Right, reality just came and slapped me right in the f**king plums. The underside is just not pretty at all and there's little point going any further until it's sorted. I was getting too excited about refurbishing and buying new bolt on parts when in truth I was avoiding what I knew deep down awaited me 😭
As such, quick chat with mate about it and he's going to sort it.
Plan now is strip the entire underside of the car, remove rear beam, fuel tank, all lines, heatshields, everything.
I'll then refurb the beam and get the chassis rolling before sending to get sorted. Phase 1 will be engine bay and underside, then get her back, get her running and road legal. Then following at some point cosmetics on the rest of the chassis/panels.
I know I'm mad to even consider fixing it really, it'll cost waaaay more than its financially worth but the car means more than that to me, so it's getting done.
Anyway, here's some pictures from today's poking that led to this rethink on approach.
So panels off
Bay area still relatively full of crap
Front inner arches I painted up with waxoyl a decade ago still pretty good
Little patch on front cross member on passenger side, not too serious and easy patch up
And then the real issues, front jacking points gone, taken floor with them and substantial amount of sill gone too, more than likely including inners.