1
http://williamsclio.co.uk/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=8490&stc=1http://williamsclio.co.uk/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=8491&stc=1
http://williamsclio.co.uk/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=8492&stc=1http://williamsclio.co.uk/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=8493&stc=1

[PhilW]

Looking very nice indeed 👍

[andreas395]

Very nice 8-)