Body came off mine yesterday. The outriggers in the front corners were terrible, definitely rotted down from above. Apart from the outriggers the rest looked good.

Passenger side front:


Drivers side front


The back corners had started to flake and some odd bits but overall not bad for 15 years





So time for a clean, strip and see what else needs doing. Whilst it's all apart it might as well be done properly, so all new bushes etc. Time also to look at the starter motor whilst it's so easy to get at. I might get the Nitrons sent away for a refurb, new fuel lines are a must.

The earth cable had melted onto the chassis and there's a little overheating of the tubing there. Might be an idea to add some heat shielding in this area.

I use the Aston Martin posh stuff but the detailers on here will I am sure know of some magic leather cleaner gleaned from the backs of a little green frog from brazil.

Ive got some ArmourAll leather wipes (unused), came as a 3 for 2 deal at Halfords with ArmourAll window cleaner wipes and seat/carpet wipes (also both unused)

Only popped in for a fuse

I think it's brave and commendable, it's small start in a small way, first fuses, then hoses, and who knows - bigger DIY projects like - oh I don't know - Patios!

Wow, that passenger side front is absolutely shot. Quite scary to think that an outrigger in this condition can be almost completely hidden until the body comes off.

Bearing in mind that I've kept an eye on my chassis ever since I've had it every 6 months or so, por'd the corners, then hammerite paint, then waxoil, touched up any bits that went rusty. I cleaned out all the captured mud.

However both front corners rotten through from the top where I could see/get at. I went checking just before MOT and found a small hole in that really rotten outrigger. I chipped away and exposed a 4 inch hole about 1/4 wide. The rest was exposed when the body was off. Glad I took the decision to have to body off, but now the real costs start. It would be a shame not to do everything seeing as it's all exposed and easily accessible.

Nice to see a proper chassis restoration

Just looking at this thread and all the others regarding chassis work puts me off of ever owning one again. It's bad enough with the costs of running one let alone having a chassis job slung on top.

Still lovely cars but I admire from afar now.

My days of having jobs like that for fun are long gone. Rather just spend days driving them than fixing them.