355 replies to this topic

[KTS]

Really impressive work. That pickup is going to look awesome when finished

 

..the bits that Ben will have done certainly will !

[Ben_O]

 

Really impressive work. That pickup is going to look awesome when finished

 

..the bits that Ben will have done certainly will !

 

I hope so.

Hopefully you will keep us updated with things once you take over with the rebuild?

 

Cheers

 

Ben

[KTS]

of course.  not sure how frequent they'll be or whether they'll be of much interest, but you'll be able to follow my attempts to put it back together again on here..

[Ben_O]

I for one will be very interested to see this Cars future progress and journey to the road.

Edited by Ben_O, 14 February 2019 - 09:04 PM.

[Ben_O]

The other side is now done

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just waiting on the new corner posts to arrive now.

Once they are fitted, there is a repair to do on the tailboard and the gaps to finalise on the passenger door and then the panel work is complete.

Then it will be time for prep!

 

Cheers

 

Ben

[KTS]

That's looking pretty damn good from where I'm sat !!

Still some ways to go I know, but I'm starting to get just a little bit excited about getting it back

Hadn't noticed before, but the side panel top rails don't appear to have the cut-outs for the tilt frame posts ?

[Ben_O]

That's looking pretty damn good from where I'm sat !!

Still some ways to go I know, but I'm starting to get just a little bit excited about getting it back

Hadn't noticed before, but the side panel top rails don't appear to have the cut-outs for the tilt frame posts ?

It's getting there now.

There are a few other bots to do like the fuel/brake line retainers underneath and the toe board stiffeners etc but i shall do that during the prep stage as i don't really want to be loading/unloading the shell off of the spit unnecessarily.

 

You are right about the cut outs for the tilt frame posts, I still need to do that but was keen to get the side panels lined up and welded on first.

I have saved the old side panels so that I have what I need when i get to that.

 

Cheers

 

Ben

[johnR]

The masterclass in Mini restoration (and forum posting) that we have come to expect - keep up the good work Ben.

[Ben_O]

Finally, I have 5 minutes to myself to get this thread caught up to date!

 

I removed the old corner/lamp posts

 

 

And then mocked up the R/H new post

 

 

 

And then the L/H one along with the tail gate to check the fit

 

 

And then set about getting them welded in

 

 

There is a capping piece that goes either side too

 

 

 

 

The same happened the other side too

 

 

 

Then I made up some new gusset panels to go inside

 

 

 

Here is one

 

 

And the other

 

 

And that's done.

 

It's now prep time as all of the new panels are fitted. There are still some minor bits of welding to do but that will take place during the prep once it's back on the spit.

 

Cheers

 

Ben

[KTS]

looks good Ben - hopefully the next phase will be less trouble..

[Ben_O]

Should be fine now. I think I have covered every inch of it now so the prep should be a breeze. It will be nice to see some paint on it!
Cheers
Ben

[KTS]

i'm looking forward to that; the icing on the cake as it were !!

[Ben_O]

Just some last minute finalising of panel gaps and bits and pieces now.

 

I got this tube for the drain tubes and had the bottom ends reamed out to the size of the original as I couldn't get any tube the correct size locally.

 

 

Then prepped the areas

 

 

Installed the tube

 

 

 

Welded

 

 

Dressed back

 

 

And did the same the other side.

Ill trim the excess at the sill when it's back on the spit and weld those ends to the sill.

 

Next, I spent some more time finalising the door gaps on the drivers side

 

 

And then the passenger door too. I had to add some material in places to even things up

 

 

I did the same at the back edge too

 

And finished

 

 

Next, the bonnet pin and lock were installed to that I could square up the bonnet properly

 

 

 

 

And then welded up the badge holes

 

 

 

Just the dimples to sort where the spot welds are.

 

Next up - Grille

Here it is roughly trimmed and clamped into place

 

 

A bit more trimming to get it to sit back

 

 

And then I needed to install the first 2 studs to fix it on so that I can accurately trim around the bottom corners etc

A couple of simple studs spot welded on, one either side in the same place you would install quick release fittings

 

 

And then bolted on

 

 

 

 

Ill finish trimming that in the morning and install a further 4 studs to it and then I need to do some dressing of the front panel as the pressing of the front panel is a bit wafty on the ends.

 

Cheers

Ben

[KTS]

..can't tell you how excited I'm getting about this now!

Door and bonnet fit is perfect Ben, and the grille is shaping up nicely too !

[Ben_O]

..can't tell you how excited I'm getting about this now!

Door and bonnet fit is perfect Ben, and the grille is shaping up nicely too !

Good good!

I'm making sure that everything is as good as possible before I go any further.

On the subject of the grille, did you supply and rubber edging for it? I haven't looked in the box of bits yet.

If not, would you like me to get some?

Cheers

Ben