BE 646

[Gus Meyjes]

Peter, I cannot come to Europe and not pay a visit to Oldenburg!
   Where do you ride? Sylt? Anything closer to home? Who'd have thought? Ac's and Kites go together well!
   
   Gus

[dkp_cobra]

The resin here doesn't look original and I think it is a bad sign:
   
   But it is not so bad as I expected:
   
   The other side looks better:
   
   There was 10 cm dirt behind the panel with mummified spider and sowbugs:
   
   After stripping the last panels of the boot the sub-structure is visible. That's surprisingly good. Only one rotten tube:
   
   and one slightly bended tube:
   
   I think the car hat a small hit on the right rear. That explains the 10 mm body filler. Inside the body it doesn't look so bad:
   

[Migge]

I hope for you that after sandblasting the complete frame, your face still lokks friendly :-)
   
   Best wishes
   Migge

[dkp_cobra]

quote:Originally posted by Migge
   
I hope for you that after sandblasting the complete frame, your face still lokks friendly :-)
   
   Best wishes
   Migge
   

   
   This makes me nervous, Migge [:0]

[Migge]

Yes, you should be getting nervous Peter :-)
   
   What you see now is just the beginning, that's a fact. I know it from other frames of other cars. If you have a small hole where water could find it's way into the tube it's inside rotten too and the bottom also, where it is welded to another tube. I think you have to replace a few more tubes you think of now.

[Gus Meyjes]

Sure looks like you will be pulling the body.... ouch![xx(]
   But it makes for all the more entertaining reporting for us to see!! [:D]
   
   Gus

[dkp_cobra]

quote:Originally posted by Gus Meyjes
   
with that new drive train, you may want to get a few more spokes in those wheels...
   

   
   Yesterday, I checked the wheels and counted the spokes: 72. I think that should be ok. The wheels are 15x6 with a backspacing of 2" rear and 3,5" front.

[dkp_cobra]

Removing the panels from the floor:
   
   more wood but in good condition:
   
   on both sides:
   
   The rotten tube on the one side is not a surprise, I could see that during the inspection.
   
   The main frame is quite strong in this area:
   
   Now, the inner rear fender are removed:

[dkp_cobra]

quote:Originally posted by Migge
   
Yes, you should be getting nervous Peter :-)
   
   What you see now is just the beginning, that's a fact. I know it from other frames of other cars. If you have a small hole where water could find it's way into the tube it's inside rotten too and the bottom also, where it is welded to another tube. I think you have to replace a few more tubes you think of now.
   

   
   If it would be easy, everybody could do it [:D]

[dkp_cobra]

One question for the Aceca owners. Is that square box below the hand brake lever original?

[dkp_cobra]

After removing the wall behind the seats we can see the complex structure of the sub-frame:
   
   And of course more wood in the area of the B-pillar which is rotten because its lower part was used as inner fender:
   

[Klassik Metall]

I think the box below the handbrake and the steel angle section along the tunnel are not original. I guess someone wanted to strengthen the handbrake mount and provide a fixing for seat belts. When you want to remove the plywood from the back of the B post you will find that it is also securing the edge of the rear wing panel, there are small nails passing through the aluminium hiding under the paint and filler. Happy hunting![:)]
   
   Regards Luke.

[dkp_cobra]

Removing the front inner fender, the cooler and the panels in this area:
   
   As expected here are the most rust problems:
   
   The tube 1 looks much bigger then 2, but 2 is original 1 was covered or replaced by a bigger one. Tube 4 is rusted through, 3 looks good at first but is badly repaired. So both must be replaced.
   
   The problem in this area is a construction problem. Some panels are mounted at the tubes 3, 4 and 5. Everytime you drive through the rain water intrudes into these tubes via this mounting holes. The water cannot leave the tubes and the corrosion process starts from inside. The same problem still existed with the MK IV. A small hole drilled at the deepest point of these tubes solves this problem.

[dkp_cobra]

The A-pillar looks quite good under the aluminium cover:
   
   

[dkp_cobra]

The brake fluid looks like new. I think I can reuse it [:)]
   
   The pedals have three layers of rubber:
   
   Was it normal in the 60th to have sandpaper below your shoes?
   
   The footbox is removed and I can see all the tubes:
   
   Really, an impressive piece of craftsmen work this structure. I would like to know what such a chassis would cost today.