The Ash frame

The restored ash frame awaiting the chassis, note the bracing across the door aperture - the V12 ash frame is weak in this area, and with the bracing the frame can easily be lifted by two people.

Having removed the body, the ash frame could be examined; this really gives an idea of what has happened to the Lagonda in its past years. The car had been resprayed in the 1960’s from black to its current blue. No mention however was found about the repairs to the rear wings and rear valance area. The ash frame was telling its own story here!

At some time, there was a sufficient impact into the rear of the car to break both the rear sections of ash that form the surround to the boot/valance area. They had subsequently been repaired by letting in new sections of ash, and a few metal braces. The aluminium however seemed to have been able to withstand the impact and was only locally repaired and filled at the rear wings and valance.New sections of ash were made up and let into the structure, using the original joint areas.

Photo left shows the old boot side member, it has been strengthened and set true before being used as a pattern to make a new piece.

A new piece of Ash fitted to the outer section of the rear wing mounting, the boot side piece was then added...

...Along with the lower section

The plywood panels forming the boot sides were used as patterns to be fitted a little later in the process.As the ash frame was still attached to the chassis, work moved forward to the sill/step area. Here the ash here was crumbling away. Sections were made to replace 2/3rds of the length, and carefully glued and screwed into the sound forward sill. To enable a strong joint the repair was cut diagonally on both axis. Extraphen epoxy was used on joints such as these. Jigging was again checked via measurements taken, and by using the doors to check gapping.The next section to be repaired was the rear arch to sill joint, both "B" posts needed the lower sections replacing, as did the forward section of the rear arches. As always, where it is possible to utilise fitment into original joints, sections were made to accomplish this.Further repairs were made to the hood box area, replacing the plywood base to the box, and laminating ply to form the rear coming area for the hood attachments. These were then shaped in situ, and blended into the "B" post area.The ash frame now being sound enough to be removed from the chassis, was braced around to door apertures, and duly removed and placed on stands ready to be reunited with its chassis, and a new body made.