304 replies to this topic

[Kevinmini]

Ben can I get a rough estimate/quote from you - I have a 98 model in Tahiti blue but needs as much as this car or if not more...... Thanks Kevin

[Steve220]

Ben can I get a rough estimate/quote from you - I have a 98 model in Tahiti blue but needs as much as this car or if not more...... Thanks Kevin

PM him as every car will be different.

[Ben_O]

 

Ben can I get a rough estimate/quote from you - I have a 98 model in Tahiti blue but needs as much as this car or if not more...... Thanks Kevin

PM him as every car will be different.

 

They certainly are.

 

All enquiries can be made by PM on here, e-mail to [email protected] or feel free to give me a call 01983 760436.

 

Cheers

 

Ben

[Ben_O]

Hi all.

 

I made a start stripping the Mini this afternoon.

 

 

 

The rust has set in in the usual Mini front end places so it will be getting new wings, a new front panel, new A panels and a new bonnet.

In addition to this, the front subframe will be replaced. There are also many new parts to go on too.

 

 

 

 

 

The first thing I did was to start on removing the engine. After a couple of hours, most of the parts were removed ready for me to lift the engine out tomorrow

 

 

And this is where i left it today

 

 

Tomorrow will see the rest of the front end parts removed as well as the doors, front screen and most of the dashboard.

 

Thanks for looking

 

Ben

[jamesquintin]

Replacing the front subframe..? That's unusual as they are usually covered in oil...

[Ben_O]

Back on with the cooper today and after removing the last few bits and undoing the engine mounts etc, i lifted the engine out

 

 

And then dropped out the subframe. Both rear subframe mounts were broken in half so it was a good job it had to come out

 

 

And here is the rust damage on the subframe and the reason from replacing it

 

 

 

Then underside is pretty bad too

 

And then finally, i finished removing the rest of the parts necessary to do the front end

 

 

Including some of the interior for access to the steering rack fixings and to enable me to pull the wiring loom into the car from the engine bay

 

 

 

And then i cut off the front ready for Monday

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for looking

 

Ben

[jamesquintin]

I'm looking into getting a few unavailable new parts water jet cut like the bulkhead foam and the sound deadening panels.

 

They'll be cut to the same shape/size as they were on there originally (I'm starting with MPI parts as thats what I have)

 

Is that something you might be interested in? (looking to gauge interest before I make a load of them..)

Cheers

JQ

[Ben_O]

I'm looking into getting a few unavailable new parts water jet cut like the bulkhead foam and the sound deadening panels.

 

They'll be cut to the same shape/size as they were on there originally (I'm starting with MPI parts as thats what I have)

 

Is that something you might be interested in? (looking to gauge interest before I make a load of them..)

Cheers

JQ

That sounds like a good idea.

 

Obviously for me, it depends on how many late cars we do and if the customer wants it put back in but in the case of full restoration, it's a must in my opinion.

 

I would be interested to hear more on that

 

Cheers

 

Ben

[jamesquintin]

Cool. I'll be finding out more next week hopefully. The templates for the sound panels on an MPI car are the same as on a 'normal' mini but with more cutouts for the airbag module and where the cables run on the floor.

 

I'm also hoping that i can make a bitumen piece that has the same tiny holes as the pads that go on the rear quarters/doors. Always a giveaway on a restored car ;)

[Ben_O]

No progress as such these past few days.

 

I have finished inspecting the car now that the front is off and have found a few more issues.

 

Shock mounts off

 

 

the o/s inner wing is fine with very minor surface rust but the n/s will need to be cut out and repaired

 

 

There are typical Sportspack splits in the inner wings so these will need attention too.

 

I will now also be replacing the scuttle and top dash rail as there is too much corrosion on the lower screen seal lip to repair

 

 

 

More to come...

 

Cheers

 

Ben

[Ben_O]

Well after spending the morning finishing the 1275GT I have been working on, I have now resumed work on the cooper this afternoon.

 

I started by removing the remains of the old wings and front panel and prepping for the new ones

 

 

 

 

 

There is a small split to repair this side

 

 

And a small section of flitch where the A panel folds at the bottom to replace

 

 

The other side will need a bit more work

 

 

All cut off

 

 

I shall make up a new piece to go there

 

The shock mount area was pretty rough too

 

 

So i cut that all out ready for new metal

 

 

 

The flitch area needed the same as the other side

 

 

I will get the repair sections made and welded in tomorrow

 

Next up, i removed the scuttle

 

 

I'm going to clean back the top dash rail before i cut it out as it may not be as bad as it looked. There is lots of sealer brushed along the inside of the windscreen lip under the paint which i may have mistaken for rust bubbles.

Tomorrow will tell.

 

Thanks for looking

 

Ben

[Ben_O]

I had some last minute MOT welding to do today to help out our mechanic so progress has been limited.

 

I have finished cleaning back the edges after removing the scuttle etc.

 

I then started the inner wing repairs

 

Starting off with the inner panel behind the shock mount

 

 

 

Then the outer

 

 

I also made up the repair section for the front of the inner wing

 

 

Cheers

 

Ben

[Ben_O]

I have been carrying on with the prep/repairs ready for the front end.

 

I welded in the repair piece i made for the inner wing

 

 

Found another hole here

 

 

So I added new steel

 

 

I have welded up the split on the other side

 

 

Made up and fitted a lower flitch repair piece

 

 

 

I have also cleaned back the various areas of rust from the bulkhead and prepped for the fitting of the scuttle

 

 

 

The top dash rail tuned out to be sound so a new one will not be fitted after all

 

 

Before i weld any of the new panels on, i want to dry fit the front end to check alignment.

 

First in went the new subframe and front panel

 

 

And then the wings

 

 

 

everything seems A OK but i will bolt on the new bonnet in the morning to check all the gaps etc and then the new front can be welded on.

 

Thanks

 

Ben

[toplessmini]

It's starting to come together nicely now.

 

Great work as always Ben

[slidehammer]

You must get bored hearing it Ben, but top quality work as always with your projects at Mill Road Garage.