Panels

Many of the external panels are removable, being bolted on. Front outer and inner wings all bolt on via bolts with captive fastenings, although some cars may have a kind of blind rivet to the front and rear vertical flange of the rear wings. Joints between front and rear wings are bedded in and face sealed with mastic. UPOL's Tiger Seal is recommended and can be painted over when cured.

Front inner wings can also be unbolted after removal of the various engine ancillaries that clip to them, and the exhaust and brake lines which pass through apertures. Pre 1968 panels are a different pattern to later types.

Generally, wings are not worth repairing as decent quality replacements can be obtained from Franzose in Europe or Hadrian in the UK. Inner wings are harder to find and tend to be expensive. They usually rot along the mounting flange and a repair strip can be obtained from Hadrian, etc. that will weld on and replace the old corroded edge.

Details of welding this and the rear wing mounting flange can be obtained here:

http://www.renault4.co.uk/gordini-inner-wing.htm

All wings will require a significant amount of fettling to fit and it is recommended that this is done and then the wing removed and painted before final fitting. It is advisable to seal all joints to slow down the return of the rust.

Replacement front wings will also require re-drilling for trim clips and will not contain the captive fastenings for the front ‘ love handles ‘, if fitted.

The remaining outer side panel is the A Panel. This is welded into place and is a difficult replacement in terms of getting it straight and distortion free. Again see http://www.renault4.co.uk/gordini-apex-repair.htm for a good blow by blow account.

Bonnet lid is fixed by two hinges under the grille which bolt into the crossmember and can be released from under the car. Remove also the two wire safety stays from inside the engine bay and then lift the whole lot off.

Illustrations of the location and type of bolts that fasten all of these panels, can be found in the Haynes manual and the Renault publication MR176.