328 replies to this topic

[Jordie]

Woah. impressive panel work pete.

[scrippo]

My last update before we go into real time instead of pulling up from history. I'm sure progress will slow down a fair bit from now on

I got these pics yesterday from Pete, and needless to say I was ecstatic! Christmas has come early.




Shell and parts in the booth ready to be painted.

I had so many thoughts about what colour it was going to be. Going back to the theme of the project I wanted a classic mini colour, and it wasn't going to be red as so many minis are. I'd thought Applejack Green, but thought this would be too Mr Bean, and not the look I'm after. Another option was Russett Brown, but I reckon this is better suited to Clubmans. The brown theme will come into my car though. For some reason I have a thing for brown. Colour was a tough decision....

As I guess so many mini owners have done, I thought what could be more classic than The Italian job, so the choices were white or blue. Here is how I decided.





So it was to be old English white. Not a particularly individual colour, but I reckon it's timeless and works really well with chromework. I didn't want a cooper replica so decided to make the roof white as well. I'm fitting group 2 arches, but having these painted white as well to make them more subtle, and be a bit different from the regular black arches. I'm doing a few other subtle things to the exterior, and different from the norm inside keeping to the classic theme, but bearing in mind that I don't want a cooper/italian job replica. I'm keeping far away from it's mid 80's Mayfair history though! I'd love to get it in Mini magazine when its done if it's worthy.





Outside it looks great. A big thanks to Pete for his hard work. Amazingly he says it still needs polishing! All being well I can collect it on Friday! Start building on Saturday! Just hope I don't scratch it......

Update when I collect. Scrippo

[mighty mini jack]

That is absolutely stunning!

[Down&Out]

corr jesus you dont hang around do you! that paint is absolutely fantabulous.

[scrippo]

It seems really quick on here but that was six months of elapsed time. Pete had to fit it in around his other jobs in the workshop.

Cheers for the comments, I love it.

[lewis]

ive fallen in love, i find white can only be appreciated when its of a great quality, and thats amazing!

any clues to how much your paying?

[Mini-Mad-Craig]

Love it, really inspirational, i really do need to get me a paperround dont i lol.

Really lovely though mate, Congrats

[scrippo]

Cheers for the kind comments.

Best to talk to Pete about the prices. I sent him loads of pictures to show the condition my shell was in and the rusty areas, so it's pretty specific to that. Even with the pics I still hadn't accounted for the work needed to the sills and doorskin, so this added to the bill.

We used genuine panels throughout, which Pete said made all the difference to the quality. They went together much better than aftermarket panels would.

[beaubrad]

WOW looking good i cant wait to get my mini where you are ,I'm still in the proses of buying my panels

[scrippo]

Thanks Beaubrad. The days are moving so slowly until I pick it up.

[buddylove]

Very nice, will even be better once its buffed!

[scrippo]

Well the updates keep flooding in!

For a change this one isn't about the shell. Last week I found this on ebay.





According to the listing it's a 1380 with new big end and main shells, new oil pump, piston rings, stage 2 head and 286 cam. Should bolt straight in although I might paint it BMC green and fit a more retro rocker cover (any advice on painting an engine??). Still fits in with my classic theme as it's a straight forward A+ engine, but pretty good fun being a 1380. The 1275 I have will now be up for sale, but it's in a semi dismantled state so I need to gather all the parts together so I can be happy selling it. Fortunately I have manifolds, mounts, carb, starter, fuel pump, alternator, and thermostat housing to go with it, just need a radiator and a few bits and bobs to finish it.

Anyway, I won the engine about half an hour ago. Now need to pick this up at some point as well as the shell. At this rate my mini will be finished in no time!

[dezshearer]

Has the seller got any proof of whats inside the engine?

Any recepits for the parts bought or work done?

Make sure you know whats inside that lump before you part with your cash.

[scrippo]

Thanks for the advice. I emailled them earlier in the week and everything seems to be in order. They have spotless feedback and from his reply they appear to be a business so I'll have a bit more comeback if it's not as listed. I've checked as far as I can but I guess short of taking it apart it will always be a gamble. I'm going to insist on a receipt that explains the spec of the engine, and keep a copy of the listing, just in case.

[dezshearer]

If you really wanted to know, you could take the head off and see if the pistons are anything special, i'd assume they are if its 1380.

Hope it all goes well!