This Mk2 Thames Trader has not had a hard life, as it was used as an orchard truck in the Moss Vale area, of the NSW, Southern Highlands, only having done 45,000 miles from new. There was however quite some damage to the lower panels and roof from some misuse in its life, as well as some minor rust problems.

In the first photo we see the Thames in its old paint work and it does look like you could just rub it down and give it a few more coats of paint, but as we all know things are never that simple. A close inspection showed some rust problems and as the panels were stripped of their paint, body filler was found in the damaged lower panels and roof. This was to be fair a minor set back, as no one would expect to find everything perfect in a vehicle of this age. So it was out with the tinsnips and welder to start to repair and dream of the finished product. I chose the traditional colour scheme used on Thames Traders in the UK of red main body with the lower panels in black and not forgetting both the truck and myself live in Australia the roof would be white.