13 replies to this topic

[rusty789]

So I've bought and now got this home, haven't had time to have a proper look at it due to my Clubman Estate being in pieces and that needs to be done first for IMM!

 

Plan is to keep it A series, whilst keeping everything else as light as possible.

 

On the truck, about to leave heading for it's new home!

 

 

Abandoned out the front of my house (and another fibreglass PoS lurking in the background)

 

 

Then in it's home until the Clubby is out of the garage

 

 

This project will probably become known as more money than sense!

Edited by rusty789, 30 May 2016 - 10:42 PM.

[rusty789]

So I've had this nearly two months now and I hadn't even had chance to look at it until today!

 

Pulled the engine out, just to give it a once over as I have literally no idea of the condition of it!

 

 

Plan is to get it running with this engine, just temporarily.

 

First things first is working out what is what, not having done any of the work and 99.9% of everything already being unplugged I have no idea what each wire is doing or if the colour identifications are correct!

 

 

The very first thing I found was a bit worrying...

 

 

The radiator fan had been wired up using fairly chunky cable, a 15A inline fuse, which was then fed by a wire from the fuse box which was substantially smaller!

 

 

Luckily, being an electronic engineer as a trade wiring doesn't really scare me, but it's going to take some serious time to get this to the level I want it to be, but planning on improving the loom where possible and making each seperate section within reason removable without having to remove the entire loom.

[minimissions]

Looks like an interesting project never really seen one of these properly, what's your plans for it?

[rusty789]

Looks like an interesting project never really seen one of these properly, what's your plans for it?

Short term, get it running as it is pretty much so I can do the smaller easier bits on it whilst still being able to move it and what not, then do it properly, full respray, fancy engine (not fully decided on the engine yet, but it will be an improvement on the standard A-series) I'm wanting somewhere between 100-150bhp and ideally sub 500kg's, but I'm not 100% what the car weighs yet!

This will play a major part in the final colour scheme!

[minimissions]

Sounds like a good build. Will be a little rocket if you can get that sort of power out of it.

[rusty789]

Got a bit more done last night, I have a feeling there are going to be a lot of headaches with this car! Just removing the front grill was bad enough!



It appears front subframe floor mounts have been used, or at least similar brackets/fittings.

Anyways, finally got most of the front end apart, all the cosmetic parts at least and the radiator & intercooler.



There are a fair few areas of fibreglass that need attention, luckily it's hidden when the cars all together, so it doesn't need to be overly pretty, but considerably easier to repair whilst the car is in this condition!

[MrBounce]

Aah yes - repairing fibreglass! So much fun.   Don't dig too deep - you might find yours is worse than mine was... 

 

Oh, and Isopon P40 is your friend. Just remember to wear gloves!! 

[Rocket.]

Cool project !

 

Looks like it'd be a right laugh to drive about

 

I need a Mini based kit car...

[rusty789]

Aah yes - repairing fibreglass! So much fun.   Don't dig too deep - you might find yours is worse than mine was... 
 
Oh, and Isopon P40 is your friend. Just remember to wear gloves!!

 

I haven't unearthed anything too bad yet, just a few edges that need tidying up & holes that could have been made tidier (also a few that don't line up/are slightly off centre and it's messing with my half arsed OCD!)

 

Cool project !
 
Looks like it'd be a right laugh to drive about
 
I need a Mini based kit car...

I got it on a complete gamble, unseen... How bad can it be? 😂

Hopefully long term it will have a fancy engine and be well setup suspension wise, as well as weight saving being applied where ever possible!

[rusty789]

On the plus side I found at least one job is considerably easier on this...



Got pretty much everything off the bulkhead now, making progress with the wiring, I don't think it's going to be as bad as I what I first imagined. It appears as if there was just a lot of excess wiring, probably due to previous builds.



Annoyingly now I'm going to have to get my wallet out and get a few things purchased! There are multiple things such as brake lines, fuel lines, heatshields etc. that I only want to have to do once if I can help it! I've made the decision I want to do the entire hydraulic system in stainless steel braided hoses, purely for ease and I've never thought the copper piping looked tidy.



Finally, I'm hoping I can have this on the road and MOT'd in time for the Oh So Retro show in September, it be won't finished visually or engine wise, but running and on the road is a major milestone! Question is will it get done before Leaky's extremely long term project?!

[rusty789]

Pretty pointless update, but it humoured me so you guys can see it too!

More High Vis parts got delivered (the highlighter isn't new)



So I got into my best attire and did what any idiot would do!



On an actual project note, I've been looking at OBP pedal boxes, initially it seems like a lot of money, but with a little man maths it doesn't seem so bad! Any one have experience with them?

[chadd123]

My old car,plz treat it right

[rusty789]

Not much of an update, but only working on the car when I have chance between actual work.

 

Got pretty much all of the dash removed, pedal assembly is next, planning on going for an OBP pedal box, but this isn't 100% decided yet, heard mixed reviews, but told by OBP the design has been improved since the first incarnation!

 

[rusty789]

First box of expensive bits has arrived!