Here are some descriptions for the accompanying photos.
1) The newly formed rear deck center panel being fitted and and welded in place. The fuel cap on the tank is visible through the opening.
2) A rearward view inside the left rear fender and seeing through the tail-light openings. A lot of hammer marks are visible on the inside. Even though the aluminum panels were initially shaped on a wheeling machine, quite a bit of hammering was required to bring everything in line once all the separate pieces were welded together.
3) A view of the bottom of the tail before finishing the surface of the metal underneath. The center part is the beginnings of the new diffuser. Carbon fiber fins will be attached to the aluminum flanges.
4) The tail after planishing, filing and sanding.
5) Another view of the diffuser, also before installing the carbon fiber fins.
6) We made a new panel for the middle of the deck with a sunken mounting surface for the aluminum fuel filler cover so it will sit more flush with the deck surface. A couple of aluminum rings were machined on the lathe to make a forming die and the indentation was then forced in on a 12 ton shop press. I think it came out rather nifty!
7) The head-fairing/rear deck section on a stand to aid in planishing, filing and sanding access. You'll notice that one fairing is larger than the other. The whole car is slightly asymmetric to make more room for the driver, especially in the foot well with the pedals. Even the engine is off-set to the right slightly. It lines the crankshaft up with the differential pinion shaft, which is off-set, and also allows the driver's footwell to be a little wider.
Right now the cowl has been smoothed and the doors are in the process. The trunk lid needs a little welding along the back edge to close up the gap to the body and then attention will be directed at the outer sill panels to get them ready for paint.
