Just a quick note that since my last post, my JC3 looks like this at the moment:

While going over the details to install a rebuild engine in it, and remove the diesel engine, some odd problems were found.
One was that the gearbox had been moved forward an inch or so, revealing clutch and brake pedal adaptions that were not sound at all.
So I decided to start with a major restoration after all, something I didn't want to do for at least another year or two.
While removing the body it looked worse than I thought, I'm happy I do start now, considering the state of the frame and body bottom.
I'm afraid I wont be driving with it much this summer.