ash body

The body was in very poor condition, but to replace all of the ash would have meant it was a recreation rather than a restoration. The decision was made to retain the upper woodwork back to behind the doors; the B posts, header rail and the front cant rails.

The tailgate was rebuilt with the weakest sections replaced. Much woodworm damage is still evident and has been treated and then oiled.

The rear timber sections were recreated by Martin and Dave Prior in Herefordshire – valiantly as without the car being present. Several elements have been sensitively increased in dimension for strength; several others have been intuited from witness marks where wood had disintegrated. The re-created rear structure was assembled prior to transporting to ensure it would be square and sound. Temporary B posts here hold the structure but are unglued.