Build Diary Summary: the journey of the project from the start

Lamborghini 400GT

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Lamborghini 400GT body assessment

Adam Saxton
9/5/2024

A none intrusive assessment of the bodywork condition was undertaken and the following issues were highlighted. Numerous areas have very obvious corrosion and will require new panels fabricated to repair correctly. There is evidence that the body has a lot of filler aplied and untill the body is stripped of its paint and filler the damage cannot be determined.

Lamborghini 400GT engine assessment

Chris Tye
9/5/2024

The general condition of the engine is typical of long term storage with a number of areas with surface rust and oxidising aluminium. It appears to be all there bar a few small brackets/end caps. Worryingly the sump, timing assembly & spark plugs have been removed allowed moisture to enter the engine. Using a borascope to inspect the internals without removing any components we have found rusting and corrosion build up inside the engine which will need further investigation work as to the health of these components.

Lamborghini 400GT trim assessment

Paul Hames
9/5/2024

Top material is dry and at risk of cracking when removed and stored will require to be stripped and retrimmed along with the console will have the same issue.

Lamborghini 400GT strip down

Adam Saxton
9/5/2024

Each individual part is being stripped off the car and catalogued. Bolts are being difficult to undo as car has been sat for so long.

Lamborghini 400GT chassis strip down

Adam Saxton
19/6/2024

Removal of underseal from front tubs, bonnet area chassis rails and front left inner arch prior to media blasting.

Lamborghini 400GT rear seat restoration

Paul Hames
19/7/2024

Assisting and application of latex revival to rear seat bases

Lambirghini 400GT rear caliper strip down

Joe Walters
26/7/2024

Now calipers have been cleaned & sand blasted, work can begin separating & evaluating the assemblies. Rear calipers were fist split removing the 4 bolts followed by the retaining bolt for parking brake clamp arms. Next was the handbrake lever pin. Removal of this required drilling & extracting the split pin fitted. Attempt then made to extract pin, however, pin was severely seized requiring heating & pressing to extract. Once removed, the caliper assemblies could be seperated in two. Both pins & lever arms appear distorted & will require re shaping or replacement. Removal of the pistons was next. The pistons of which were found to be severely seized also. Outer gators were removed & exposed edge was cleaned of any left over rubber. Penetrative solution was then allowed to soak before heating the outer casing of the caliper. An additional solution was then used to cool & shrink the piston within the caliper. Vive grips could then be used to slowly work the pistons until eventually free. At this stage, both rear calipers are stripped aside from the larger piston witch is yet to be extracted

Lamborghini 400GT mixed media blasting

Bradley Taylor
15/8/2024

Started the mixed media blasting process.

Lamborghini 400GT bare metal assessment

Chris Heathcote
27/8/2024

All full restoration car receive a bare metal assessment once the vehicle has been stripped using mixed media blasting. This inspection is carried out by one of our engineers from within the quality control inspection area.

Door skin complete

Lee Perkins
27/8/2024

The door skin is now fully welded and tapped back into shape as pictured.New metal has been welded in position on the other door and brackets have been removed and restored ready to weld back in.

Differential strip and inspection

Brandon Rowley
28/8/2024

Today i have stripped the differential of the car down to inspect the internal condition. I first cleaned off the loose dirt so no excess dirt fell into the internals. The drive flanges were removed next and inspected, these items looked to be in good condition with minimal surface rust or wear. The studs in the flanges were also in good order except from one which had soke damage on the threaded section so this will need to be replaced.

After the drive flanges were removed i could remove the side of the casing to remove the differential itself.

The teeth on the crown-wheel are in good condition, they show signs of use and some slight wear but they look good and reusable.

The differential support bearings do show signs of wear and will need replacing however, these along with the pinion support bearings. Items such as seals and gaskets should be replaced and the casing will be cleaned and painted in the correct manor.

All coming together for next stages

Paul Hames
6/9/2024

Lots of parts coming together, assessing which part marry to the next and then tweaking and adjusting, preparing for next stages of sewing and assembly. Most leather parts are cut ready for fitting to substrate. As seen on the table there are dash parts, seat parts, door cards restored, patterned or fitted, all inner fillings for the seats are ready for new use and ready for leather going onto them.