284 replies to this topic

[nicnoo]

Hi all, I felt inspired by all the great build diaries on here and so I've decided to post a few photo's myself.

 

Basically I wanted to restore yet another mini but I just don't have the space to store all the interior bits and bobs, so was just looking for a shell to start with. I put the feelers out and after looking at loads of rubbish on ebay a friend of mine offered me this 1979 Mk4 mini 1000 shell he had sat in his yard for decent money.

 

So I brought home a solid (looking) shell and started stripping off the few remaining parts (steering rack, subframes and a partial wiring loom)

 

I've done a fair bit already but I'll post the photo's I have so far and try and put them in an order that makes sense. First job was to cut out a bent rear valance, rear boot floor, spare wheel well and closing panels.

 

 WP_20151028_23_29_48_Pro.jpg   27K   69 downloads

 

 WP_20160108_22_03_06_Pro.jpg   20.57K   47 downloads

 

Not great photos, I know, but they were taken on my phone I'll take better photos from now on.

 

I'll post more photos of the other work I've done so far later so its easier to follow

 

Cheers for now

 

Nick

Edited by nicnoo, 24 September 2016 - 10:19 PM.

[Ben_O]

Good luck!

 

Look forward to more updates.

 

Ben

[Gil-galad]

Looks like a great project. Hope it goes well for you.

 

Just curious...wasn't 1976 the final year of the Mk3?

[nicnoo]

It's probably a MK4 then

[nicnoo]

OK so just a few pics of some of the work done so far, including rear floor pan corners, both outer sills, O/s companion bin bottom, rear subframe mounting panel ends, O/s front floor, jacking point removal as I never intend to use them anyway and a few extra patches here and there that I've probably forgotten about.

 

 

[nicnoo]

This is a shot of what it looked like when I had finished the O/s. looks pretty in red oxide doesn't it. shame I later took it all back to bare metal so I could etch it properly
 
 
Also had to replace the rear of both inner wings, check out the 15mm over hang on the bottom of the repair panel. This was later "fixed" using some snips and a big hammer.
 
 
 
 
Don't worry this isn't the final paint job, just a quick brush over of primer to stop the rust for now.
 
As some of you may have noticed from my earlier pics. I'm not opposed to making up some of my own panels (look at the previous post and you'll spot one of the four slinging brackets I made up because i'm too cheap to buy them)

Edited by nicnoo, 14 August 2018 - 08:34 AM.

[nicnoo]

Well didn't get much done this weekend but did finally get round to changing the suspension rubbers and shocks on the clubman estate.

 

The rears were suprisingly easy.

 

 

You can see why they needed replacing.

 

 

New Vs old.

 

 

Also had to replace the front knuckle, nylon cups as they had completely worn through.

 

 

Now finally I can go over a speed bump without having to replace my exhaust and teeth, 

[nicnoo]

Did a bit more the other night.

 

Decided to put on the new cable guide for the underside. started by prepping and giving a quick coat of weld through primer

 

 

Next screwed the guide in place with a couple of self tappers, I'm not worried about the holes it makes as these will get welded up when I plug weld

 

 

Finally plug welded all the way along.

 

 

getting excited now as it's nearly time for a lick of paint to protect the underside and then flip it back over and start making it look like a mini again

[Gil-galad]

Am enjoying following your restoration. Please keep it going!

[inkyjamesdee]

Good work so far keep it up.

[nicnoo]

_{Thanks guys, I hope to get the last of the forgotten bits of welding on the underside done this after noon and who knows maybe a bit of paint. The danger is at this point that i'll rush it and something will get forgotten.}

Edited by nicnoo, 30 September 2016 - 06:31 AM.

[nicnoo]

Tonight i finished all the little bits of welding i needed to do to get the underside ready for paint, flatted them back and gave it a quick spray over.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Not my finest work with a spray gun but it should keep the rust at bay until I can get the rest of the car ready.

Edited by nicnoo, 05 October 2016 - 06:30 AM.

[nicnoo]

​Last night decided to recreate the rear valance closing panel.

 

 

 

 

 

[nicnoo]

Managed to find a few photos of the car shortly after I started working on her.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[nicnoo]

Did a bit more on the rear Valance closing plates tonight, also needed to replace about 1/2 inch of the rear wheel arch. looks a bit of a mess now but should look OK once I've cleaned it all up.