This is part three of a series of posts on this 1960 Ferrari PF Cab.  For Part One, which describes the creation of a ‘measuring box’ to check the body symmetry, click here.   For Part Two, which describes the creation of a new rear light housing, click here.

Many classic car designs are notorious for water and moisture getting trapped around the rocker panel area, causing it to rot from the inside out.  It’s a sure bet if you cut a section out of the rocker panel skin, you will find decayed and rotten structural panels on the inside.  The customer’s intent is to restore this vehicle to Pebble Beach quality, leaving no stone unturned.  But this little project was not only to restore the unseen areas, so the the inner rocker panels wouldn’t continue to rot, this was clearly important because the inner rocker panels are part of the structure.  Strengthening these panels, the backbone of the car, really leads to improving the safety and integrity of this Ferrari PF Cab.

Below we show a small area that has been cut out to check on the condition of the inner structure.

Photos of inside the Ferrari PF Cab body

Now we are aware that indeed the inner rocker panel structure is in great decay and the solution is complete replacement.  Unfortunately, there are no replacement panels of any description for this car, so panels in disrepair have to be hand made using what is present as a pattern to reproduce.  This can sometimes prove tricky, if the panel is advanced in the state of decay.

To reach and rebuild the inner structure with new metal, the complete outer rocker panel has to be cut away.  Before we cut away the outer rocker, it is essential we take profile patterns to enable us to recreate the correct profile and form of the new panel.  Below are the photos showing cardboard patterns made in alphabetical order. Important details marked and measurements recorded as shown.  Repeat this sequence of events for the opposite side.

Now that we have patterns made and photos for added reference, we can recreate the rocker outer skin with confidence knowing it will fit perfectly.

This is part three of a series of posts on this vintage 1960 Ferrari PF Cab restoration.  For Part One, which describes the creation of a ‘measuring box’ to check the body symmetry, click here.   For Part Two, which describes the creation of a new rear light housing, click here.

Check out our other Ferrari projects, and other classic, vintage, and antique cars from the categories on the right-hand side of the page.

Contact The Metal Surgeon for more car restoration information!  Look under the “About Me” page at the top.