Cheers Jamie, appreciate your thoughts and I know Paul agrees with you, but I have a chance to have a complete restored SS. Crazy I may be, but I reckon it will be worth the work in the end. PS are you white or red wine guy? I still owe you a bottle.

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It's not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog!!

1976 Mini SS
1971 Mini Ute (Custom) - really hubby's but I will claim half
1976 Mini SS Shell
Oh and an 850 shell waiting for our dear son to start his resto!

If all the serial numbers on the original car match up then I would keep the original shell and just change the various panels.
As for cutting and shutting a roof when I cut the A&B pillars , I fit a insert into the pillar[good neat fit] and plug weld it into position. Then drop the roof on and this helps with aglinement. Plug weld the other end.
This will make the joint stronger than just welding.

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Research is the difference between speculation and investment. Anyone who copys some one else will always be second
www.minisprintgt.com