74 replies to this topic

[CobraV8]

looks great for a car that has sat uncared for all those years. Best of luck with the project. If you pay a good panel beater - they may be able to sort the roof out ok (all about stretching and shrinking the metal). You will need to get the headlining out first.

A purely selfish question - is the number plate light square to the number plate bracket? I have got myself a Mk1 bracket in fairly good condition, but... I think the plate light is bent up slightly, but before straightening, just want to check that it shouldnt be bent. I need to paint the bracket and find a light, but will put it on my Mk1 a like soon.

[Tommyboy12]

Looks in exceptional condition for its age. Does it even need any new panels apart from maybe a roof?

[typer andy]

just had a restorer come round to look he said it needs a new roof and possibly lower door frame but thats about it. ive got to strip the paint get it sandblasted myself and strip the car to a shell. i cant see that being too hard

[typer andy]

quick update

had a message from bill at the 59 register offering to date the car properly

which turns out to be the 14-15th of may. Thing is the london to brighton run is the 16th of may next year which makes it the car 50th birthday nearly to the day. argh i need to rob a bank to get it done

[typer andy]

been working on the car all day checking engine parts and some of the wiring before its stripped down.
it now turns over on the starter, the clutch works from the pedal but the water pump is locked solid. theres something odd going on with the gearbox so that needs more work when the subframes come out.

the heater, horn and some of the other electrics work!

found a few more holes though, the battery box is shot so thats going with the boot floor and one of the sills is geting a bit thin

works got to stop for a bit as ive been having hassle getting documents sorted. the car may need to be inspected by the dvla to keep the origional reg and they need the car in one piece

[Teapot]

Fingers crossed on that one then. Hope it's plain sailing!

[panelbeaterpeter]

Beautiful! It looks in remarkable condition considering the age! I'd get it mechanically sorted and MOT'd and run it as it is! But that's just me..

[minitiae]

That fuel pump was originally mounted, believe it or not, on the subframe on very early Mini's . People often moved it up to the bulkhead for easy access and to keep it away from road dirt, which quickly corroded it away as you can imagine! Trouble was: the pump was meant to 'blow' not 'suck' which it has to do now where it's positioned, so it might not work too well if you manage to get it's points cleaned and working again! Unless, that is, it's not a Mini pump but one off a Morris Minor which was designed to 'suck' and mounted on the bulkhead. It's an S.U. which was very common back then and used on a lot of other cars. If you intend to use a mechanical pump off the back of the engine, you can just throw the old electric pump away - probably the best option! History lesson over!

[olds_kool_lews]

thats a brilliant find! hope you get to keep the original number! my '62 deluxe was stored in a damp garage for 32 years! i to have to try and retain the original reg, but as mines been stripped and boxed up, i cant really take it for an inspection to keep its reg, so gonna restore it 1st and get it inspected by a specialist mini club, and hopefully keep its reg, which is the 3 numbers, 3 letters type!

will be watchin this one!!

[langers]

Fair play Andy, you must be over the moon with that find, I'd be like a kid at christmas if I found one in that good a condition.
I would say though, that I would be inclined to just restore the mechanicals (and the roof) and just use it as it is, rather than a complete restoration on it; but each to their own. Either way, good luck with your project, keep the pics coming

Nick

[Tim1970]

That is an absolute dream, You must be well and truly over the moon with it.
Truly a stunning car inside and out.
Will definitely be keeping an eye on this.

[typer andy]

finaly some big progress

ive got a deadline from my bodywork guy so its got to be a bare shell by the start of feb.

ive spent the last 2 days in my garage with the spanners its nearly all done apart from fully removing the subframes and the front and rear screen

heres a few pictures







hopefully the next few day should see the rest sorted so i can get started on refurbing the subframes back to useable condition

Edited by typer andy, 17 January 2010 - 07:31 PM.

[EatSleepJDM]

I'm so jealous!
Great project mate, good luck

[typer andy]

its now down to a shell. the 50 year old subframes flew off without and breakages. i got a shell trolly made up to move it around so its off to the sprayers next weekend then i get cracking with the rest of the clean up

[miniman24]

Wow, love it!!

Are you keeping those wings, front panel etc on it, or changing them??

If theyre original, i'd keep them on