26-01-2023, 10:20 AM
When I built the “Chummystein” which was an AF replica on a long wheelbase chassis, I made the scuttle in one piece of half hard aluminium.
By cutting a cardboard template I as able to wrap the template over the scuttle frame and bulkhead to ensure a perfect fit over the scuttle, the bulkhead and down the sides where the bonnet sides fit and what is essentially the A pillar, where the door hinges are attached.
After trial fitting of the template, I cut the entire panel in one piece and wrapped the entire scuttle without annealing, wheeling or the assistance of a rubber mallet.
I temporarily pinned and clamped the panel on the centreline of the scuttle where the windscreen sits, wrapped the panel over the scuttle so the corners above the A pillar were in line, then clamped the panel to the centreline of the scuttle above the tank, then down the sides, making minor adjustments before riveting the panel starting at the top and working down the sides.
The long wheelbase lines didn’t appeal to everyone (it was only a bit of fun and at least saved another chassis) but the all aluminium and steel body came out very well, I think.
By cutting a cardboard template I as able to wrap the template over the scuttle frame and bulkhead to ensure a perfect fit over the scuttle, the bulkhead and down the sides where the bonnet sides fit and what is essentially the A pillar, where the door hinges are attached.
After trial fitting of the template, I cut the entire panel in one piece and wrapped the entire scuttle without annealing, wheeling or the assistance of a rubber mallet.
I temporarily pinned and clamped the panel on the centreline of the scuttle where the windscreen sits, wrapped the panel over the scuttle so the corners above the A pillar were in line, then clamped the panel to the centreline of the scuttle above the tank, then down the sides, making minor adjustments before riveting the panel starting at the top and working down the sides.
The long wheelbase lines didn’t appeal to everyone (it was only a bit of fun and at least saved another chassis) but the all aluminium and steel body came out very well, I think.