Bodywork Session 7 - Day 3: Now we are eight!

Today we reach a historical milestone with CRG163 as we return the vehicle to having eight waist lightning apertures, four on both sides as when CRG163 was new in 1970.  The last time CRG163 had eight apertures as seen publicly was 1971, fifty two years ago!

CRG163’s offside, now ready for the body panels to be refitted.

Sion meticulously as always placing industrial glue on the frame in preparation for the first large panel to be fitted which includes around the fuel tank area.  Once in place the panels will be fixed with screws in preparation for when the vehicle’s brightwork is refitted at a later date once all woodwork and panels have been completed.

Now ready for the first panel to be fitted.

First panel now in place, before moving on to the small panel above which includes one of the original illuminated waist apertures we found under double paneling at the beginning of the year.  The panels have already been cleaned, sanded and prepared earlier in the year for this day.

Two panels now fitted.  So nice to see two original waist lighting apertures next to each other, not publicly seen since 1971.

The third large panel above the offside locker is now put into place in the same way.  This was also cleaned, sanded and prepared earlier in the year.  This is a very exciting moment as now we see three of the original offside lighting panel apertures side by side, again having not been seen since 1971.

This is truly an exciting and magical moment indeed.  Not only do we see the three original waist apertures side by side, but also a new fourth aperture and panel seen on the right.  This is a new panel with the lighting aperture fabricated to the same size and position as the other three.  Seeing four apertures in this way on CRG163 is amazing, having not looked like this since 1971.

Another angle of CRG163’s four offside waist lighting apertures side by side.

A photograph of CRG163’s nearside panels that include three rear original waist apertures and the font new panel that was fabricated from new to include a new aperture.  As of today CRG163 once again carries eight waist lighting apertures as When new in 1970.