112 replies to this topic

[HarrysMini]

There's been a bit of a change of plan. Originally, I was going to try and restore a shell that had had two of its seams cut off. However, I (with the help of others) have decided that it's going to be more trouble than it's worth as the shell could have been twisted etc.

So, roll on the new project; a 1993 Cooper. This is a slightly more rusty but more complete shell. It started life as an SPi, however I plan on putting a carburettor engine in it, and most likely a 1275.

It was an absolute bargain, everything you see in the pictures came with the shell for £175.

 

 

 

The work that needs doing to this is much more within my capabilities than the previous shell, so I'm much more confident that I'm actually going to finish this within my deadline of a year.

I have a couple of months off now so I hope to get all the bodywork done in this time before it gets too cold. I will then get it sprayed (probably by myself) to get a nice coat on it and get some WaxOyl underneath it ready for storage over winter.

 

For those interested, here's a picture of the shell I was going to fix

This shell won't be wasted though, any panels that are decent will be salvaged but the seam work done to it really has written it off. Sorry Down&Out :-(

 

The order I plan on doing things is:

Bodywork 

Paint

Bodywork that couldn't be done before paint (First three should be done by December)

Mechanics (Finished and fitted by no later than February)

Electrical (Fitted by end of March)

Interior (Finished by early June)

 

Let me know what you think guys. All comments are welcomed. Work will commence tomorrow providing whether is going to play ball, although Sod's Law says it won't.

 

PS. Sorry about the large pictures in this thread. There's not much I can do about it.

Edited by HarrysMini, 14 November 2013 - 01:52 PM.

[alex-95]

Look's alot better condition than the other one and all the parts you got with it, What panels need doing on it? 

Have you thought about getting something like this to put it in? http://www.ebay.co.u...=item257871b5c7

[HarrysMini]

Thanks, after a quick inspection I have found these things:

• Bottom of A post on both sides is rotten
• Needs a complete front end
• Rear valance
• Off side door skin and possibly n/s
• Sills (I would imagine)
• Possibly rear subframe
• Rear quarter panels need patching or replacing
• Scuttle

There's bound to be more once I get it all stripped but I think that'll do for now

That tent looks like a good idea, I may look into that.

[Ben_O]

Glad you managed to get the other shell mate.

That was a bargain!

I look forward to seeing more.

 

Ben

[HarrysMini]

Small Update

 

 

So, the first day of work. I began by stripping it down to more of a shell. Wiring loom removed, all extra bits boxed and stored, carpet removed. I'm having trouble removing the bitumen soundproofing as it is quite hot today so it's extremely sticky, I will try again when it is colder.

I also found lots more rot.

 

Engine bay went from this

To this

 

I will probably replace the whole front half of both inner wings as well as wings, A panels, front panel etc.

 

The car has obviously been jacked up on the floors so I will replace both front floorpans, also, they are quite rotten. But that's okay because I can salvage these from my old shell.

 

Inner sills have just crumbled to dust, it also has oversills fitted so they will need replacing

 

The o/s has obviously been repaired previously, I may still replace it with a whole inner sill section just so I know it has been done properly

 

Now I know exactly what I'm tackling, I'm much happier. Sills are nice and easy as are floorpans so that's not an issue. The only bit I'm worried about is the rot on the windscreen surround, I'll get some pictures up tomorrow to show you what I mean.

It's slow progress at the moment but once I get some welding gas and an auto dimming mask, it's full steam ahead.

 

Thanks for reading

[chrisj]

That looks in much better condition, and what a bargain!

Congrats!

[Down&Out]

No offence taken!
 

Some use has come of it, it only would have rotted in my garden anyway, ive got four cars to completely restore as it is.

None of the dodgy work was done by me so ive got nothing to worry about.

Best of luck with this one, anyway.

[Davethepioneer]

This looks like its going to be an awesome project!

[HarrysMini]

Thanks for the comments guys. I have a small update, I still haven't really done much actual work on the car as I am awaiting delivery of my welding mask and am still sorting out the gas.

