When I finished the last blog entry I was just about to embark on the rear panel, here I am 3 weeks later about to report on how this went. To begin with I had the lay the rear end of the wring loom out properly as once the panel was on I wouldn't have the room. Looking at a few other blogs the general concept seemed to be to use cable ties on the fuel tank.
Once this was done I was able to focus purely on the dreaded rear panel. After reading a few blogs I had a fairly good idea of how I was going to approach the task, slowly with lots of care and attention! First off was to attach the U-bend (no other way to describe it!) so that I had an idea where the two bends would be, it also provides an area to clamp to.
Simply repeat the same concept for the driver's side - honestly that simple! When I was happy with the two bends I offered the panel up to the car, seemed to fit OK so I moved onto the next stage - drilling the U-bend and securing to the rear panel. I've gone for a 4 inch gap between the screw holes.
All going well so far, it has taken about a week to get to this stage! Next step is the IVA trim, not only is this a requirement, I think it actually adds something to the overall finish. I added this with the panel suspended from the car, seemed to go on OK and it saved me having to drop the panel yet again. I started with the trim in the centre and worked out from there.
I couldn't resist at this stage and just had to put the diffuser in place, admittedly held up by an inspection trolley and beer but it's in place! The photos also make it look squint, think my camera skills need to be worked on. After the main part of the panel was complete I had to lay down the 'arch' part of the panel.
Up to this point took me the best part of 2 weeks. From here I moved onto the underside of the rear panel, once the bottom is pushed up and riveted to the chassis the sides are then lined up nicely to properly accept the diffuser. After reading many blogs where the builders attached the bottom of the panel flush with the bottom of the sides I was careful not to make the same mistake.
So, back, underside, arches and top all attached; that just left the wings. As I had been checking everything lined up as I was going this would be an easy task, in theory. A few rivets and it's all done, again simple! I had a little difficulty on the driver's side with some gentle persuasion I got it lined up properly. This is how the passenger side looks:
And the final end result after almost 3 weeks!
