328 replies to this topic

[scrippo]

Hi Pitcrew, best asking Mr panelbeaterpeter about details of the paint. I have no idea, all I know is that I gave it to him red, and he gave it back white! It did look cool primed Elisha, was great seeing it in one colour.

No stonechips buddy! Well as far as I've seen so far. There is one minor chip on the sill, but I think that was more than likely caused by us getting the shell off the trailer. I scraped it on the wall as I was getting it out the garage today, put a minor scratch on the front corner, where the bumper mounts. Not happy but it's not bad. I'm trying to remain philosophical about scratches! Pete has given me a pot of touch up paint which will help!

Anyway, an update. Finally got it dry! Removed the bonnet and gave the engine bay a blast with the hose beforehand, and it's come up great. Still a bit of dirt on the floor, but that happens everytime I step in and out of it, so I'm not bothered really.



All I've done here is fit the rear lights, but it makes it look more like a car already!

Fitted the door seals, more as scratch prevention than permanent fitting as the doors kept banging off the shell.



Loosely fitted steering rack, fitted the steering column, pedal box, accelerator pedal, bottom dash rail and ashtray. Every part I fit makes me feel more excited!

Next priorities are buying some solid front subframe mounts and fitting my subframe assembly (they're all I need), and buying a headliner and glass seals so I can fit all the glass, to get it all off the garage floor and clear space. Will also buy some door handles so I can assemble the doors as well.

[off2cwizard]

Looking fantastic! The original look is great! I'm just about to start taking my mini to bits and never really done a project like it so it will be interesting to see your pics of the order in which you put the parts back

Keep it up it's almost there

[scrippo]

I wouldn't take the order I put the parts back as the correct one!! This is my first build too. My second is going to be a vw camper which is in the pipeline.

I'm going with guessing, based on how it came off and what things are connected to! For example I've fitted the steering rack because it's behind the subframe. And I'll need to fit the headlining before the glass seals go in and so on.

There may be one or 2 updates next week, but it'll go quiet as Chrimbo looms. I'm planning to get a fair bit done after Christmas though. Finished by May?

[buddylove]

Don't fret too much about the scratches, the touch up paint you have and a little light sanding and a buffer will do you wonders. Keep it up!

[scrippo]

Small update tonight.



Got a load of plastic bits out of the garage and gave them a wash.

Also had a look at the wiring loom. The scary bit I'm not looking forward to. Doesn't look too bad actually, I need to connect the centre speedo wiring loom, and a couple of extra connectors for a voltmeter I'm fitting, and lightbulbs for a rev counter and the voltmeter so they light up in the dash. I'm also fitting some foglights so will need to sort some wiring for these as well. There are one or two other connectors missing on certain wires, but I'll wait until I know what they're for before I try repairing them.

I'd like to get something to clean the loom with, any ideas? I'm also going to fit some convoluted tubing to make it look tidier, and protect it a bit in the engine bay.

[panelbeaterpeter]

Lookin cool Mr muscle is good for loom cleaning!

[scrippo]

Cheers Pete, I'll give it a try.

I'm sure we've all been there, you spend hours in the garage, and only get about one or 2 things done if you're lucky because you get sidetracked or start faffing with something else. I want to try to avoid this, so I plan to write a huge list of jobs down, then hopefully every time I go to work on the mini I can get some of the jobs done each time. Hopefully this will keep me on track.

Not much else to update, got too much other stuff on at the moment, will keep you posted.

[buddylove]

ya, my wife does the list thing for me. It works most of the time. Stay on track!

[Dan6061]

Those black interior bits look awesome in the white shell!

What exterior look are you going for? I'm sure I saw you mention 'chrome work'?
I reckon it needs some jewel lenses or something, those standard ones look 'dirty' if you get what I mean? To dull coloured against the white shell.

[scrippo]

It's staying classic mini i'm afraid Dan, there won't be any aftermarket parts like that going on it. I don't want anything that might go out of fashion in a few years, I want to make it timeless, like the mini design is.

Going for a classic look all round, with chrome bumpers/handles/grill etc. Was tempted to go for Mk1 lights, but I really didn't want to make the car something it's not, so opted for the Mk2s. I have gone for a Mark 1 style bonnet, so I'll need either a mark one grill or a van panel, I'm not decided yet, I'll see what the grill looks like that I have. I'm certain I don't want to fit a moustache though, I'm trying to keep things as simple as possible. As it's a 1983 mini I need a foglight for the mot, but might just get one to fit temporarily every year for the test, as I really don't want one on the car.

It's staying on the 10s you see in my avatar with subtle arches to remain legal. It will have a low stance as I'm sticking Hilos on it.

Interior wise it's having a brown carpet, with Rokee walnut dash and Brown vinyl interior. Sounds vile, but I reckon it'll be pretty smart. Not decided on what seats I'm having or whether I'm fitting harnesses or not. It's primarily a road car, so it's doubtful. Might stick to the classic theme with a set of Cobra classics, but a little different in brown rather than black.

Oops an essay! I got carried away!

[obiwan riley]

Cool work, just read all the thread cant wait for the conclusion

[mymini007]

the chap that does your welding is a god!
I am trying to do my own welding, practice panel after practice panel, i am teaching myself, if i am half as good as your chap by the time i have finished my mini i will be well chuffed!

[buddylove]

The finished product should be nice. I have brown carpet with a brown / tan vinyl interior and its looks very nice So, I am sure yours will turn out good as well.

[bcjames]

Looking at this is why I want my car to go to you pete!

Scrippo, the car looks great! I think you are going to land right on the look I eventually want! Looking forward to seeing the rebuild.

[998dave]

You could go for a small chrome foglight, either centrally mounted or tucked up under the rear of the car to balance against the tailpipe?

Problem with fitting/removing is that you'll need some permanent place to fit it, though guess you could hang it from the centre bumper stay?

Dave