Driveshaft cover plate?

[lowact]

S3. After too many years it’s time to put the underbody/centre muffler heat shield back. Covered by this heat shield is the tunnel/driveshaft/hand-brake access opening, at the corners of which are 1/4” holes, on the two front there are panel washers stuck into the underbody spray, i.e.:



I have no recollection of removing anything from these holes; please can anyone suggest what I might be missing?

[Bob.]

Hi Colin,
I doubt that the washers are original being on top of the underseal. I don't know what was fixed there on your car but these very poor images of three different cars show no sign of similar washers. Possibly legacy holes in the shell prior to a larger heat shield being added during development?
Bob

[lowact]

Thanks Bob, good to know. I‘m now recollecting that it was probably me. When the engine/gearbox was out and I was removing/replacing the irs, I’d made a wooden vee block to support the front of the driveshaft, so that it wouldn’t clatter about while I was spinning it to unbolt/bolt to the diff. Don’t know if it was necessary just did it anyway. I imagine I used those bolt holes to fix the wooden block …