Panel/Body question.

[738 driver]

Afternoon gents, I have another question for the panelling gurus please.

On the various build sites and factory CD, the top edge of the outer firewall panels is either drilled, or on the build CD drilled and rivetted, during the initial panelling stages.
It appears that the body is later rivetted along the same plane, possibly in the same place (common rivet holes?)
So in an attempt to get the body to sit as flat as possible and also avoid having to re-drill the GRP/ally/steel sandwich joint, am I correct in leaving all drilling along these lines until its body fit time? It would seem logical to me to do this as it could be quite difficult to try and pick up pre drilled holes hidden under the GRP as you fit the body?

Cheers in advance.
Dave.

[Stig]

Do you mean the cill panels ie. the panels that hold the covers for the luggage bins? If so, yes, you only drill the outer edge of these when it's time to final fit the body.

However the upper rail of the inner chassis tubes (ie. those to the sides of the cockpit) can be drilled, the cockpit panel fitted and napped over the rail.

See here: http://www.ultima-gtr.info/ubuild007.htm#cills

and here: http://www.ultima-gtr.info/ubuild009.htm#podcovers

[738 driver]

Thanks Stig.....its not that area but is what I'd call the front and rear firewalls/bulkheads.....behind the pedals and outer double skin behind the seats.
The build manual is a bit odd here as the photos seem to show the body inconjunction with a welded roll bar as opposed to bolt on....so Im not sure, in the case of the rear, how the body will be supplied, cut away or not....I'm assuming full-depth ie to meet the cockpit lateral member near to the waterpump area!
All I really want to confirm is whether to drill the upper panel/chassis rail/body-joints before the body is fitted or not?

[Steve_D]

The fibreglass body does overlap the top rails at front and back so the rivets can be omitted at panelling stage. You will however need to make sure the panel stays flat until the mastic has cured so some slats of wood and G cramps should be used.

Steve

[738 driver]

Another glass of your favourite on mi tab Steve............
Rgds,
Dave.