In February we began a bodywork restoration on a 1968 Maserati Ghibli.
We have worked on many of these cars in the past so jumped at the opportunity of doing it again.
As it is approaching metal work completion we thought it would be a good time to look back and share some of this project with you. (a brief snippet from the past 6 months!)

Arrival, February 2020.

Some areas of concern included the sills, lower front and rear wings, door frames and skins, bonnet frame and bonnet skin. A combination of previous poor repairs and 52 years of use meant the fabrication of new panels was going to be needed.

The original steel bonnet skin had certainly seen better days, the skin was removed from the frame and sent for media blasting.

The team set about fabricating new lower and side sections from sheet steel. The decision was made to retain the centre section to keep as much originality as possible as this was in good condition. The replacement sections were welded into place.

The bonnet frame was also in poor condition, this was sent for media blasting and we repaired sections as required. The frame was braced up and new sections were welded in. Frame coated in primer before refitting skin to frame and gapping to the car.

Jack began with the fabrication of the lower rear wing repair panels.

Here you can see the English Wheel being used.

Further work on the LHS included removing, fabricating and replacing lower front wing panels, removing the door and sill work. We removed and fabricated new outer sills and carried out work to the inner sills.

Both doors were removed from the car so we could investigate their condition.
The skin was unwrapped and frames were sent for media blasting.
Repairs were carried out to the frames while we fabricated 2 new door skins using sheet steel. (click through the below slideshow)

Bringing it all together.

Getting close!