This is part seven of a series of posts on the automotive restoration of this 1931 American Austin. Part One describes the history of the Austin and presents photos of the car before any restoration work. Part Two shows the condition of the Austin after return from media blasting and describes the donor chassis. Part Three covers the restoration of the chassis and mechanical parts. Part Four begins covering the metal work part of the restoration and talks about starting the new floor construction. Part Five follows on the floor rebuild and presents photos of the tunnel damage and restoration. Part Six shows how we made the left-hand floor from scratch using a pattern from the right.
This post takes us to making the upper end floor panel: a simple panel made with the aid of simple tooling. We made a wood ‘knock over’ jig to create the spot welding flange that joins the panel to the tunnel. With a few more simple folds to join to the floor half, we were in business and ready to move on to making the left-hand floor half.
Floor restoration photos
Decayed and weakened upper rear floor panel removed and ready for patterning.
New sheet metal with the pattern transferred.
Flange knocked over and joined with clecos to our right hand floor half and tunnel.
End view.
Ready to take the left hand floor half.
This is part seven of a series of posts on the automotive restoration of this 1931 American Austin. Part One describes the history of the Austin and presents photos of the car before any restoration work. Part Two shows the condition of the Austin after return from media blasting and describes the donor chassis. Part Three covers the restoration of the chassis and mechanical parts. Part Four begins covering the metal work part of the restoration and talks about starting the new floor construction. Part Five follows on the floor rebuild and presents photos of the tunnel damage and restoration. Part Six shows how we made the left-hand floor from scratch using a pattern from the right.