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Chris Reckler down in Texas Who is working on Gary Kulp's 115-C Conv Coupe was nice enough to send me this picture from the inside of that rotten out wells behind the b-pillars so I could see what was missing. Which on my car is everything. I have a few more follow questions out to him as it's not obvious how or if that well structure actually attaches to the wood framing, or if it just ends in a turned down lip, supposedly so moisture could drain away.

The engine was just delivered to Russell in Longview.

Russell just sent me a txt msg stating, "The Jackard has landed"

Hello Kev,
Hope that the Jag engine is a complete success and preforms well when you fit it, by the way did you receive my seasons greetings card.
Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy new Year.
Regards Fred

Fred, I haven't seen a card arrive, but I will keep an eye out for it it!

While the engine is away time to get back on that body work.

Looking at the inner well panel that needs to be fabricated, I decided the only make it and weld it in was to pull the rocker back off.

This panel was part of the body shell structure, and was all there the body was set on the frame. So without pulling the body, pulling the rockers which are not part of the actual body is the next best thing.

Since my runningboard supports, we're cut off when I got the car and my replacements are bolted on. Which need to be removed to get the rockerpanels off.

Now with everything out of the way, I can start templating the sheet metal to make rusted away inner well panel.

Got the one side inner structure and outer patch made.








I made as an assemble pop in and then i can spot weld the inner struture to the body, and then fully weld the outer patch. The inner assemble is made of one folder piece of 22ga. The outer skin is 18ga.

I was able to replicate the drip groove on the outer skin. Which was a pain to do without a metal brake, especially on 18ga.




Once I had one side fitting good, I took it apart and made paper template so I could make a second one in reverse for the other side.




Then I made the 2nd one which went very quickly.




This shows in the inner structure and outer skin for both the left and right sides. Here is the left side pieces plug welded together.

Looks great! I could use your skills on my Clipper and Henney. Just a thought but maybe you could make a full-size scan (or dimension it so that it could be printed accurately) of the template for use by others.

I painted all the inside and the outside of inner structure as once it's installed there is no way to paint it. I painted it and put it over my space heater to dry faster, as it only about 55f in the garage.




Here it is welded in, and ground down. I need to make second pass to fill all the surface voids and pits.




But that will be a post-Christmas activity.

I guess Nicole wants me to pick up the pace on her car, as this was one of my Christmas gifts.