hi Paul
thanks for the info about the metal, I tried to measure it but the rust and rain beat me I guessed it was around what you say 1.5mm I could bend, cut metal with little problem but as you say it may be cost affective to buy the parts, I will decide on a list and e mail kemper.
the car has a golf 1.1 cc engine installed, but I have the original engine as well, Well all the engine except the starter motor, I have been checking the starter details on line and if I get one at a good price, I discovered it has 8 teeth on the starter cog and was made by bosch, was then used on many German vehicles, I have miss placed the bosch part number just now, I will endeavor to get the right engine back into the car if I can get it running first.
I am going to try to up load some munga scary pics, I expect the restoration to take a few years to finish, mostly to spread the cost out a bit.
regards
Alex