625 replies to this topic

[rich2]

Right then! I got the repair to the lower bulkhead welded in and ground down. If my neighbours didn't hate me before, they probably do now! It took a fair while, but I wanted to get it looking reasonable as I'm probably not going to have a back seat, so this will be on show. Also got the new boot floor fully prepped to go in. Here it is with all plug holes drilled, paint stripped where required, and a double coat of POR15 on the joins, ready for welding in. While I was at it, I paint stripped both sides of the rear bulkhead.



Plug holes on rear panel drilled and all clamped up. Boot lid on to ensure fit.



Get yer weld on! I've got no idea why the heritage boot floor has a recess in the seat squab to fit the heelboard on the N/S but not the O/S. grr...
I finally bit the bullet and invested in a long-jaw clamp which was a big help as I could clamp right around the seat to the heelboard.



And the view from behind...



It looks like the remains of the old arches line up with the floor OK. Hopefully when I replace them (next job) it will all fit nicely. Time permitting, I should get today's welds ground down, cleaned up and primed tomorrow. Only a moron would leave that much bare metal exposed for very long at this time of year! -___-

[sonikk4]

Rich the bulkhead repair has come up really well and everything is certainly coming along. Looking very good mate.

[hughJ]

Superb - really that says it all

Hugh

[skoughi]

Looking good, keep the high standard going!

[minimuk]

excellent work, just what I needed to see.

cheers

[Goacher65]

I've got no idea why the heritage boot floor has a recess in the seat squab to fit the heelboard on the N/S but not the O/S. grr...

Is this not just a continuation of where the spare wheel well is in the boot floor? Can't think now how my original one looks.

[123grosso]

this morning i read this whole thread and i am amazed at the level of work, keep it up and i'm looking forward to more updates

[rich2]

Hi!

I can't believe its been over a month since I last posted an update...

Anyway, with the boot floor in place, it was high time the grotty wheel arches got the chop. Just look at the state of it. Bleurgh.



A quick splurge on minispares, and these bad boys arrived:



Here is some fitting-in-progress on the o/s. I faffed around for ages trying to make sure I was positioning them in exactly the right place. I even went back to order the companion bin closing panels so that I could see how they fit in. (Should've bought the whole lot in one go really. Duh.)





I marked the flanges of the rear bulkhead and bootfloor onto the wheel arch with a scribe while it was clamped in position so that I knew exactly where to drill my plug holes when I took it off the car. Drilling the holes on the wheel arch itself meant I would only have to grind down welds inside the arch, which should be more manageable and also hopefully keep the interior of the car nice and neat (ish).



N/S arch welded in:



This is the current state of things at the end of the weekend - one arch in and one ready to go in, just waiting for the final weld. I might get that done one evening this week if I can man up to the cold!





Next up when both arches are in place is to get all the boot floor fittings in (which I made earlier). Then its on to the quarter panels, I think. I quite fancy a rear roll cage, so I also need to look into where the feet go and if they foul the companion bins...

[midridge2]

just had a good read through this rebuild, i must say the quality off the work would put alot of pros to shame.
i do have one concern though, when you fitted the new inner wings you should have fitted the bonnet, this will be a good guide to ensure the inner wings are aligned, and you should really trial fit the doors and trial fit them with the Apex panels in place.
apart from that its looking good.

[panelbeaterpeter]

Impressive stuff!

[Risky]

Looking good, what welder do you use if you don't mind me asking?

[rich2]

midridge: thats a good shout on trial fitting the bonnet. The thing is I removed the brackets that the hinges fit to, so I will need to put those back on before fitting the bonnet. I was aware of this at the time of fitting the inner wings, but I ended up deciding that I should just get them on the car as well as I could, knowing that i might have to section them later if necessary.

Risky: Clarke 135TE. I don't know much about welders, so i just got the one that a lot of people on here seem to have. Its been dead good so far!

[sonikk4]

I've got no idea why the heritage boot floor has a recess in the seat squab to fit the heelboard on the N/S but not the O/S. grr...

Is this not just a continuation of where the spare wheel well is in the boot floor? Can't think now how my original one looks.

Rich i had exactly the same issue and had to resort to some panel beating to get everything looking the same. Why its like that who knows but such is life.

[Risky]

@rich2, thanks!

[rich2]

Happy new year!

Santa brought me a heritage valance and A panel for xmas. Then I picked up a couple of door steps from TMF member newbambeeno. Cheers! :)



First job on the mini for the new year was to finish removing what was left of the companion bins...



Then I got brave and did this:





Will have to wait until the end of the month now to see if I've got any dosh left to fund a heritage quarter panel. There is plenty of tidying up to be done in the meantime though!