Stripped of it's body & rear floor.

The rear chassis (beyond the rear axle)

has been cut off and the Dakar roll

cage bolted into position.

Note that the engine remains in situ.

Hammerite and Waxoyl are used during

the chassis renovation. Original but

refurbished springs back in place.

Whole build took place outdoors on

a private driveway

being welded between chassis and roll

cage in preperation for the short range

fuel tank.

Covers on roll cage are to protect the

powder coat finish during the build.

Martin starts her up

With the fuel tank in place and following

a minor service she's fired up.

The V8 burble is a superb motivation

builder, especially without an exhaust

system in place :-o

Whilst stripped of her dashboard all

unrequired wiring is removed for safety.

Notice new footwells replacing

rusted originals and hefty internal roll

cage which the seats mount on.

With the chassis refurbished, attention is

turned to the steel inner floor and outer

sill panels. Undersealed on the back and

sprayed with Plasticote on the outside,

hopefully makes a rust free Dakar.

The rear floor is fitted after the fibre

glass bodywork has been lowered into

place. Here the final checks are being

made to ensure we are ready for the

body to be fitted.

The Dakar body in storage in the back

garden in readiness for fitting. Note the

logs strategically placed to stop the body

from moving and flexing, this was to

prevent the gel coat finish from cracking.