Lancia Beta Forum

Chaps,
I have un-earthed a bit of a problem, i'm thinking it may be a major one.
Got the windscreen out, what a bugger that was, stripped out the wiper motor, bonnet locking mechs & dashboard.  There is major rot inside the scuttle panel going through to the inside of the cabin (behind the dash).  Also, the pillars have been filled with P40, alot of P40.
Can you get replacement panels for the pillars or is there anything that can be done or is it a case of making them up by hand.
Any ideas or pointers would be apprieciated.
Also, where is the best place to get replacement panels from?
Thanks,

Ben.

Ben,

I have just had my car sorted properly, particularly the A pillars and the front & real rooflines.

It is possible to repair but you need a very good welder, I had the new metal formed properly to get the recess profiles right, so the screen sits properly and also the chrome finishing surrounds.

My cars roof had been kind of bodged, which is now fixed but I've spent £2100 having it done properly, that gives you an indication of how involved it is.  (£2100 includes roof, sunroof, front wings, bonnet painting and repair to roof front and rear)

60 Hours work + materials. 
Email me if your interested in the formed metal sections, that cost me £40 for enough to do my car.

Take a look at this thread http://www.betaboyz.myzen.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=191.0

I will have more detailed pics once I get my memory stick back from RMG Coachworks

Was it done on a coupe? There's not a lot of metal around the windscreen of the spyder & i'm a tad worried that if i cut the surrounds around the windscreen i won't get the screen back in square, the top roof won't fit properly & it will end up looking a bit of a bodge.  Have you had to repair under the scuttle panel, where the wiper motor is mounted?

My car is a Coupe, but the metal I had formed will probably be OK to fix a Spyder, I'll get the measurements.

As for the bulkhead under the scuttle, no mine was OK, in 1995 I did cut out the whole scuttle and weld another in though!.  (Where the wiper spigots emerge + about 6 inches of the A pillar)

It would be great if i could have the measurements, thanks.  The centre of the scuttle is OK but the sides where it meets the wings is really bad, the guy who had it before de-seemed it & packed it with filler.  I emailed Omicrom to see if they had panels for it but with no luck, they told me that i will need to cut out the rot & make up panels to repair.
Gonna have an evening with a drill & wire brush attachment to see how far it has gone.
Cheers, Ben.

Ouch...,

You might try these two as a last resort for the panels.

http://www.bielstein.com/LANCIA/Beta/beta.html

http://www.lancia.co.za/

Be warned that both generally need a phone call or a few e-mails before they reply but they had some sucess finding panels for my Spyder that I thought were NLA years ago.

Stuart

Thanks Stuart, may give them a try, the other spyder (S2) looks OK, may explore under the paint work first.
Anyway, after an evening of wire brushing, this is what i have found...............nasty....!!!! :'(

Here's another........... :'(

and another......... :-\

Hi Ben,

Yeah that ain't good.

If it were me I'd be looking for a better lower scuttle panel and have that welded in as phase 1 then repair the A pillars and the upper cross section as phase 2.

The tin worm has had a field day in there sadly  :(

Hello mate, regarding the rot ..... was sent this link today by a friend.
http://www.lancia.myzen.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=1849.0 (http://www.lancia.myzen.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=1849.0)  - hope its allowed!

He mentions

They may be what you are looking for - no harm in dropping him an email - keep my fingers crossed for you.

Thanks for the link, looks like he can sort me out with some repair panels....happy days !!!

Good news for you as well then.
Been looking for a boot lid for my coupe and hes about 20 minutes away from where i live, hope its a really descent one.

At least i wont have to travel far if its not!

Hutch,

Where is he based? - I've emailed him to see if he has the elusive A pillar trim from drivers side - he's gonna get back to me - but if your up his way maybe you could take a look on my behalf?

If its in good nick and you can get it off without breaking it then many beer tokens await you !

If he's south of you then it may be easier for me to go up and get it (assuming its there and in good nick)

Matt

Oh nuts, didn't see your reply ...... just been and collected the boot lid (nice) slight superficial rust where its been chipped but solid - will sand blast well!

Hes in Oakwood EN2 - 20 minutes if that from my place.

Could not look at his other items today but will have a look possibly Sunday.
I may have some of these trims your looking for but i will have to dig deep in my lockups.

Let you know soon.