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1986 Chelsea - At Long Last


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#1 Down&Out

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Posted 03 September 2014 - 09:52 AM

Well, i'm back doing minis again.

 

I sold my last mini a couple of years ago for too little money. Regretting this, and having owned several cars since that i've not really clicked with, I'm aiming to go back to minis. 

 

I bought this car in 2006. I was 12 years old, and having recently moved onto a farm I wanted something with an engine for whizzing around fields in for a bit of fun. I had a bit of birthday money saved up and when I talked to my dad about it he uttered the words "it might be cheaper to buy a car, maybe a mini or something?"

 

It was much easier in those days to pick up a cheap project, so I dropped a massive £123 on ebay and bought this: 

 

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It was an MOT failure with a knackered rear subframe and the usual oversills. My dad bought me a rear subframe for the following Christmas and i set about 'restoring it'. When you're 12 or 13 means pulling the entire car to bits with no order involved.

 

It's probably lucky i did really, lots of hidden rust, mainly due to the oversills.

 

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I wasnt allowed anywhere near powertools let alone a welder at that age, so it sat awaiting bodywork for some years. I did an evening class in 'welding techniques' a couple of years ago and since then ive spent a full year welding up a Triumph Dolomite and then undertook Rossknight's car. 

 

With those experiences behind me, I set to doing my own car!:

 

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That gets us up to date on this one. More to follow!


Edited by Down&Out, 11 June 2024 - 05:41 PM.


#2 Down&Out

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Posted 04 November 2014 - 12:51 PM

Well, this wont be done as soon as I'd hoped.

But here's a picture of the finished nearside sill:

 

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I've also just purchased the rest of the panels i need to do the boot floor and valance - so thats the next port of call. Once I've done that and the n/s a-panel, i've just got the offside to do.


Edited by Down&Out, 11 June 2024 - 05:46 PM.


#3 Ben_O

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Posted 04 November 2014 - 09:09 PM

Looking good so far!

 

Good luck with the rest.

 

Ben



#4 Down&Out

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Posted 10 November 2014 - 05:12 PM

Looking good so far!

 

Good luck with the rest.

 

Ben

 

Thanks!


Edited by Down&Out, 11 June 2024 - 05:47 PM.


#5 Down&Out

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Posted 31 December 2014 - 04:57 PM

Well, i've always known the drivers side sill was bad. 8 years after buying the car, I've started to have a go at it.

 

It wasn't great, but has been rectified with a full length inner sill:

 

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Next port of call is jacking point, rear bin closing panel, doorstep, flitch and then the outer sill goes on. Two a-panels after that and then all i have to do is the rear end. 

 

Getting there!


Edited by Down&Out, 11 June 2024 - 05:49 PM.


#6 jamesquintin

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Posted 31 December 2014 - 09:03 PM

are you going back to original...? My first Mini was a Chelsea, shame it got nicked :(



#7 Down&Out

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Posted 01 January 2015 - 04:40 AM

are you going back to original...? My first Mini was a Chelsea, shame it got nicked :(

 

Sort of, essentially a standard chelsea, albeit i'll be running 10" wheels. Just preference as far as looks and handling are concerned. Everything like colour, interior, engine, trim etc should stay standard!



#8 myredmini

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Posted 01 January 2015 - 03:40 PM

Ive got 2 chelseas now! Dont see many about.

#9 Down&Out

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Posted 01 January 2015 - 11:00 PM

Keen! i still remember you as the only other person i've known to own one, fancy having two eh!

 

Im hoping mine will be one of the 80 or so on the road by around june/july..



#10 myredmini

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Posted 02 January 2015 - 12:24 AM

Aye I deffinatly remember you. Also see that first picture on google everytime I type mini chelsea into google images :lol:

#11 Down&Out

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Posted 02 January 2015 - 10:14 AM

Yeah funny how its managed that, i think its because its on the TMF colour guide!



#12 minispaniard

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Posted 02 January 2015 - 01:08 PM

Mine is a Chelsea too....

 

It'll need some work done soon, I blame the way it's being used... :-)

 

The2014MampHTargaRally23_zps6300270d.jpg



#13 myredmini

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Posted 02 January 2015 - 03:55 PM

Here's my daily mini chelsea. Im the 18th owner and shes very rough but love it!!

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My other is awaiting resto

#14 Down&Out

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Posted 02 January 2015 - 04:43 PM

Well mine only failed its MOT on the rear subframe and look at it!

Good to see there's a few still hanging around ;)



#15 Down&Out

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Posted 03 January 2015 - 07:47 PM

More progress...

 

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Thats the jacking point in, a partial doorstep repair, and the flitch panel half welded on. 

 

Next steps are to finish the doorstep, flitch and and then I can start to think about attaching the outer sill..


Edited by Down&Out, 11 June 2024 - 05:53 PM.





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