417 replies to this topic

[CLM]

Well, I pulled the floor out today as it is satisfactory shaped and proceeded to trim and weld the floor pan and tunnel together, have about half of it done, there are a few areas I need to patch on the tunnel still. Sorry, I am afflicted with the lazy disease... But tomorrow I will weld the other half to the tunnel and proceed grinding all the welds down.. once I get out of jail for making too much noise I should be able to start actually weld the floor into the shell, Oh joy!



Chris

[CLM]

I managed to get both halfs fully butt welded on, lots of cleanup to do though, no fun there!



I also found a shiny bit to clean up and use in my car heh... Ooooh Chrome.



Chris

[hughJ]

Hello Chris - I have been watching but not been in touch. I love these long welds joining the tunnel to the floor. Long welds are my favourite!! You get a chance to settle and get it right! It looks good. Looking forward to seeing the floor go in to the shell!!

All the best

Hugh

[CLM]

Thanks Hugh, not a problem, I have been watching your thread as well and it's looking good even better then mine! lol

I'm looking to see it welded in as well, but I still need to fabricate up the carpet brackets fix the spare tire mount I ripped out of the van. I also need to rip the lower battery retainer bar out of the van and refurb it so it can be attached to the floor before I stuff it in the wagon. I am worried it is going to be as rusty as my spare hold down bracket is.



But it is repairable, and looks good on the new floor



I managed to grind down the big boogery welds that have been there for over 15 years on the back of the tunnel, not looking forward to grinding the long welds though there is still some holes in front of where the crossmember will go where the auto lever was mounted and where my remote mounted, I will fill those in eventually.





I am probably going to only bolt the back edge of the floor to the floor extension that's there so I can unbolt it and remove the rear floor later, when it gets built up with the correct floor extension it will be.. "properly welded"

Chris

[johnsn]

Good work. Keep going. At least your getting something done. Not like me.
John

[CLM]

Thanks, I am trying to, but other projects keep intruding on the plan, I managed to get the welds dressed inside the floor pan.



I am now getting the other inside bits in order that need welded inside the floor. I have 2 carpet clips made and need to make 6 more to make once this other project is done.



Chris

[L. Brown]

looks good!!

[CLM]

Thanks Lance but I am sooo sloooow...

I managed to get the carpet clips made and welded on along with the spare tire bracket, yes I know it's not right for a wagon, but I tell you it will be a pup someday! Honest!



Then I went around welding up the remaining holes and the pinholes and dressing them down.



I then for access leaned it up against the wagon and started drill and fill for the front seam, I still need to finish it and grind them down, and a fair ammount of dressing along the bottom of the tunnel.



As the work bench is cleared off at the moment I drug my ugly rear subframe up there and started to strip it, there is no play in the arm pivots so I can just clean them up for reuse. It seems to have new rear trunnion bushes... odd. The subframe has several nasty seams on it where rust is causing the seam to expand, major surgery needed. I am too skint for new subframes so fixing them are manditory

Type to you Later

Chris

[HiHo]

Chris

Totally amazed by your efforts here! Simply fantastic (and that is absolutely not meant to patronise).

Your thread has inspired me with my projects (one of which is in a much better state, the other possibly worse).

I did my rear subframe (from my Mk1 saloon) and it too was splaying open along the seams. If you are interested I have a few pics showing it before and during repair, but as this is your thread, I will not add unless you want to see them.

I needed to use my subframes as they were original and as the car was missing the entire floor, I wanted to ensure I had something to jig to and measure against. They looked really shabby, but once I got started, it wasn't as bad as I thought, not least because they are heavier gauge steel that even my limited welding skill didn't fry! I had them blasted and primed before starting though, to ensure I could really see what I was up against!

Will try to start my rebuild thread for the MK1 over the next couple of days, but want to get used to how this site works and how to do simple things like add pictures first.

THANKS FOR YOUR INSPIRATION!!

H

[myredmini]

Wow thats looking good.. :)

[hughJ]

Yes, Chris I'm inspired too. Yours is a brave restoration taking bits from other Minis and reusing parts I would throw away. Great. Keep moving along

Hugh

[grahama]

You are bloody amazing, great work going on.

[buddylove]

keep it up! Let's see more progress! :)

[frasermini]

Very Nice work mate, when will we see some more of the 1960 saloon? ;)

[CLM]

Yeah I know, this has become more of a saloon "and friends" topic lol But the center section to that floor came from the 60.... Whenever I can get the wagon off the spit I may toss the saloon up there if the shell hasn't sold yet... it is somewhat difficult to sell a 1960 mk1 shell in the States... everyone wants the later style mk1 shell and not the "lightweight shell"

Chris