Auto Restoration 08-American Austin In Denver, CO | The Metal Surgeon | american austin, antique cars, automotive repair, automotive restoration, car body repair, classic cars, metal working, restoration, vintage cars
Mounted on the donor chassis.

1931 American Austin Restoration for Pebble Beach: Part 8

This is part eight of a series of posts on the auto restoration of this 1931 American Austin. Part One of auto restoration describes the history of the Austin and presents photos of the car before any restoration work. Part Two of auto restoration shows the condition of the Austin after return from media blasting and describes the donor chassis. Part Three of auto restoration covers the restoration of the chassis and mechanical parts. Part Four of auto restoration begins covering the metal work part of the restoration and talks about starting the new floor construction. Part Five of auto restoration follows on the floor rebuild and presents photos of the tunnel damage and restoration. Part Six of auto restoration shows how we made the left-hand floor from scratch using a pattern from the right.  Part Seven of auto restoration continues the description of the floor rebuild, covering the upper end of the floor.

 

This post covers the left floor half made from scratch and grafted into the tunnel to complete the floor.  We do use an original section on the left side rear, as when we began this project it was agreed we would salvage and use as much original metal as possible (as long as it was structurally sound).  We have quite the collection of original material we couldn’t reuse and plan to display it next to the car, when it’s completed, for a few artistic shots.

Auto Restoration: Final floor restoration photos

 

Auto Restoration 08-American Austin In Denver, CO | The Metal Surgeon |american austin, antique cars, automotive repair, automotive restoration, car body repair, classic cars, metal working, restoration, vintage cars

Where possible it was our mission to salvage all perfectly good original useable sheet metal, and here’s an example of just that!
Auto Restoration 08-American Austin In Denver, CO | The Metal Surgeon |american austin, antique cars, automotive repair, automotive restoration, car body repair, classic cars, metal working, restoration, vintage cars

TIG welded into position and ready for metal finishing.

Auto Restoration 08-American Austin In Denver, CO | The Metal Surgeon |american austin, antique cars, automotive repair, automotive restoration, car body repair, classic cars, metal working, restoration, vintage cars

Our freshly made left hand floor half.

Auto Restoration 08-American Austin In Denver, CO | The Metal Surgeon |american austin, antique cars, automotive repair, automotive restoration, car body repair, classic cars, metal working, restoration, vintage cars

Honing in the bead detail in the floor.

Auto Restoration 08-American Austin In Denver, CO | The Metal Surgeon |american austin, antique cars, automotive repair, automotive restoration, car body repair, classic cars, metal working, restoration, vintage cars

Floor pieces joined into position with the tunnel.

Auto Restoration 08-American Austin In Denver, CO | The Metal Surgeon |american austin, antique cars, automotive repair, automotive restoration, car body repair, classic cars, metal working, restoration, vintage cars

Floor to tunnel grafting begins.

Auto Restoration 08-American Austin In Denver, CO | The Metal Surgeon |american austin, antique cars, automotive repair, automotive restoration, car body repair, classic cars, metal working, restoration, vintage cars

The metal finishing process.

Auto Restoration 08-American Austin In Denver, CO | The Metal Surgeon |american austin, antique cars, automotive repair, automotive restoration, car body repair, classic cars, metal working, restoration, vintage cars

Two floor halves and the tunnel successfully grafted together.

Auto Restoration 08-American Austin In Denver, CO | The Metal Surgeon |american austin, antique cars, automotive repair, automotive restoration, car body repair, classic cars, metal working, restoration, vintage cars

Front tunnel capping panel, positioned using clecos.

 

Auto Restoration 08-American Austin In Denver, CO | The Metal Surgeon |american austin, antique cars, automotive repair, automotive restoration, car body repair, classic cars, metal working, restoration, vintage cars

 

Auto Restoration 08-American Austin In Denver, CO | The Metal Surgeon |american austin, antique cars, automotive repair, automotive restoration, car body repair, classic cars, metal working, restoration, vintage cars

New floor mounted on the donor chassis to check fit.

This is part eight of a series of posts on the auto restoration of this 1931 American Austin. Part One of auto restoration describes the history of the Austin and presents photos of the car before any restoration work. Part Two of auto restoration shows the condition of the Austin after return from media blasting and describes the donor chassis. Part Three of auto restoration covers the restoration of the chassis and mechanical parts. Part Four of auto restoration begins covering the metal work part of the restoration and talks about starting the new floor construction. Part Five of auto restoration follows on the floor rebuild and presents photos of the tunnel damage and restoration. Part Six of auto restoration shows how we made the left-hand floor from scratch using a pattern from the right.  Part Seven of auto restoration continues the description of the floor rebuild, covering the upper end of the floor (by the foot pedals).