Body Panels

THE BODY TUB

The main GT6 body structure or tub, unlike the Tesla model Y which boasts a body made up of two gigacastings, is made up from 33 main panels welded together (excluding the bonnet). I have grouped these as follows:-

  1. Floor (5 panels)
  2. Front Bulkhead (8 panels, ignoring gusset/brackets)
  3. Sill/Rocker Panels (8 panels, 4 each side)
  4. Rear Wing Assembly (10 panels, 5 each side)
  5. Roof (3 panels + tailgate)

The descriptions are from the official Standard-Triumph Parts book (some parts suppliers differ). I have decided not to quote part numbers as these vary according to year, commission number, whether left or right hand drive and also body type i.e. coupe or convertible as some panels are shared with the Spitfire.

The FLOOR is made up of 6 panels (from front to back, excluding brackets) :-
  1. Floor assembly, main (spares available are sided and omit the transmission tunnel)
  2. Panel, heelboard
  3. Crossmember assembly, heelboard
  4. Seat pan assembly, rear
  5. Floor assembly, trunk
  6. Panel, rear valance assembly
The FRONT BULKHEAD is made up of 8 panels:-
  1. Panel, dash shelf
  2. Panel assembly, ‘A’ post and sill reinforcement – R.H.
  3. Panel assembly, ‘A’ post and sill reinforcement – L.H.
  4. Air box assembly
  5. Panel assembly, dash front, R.H.
  6. Panel assembly, dash front, L.H.
  7. Battery box assembly
  8. Windscreen frame
The SILL/ROCKER Panels are made of 8 panels (4 on each side) :-
  1. Panel, sill, outer, R.H.
  2. Panel, sill, outer, L.H
  3. Panel, sill reinforcement R.H.
  4. Panel, sill reinforcement L.H.
  5. Panel, sill, inner – R.H.
  6. Panel, sill, inner – L.H.
  7. Panel, filler, sill front – R.H.
  8. Panel, filler, sill front – L.H.
The REAR WING ASSEMBLY is made up of 10 panels (5 each side)  :-
  1. Panel, outer, rear wing – R.H.
  2. Panel, outer, rear wing – L.H.
  3. Panel assembly, ‘B’ post, outer – R.H.
  4. Panel assembly, ‘B’ post, outer – L.H.
  5. Panel, wheelarch, outer – R.H.
  6. Panel, wheelarch, outer – L.H.
  7. Panel, front outer, rear wheelarch – R.H.
  8. Panel, front outer, rear wheelarch – L.H.
  9. Panel, wheelarch, inner – R.H.
  10. Panel, wheelarch, inner – L.H.
    Note panels 9 & 10 are slightly different for the GT6 Mk2 and early Mk3 as they incorporate the upper shock absorber mounting.
The ROOF & TAILGATE is made up of 10 panels :-
  1. Roof assembly, complete
  2. Panel, reinforcement, rear quarterlight – R.H.
  3. Panel, reinforcement, rear quarterlight – L.H.
  4. Panel, ‘B’ post, upper R.H.
  5. Panel, ‘B’ post, upper L.H.
  6. Panel, closing, ‘B’ post R.H.
  7. Panel, closing, ‘B’ post L.H.
  8. Bracket assembly, striker, back door lock R.H.
  9. Bracket assembly, striker, back door lock L.H.
  10. Tailgate

This way of creating a body was necessitated by Standard Triumphs lack of sheet metal pressing capability which lead to the creation of the small chassis range of cars. Individual body panels could be pressed in different locations and welded together at the Canley factory using the chassis as a jig, although some of this was also outsourced. For example the bonnets were welded together before delivery to Canley.

Of course the accuracy of this method of construction would fall well short of today’s computer controlled robots so panel fit would not be anywhere near today’s standards!

One big advantage of this method of construction is that if repairs are needed due to crash or corrosion damage then only the panels affected would need to be replaced.

In the case of my GT6, quite a few of these panels have been replaced over 35 odd years. Like the proverbial spade which has had new handles and blades fitted over a period of time, is it still the same spade? It can be argued that the design and purpose are the same so it is!

Most of the panels, above are still available. Indeed many (known as Heritage) are made from the original presses and are available from Rimmer Bros., Canley Classics, James Paddock et al.

N.B. The main front floor of the Spitfire/GT6 was originally made in one piece (908900), replacement panels were no longer available after Stanpart parts ran out. Floors are now available in two sections, 908900LH and 908900RH which omit the transmission tunnel. Also Seat Pan Assemblies are no longer made but can be cut from the floor of a good scrap Gt6/Spitfire.