1989 Rover Mini Thirty Rolling Project
#1
Posted 21 June 2020 - 10:54 PM
It’s a non sunroof Mini Thirty finished in black. It came up for sale at what looked a reasonable price and local, so was worth going to have a quick look. What I was greeted with was (for once!) a nice surprise, with it being in fantastic condition for what it is.
It is absolutely covered in chrome tat inside and out. But, all easily fixable. My plan is to return it to a nice and standard Thirty with the odd small engine enhancement.
Anyway, pictures!
I have owned plenty of cars but i have never had one with so many gauges?!
First job is to get all the gauges and other misc electrics stripped out. The wiring was quite something..
Weighed a tonne! Next is to chase it into the engine bay and chop it all out leaving just the original looms in place and see what’s what
#2
Posted 21 June 2020 - 11:25 PM
throw all that wiring in the bin!
#3
Posted 22 June 2020 - 05:07 AM
#4
Posted 22 June 2020 - 08:36 AM
Just out of curiosity, did all the gauges actually work?
I think the previous owner must have been a trainee auto electrician!
#5
Posted 22 June 2020 - 03:55 PM
Yes all the gauges were wired up and working except one, which is quite impressive!
#6
Posted 22 June 2020 - 04:54 PM
I've flown jets with fewer gauges!
What were they all?
#7
Posted 22 June 2020 - 06:05 PM
As you say, under all the chrome tat lurks a nice looking car!
#8
Posted 22 June 2020 - 07:30 PM
for sure, definitely worth the time to bring it back
#9
Posted 01 July 2020 - 10:44 PM
and this some of what was removed. de ja vu..
and it is now like this, looking a lot better. few little bits to tidy and refit but at least I can now see what is going on. engine will be coming out eventually to refurb but for now it will do
so after checking everything works, it was time to adress the quickshift fitted. I personally don’t like them i prefer the standard throw. had another gear linkage kicking about so fitted that.
just waiting for my new dash liner kit to arrive and can then finish off the dash. really pleased with how much neater it is looking already.
and a quick job which has made a world of difference was to replace the front clear lenses for the correct amber type
all in all very happy that all the wiring is now sorted. hard work and many head scratches at the wiring diagrams but learnt a lot! And saved buying a new loom..
next jobs on the list are to remove the exterior chrome accessories and get it looking original
#10
Posted 02 July 2020 - 08:06 AM
Looks like this Mini is now in safe hands, and I always think it is nice if the rarer Minis are returned to a more standard look. Good luck
#11
Posted 02 July 2020 - 09:35 PM
Looks like this Mini is now in safe hands, and I always think it is nice if the rarer Minis are returned to a more standard look. Good luck
thank you! i agree, i love modifying minis as much as anybody but i think it’s nice to keep the limited editions as they’re intended
#12
Posted 02 July 2020 - 10:03 PM
The bootlid had lacquer peel on the top, a dummy aerial fitted, reflectors and and a house door number. I will eventually be getting the whole back panel and boot resprayed properly so have just done a quick job to improve it a bit as a temporary measure.
First of all i needed to paint my replacement original door mirrors which I picked up for beer money (result!)
Also to replace the chrome boot hinges and number plate light housing I painted a spare pair of original hinges i had as well as a standard plate light housing
Then it was on to the bootlid
Took the tat off the boot
Started wet sanding the lacquer peel
Flatted back enough to get some paint on. Soft masked to make it easier to blend in when it’s dry. As I say this is just temporary before the rear is painted
Sprayed some black on which turned out ok for a rattle can!
Leaving it all to dry for a day or so then will blend it in and re assemble it all. Should look a lot more presentable!
#13
Posted 03 July 2020 - 06:06 AM
Has Oz at OAP had anything to do with the engine, or is it just a sticker for the sake of it?
#14
Posted 03 July 2020 - 07:41 AM
Has Oz at OAP had anything to do with the engine, or is it just a sticker for the sake of it?
I have no idea. Not been told of any engine work and no invoices etc so presume just for show
#15
Posted 03 July 2020 - 11:12 PM
Looks like this Mini is now in safe hands, and I always think it is nice if the rarer Minis are returned to a more standard look. Good luck
thank you! i agree, i love modifying minis as much as anybody but i think it’s nice to keep the limited editions as they’re intended
I agree, there are plenty of projects on Ebay that have long since lost there originality that make great projects for modding and one offs. Good luck with the project.
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