FC van upper tailgate

[cam58tiger]

Has anyone got, or even seen, a 'blind' upper tailgate for an FC van?  ie - no glass.  I would like one  ;)

[slim]

I have seen one and only one. I took a normal one with glass and welded a flat panel into it. Quite a simple task for any good panel beater. You have no hope of finding one otherwise !!!!!

[cam58tiger]

Yeah I thought they'd be scarce.  

So do you have the blind tailgate fitted to your van?  

Any pics?
 
cheers
Cam

[slim]

Photos are in the members cars or real cars section under a heading "Slims van Blind at Last " You will have to searh back a fair few pages to find it though. Cajjeridoc owns it now, perhaps he can put a picture of the tailgate up for you . Cheers Slim

[RET]

There was an FE Van with an original unglazed tail-gate at the last Nats.  If you have a look on the Nats board you'll find links to heaps of photos from that event.

It's definitely amongst the photos of the trophy winners.

cheers
RET

[cam58tiger]

Slim,  I've got a spare upper tailgate, so I think I'll have a go at what you did.

Any tips you can pass on, such as - was the sheet metal supported behind with a rib/bracket,  or was it simply welded in around the edges??

thanks
Cam

[fc_ute]

i have a NOS one in the shed which we are contemplating using on my sons wagon.
i can take some photos if you want

[Brad]

I would like to to see a couple of pics of it as I'v never seen one and would be very interested in seeing a NOS one . I knew they were a option but I didn't think any would still be out there.
 Were they ever an option on a wagon?
 Brad.

[mcl1959]

Actually Brad, they weren't an option - they were the factory finish for all FE and FC vans.  The glass was the option.  If your van has RPO 333 at the bottom of the ID plate, this means it is fitted with the Regular Production Option of glass upper rear window from the factory.   There was no brace, the outer skin of the upper tailgate was continuous from edge to edge, top to bottom.  For a factory finish you have to retain the inner panel join where it is spot welded to the outer panel, not just weld both panels to the new insert.  I'm probably getting just a wee bit fussy now, but that's just me I guess.
Consequently they were never fitted to wagons unless by some enterprising soul who got one off a van and fitted it to their own car.

Ken

[cam58tiger]

Yep photo's of the tailgate would be much appreciated!
ta
Cam

[fc_ute]

sorry about the delay, it took longer to find in the shed than i thought
as you can see it has a slight recess where the glass should go but the whole skin is one piece. this one is NOS but has a coating of surface rust

[cam58tiger]

Thanks for these shots.  Pls let me know if you decide not to use it and want to sell it  :D
Cam

[fc_ute]

Thanks for these shots.  Pls let me know if you decide not to use it and want to sell it  :D
Cam

probably wont sell it but if you need clearer photos so you can reproduce one let me know
craig