Jig brackets

[longhamrob]

My bodywork repairers have insisted on 'Jig Brackets' being required for the restoration of my rusty 131. Apparently they were often hired out in their day but have since long gone. Does anyone know where it could buy or hire any? The repairers have a Celette system?!. Any ideas welcome....

[mirafioriman]

I hired some when I did my Mk1 Escort but that was back in the early 90s. I would just try google and see if any hire firms turn up and give them a ring. You might get lucky

[longhamrob]

I have tried many and will try more but im not confident. I was hoping that a serious 131 owner/rebuilder make have come across these when they became reduntant from the hire companys (who probably threw them away).  If anybody has got some i would be very grateful to hire them & pay any delivery charges cos i expect they will be reasonably heavy.

[124AC]

Any body jig is usually supplied with sill clamps.  These are used to secure a bodyshell for pulling as they allow you to lock the car squarely on the jig.  If the car can be mounted squarely, then you can resort to manual measurement with a trammel bar or similar.  Cellette will supply the vehicle dimension data, and new panels will also provide a degree of secondary check.  New inner wings, chassis rails etc tend to align fairly well unless the basic shell is seriously twisted.
Before jigs became popular, panel beaters would align cars with a tape measure and spirit level.  You must work from the major bodyshell mounts as suspension components move.  Start by supporting the rear on the trailing arm mounts on the rear floor.  If you then support the front at the crossmember mounting faces, it should now be possible to check the car is truly level in all planes, and the longitudinal and diagonal measurements should confirm if it is square.
When I wanted to restore an Alfa Bertone I called Cellette and they sent me a copy of the chassis dimensions without charge.