Boot the Bond

Whilst all this was going on, the bootlid languished in the rear of the workshop - we'd used it a few times for reference (getting the bodywork in the correct position), but once all that was done, Norm volunteered to take it home to look at the standard of the 'glassing.

The bootlid had obviously sustained a belt in the lower right corner, probably popping on impact (as the aluminium box section housing the latch had partially de-laminated, a hinge was bent, the lower rear windscreen dropped and some cracking evident). Norm got it home and found a lot of cracking.

Star cracking...across the universe.

Hinge removed, so rear could be 'glassed.

Sanding the bootlid back, a lot of talc had been used in the production process - Norm took it back, and back, and back, stopping when he was worried there'd be nothing left! Building the bootlid back up again, a substantial amount of material was added (wait for the bodywork blog entries, they show the process quite clearly), then primed and sanded back smooth. It was a work of art...until it slid out of position tonight and crashed to the floor, taking a few chips out of the 'glass work.

Here's some pics before it hit the floor.

Beautifully sealed underneath, waiting for a fresh coat of red 2K

It has made good reference with one corner of the bodywork now in place - many adjustments to be made, but here's a sneak preview...

Starting at the Rear

Ahhh...Nirvana. A tidy butt!

The one thing that will make me feel like real progress has been made with this car, will be when the back is in one piece, primed and ready for paint. It's a mile off, but getting there. In September 2009 Norm and I made a start.

Step 1: Fuel tank out (took about 4 hours), we'll deal with that later.

Step 2: Cut away all the excess material from the damaged rear, and from the large boot floor replacement section. Removing the old fibreglass back to the steel section over the differential, allowed us to place the new section on the rear chassis members and provide a positive location.

Step 3: Bolt the new 'glass section to the lip along the edge of the steel panel (finding the rusted remains of bolts in the fibreglass, this was obviously how they did it in production too), and then through two bolt holes on the chassis members.

Done. Note the 'hatched' areas - these are the be ground clean to allow 'glass strips to be laid along the edges of the panel joints. With this section in place, we could trim and line up the two new rear corners.

Step 4: First the left, clamped in place with aluminium brackets, screwed into the bodywork.

Step 5: Now for the right. This was a lot more troublesome - firstly the replacement panel was a little short, secondly, there was some truly awful previous repair attempts to contend with. In addition to this, the impact on the right side had pushed the bottom corner of the steel reinforced gutter downward, causing some alignment issues - this will need to be bent upward back into position. Tricky.

After about 5 hours work, we finally had what appeared to be a complete rear end - amazing. Norm really knew what he was doing and made the solution sound so simple. Not so easy (or clean) though, the next step is to grind clean the hatched areas and get out the craft glue!

Deal Done...Next Move

After a few emails between Guy and myself, I'd come to the conclusion that the parts to fix the rear damage were available, so there must be a way to put it all back together. My procrastination continued after I sounded out the wrecking yard and motor reg, determining whether the car had a local history and could be re-registered after restoration. Thinking, thinking.

I'd almost forgotten the car by late 2005, when Guy dropped me a line to tell me that his brother was emigrating to Canberra for work, and the parts could be shipped with him! So, a deal was done for the parts, and the car purchased from Port Wakefield for $1000, by late the next year. Once I got it home (September 2006), I began cleaning away the average repair attempts to the rear.

Now I can see what's going on - lots of shattered fibreglass and a badly dented fuel tank. Parts on their way included a rear boot pan, rear quarter panels, rear bumper assembly (Triumph 1300) and a tail-lamp (Vauxhall PA Cresta). Getting the parts back from Canberra wasn't an issue, as I found a friend of a friend ran regular road freight through from Sydney to Adelaide, via Canberra.

We got a whole car now...10/4 little buddy!

Duane's Bond - From the Beginning

Hi all, I created this blog some time ago, for my own record if nothing else, but neglected to make a start on it! Welcome to the restoration blog for my 1968 Bond Equipe 2-Litre GT, where I will cover my progress from 2006 to date. I've got a lot of people to acknowledge and thank along the way.

OK, this entry will cover the start of the entire 'adventure'.

The Beginning:

Firstly, and introduction. I am Duane de Gruchy, I live in Adelaide, South Australia. I've been a car nerd for as long as I can remember, a lousy restorer (we'll get to that later), but always a keen classic car owner.

Back in 2005, my then girlfriend (now wife) belatedly passed her drivers licence, and as a 'reward', I bought her a little 1967 Holden HB Torana (for those in the UK, a Vauxhall HB Viva) to drive. Whilst the later 6-cylinder Torana's are much revered down here, the 4-cylinders are all but forgotten. As a result, you need to search far and wide for spares. This took me to Port Wakefield, some 100kms North of Adelaide. Port Wakefield's enormous motor wreckers is quite legendary for its oddities, and whilst browsing for Torana parts, I happened across this sad Bond Equipe.

OK, it doesn't look too bad from here...

...but things were not so great from behind

Besides the obvious damage to be repaired, the open rear had allowed the car to fill with water and internal trim weather away. The hot conditions had turned everything rubber to rock. It was obviously a big job (although the car was largely complete), possibly more useful as spares, so I put it in the back of my mind.

Some weeks later I contacted the Triumph Sports Owners Association in the UK, thinking the car would be better served as spares for another owner. Speaking to Bond Expert Nick Wotherspoon (writer of the fantastic book Lawrie Bond - The Man & The Marque), who forwarded me to Guy Singleton, I was told the car appeared to be (to the best of his knowledge) the only 6-cylinder Equipe in Australia - not being any use then as spares, I began to ponder. I think you know what comes next...

Read more about the Bond Equipe here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bond_Cars

For further information, plus Nick Wotherspoon's book: http://bondcars.net/

Join the Bond Equipe Yahoo Group here: http://autos.dir.groups.yahoo.com/group/bond_equipe/

PS: Also, fans of fibreglass oddities, Bolwell's and other Australian cars should check out John Low's fantastic BOLLY BLOG