CHECK FOR ROT

Bonnet and boot edges and the bottoms of the doors are obvious checks, plus the sills, inner and outer front wings, wheelarches, and front/rear valances. Bubbling around the edges of chrome and ‘Di-Noc’ trim should ring alarm bells. Check also the A/B-pillars, front bulkhead and the rear panel where the bumper irons are secured. Cheap replacement panels rarely fit well and good ones are pricey, so ask the club about sourcing the best; remember that major bodywork surgery won’t make financial sense unless you’re tackling it yourself.