14 replies to this topic

[mini_stella]

Right, I guess it time to post this up about my little bundle of joy known as Mr. Zebedee, a black Mainstream Cooper.
I got Mr .Zebedee about a year before my first Mini (Tigger) got written off. He was owned by a good mate of my brother's so the deal with Mr. Zeb was you get him to run, and you get to keep him!! pretty good deal we thought, my brothers mate had offered this to us because after several people had tried and failed, Mr. Zeb was going to be taken to the scrappy!! so my dad and I, well my dad!!, spent a couple of months tinkering round and sorting out the little problems such as the battery, which was knackered, the fuel, he had been sitting around not moving for at least 4 years that we knew about!! after temporarily borrowing a few bit from Tiggs, such as hd leads and sparks he still wouldnt spring to life, so atfer a little thought we whipped the alternator out of tiggs, again only temporarily as I still had to drive her, and soon found out that it was the alternator causing the main trouble, he now started and we could drive him, and I use the term drive loosely!! so it was off to a auto supplier to get a new alternator for Mr. Zeb. after which we drove him out of the damp garage and gave him a disparately needed clean!!

Here is a pic of my dad sorting out the breaks, which unsurprisingly has seized on



here he is after we got him out in to the sun for the first time before his wash



and after his wash, 3 hours later and more bucket of water than I care to remember!!



Although he looks in pretty good knick, that is his good side!! this is a pic of the bottom door on the passengers side, needless to say I reckon it needs replacing!!!! the rust is covered mostly by the duck tape and goes about 1-2" up the door



After I got the log book ad declared him SORN he was moved. About 6 months, give or take a bit, he was towed down to Cornwall where a family friend has agreed to do a full restoration for us, so as I speak he is being stripped and rebuilt, the work was started a couple of weeks ago and I am going down to see Mr. Zeb at the end of this month, so I should have pics to show, plus the family friend has also said that he will take pics of the work for me so I should be able to keep you guys up to date!!! the interior has been ordered and should be with me at the end of the month, so my room will look like the inside of a mini for a while, as it is going to be cream and black leather, Im very paranoid about it getting ruined!!!

As always, I can wait for him to be finished and I already have a few goodies to put on him once he is done!!

[cookie4343]

Nice find mate looks like a really tidy mini good luck with her

[minijo]

yay!

[mini_stella]

cheers guys !!! HE looks tidy but we know for a fact that at some point he was rear ended on the passangers side and the repair was a bodge job, its mostly all filler |
but other than that, hopefully the rust isnt too bad, I cant remember off the top of my head, its been a while since I last saw him!!!!

[mrs-shifty]

Looking good!!!

[mini_stella]

bit more detailed than the one I set up on MO!!

[mini_stella]

Right I guess an up date is in order!!

After I spent the weekend in cornwall, seeing the damage and progress on zeb, (he is now in the air and will be turned onto his side soon so that the underside can be delt with!!!! I forgot to take pics, but my tame mechanic did take lots of pic, so I'll post them up when I get them which will be when all the structral body work is done. the damage from when Zebedee was rear ended is alot including the passanger side rear suspenstion out of line, boot lid will need to be re-skinned, new arche(s) needed new rear bulkhead needed the door frames will have to be checked to make sure that they are still the right size new back panel where the filler was and the floor pan may need renewing if the creases cant be delt with, he also needs a new set of sills and both new doors that we picked up a few years ago now need to be re-skined (not 100% sure about one of the doors though, might get away with out re-skinning it)

so I have now been given the mission of finding a sutable alarm system, suspenstion system (with out changing too much of the orignal) finding a heratage rear bulkhead that is not too dear and also finding passanger side rear arch, so I have a few bits to keep me busy!!

On a good note, his interior arrived yeasterday, so here are a few pics of it (my room now smells of new leather, mmmmmmmmmmm )

The Front Seats, excuse the mess that is currently my room, its not usually in such a state!!!



The Back Seats, again excuse the mess!!



mmmmmm, they are very very purdy!!!!

Edited by mini_stella, 09 June 2009 - 09:01 PM.

[mini_stella]

Quick up date,

I spoke to my tame mechanic a few days ago (still have no pics though ) and I need a new set of shocks all round, i have decided against Hi-lo's and the rear sub fame is shot to pieces (but that was expected!! ) but surprisingly the front sub frame seams to be solid!!
My tame mechanic has found out that the rear smack was pretty much square to the back so crossed fingers not too much has twisted in the body!! ! He will be starting the cutting and welding of the floor and structural frame this week, so scary, but exciting stuff!!!!

I will be going back down in Sept (I should still be able to make Stamford, but I should really check!!) so I'll remember my camera to take pics as well as my HD to get a copy of any pics that he has taken of the restoration so far!! (be prepared for sept, pic avalanche!!)

And for all those who are wondering, I still have not managed to find my spare rim in my room I think the car faeries may have nicked it!! so I MIGHT be looking for a spare alloy (minilite of course, with the wheel nut holes in between the spokes)

Well thats all folks, till next time,
Tarra

[Neildanks]

Bear with it. It will all come together eventually!

[Retro_10s]

Fantastic seats, really nice

didn't it scrub up well!

[mini_stella]

thanks guys!! I know that he will eventually, all of a sudden come together!! but till then I'll have to get my mini fixes in other ways, such as twisting the arms of the owners to take me for a spin in their mini!!

he may have scrubbed up well, but he is hiding god knows how many sins under that fine exterior, but thats minis for ya!!!

and I cant wait now, Im of to see him on the 5th compleat with a rear sub frame and a new bonnet for him!!

Edited by mini_stella, 01 September 2009 - 02:31 PM.

[WiredbyWilson]

Looks like a good project stella, just get a bloody move on with i will you!! That beast you showed up in at the weekend is no fun compared to a mini and you know it!!

[mini_stella]

he will be finshed when hes finshed, unless your offereing me those tasty rims I told you about!!! And dont be mean about Maggie, she may be big, but she is getting me from a to b for now!!

(but your right, shes not as much fun as a mini!! )

[WiredbyWilson]

Yeah like I can afford to buy your some new rims......... you could sell Maggie to buy them - there problem solved

Glad Frankie reaffirmed you that it is more fun in a mini!!

[mini_stella]

what your problem?? you have a year to save up Oh and i cant sell maggie, she isnt mine to sell really to be honest!!!!

And well done to lovely frankie for such a fun ride, but his owner has much to make up for, too few corners!!!