625 replies to this topic

[Hegnirst]

just saying, awesome

[Petrol]

I posted in my rebuild thread about rust protection in case you find it interesting

 

http://www.theminifo...16#entry2826616

 

 

[minimuk]

Always nice to come and visit this tread, amazing work with finesse, fettling with the wings,.....did that a few month ago on Huy'e, and yes a pain it is, and second to Neil, 6mm is neat. good luck

[rich2]

Wow - long time no update! OK here goes...

 

So I finally decided to stop messing around with the bonnet/wings fit for the sake of my own sanity. I was mostly happy with the gaps, so I drew a line under it and finally started welding the wings on.

 

 

I decided the fit is close enough to be able to deal with any fine adjustments by adding washers to the hinges.

 

 

The car went back on the jig while I did the welding. You can see the plug welds just inside the inner wing as I hadn't started grinding at this point.

 

 

 

The area where the inner wing meets the wing at the scuttle was UGLY! Attention needed! Before:

 

 

After:

 

 

Better! (Now that I look at this photo, it actually needs a bit more cleaning up. I'll do that later.)

 

Other side:

 

 

After:

 

 

 

The hole in which the indicator light is mounted on the near-side was an abomination the likes of which I've never seen. Heritage panels, people!

 

 

To try to get things to line up a bit better, I cut out the lower bit to match the front panel, and added a little bit of new metal at to the upper curve...

 

 

Hopefully when I finally source some clubman indicators, (second mortgage may be required) the one on this side will now fit properly.

 

 

With the wings in place, I started looking at fitting the A panels. I knew I had to cut the edge of the flitch where the A panel wraps around, so I brought out the doors again just to make sure things were in the right ball park.

 

 

Following the guide in the bodywork section of the forum on How To Bend The A-panel Lip Around Without The Right Tools, I man-handled the A panel into place. I found I needed to start the lip off in my hands with a pair of pliers before doing it on the car with the block of wood. 

 

 

Same on the near-side. The panel here is bare metal because its the original A panel that I cut off the car during the strip-down. It wasn't in too bad condition so I guess it might have been replaced recently.

 

 

When I was happy with the fit, I whipped them both off again and painted the inside bits so they will be ready for welding next weekend.

 

In other news, I finished building up the front subframe! Feast your eyes!

 

 

This has been a long time in the works while I've been gradually cleaning, painting, rebuilding or replacing suspension components. The final sticking point was the non-gen cone compression tool I bought didn't fit the thread of the cones. Non-gen tool in non-fitting shocker. Dad to the rescue with the correct die (v. expensive to buy) so all was good. 

 

The orange bump stop is the extent of the bling on this subframe. :) All components are as standard as they come. At least there will be plenty to upgrade in the future!

 

PS. I'm probably going to change those bump stops for black ones. They were all minisport had at the time. :)

 

 

 

[HarrysMini]

Looking good as always Rich, I must read it from the start again now my project has finally started. I will be using it as a restoration guide

[hoody99]

You can buy led clubman sidlight/indicator units from a bloke on here (spidia) I think lol under the lenses no one will know lol and if you want rid if the bump stops cheap let me know 

[Jase]

Love it

[MrBounce]

Am still enthralled by this rebuild. Brilliant. *Thinks about searching eBay for Clubman*

[AndyMiniMad.]

Superb work as always, Not sure about drum brakes on the front though!! I think I would be wanting disks for the stopping power... Would be a shame to bash into something with all the work you have done on the front end!! On the other hand drums are ok if you drive sensibly! (Which I don't) lol.

[rich2]

omg. I'm in mini magazine! Fame at last!

 

[sonikk4]

Nice one mate made it into the Mini mag club.  

 

Going to see if they will be intersted in Paddy when i start him.

[Jase]

Excellent

[matthew25]

hahahah just read the article in minimag then started looking through the build and saw you looks a great build so far keep up the good work

[Artful Dodger]

Awsome build ! Remember now you have relocated the apeture for the indicator cluster, those two holes in the wing to secure them will be out of place, weld and drill;). Oh and I'd you don't like the condition of the lenses when you finally source some indicator clusters, minispares do new lenses:D

Nice feature, at least you had got something done when yours was featured! mine was just sandblasted! Boring!

[Jase]

Just buy these for your indicators and buy new lenses from minispares:

 

https://www.spiyda.c...light-back.html