 

I got the car up on some tyres my local fitter gave me, now I can actually look at the underside properly

 

I also found lots more rot

 

Wheel arch needs patching/replacing

 

I will probably patch this bit

 

I will also probably completely replace the o/s quarter panel

 

I hope this can be patched as I really don't want to replace both whole inner wings

(it's even worse on the other side, completely rotten through in that area)

 

Windscreen surround rot

 

 

Driver's door needs reskinning. Hopefully I can reuse the aftermarket skin that has been put on incorrectly... thoughts?

 

 

As you can see it's bowed.

Still got the Magnum sticker on it

 

Now my first real worry. We did this while trying to winch the car onto the trailer. Fixable/usable/scrap? 

 

Also, stupid moment coming up... Where does this attach? I presume it does?

 

 

Thanks for reading... if you still are, after all those pictures

Edited by HarrysMini, 07 July 2013 - 10:46 AM.

[Twilton]

That's your top ball joint mate, its snapped off inside the top arm. On that picture its 2" to the left haha

[HarrysMini]

Thanks for the info mate.

 

For those interested, here are the results of my first welding practice. 

 

At first, it looked like pigeon sh*t. However, after I cleaned the metal and got a better earthing point, it started to look better. 

 

My best piece of welding was on some sheet metal a little bit thicker than a Mini's panels.

 

It's still pretty rubbish but as I haven't got an auto dimming mask, I can only use one hand on the torch so I can never get it to go in a straight line, I also keep welding in the wrong place.

I need to get a bottle of gas as the crappy disposable one that came with the welder ran out very quickly. I will probably use Hobbyweld as recommended by AVV IT. 

 

That's all for today, a more exciting update will follow very soon.

[Petrol]

You won't need to buy inner wings, they can be repaired by re furbing the shock absorber mounting areas. Flitch panel repair sections are available that will sort out the areas around the plastic vent ducts. This shell looks in pretty much the same shape as mine, rear arch rot is common. Have a look at my thread for full details of what I did with the front end. I havent sorted the boot floor / rear arches yet but that will come later.

 

Rear subby looks fubared to me as the back rail is that distorted

 

Could I ask a favour? In this pic is the bumpstop.....

 

 

 

It's the cone shaped rubber part on the top right of the pic. Does it have a thick washer about 6mm between it and the front subframe? Thanks.

 

 

As far as the welding goes, I am no expert but it looks to me like it needs more amps. Seems you are just blobbing it on which is what I did when I first started. You know it's good when the penetration is OK

Hope my comments were helpful

 

Pete

 

[HarrysMini]

Thanks for the comments Petrol, I will take a look at your project thread. I've decided that I probably will replace the subframe. Do you think I'll be able to patch the front sections of the inner wings?

I will have a look at the bumpstop in the morning and PM you with my findings

[Petrol]

Those front wings can deffo be repaired. I'm a bit anal about things being done properly and have shown how it assembles on page 16 in my thread. If you read it, it will show how the inner wing stiffener fits, also the X member to inner wing stitch welding.

 

Look forwards to your PM about the washer under the bumpstop

 

 

Best regards

 

Pete

Edited by Petrol, 08 July 2013 - 09:20 PM.

[HarrysMini]

Very small update

Sorry for all the small and boring updates, but I'm not going to start proper work on the car until I'm back from holiday but I want to keep this thread going.

 

Anyway, I got some welding gas today. I used Hobbyweld as it was recommended and it wasn't too expensive. I got it from Wellington Welding Supplies, and I can highly recommend them, very knowledgeable with competitive prices.

 

I do have a small question though. On the regulator gauge, it only shows that the cylinder is half full, is there a valid reason for this? Also, I when I turn the gas on, I can here hissing from the pipes, I've sprayed soapy water over the connection and that didn't show up any leaks, is this normal?

 

I have also got a Sealey auto dimming welding mask on order but the company (AHC Direct) are being a pain so I'm trying to cancel the order and place it with another company.

 

I also built my garage today!

 

 

Inner sills have also arrived from Minispares, nice and quick

 

Thanks for reading, comments are welcomed.