A bunch of photos of repairing Dorothy’s radiator panel.

First attempt

The idea was to create ‘curvy’ repair panels to match where the rust had been cut out (rather than straight edges).

Second attempt

The second attempt was actually a recreation of the first attempt, only using 1.2mm plate – which was closer to the original thickness plate used by Land Rover than the 3mm plate the first section was made from.

But there were no photos for that. So…

Third attempt

The next effort was to use the same 1.2mm plate but cut straight edges, making it far easier (in theory) to match the edges making it easier to weld.

It got a bit scrappy in places (a ‘bit’ 😂) but the end result was as I wanted so all turned out well in the end.

The plate doesn’t look pristine – there are obvious weld marks. But…

…that’s the point. I’m not after a pristine, concourse, end result (and I’d be shit outta luck if I did).

Dorothy’s wearing her life on her sleeve, so to speak. Concourse cars are for other people. I love a bit of rust, bumps and scrapes, or… patina.

The plating part of her radiator panel’s finished (almost – just some tidying up, and hole drilling for the bottom mounts) the next step is to remove as much of the shitty navy blue paint, trying to leave as much of her original Regatta blue on show. That also means leaving the bare metal plate for all to see – with a nice, deep, coat of lacquer to finish and protect.