11 replies to this topic

[THead]

Mark Nugent, an expert coachbuilder from Dubbo, New South Wales, Australia has supplied us with photos of an SS Mercedes, Bentley and a Gull Wing Mercedes for which he has fabricated new bodies. The shop's English wheels are seen below along with a W194 Mercedes Gullwing racing car body, which the shop fabricated. See many more photos and learn about the craft at The Old Motor.

[Mistron]

I'm involved in the project to body a period built (but unfinished) VW based special, involving the design of a period style body to suit the rolling shassis which has a Karman Ghia roof. I have to say, it is one of the most enjoyable old car projects I have been involved in.

Luckily, I'm involved in the design, and another chap is in charge of the manufacture! (my projects have a habit of remaining unfinished.) He has a lovely big wheel, and is teaching himself to wheel the alloy panels. His skill is rather sickening

Al

[David Birchall]

For the past several years I have been constructing a Special along the lines of a 1950 HWM/Cooper/FN leMans rep. I am at the stage of (trying to) construct the bonnet and bootlid out of aluminium sheet. I have been given the "run of the shop" at RX Auto the local world class restoration shop, including the wheel and power hammers--it is very, very difficult! Quite how complete bodies are built is still an act that amazes me

[RTH]

Lovely work.

[Mistron]

it is very, very difficult! Quite how complete bodies are built is still an act that amazes me

It's the old saying "the most skilled craftsmen are the ones who are able to disguise just how dificult their work is" I'd love to be able to use a wheel, but I'll stick to GRP.

I see the work Barry has done on the Okrasa project and discards as 'test pieces' and think That would be the very pinacle of my skills. Luckily I seem to have low standards of achievement.

[GMACKIE]

It's amazing how some people brush aside 'ability to create', sometimes.

Once, while admiring a small sculpture, I remarked how difficult it would be to carve an object out of a block of stone.

My brother-in-law, who can do that sort of stuff, remarked "It's easy....you just chip of all the bits that don't look like an elephant".

I know the bloke who taught Mark Nugent, and, although well into his 70s, still turns out astounding panel work.

[Ray Bell]

He seems to have done a good job...

The Gullwing race car is an incredible project, any idea who has commissioned that?

[Lee Nicolle]

I guess everything is relevant. Once upon a time such skills were reasonably common place. Bodybuilders built ornate truck bodies and sometimes new panels for the otherwise unrepairable. Cliff Cooper is an example 40+ years ago. And there was a lot more nationally.
These days a truck body is built from a frame with fibreglass sides stikaflexed on. Very functional but hardly artistic.
And panel beater did smaller work and actually repaired dents. Instead of stitching another panel on. Which these days is largely a restoration shop work. And largely a lost skill as is proper body building.
Though Mark has gone above the usual standard here it seems and it seems to be lovely work.
There is a thread on here about the Kieft, that was also built by a country repair shop/ body builder and is also a great example. Or earlier the Smith Special from WA. Not quite as complex but all steel. And almost certainly built with less extensive equipment than available these days though the English wheel has been around probably for centurys, though you can buy a reasonable Chinese one these days for quite moderate money which I am told does a good job.

[275 GTB-4]

Mark Nugent, an expert coachbuilder from Dubbo, New South Wales, Australia has supplied us with photos of an SS Mercedes, Bentley and a Gull Wing Mercedes for which he has fabricated new bodies. The shop's English wheels are seen below along with a W194 Mercedes Gullwing racing car body, which the shop fabricated. See many more photos and learn about the craft at The Old Motor.

Lovely work...a thing of beauty....is that Mark standing to one side under the beanie??

[Repco22]

It's amazing how some people brush aside 'ability to create', sometimes.

Once, while admiring a small sculpture, I remarked how difficult it would be to carve an object out of a block of stone.

My brother-in-law, who can do that sort of stuff, remarked "It's easy....you just chip of all the bits that don't look like an elephant".

I know the bloke who taught Mark Nugent, and, although well into his 70s, still turns out astounding panel work.

Coincidentally Greg, last week I scribbled this for the local art group;


Uploaded with ImageShack.us
Absolutely top work by Mark!
Cliff Byfield joined a Perth firm in 1938 as a fifteen year old apprentice. As Lee mentioned, then it was the norm for bodybuilders to provide the coachwork for rolling chassis, many requiring wooden framework. Later, in his own business, Cliff often designed, then produced truck cabins in a matter of days, including some sleepless nights, in order to meet a deadline. He always displays that casual
to and fro action on the wheel, apparently with about as much concern as scratching an itch. The years of practice can't be denied but Cliff also has the gift of seeing desirable shapes in his mind coupled with a natural inclination to think laterally which is invaluable in solving the many problems in building a motor car.

Edited by Repco22, 21 June 2013 - 00:51.

[Wirra]

For those who might be interested there is a course available at St George TAFE (NSW) which allows you access to a fully equipped workshop to do your own thing. There is expert advice available on how to make or restore panels if needed.

It runs for 3 hours every Tuesday night and there is a new intake starting in July. In fact they are somewhat desperate for numbers to keep the course running and my own project will be left high and dry if they pull the pin. Call the Head of panelbeating (9598 6323) and ask about Vehicle Restoration.

The chap running it certainly knows his stuff. He builds cars for movies, eg. Mad Max, The Great Gatsby... by the way the Duesenberg is a Ford F150 with recreated Doozy panels! Here are some other examples of his work.

PLEASE come and join us.

[THead]

Lovely work...a thing of beauty....is that Mark standing to one side under the beanie??

No it is one of Mark Nugents shop helpers. I have included an few photos showing their skillful panel fits and and welding.
Many more photos on The Old Motor.