I want to strip the underside of my 2cv down to bare metal. The easiest way, access wise, is to lay it on its side. Is this safe to do so? Will I be putting undue stress on a particular area? The welds on the door pillars to sills are all good, no signs of corrosion, as are the welds around the windscreen area. I can see as a structure it could stand on its roof with no problem but I'm not sure about its side. Any comments/advice greatly received. Thanks.

No problems putting it on its' side. An old mattress or carpet under it will afford some protection.

Watch this video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jU70ekyF25E&feature=player_embedded#!

I'm sure it would be fine just on a carpet on the floor, but personally I'd like to rest it on something with some 'give', so as to spread the load better, probably some old tyres. The heaviest areas are also going to be the strongest so I'd put something under the front of the sill and something under the back of the sill/rear inner wing. There's very little weight near the top of the shell but I'd probably put some support at the top of the windscreen and level with the roof cross bars.

Mattress is the answer. Double is better

a few old tyres- less likley to catch fire if you do any welding

I notice James has disconnected loads of wires to get the body off.

No need to disconnect the light bar, just unbolt it from the chassis, lift it back to the bulk head and tie it there.

Saves a lot of time as you only have to reconnect a few wires.

I'd hardly call it a lot of wires to the lightbar, maximum 4 per light, 1 coil, and the horn, plus a couple of rubber straps. I would say the hassle of unbolting the lightbar if you weren't otherwise going to, and especially if it's been on since new and the bolts are seized, plus the added awkwardness of moving the shell about with it attached and risking damage to the paint on both... I'd disconnect wires every time.

Easier to dis connect wires than strap the lamp bar tothe windscreen with padding etc. imagine breaking a light !!!

Leave the headlamp bar on

What he said!

I'd also agree about the headlamp bar, but whatever works for you. However, art from paintwork damage you're very unlikely to damage a bodyshell by rolling it over. The rear wings, if attached, could be squashed a bit, so remove them, but as long as its on a fairly soft surface, like a mattress, old tyres, small children etc then you'll be fine.