Perhaps when restoring a car, tackling the mechanics first, then the bodywork, is not the right sequence of events! However as it took a while to not only find somebody to whom I could entrust the bodywork to, but actually get them to start, I ended up doing the mechanics first! When looking for somebody to tackle the bodywork, which had always let the car down, it was critical that they would have the skill and expertise to correct the previous repairs, the quality of which was not ideal (At the time I was short of funds, and needed the car every day, so it could not be off the road for more than a couple of days). I found reference to Southside Classic & Custom on the Chester Vintage Enthusiasts Club website. In September 2013 I sent them an enquiry through their website www.southsideclassicandcustom.co.uk. I saw that they had just completed a restoration of a GT6 Mk3. Steve Young, the owner, commented as follows “This is one that’s now at the trimmers, the welding and fabrication on this mk3 was immense. There are not that many cars left that we have not restored”. I visited their workshop in Ledsham on the Wirral shortly afterwards and Steve impressed me with his attention to detail and high standards. They were working on a VW Campervan at the time, and although it all looked good to me, he wasn’t satisifed with the paint job, which was to be done again.

Steve, and his colleague Justin eventually visited me to see my car on the 22nd April 2016. I was very impressed by their knowledge of these Triumphs and they gave me confidence that the work could not be in better hands. As they are always busy (itself a good sign) I was told that they would not be able to do the work until September/October of this year. In fact the car was transported to his workshop on October 3rd, 2016 and it took until February 15th, 2017 to complete the work. I was very pleased, the door gaps were now good, all the rusty bits had been repaired, and everything was now covered in shiny 2-Pack Triumph White. To see the sequence of events during this work, please see my ‘Bodywork Blog’.

First, the panels which were replaced. Nearly all were original ‘Stanpart’ or ‘Heritage’ i.e. made using original presses. Total expenditure £1,094 :