Thank you all, I greatly appreciate the advice!
I removed the internal trim yesterday and removed some of the chassis bolts (I had to cut the nuts off of a couple of them) but the wood didn't look in terrible condition; though of course that doesn't tell me if its okay under the first layer or not.
I think I'm going to give it a go. Worst case scenario bad things happen and I have to delay to new chassis time, best case I can get something to work to keep me going in the mean time.
I have been working under the assumption that when it does come to new chassis time I will have to make significant repairs to the ash frame. When this inevitably occurs, are parts of the frame easily bought or is it a case of making my own? I'm guessing the cars are all a bit different so off the shelf bits probably aren't easy to come by.
Do we think it might be pertinent for me to affix supporting wooden struts across the frame when I lift it to attempt to minimise distortion and flex?
I'll give Terry a call. I didn't realise there was a risk of him retiring!
Thanks again all.
