Once trailered back home to Chatham in Kent the car was stripped down to its shell to facilitate the full restoration.  Before any metal was removed the shell was strengthened by welding 2" angle iron across the door apertures and diagonally from the top of the B posts down to the transmission tunnel.  Many panels have now been removed, replaced or repaired, including inner and outer sills, floor panels, boot floor, A posts, B posts, front footwell panels, front mudguards, full rear bulkhead, rear wheel arches.
The area receiving attention at the moment is the front wishbone mounting points, where the fixing holes become oval and the metal thinned by rust and wear. Following this the shell can be turned  right way up again and outer panels fitted, ie the rear shroud, new rear wings, B post covers.  Still a long way to go before it rolls again!  But who cares, there is no reason to rush!

A not-so-smiley frogeyed Sprite!
Soon after its arrival from Sheffield.

Before & after rear bulkhead/chassis rails

Various primers have been used at various stages, Finnigans No1,  Zinc based and Bonda Primer (prefered)

During the time taken for restoration many new or better parts have been sourced from autojumbles around the south of England, including an original steering wheel including horn push (£20), a better (but still needing work) steel bonnet from an enthusiast in Worthing (£200), a pair of new toughened windscreens (£50 the pair) from a chap just closing down his windscreen business due to retirement, a pair of Coopers air filters from the Austin Healey Club stand at Beaulieu AutoJumble, a complete front bumper assembly including irons, overriders and number plate panel from Sittingbourne (£60),  a speedo and rev counter (£10 the pair).

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