You will certainly not get bored with this 2cv, that's for sure. You keep it D*lly?

As for the CX, great car, we had 2 first series in the nineties and I've always loved it. Now my dad turned back to Ds'es, which offcourse isn't a crime

That's amazing mate!!! thank you!!

Cheers Ken, I'll look into that.

Ere, do you reckon the chassis is a little 'wonky'? Actually my local Citro indie commented on it being 'shorter' than normal or something..

I hope you don't consider my plans too crude as I only intend to patch that corner. It's odd that your MOT guy considers that corner a structural point due to its proximity as it's clear to me it's a closing panel...
but rules are rules.



-I think the D*lly name can go don't you?
DS? DS = my dream car

Milde update. This Sunday's little bit of work.

My sister Kim and I got to work on Bella. Kim was removing the last of the trim that remined and any other bits before making the first attempt at removing the 'jelly bean' 3/4 window for repair. We consulted our "how to restore Citroën 2Cv" book which was totally unhelpful regarding this removal query.

Kim removing the lights and number plate that the previous owner/crazy had used adhesive pads to secure


Kim removing bits.


And the increasing pile of 2CV bits..

Meanwhile I set about getting the rusty corner de rusted.


Looking light

Starting to work on a template for replacement steel.


Cut out and forming a patch.


Initial fitting check. It is going to be fitted 'over' the upper and lower edges about 5mm overlap from where the body was cut. The existing overlap is hammered down to let the new patch sit at the same (or near enough) profile as the existing surface. The edge where the patch meets the wheel arch is to be folder over into the arch space for a better fit. The least neat bit will be where the patch and the start of the lights/numberplate panel meet where access is bad and I'll just need to do the best I can.

Progress slow now but will report the next step next time...

Minor update of late.

Began welding the little bit at the rear corner.

At first stuck on the new plate with some electrical tape.


And after checking the fit one last time I decided I wanted it to sit in a little lower than the surface profile so some mild modding of the existing metal where it folds round to the inner wheel arch was done.

Then after I was happier with the fit, the first of the tags were, erm, tagged.



Once I was certain the arc welder wasn't going to blow holes in the tin snail's tin, I went on and sealed up.



next, back with the grinder to attempt to profile the messy weld beading flat and slightly below the finish surface. Idea is that when it's finished, primered etc, I'll use body filler to smooth it out before final paint.


Finally, a plan shot of the repair side vs. the other side - I think the profile is turning out OK, and with the new bumper back on at some point, it's a fairly hidden area. We'll see how it turns out.


All for now - there'll be more exciting welding chapters to come!

Graeme

Thanks for the update , keep them coming y0!

Is it worth poking under the seam across the back panel? looks like the grots creeping in there, and i can vouch for how quickly that bit rots even on a new panel...

Yes! I'll look at it again - the first inspection showed a solid panel with surface rust coming through. The plan is that once all the welding at the LH corner is finished and ready for treatment, the middle panel and the other RH rear corner will all be deprived of their paint, filler and mastic and will get full bare metal treatment. I think for economy I'm not doing a bare metal repaint on the rest of the shell - just the repaired bits - think the paint will be going over the existing paint - albeit well prepped.

Mild update from this evening - I removed the 3/4 window from the car.

And saw how much metal was missing from the panel!


Zoiks

If I am going to try to re make this I wanted to note the profile if the lip and the line of the flat lower impression so I marked it out



So I set to it with a wire brush on the angle grinder to try to eliminate the rust and see what was left!

O dear, even less metal...


So, I'm now beginning to wonder if it's viable to repair this part or try to source a whole new 3/4 panel.

I'm going to need advice here - anyone?

On the plus side, the inner rear wings are very solid - even around the bump stop mounts.

Put a metalsheet on...

make it look like an older shell just weld over it