19 replies to this topic

[Mini-Mad-Craig]

Okay so I'm calling it our next project, but in truth the Cooper still isn't done, but then, they never really are, are they?

 

I bought this Mini on a bit of a whim after Lawrie124 posted it in the classifieds on here. It seemed like a good deal for what looked like a decent project and I pretty much decided I had to have it as soon as I saw it. After chatting to a few friends who knew Mike I was pretty much convinced and the rest is history! It's going to be delivered on the 6th December which is still a little while away, but I thought I may as well get this topic made anyway! With the show season so far away hopefully I can get some excitement going for this project which will give me something to look towards.

 

Pictures speak a thousand words, so, some pictures.

 

 

 

 

 

 

As far as plans go I have a lot of ideas. The main plan is to get it solid and drive it! Paint work isn't a priority and it won't be a show stopper. I have Rita to worry about who is of course my daily (and constantly requires attention in some form) and we have the MPI to roll up to shows looking awesome in

 

 

It will be very retro. I'm thinking the roof will end up an off shade of white. Rose petals, and no f's given archless, Mk2 rear, Mk1 Morris Cooper front. Generally a Mk2 feel with a few Mk2 Cooper S twists. It will have Innocenti quarterlights and some other special bits. Interior will be whatever I can find. Of course I'd love to spend a lot of money on a brand new all black interior with a gorgeous but simple dash layout and some nice dials, but I think if a nice 70's interior turns up I'll take that and the interior will be a project for the future. If there is anything I've learned with project cars it's that things soon become overwhelming when you're trying to work on ten things at once, both financially and as far as enthusiasm for the project go. 

 

Engine? Well again that's undecided. I'd love something a bit special, maybe a 1015cc with Webers and straight cuts and some other special things but again it could just end up with a simple 998. Time will tell but for now, it's bodywork time!

 

With the other daily on the road, an expensive passion for playing guitar, a month in California and events coming in the new year I'll be trying to be sensible and not spend too much on the Mini but the temptation for parts is always there with a classic. I might end up deciding to make more of an extensive rebuild of it at some point but it all depends on how solid the shell is and what it needs. Maybe I'll get it on the road and do a show season and IMM 2015 in it and then take it off the road and make a proper job of it. 

 

Some inspiration :

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

That's all for now! updates as and when! 

 

Thanks for looking 

 

Craig

Edited by Mini-Mad-Craig, 14 November 2014 - 03:33 PM.

[MaxAndPaddy]

Nice one, looks like you have some good ideas, looking forward to the project thread 

[Ben_O]

Looks very solid Craig.

 

Hopefully it will be a nice straight forward resto for you.

 

Good luck and keep the updates coming

 

Ben

[Mini-Mad-Craig]

Thanks guys!

 

 

 

[RossKnight]

What are you doing with those seats craigy? ;)

[geoff-d]

They are Vauxhall seats I think

[lawrie124]

Nice car Craig

[frodmyster]

Nice :) those ally cat wheels look good

[frodmyster]

Nice :) those ally cat wheels look good

[lawrie124]

Nice :) those ally cat wheels look good

They are 5J wellers

[petey81]

If you need any help give us a shout as local.

[frodmyster]

Meant wellers don't know where i got alley cat from lol sorry

[Mini-Mad-Craig]

Thank you for all of the comments and offer for help Petey81. Looking forward to starting work on it. 

[lawrie124]

Soon be 6th December

[Mini-Mad-Craig]

So Mike came down with the car this morning. I set out at 7.40 to meet him. He had already made himself at home at our unit and had found himself some fellow banger racers to chat with!

 

It's clearly had some repairs already, to the bootfloor and drivers door step. The welding is messy but looks solid enough. I think most of it will be redone anyway. It has a custom rear crossmember to fit the seats which came with the car but that will be removed. I'll see how well I can tidy it up just from removing it, hopefully it won't require a new section of floor since from the crossmember back it's very solid.

 

I started stripping things straight away. There wasn't much left but the interior trim and seats were first to go, along with the brake lights, boot lid and fuel tank. The dials display 93111 which I have no reason not to believe. The registration is EJO 550Y which is a pretty cool one!

 

After inspecting it there is a few areas that need sorting. From the back forwards, the rear arches, front of the boot floor (IE closest to the front of the car) rear seat base, companion bins and rear floor are all surprisingly solid. The rust mainly starts at the front floors. These will need replacing along with some repairs to the flitch panels, inner scuttle has definitely gone on both sides. I could get away with using the inner wings but there has been some modification made that I'm not too happy with around the fan area, and I suspect they are totally shot under the shock mounts. So, a-panels, both front wings, front panel, and pending further inspection new inner wings, certainly on the passenger side.

 

I won't be scrimping on panels since I'm not experienced in bodywork and this is my first restoration where I am tackling everything myself, with the help from Simon and Josh If I can rope them in on it I'd rather buy M-Machine or similar and know it will fit than cheap pattern parts since from my experience so far, a lot of them are very crude and probably beyond my skill level to make fit!

 

The oversills will be coming off and I'll be totally taking the inner sills back to see what solid metal there is left. They look very good, and the companion bins also do which is a great suprise.

 

Oh, the rear subframe is also knackered but again, that was expected.

 

Enough babbling, the pictures of the rust!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And just because I'm a sucker for that Mini face...

 

 

And heres how I left today!

 

 

So more as and when. I'm happy with the shell and I think it's a really good basis. I'm not sure yet of when I'll start work on it but it might be soon or it might be when the weather warms up. We'll see!

 

Thanks for looking!

 

Craig

Edited by Mini-Mad-Craig, 06 December 2014 - 02:37 PM.