Lancia Beta Forum

 couple of weeks ago Peter not only allowed me to buy the HPE shell he'd bought from eBay but also delivered it. Above and beyond I'd say  - many thanks for that.

(http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b178/HFStuart/aP1090497.jpg) (http://s19.photobucket.com/user/HFStuart/media/aP1090497.jpg.html)

I wanted it for the floorpans and power steering bulkhead to help with my Spider. I didn't really want to break a good one though and superficially this looked OK. I needn't have worried  - a few taps with the hammer showed that it would have been very challenging to save even if you could have found everything else.

(http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b178/HFStuart/aP1090501.jpg) (http://s19.photobucket.com/user/HFStuart/media/aP1090501.jpg.html)

(http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b178/HFStuart/aP1090498.jpg) (http://s19.photobucket.com/user/HFStuart/media/aP1090498.jpg.html)

So out with the reciprocating saw and some vicious 'fast cut' Bosch blades. Anyone sensitive might not want to look any further

The pillarless look

(http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b178/HFStuart/aP1090503.jpg) (http://s19.photobucket.com/user/HFStuart/media/aP1090503.jpg.html)

FRont panel off

(http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b178/HFStuart/aP1090504.jpg) (http://s19.photobucket.com/user/HFStuart/media/aP1090504.jpg.html)

Right

(http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b178/HFStuart/aP1090505.jpg) (http://s19.photobucket.com/user/HFStuart/media/aP1090505.jpg.html)

Left

(http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b178/HFStuart/aP1090507.jpg) (http://s19.photobucket.com/user/HFStuart/media/aP1090507.jpg.html)

Convertible

(http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b178/HFStuart/aP1090508.jpg) (http://s19.photobucket.com/user/HFStuart/media/aP1090508.jpg.html)

Outer Wing

(http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b178/HFStuart/aP1090509.jpg) (http://s19.photobucket.com/user/HFStuart/media/aP1090509.jpg.html)

Inner Wing ( and hired help  - OK my dad )

(http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b178/HFStuart/aP1090511.jpg) (http://s19.photobucket.com/user/HFStuart/media/aP1090511.jpg.html)

I forgot to take pics after that but we took the other wing off, cut the boot floor off ( chassis legs were pretty tough ) and then split the bulkhead from the floor trough the wheelarches and just below the join before cutting the floor lengthways down the middle.

My garden now looks like a breakers yard.

The good bits are the front inner wings and strut tops, the front panel and the roof with sunroof. I also got the gutter trims off with very little damage. If anyone wants them before I weight them in please let me know. I can check other bits but the looked pretty poor.

Are you using the upper bit of the offside sill? The bit you replaced on the nearside? If not, is it salvageable?

Neil,

Not quite clear which bit you mean  - drop me a pm?

Stuart

Can't PM a picture, so it's the bit highlighted by the black/blue paint. I appreciate it may be difficult to cut out, but happy to take a larger section if it makes things easier.

classic weak spot on a Beta this is where the outer wing and sill overlap, they all seem to have some corrosion there I'd be very surprised if that shell is any good there.

N/S shot to bits. O/S might be OK. I'll have a look

Thanks Stuart, as Alan points out, it's more in hope than anticipation!

Neil,

O/S is very good actually! Odd as the NS is like lace.

I'll see how carefully I can split it off. Drop me you email and I'll send a pic and where I can cut it.

Stuart

Strange but good. Funny how rust attacks so randomly. I'll PM my email.