NEW CAR AGAIN.... 1956 Bristol 405 CHASSIS - 4106. 405GMT

[David C]

Until I started work on my Woody I would also have thought a boat builder would have been a good pace to start but having dug into the subject a bit deeper I think there are more subtleties than it would first appear. I have mentioned before that some parts can be regarded more as a mechanism than a structure.
If making small repairs a competent joiner should be fine but a large repair where exact details of the original are not clear then I would suggest getting help from an experienced coachbuilder such as Clanfield Coachbuilding.

[JoeF]

It would be good to see some drawings. On my 405 I need to do some work to the top of the a-pillar where it meets the bottom of the screen pillar. There is a lap joint there to allow the top of the car some freedom of movement, but without the drawings I am unsure of exactly how it was done.

[405dh]

Originally Posted by JoeF

It would be good to see some drawings. On my 405 I need to do some work to the top of the a-pillar where it meets the bottom of the screen pillar. There is a lap joint there to allow the top of the car some freedom of movement, but without the drawings I am unsure of exactly how it was done.

Yes indeed Joe, drawings would be very useful to me too as most of my canopy and A pillar wood needs attention. The Heritage Trust have just secured the archives, which I expect will have the drawings we need.

[405dh]

Originally Posted by David C

Until I started work on my Woody I would also have thought a boat builder would have been a good pace to start but having dug into the subject a bit deeper I think there are more subtleties than it would first appear. I have mentioned before that some parts can be regarded more as a mechanism than a structure.
If making small repairs a competent joiner should be fine but a large repair where exact details of the original are not clear then I would suggest getting help from an experienced coachbuilder such as Clanfield Coachbuilding.

Thanks for the suggestion David. I've found a local man, experienced in woodframing work and aluminium panelling who comes recommended to me by someone I trust. He has taken a look at it and is confident he can do it, so I will be taking the car over to him at the end of the month.