Dismantling is a Many Splendored Thing

In restoration circles, some think that the dismantling of a car into its basic sections is the easiest part of the process. Granted that you don't need to be a mechanical genius during this stage. For me it's a mixed feeling of being overwhelmed by the work ahead and the challenge of turning a neglected car into a winner.

The first goal was to remove the bonnet and body tub from the frame. This can be challenging since the ratio of rusted bolts to clean ones is skewed toward the oxidized end of the spectrum. There were a few that were stubborn and a few that required the SawzAll. For Spitfires, it is almost mandatory to slice the trailing arm bolts as they are always rusted solid into the bushes.

Besides the bolts holding the body tub to the frame, there is only the brake lines, front electrical harness and the engine electrical harness to disconnect. Well not exactly, you need to disconnect the parking brake cable too. I just pull the pin at the rear cable connection and that's enough to facilitate separation. It is a good idea to mark the many connections so you know where they go. Although that assumes they were connected correctly in the first place. At this point the only thing holding the body on the frame is one of Newton's Laws.

The car was towed down to the barn with one of the tractors. I had set up a block and tackle that would be used to lift the tub from the frame. I fastened several nylon straps to the tub and looped it through the hook on the hoist. After numerous rotations of the chain, the body lifted off the frame. The frame with the entire engine and driveline was then slid out from under the body.

The next step was to slide my handy dandy body cart under the body. This will be the 4th restoration that this cart has seen. It makes it real easy to move things about. However in this case it's just to get it out of the way since this body will not be restored.

Well there it all sits, waiting for the next step of the tear down process. This will be removing everything from the frame, everything! This will be the very first part of the car that will get restored. But we will discuss this next time in Part 3.

By Joe "Stagmeister" Pawlak

Copyright © 2002 Illinois Sports Owners Association