02/04/2026
Itβs been a while since I put a post up, and thereβs various reasons for that, which Iβll get onto another time ππΌ
Because right now 1 of those reasons has just left LCHQ wearing a brand new look ππ
Last year Charles got in touch asking about a facelift for his Mk6 Transit, and after 3 months of major surgery, what seemed like endless prep, and with some finishing touches still to go, he finally got it back today π
We could see some possible corrosion issues creeping up from behind the side skirts, the front steps looked iffy, and there were probably some other telltale signs that this was going to be a little more than a βresprayβ! π¬
Once the stripping commenced it was obvious the tin worm had got its teeth right into the little Transit - requiring new front arches, inner & outer steps/sills, inner & outer sills down the sides, and rear archs π³π³π³ As the job went on it also had new inner front wings, and new wings π€¦πΌββοΈ
Luckily Jay isnβt frightened of much, so he set about cutting out the rot, and replacing with new steel πͺπΌ But as every welder knows, itβs never that simple π© He had to fabricate the inner sills down each side, he had to patchwork the front & rear wheel wells, all before he could think about putting a new panel on π€¦πΌββοΈ The process was lengthy and labour intensive, but well worth saving a cracking van! ππΌ
Once the welding was complete it was down to me to get things ship shape and ready for paint - unfortunately another labour intensive process with previous βrepairsβ being uncovered in many of the panels π¬ My boy Hayden did the lions share of the basic prep, whilst I took care of the painful bits ππΌπ
Even fitting the new reproduction bodykit brought its own issues, taking several days to complete the process alone π³
But after 3 months of many βcuteβ nicknames for this van βRusty Mc@ #&*$β, it is finally back with Charles, where it belongs ππΌππΌππΌ
The RAL7024 grey contrasting against the RAL5010 blue, and black accents works amazingly! We even got the wheels powdercoated to match the scheme π The RS style stripes are a compliment to the sporty look and nod to the heritage of the Ford brand πππΌ
Sooooo much work went into this, itβs what we call a βrestorationβ! No 5 minute scotch up and out the door job here ππΌππΌππΌ
After having to strip the cab for the welding, the floor was prepped & painted. Once the archs were on the wheel wells got sealed and shutzed. All exposed underbody areas were epoxied and shutzed. Parts were replaced, door seals were replaced, headlights, handles, wheel nuts, you name it, were replaced! And if it wasnβt replaced it was cleaned up and painted! π₯΅
From the outside it looks like a nice job, but it goes far deeper! π
Thank you Charles for the business, the challenge, and your patience - a month job turned into 3, but you were supper cool throughout! Now get out to those festivals and give βem the party headlights ππππΌπ€πΌ
Extra thanks to Jay for countless hours of blood, sweat & tears ππΌ And also to Hayden, my dad & Lindsey - it was a real team effort! ππΌ
Thereβs a lot of photos, but itβs just a snippet of what I have π³π