Classic Driver has been granted full access by Carrozzeria Touring to the stages in the construction of the first production Disco Volante, prior to its launch at the 2013 Geneva Show. In Part 1, we saw how an Alfa Romeo 8C is prepared for its new bodywork. Now, it’s time for the hand-beaten panels to be fitted to the carefully prepared chassis.
The donor Alfa Romeo 8C coupé has been stripped back to its component parts. Using the ‘reference cage’ and a mock-up buck in high-density resin, the craftsmen at Carrozzeria Touring have prepared the chassis to within the finest of tolerances to accept the new aluminium and carbonfibre panels.
As we said before, this is Italian metalworking technique passed down from generation to generation. No ‘English wheel’ here – it’s all beaten, sometimes by hand, but mainly with the aid of a power hammer, to faithfully follow the lines of the mock-up.
Each panel is carefully eased next to its neighbour, then welded and smoothed down, by men with years of experience.
You can now see the completed shape of the car in aluminium, its carbonfibre bonnet and the aperture in the roof where the glass sunroof will sit.
When the full ‘body in white’ is completed, it will then be carefully checked for alignment, with all panel gaps and shut-lines painstakingly measured and adjusted.
It’s then time to trial-fit the glass, prior to fabricating the hard metalwork of the interior. From there, the entire body needs to be prepared for painting… stages we look forward to telling you about next time.
For further information on the 2013 Carrozzeria Touring Disco Volante visitwww.touringsuperleggera.eu, or email info@touringsuperleggera.eu.
| Related Links The website of Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera www.touringsuperleggera.eu 'Building the New Carrozzeria Touring Disco Volante: Part 1' in the Classic Driver Magazine 'Five questions to Louis de Fabribeckers, Head of Design Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera' in the Classic Driver Magazine 'Geneva 2012: Disco Volante 2012 by Touring Superleggera' in the Classic Driver Magazine |
Text: Steve Wakefield (ClassicDriver)
Photos: Carrozzeria Touring
