308 replies to this topic

[colinf1]

A nice bit of filler on drivers wing, up to 5mm deep in places. The stripper disc worked well to get it off quickly

 

 

The reason for some of the filler

 

 

A few dimples here and there, but no rust thankfully!

 

Rear 3/4 sanded smooth, ready for panel wipe and etch

 

 

Wiper scuttle is nicely cleaned up too.

 

 

and a small bit smoothed on the roof.

 

 

All thats left with paint is the beaver panel, front lower panel and engine bay.  For the interior I am going to clean around where needs welding, then give it a brush with rust convertor and give everything else a good key.

[colinf1]

Well that was quicker than I had planned, but thankfully its all done now. Ran out of 80grit hook and loop for the DA, so quick trip to town before the shops closed so I could finish it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quick coat of etch just to protect the bare metal from any moisture. Plan for next weekend is to finally get the engine out and get the rest of the paint off.

[AGRO_RB]

Coming along nicely mate! Jealous of the Aussie Minis, you guys got a lot of neat stuff and impressive specs :)

 

Love your Solidworks mock ups too!

[Jared Mk3]

Really nice going there mate. I like the slightly recessed holes for the wipers.

[colinf1]

not much done today, mainly concentrating on the window and door inners, removing all the paint from the corners of the folds.

Takes time to do it as its pretty awkward. Also took off the door hinges, eventually after much of a struggle with the inner bolts on the top hinges. Not much access at all!

 

 

 

Popped out a few of the dinges, will just need a skim of filler rather than building it up.

 

 

 

Was forecast to rain after lunch, so decided to call it a day and get it back under cover before it got wet. An hour later it eventually rained!

[colinf1]

Not really done much over the passed week to jusify taking photos. Been filling in a few dents that were on the roof and passenger side rear panel. Got most of them nicely filled and smoothed out, just 2 on the drivers side of the roof and the drivers side wing to finish up.

 

Still havent got the engine out, still havent got round to doing any welding either! The dashboard is going to be test cut this week, to see how it will fit into the space and how the dials will fit in around, before sending it off to get it cut out of stainless. Have sourced some nice hinges and an auto latching button for the glovebox door.

[colinf1]

Got a test dash plasma cut today, just the basic outline of it and cutout for radio and guages. Took it outside and offered it up to the car, immediatley could see something was wrong. I have taken measurments of the various pdfs floating about the internet, but they are nowhere close to fitting an Oz Leyland mini.

 

It sits at an angle when rested on top of the bottom rail and pushed in under the top rail. The angle is backwards, so if the dials and radio where mounted in, they all would point downwards. From the top of the bottom rail to the underneath of the top rail seemed to be a good fit, but all drawings I have found say the bottom rail is flat across, but mine is about 15mm below level on each side. Overall width was ment to be 1160mm, but i need an exrea 30mm on each side

 

 

Removed the top dash and placed it in one the metal upper. I'm not sure if this would be an issue when its time for a roadworthy?

 

 

 

Also, I would have an issue refitting the speedo and surround.

 

At least I only got it cut out of black steel, rather than rushing headlong to get it done out of stainless.

 

Also received my hinges in the post, disappointed witht them too, abit bigger than I had hoped for.

 

And even more disappointment when our sticker supplier said the text on the switch panel is too small to cut in vinyl.

 

I know it will be worth all the effort and hassle in the end (at least that what I hope!)

[Jared Mk3]

It'll be well worth the extra effort.

[Devo]

Coming along nicely mate keep it up 

[colinf1]

Ok, new plan, I am going to try and get a replacement lower dash pad, the same as the one that I broke. At least then my dash design should fit in snug. Both upper and lower are going to be retrimmed in dark grey leather vinyl to match the carpet.

 

Started to price tyres locally, so far got quotes between $115 to $165 per tyre fitted and balanced with new valves. I'll be needing at least 2, then keeping the best old one for a spare when I source a 10" rim.

[colinf1]

Got a few hours done on the car today, mostly filling and sanding and repeat. Slowly getting there. Filled in each wing, continued filling and smoothing dents on the roof and rear 3/4 panel. Then give it all a quick blast of spray putty and a light sand. Still havent got round to getting the engine removed, that will probably be next weekends job (I hope)

 

 

 

 

On Friday I continued sanding off the black paint on the grille after letting it sit for several weeks without finishing it. Was all looking good until I tried to remove the masking tape, left residue everywhere and lifted some paint off in the process. Plan is to remove all the paint and start again, this time mask up the parts I want to leave bare, rather than doing it the opposite way.

 

[colinf1]

Got my glovebox button and hinges drawn up in Solidworks today, added them into my dash panel assembly to see how they would look. This is the result...

 

 

 

Opinions?

[colinf1]

The smaller slot switch panel design has really grown on me, so when I get a replacement lower dash pad I am going to fill the squarer hole to allow me to fit the slot switch panel, and a narrower one below it for the fan controls.

 

Like this...

 

 

That way, I dont have to worry about moving the heater mounting points or trying to squeeze all the controls onto the slot panel.

[Jared Mk3]

That dash looks good. I like the piece on the inside of the lid. I've always liked the larger lower dash pad on the Aussie Minis - this will be a nice variation on it.

[colinf1]

Not much done this weekend, cleaned up around the car, put all my good parts in plastic boxes, cleaning them as I put them in. Door and boot hinges sanded down and primed, bonnet scoop also sanded down and primed.

 

Dash vents are looking a but tattered, looks like UV damage causing the plastic to go all crumbly. Its just mainly on the outer edge, so I will sand it down and see how it looks with a bit of paint on it.