Bodywork Session 9: Nearside rear & corner panels
Today we move to CRG163’s nearside rear and corner panels which were carefully removed as always including the rear bumper body bracket. (22.08.25)
The re-fabricated steel section to be replaced at the front of the vehicle ahead of the passenger door is now complete and returned.
New wood work section that will be placed under the offside emergency door
Nearside rear and corner panels are carefully removed following the chasing of screws under existing paintwork, drilling out existing pop rivets, removal of nearside rear lights and slow removal of panels.
We also begin to take measurements and make templates along the offside of the vehicle in preparation for new waist light apertures. We will also need to undertake the same on the nearside of the vehicle.
The nearside rear bumper bracket is also removed which will need re-fabrication.
The important steel section to be placed ahead of the the vehicle’s front passenger door and front bulk head has been completely re-fabricated and now ready.
Before we start removing nearside rear panels we need to remove rear electrical units. Unfortunately we find that the rear lighting unit is not in a good place. We therefore need to find a replacement unit.
Thankfully the rear nearside light lenses are in a good condition.
The rear nearside lighting lenses identifying the units is Lucas L723. These original units were purchased by my Mum back in 2004.
The rear nearside reversing unit and lens is also removed.
Carefully the body strips that sit on the vehicle where the body panels join are removed. This is a very slow process as screws hidden by paint are chased, cleaned and loosened for removal being extra careful not to damage panels. The same process has been followed across the whole vehicle.
Once body strips are removed, the removal panels commences with the drilling out of pop rivets ans body panel nails. Today I pent hours on this whole process of chasing screws, drilling of pop rivets and slowly removing panels. All worth it.
The rear panel is opened slowly.
The back section of the lighting unit is placed inside its aperture.
Nearside rear corner panels are now removed in the same way as offside rear corner panels in recent weeks. The work we are undertaking on CRG163 is immense but will future proof the vehicle for future years.
An interesting image as it shows the original black and cream colours from the original livery of 1970, normally under the rear bumper, but also the vehicle’s dual purpose Crosville green from 1979 onwards.
CRG163’s rear nearside corner panels now completely removed.
Original woodwork under the rear nearside corner panels.