152 replies to this topic

[megamini_jb]

I'd of got rid of the clio

[GTIAlex06]

Was finding it too much work to keep the 205 going, spent too much time under the bonnet, don't need two project cars..although it is a bit annoying to be selling it now its perfect.

 

I will buy one again in the future though, will really miss it.

 

 

The 182 will compliment the Mini nicely, more modern, keep the miles off the mini, fit a tonne of mini parts in the boot, and its got a load of power to boot as well as being a bit more discreet...Nice having a car I can just park and walk away from without worrying about whether its still there or not when I get back to it.

Also, I got it silly cheap (as I did the 205) so it owes me nothing and will continue to owe me nothing for another year or two hopefully.

 

WIll make me appeciate the mini more, cant wait to get it back on the road and start enjoying it again.

[GTIAlex06]

Okay so it begins 

 

[GTIAlex06]

I watched for the love of cars mini episode and it filled me with guilt so headed outside to start the ball rolling.

[Chance]

I really need to start my mini

Just wish I had a garage

Needs similar, front end, flitches, rear hinge panel , door skins...the usual
Wanted to do it all myself as a first project but it is looking less and less likely by the day

Always liked your mini.. Suits the used look very well...keep it beige I say

[GTIAlex06]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[GTIAlex06]

Still sitting there  

Sold the 205 for double what I payed for it so time to get tracking on the mini now i think.

 

First step is to strip the front end off and see what we are left with

[Ben_O]

Look forward to the next update then mate!

[GTIAlex06]

Actually made some progress today! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Front wings off.

Front panel to come off tomorrow morning hopefully.

 

Found an absolute tonne of fiberglass skillfully hidden. 

And remember I purchased this car from a company that restore Minis still today.

 

 

Went easy with the spot weld drill bit, nice and slow and got the hang of it. The rest was a bit of grinding along the front panel seam and the scuttle seam. I didnt bother grinding down the A panel seam as I just yanked the wings off.

 

Never done bodywork before really so in at the deep end but feeling good that Iv got going with it.

 

 

Hopefully going to go with a metal removeable front, fibreglass bonnet, plan is now to turn this into a bit of a hillclimb car but keeping it not too racey. So a big 5 point or more cage but keeping all the interior as normal, central clock with a seperate rev counter on the steering column/upper dash rail.

 

 

All that will come later though, first thing first is to get the shell sorted and solid. 

[GTIAlex06]

Waho front panel is off!

[GTIAlex06]

[GTIAlex06]

List of bodges include:

 

Scuttle corner repairs welded over old scuttle
two hinge panels/Aposts made entirely of fibreglass

the doors being held on my fibreglass

random blobs of weld 

offside shock mount covered in fibreglass/underseal to hide the rot.

 

This car was restored by a company that is still trading only four years ago

[cal844]

Id say to remove the ducting under the wings and weld the holes up

[GTIAlex06]

Id say to remove the ducting under the wings and weld the holes up

 

 

Thats already in the plan

 

Remove all ducting/fresh air feed, one less place for rust to develop over time.

[GTIAlex06]

Anyone remember me?

 

Restoration of the mini starts Saturday, watch this space