Just to wrap this mega long story, journey and thread up, Frank was committed to the big heap in the sky today. Felt a little sad as the forklift took it off But I have chance to make one of the smartest if not the smartest Samba in the UK with my new rust free shell and parts of Frank will live on. So I'm happier now the new shell is out the weather all garaged up and I'm hoping to keep it for a long old while.
Franks scrap value has partly paid for a nice indoor soft stretch cover from classic additions to keep that paint in top notch condition.
RIP (Rust in Peace) Franky