cage tie-ins ...

More work today......

I'm currently attaching the roll cage to various points on the unibody.

VARA allows this in my class C-Sedan, although in BMW CCA doing this to my cage moved me up from "prepared" class to "modified" class. I would never be competitive in mod. class. But I only plan on racing with VARA so.....

the seam welding and these "ties" will considerable help with the overall torsional rigidity of the chassis.........I hope!

I needed some practice with the TIG anyways.....

I do have to say welding "out of position" is extremely challenging.... this time I was hanging over the door bars essentially looking upside down at the project and welding on a vertical surface!!

a torch operated control would be preferable in these extreme out of position TIG welds. It becomes a challenge to operate the foot control in some positions....

even so........my welds were acceptable. I know they might not look great, but I am confident I got good penetration.

I learned some things doing the right side, now on the other side I hope to see better welds!

after adding a couple more tubes on the cage, I'll be ready for BONDO! then primer.....




my acceptable TIG welds...
did some of the overhead tabs today along the roofline....

not sure how much difference this all going to make but hey I felt like welding something!

Seam Welding....

Got the rest of the car down to bare metal ( rockers, window areas, door jambs detail stuff)

and did some seam welding of areas I saw could use it. They do this on rally cars to help make the "uni-body" more unified. I figured I have the tools/skill plus it's a old car.....it can't hurt right?

now it's BONDO time!!!!!!!!!!

how fun..... not.

Then repeat this x2000 times around the car....