Filler and Finesse

[Lee Scanlan <Lee.Scanlan@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Not that it will explain the source of the body filler in Scotts GTV but
during the early seventies when I purchased a new imported car I
discovered that very few cars made it to the showroom floor filler free.

I have no evidence that the factory applied filler and repair but after
a sea voyage and dockside handling most cars received some damage. I
witnessed this damage repair at a large new car receiver/detailer that
at the time prepared new Mazdas for delivery. There were literally
dozens of new cars many still in their waxy coatings with white marker
pen circles outlining the area for repair and several cars in repair
bays  spotted with putty and primer. I was there for a minor repair to
my own car - I was definitely in the right place, this car had probably
been here the year before!
The proprieter, in response to my amazement said much of the damage came
from shipping handlers and dockers actually walking on cars during the
unloading process. Whether these were acts of carelesness, malice or
plain necessity I don't know but suspect the later as cars were probably
tightly packed and most of the white circles I saw were on upper
surfaces.

Mazdas copped it rough, I don't see why Alfas wouldn't likewise.

Lee. Perth, W.Australia.

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