Winter work on paint prep

In the dim past, this car was modified to widen the wheel arches and to repair front end accident damage. In additon the fender seams were closed with welding and liberal use of plastic filler. My intent is to as cheaply as possible make this car go again and to look all right at the same time.  I have two or three potential little british car recruits who don't want to drive a stick, hence my switch to an auto tranny.  I also confess that I don't mind a nice auto transmission for most daily driving.  I am planning to do at least the paint prep and possibly the actual painting.

The current plastic filler has various cracks that must be dealt with, primarily on the rear wheel arches and on the rear fender seams.  I intend to sand and grind out as much filler as I can to end up with a minimal skim coat only.  I will keep the rear lights "frenched" with commonly available LED light combinations, seen often on tractor trailers. The front turn signal/park lights will be restored to stock lights from Moss Motors.

I am sure some decisions, weighing practicality versus originality concerns, will arise.  The wheel arches will have to be resolved somehow.

Harbor Freight temporary shelter for sanding outside my garage.  

On the right the filler/metal crack is at the upper edge, where
the filler joins the original fender.

Rear fender seams ground out.

Crack in filler at junction with metal wheel arch edge,
on the left. The metal edge here seems to be a piece of pipe added
by the custom craftsman.