Thought it was about time for an update.
As many have commented, the shell is in pretty good shape but there are lot's of little annoying repairs to carryout.
It was always my intention to do as much work as possible on this ST build myself so I have been brushing up with lot's of welding practice in the man cave over the winter. Although restoring these cars is an expensive business this was never going to be a "cheque book " restoration.!
Where's the fun in that.

And I also needed a new challenge to feed my mid-life crisis so the more I could do the better.
My approach was to cut out and repair all the small sections of metal before I put the shell onto the Celette jig, learning as I go.
Starting from the rear I noticed there was a nice tricky job to get me started. The perimeter metal channel around the engine bay had corroded pretty badly from the latch into the offside corner. I decided to make up a new section with a bit of bashing with my new metalwork tools.

There were also a few repairs needed to the inner wing around the oil tank holes.. As this ST build will run with the front S wing mounted oil cooler and brass lines, I need to drill 2 holes for the oil lines in this rear wing. A template was taken from the rusty old S next door !
A little repair adjacent to the rear window and that was this area taken care of.
I then took a little look up the front end. I had cut an inspection window in the underside of the front suspension pan prior to blasting thinking I may be able to save it. No such luck these rust from the inside out.

I knew there would be some repairs to the nearside chassis leg under the battery box as there were holes visable before the blasting process. Removal of the tank support confirmed the extent of the rot around the front suspension points.
I decided to make this section in 2 pieces. The welding joint would be concealed by the new tank support. Both these front chassis legs are now repaired and ready for the new suspension pan and tank support.
There are still several repairs to carryout, mainly to the inner wings, dash top, screen corners etc etc.

I hope to have these done in the next month or so, life permitting !. These areas will give me some much needed practice on the big mean green wheeling machine.

Then I hope to get the shell on the jig to check for straightness and to carryout suspension and sill works.
That's all from the shed.
Due to peer pressure, the eagle eyed amongst you may have noticed a name change to the thread.? As our Darren and Mitch don't like Granny's I thought I would change it !

Only joking. I was informed by Willie Braillard, one of the drivers at the Le mans race that the original car that I am trying to replicate had the nickname "La Granny". It was called this due to it's long service life as a competition car. Last rallied in 1981 !.
I have now been informed that this Yellow S/ ST, is not the car with that nickname.

A bit of a wild goose chase. But some good has come from it.
During my enquires to find out if the original yellow car was an S or a factory delivered ST, I have become good friends with a guy called Pierre who resides in Belgium. His mother was driven to the hospital in the car nicknamed "La Granny" as she went into labour with Pierre.
This car was being driven to the hospital by a family friend who had purchased the car from Jean Pierre Gaban. This car was not just any old 911. This 911 is the famous Gaban race team 1968 and 1969 GT class winning car at Le Mans. !
I have been informed that this car "La Granny " is in a bad way in a lock up in Belgium. I hope to visit Pierre later this year to view the car.
Here are a few photo's for those that are interested. Now that's what you call forward dating.
Yes, they are all the same SWB car.
Dave
