Thread: This doesn't look right

Hi Grizzly_Adams

Molly definitely would look better with her clothes back on and those are gaps that will take more than some filler rod to fill !

Cheers Arthur

That chassis has had it's rear cross-member replaced. The gap is an indication of significant rot in the rear of the rails.

I would be wanting to see what's inside, either by opening windows or by using an endoscope/camera and looking inside. My bet is that the vehicle has been exposed to beach sand or spent significant time near the salt air, the chassis may be rotting from the inside out.

The side rails should look as if they go inside the "C" section of the rear cross member, and the outer sides of the chassis side rails should continue inside and join the inside of the vertical plate that makes the very rear of the chassis. On top of the chassis a square of plate is welded to the top in a diamond alignment with the longitudinal axis of the chassis (you can see half the square, the back half has rusted away). The flat bar welded in a "V" shape is an addition and should not be there. The rear fuel tank sits in that space in the station wagons and UK build SIIa/SIII 109.

Diana

If you are interested I have a good S3 109 rear cross member(with 1/4 of rear chassis). Located at Logan city. PM for details. I will see if I can get a pic tonight.

Thanks guys, thought as much. Yes she's seen some salt in her life but I still want to restore her.

I might start saving my pennies and see if I can get one of them new galvanised chassis from the UK... ok, might take me a year to save up and the chassis would be worth more than rest of the vehicle but she's worth it.

In the meantime I can try and build a better shelter for her whilst she's waiting for a replacement spine

Thanks for the offer Sideroad, I'll see if I can get her a new galvanised one instead.

Originally Posted by Grizzly_Adams

Thanks guys, thought as much. Yes she's seen some salt in her life but I still want to restore her.

I might start saving my pennies and see if I can get one of them new galvanised chassis from the UK... ok, might take me a year to save up and the chassis would be worth more than rest of the vehicle but she's worth it.

In the meantime I can try and build a better shelter for her whilst she's waiting for a replacement spine

Thanks for the offer Sideroad, I'll see if I can get her a new galvanised one instead.

You may be able to find a good 2nd hand chassis and get it galvanised yourself. It will save you a fortune, and end up just as good.