Custom Drip Channel for a V-12 2+2 down under - here, it is shown on a '66 FHC donor tub in the shop.
This project was a special request from a customer in Australia, whose ’74 V-12 2+2 had very bad rust in the rear hatch drip channel – despite the fact that the car was from Texas, USA!
What happens very often on E-Type Coupes and 2+2 models is that the small drain hole in the bottom center of this drip channel get clogged with dirt, leaves, etc. – and then water lays in the channel, and once the rust sets in, it accellerates quickly. The only way to get an off-the-shelf version of this channel from England is to purchase a rear lower tonneau patch panel, and that is an expensive proposition to simply cut the drip channel off – and even then, it is very little of the actual channel.
Wow - that's some pretty bad corrosion!
This car probably has the worst drip channel I have ever seen. When we initially discuissed the project over e-mail, I thought he needed the bottom section, as is usually the case. So I made the piece to cover the entire bottom and the lower corners. This piece took ALOT of time! There are 3 dimensions in this world – this piece seems to bend in 4… The end result was very rewarding and I was excited to show the customer their new piece.
The first piece I formed was designed to cover the area I usually see rusted away - the bottom and lower corners.
Imagine my surprise when they replied, “That looks fantastic, Chuck! But, it’s not enough…” It turns out that the need the entire bottom section, PLUS THE ENTIRE RH SIDE! So, I made a new piece that included exactly what he needed plus 3 extra inches, and I’ve included pictures of that second piece as well.
Here's the final version of the piece, covering ALL of the customer's problem areas in one shot - this should do the trick!
Here's a close-up of the upper section - which curves in two directions, AND TWISTS as it goes up! This was a challenging, but in the end, fun piece! If you have a similar challenge in the metalwork on your E-Type, give us a try!
If you need a rare, special panel for your E-Type, contact us and we’ll see what we can do to get YOUR car back into shape!
