300 replies to this topic

[spraybeater]

Once again thanks for the interest! have been looking round in other places,

and I have not found another build of a Coachbuilt mini, their are a couple on

the Mk1 forum but they haven't been updated for a while if anybody knows 

of any could they point me in there direction please.

Anything I have seen they have been Radfords or Wood&Pickets!

 

So on with the story,

 

 

 

 

Got the dash finished and fitted, five coats of brushing varnish rubbed down

between coats and then a couple of coats of poly urethane spray varnish over

the top, really pleased with the result.

 

 

got it back up on stands and removed the wheels again need to get tyres of and

paint the wheels, decided as its at a good height for working to give it a quick run

over with polishing machine then a wax with Simonize yellow hard wax, used to be

preferred wax back in the day! spent many hours over the years cutting and polishing

Rolls Royces and Bentleys, most of the old chauffeurs carried a tin in the glovebox I

know there are lots of others on the market but old habits die hard,

 

 

 

other bits fitted inc the rear wiper, and made and fitted rear moulding below window used

modified pin moulding from Woolies with the pins removed and replaced with stainless screws

need to take wiper back of as stripped the already damaged thread on wheel box.

Then came across a problem when I bought the car it had non opening rear windows fitted and

a pair of opening windows in a box which i put in the loft and forgot about them went to fit them

this week and they are blue tints so no good,  now  the search is on for replacements.

 

More to follow

[jamesquintin]

Stunning

[spraybeater]

Thanks again for the comments and likes! I made the decision to get 

the last of the cleaning up and painting done, so took the wheels down

to a local tyre shop, unfortunately the 10" wheels were a bit small for

his tyre machine, so just got him to break the beads.

I then chased about trying to get a set of tyre levers, as I had got rid of

mine years ago!!!

I found a set and got the tyres removed, then with a combination of wire

wheel/sandblasting and hand rubbing managed to get the wheels cleaned up,

then a bit of primmer and on lithesome colour,

 

 

 

 

first the inside done,

 

 

 

 

then the outside the next day, quite happy with now they turned out

nice skinny little wheels! last time I owned and drove a Mini on wheels

like these was 1967 before I changed that one to 4 1/2J reverse rims 

Will get the tyres back on next week, when the paint is hardened a bit,

having said that did put a little drop of rocket into the paint to help speed

up the drying time as its getting a bit chilly now.

 

 

 

 

Thanks for looking, more to follow.

Edited by spraybeater, 08 December 2017 - 10:08 PM.

[johnR]

Those wheels do look good!

[blueovalcraig]

Looks absolutely amazing!

[minimissions]

Those wheels look awesome, they will look so good on the car :)

[spraybeater]

Thanks again for the comments, likes and views certainly keeps this grumpy old

guy smiling, unfortunately due to some issues with brake servo ect kind of missed my deadline!

to have this finished for my big milestone birthday this year.

However not much to do now so with a bit of luck it should be ready for MOT in the beginning of 

January! 

So on with the story, got the tyres fitted and the wheels refitted after a bit more under body protection

and wax oil ect was applied,

 

 

 

also fitted the wheel arch trim, I had to modify the ends a bit with a Dremel to get them to match the 

taper on the flange! this a little bit different from what they were as originally I believe that painted steel

trims were fitted ( are as scarce as Rocking horse Poo) to find, and to think back in the day I used to 

scrap the metal ones and fit plastic   hindsight is a virtue as they say,

 

 

when the dash was done the glovebox which is metal! was recovered to match the head cloth the cup

holders were fitted by the coachbuilders,

 

 

don't think the little hip flask is original must ask they old guy whom originally owned it the next time I

visit him, the small shot glasses are a new addition HaHa,

 

 

was a little cool in the garage today so gave the O/S an other little tickle with the polisher and redid the

Simoniz.

 

Hope everybody had a good Christmas, 

and wishing all a HappyNew Year.

[Northernpower]

Once again Frank, it's looking really good, great quality.

[spraybeater]

Once again Frank, it's looking really good, great quality.

Thanks Graham, congrats on your promotion on the Forum! bye the way.

[Northernpower]

 

Once again Frank, it's looking really good, great quality.

Thanks Graham, congrats on your promotion on the Forum! bye the way.

Thanks Frank, I can only assume they felt they needed the un-opinionated, unbiased input of a true Yorkshireman

[DUF2]

Just read this thread from start to finish.
Frank the car is a gem! You should be very proud of yourself, it looks fantastic!
I wish my Elf would be as nice as that. I'm just trying to get mine mobile, bought it end of August from a guy in Halifax, clutch was knackered, fixed that and found many other things that needed work.
I have dropped you a PM re DVLA & previous owners

[spraybeater]

Just read this thread from start to finish.
Frank the car is a gem! You should be very proud of yourself, it looks fantastic!
I wish my Elf would be as nice as that. I'm just trying to get mine mobile, bought it end of August from a guy in Halifax, clutch was knackered, fixed that and found many other things that needed work.
I have dropped you a PM re DVLA & previous owners

Thanks for your comments! I am certainly glad I got this car, and very happy with how

its turned out, although  I have a fair bit of experience in this kind of work !

best of luck with your Elf! all is possible (depending on what you have to start with and

skill level)

PM answered.

[miniireland]

great thread

[Magneto]

So what will be the Contessa's first public outing?

[spraybeater]

So what will be the Contessa's first public outing?

The plan is to take it to the British Mini Club! show at the end of January,

weather and BMC permitting I got in touch with them at the beginning of

October!! other than me phoning them haven't heard from them,I did

ask on here if TMF had an indoor stand!!! 

The car is almost finished ready for MOT hopefully get some dry salt free

road testing done as it will be its first time out of West Yorkshire since

it left the factory in 1976 .

 

Thanks for the interest