9 replies to this topic

[bpirie1000]

Well most of us here will either have a full set of spanners and welder OR deep pockets.


How long did your mini take to restore in reality... also how long did you say it would take...



My '61 van was supposed to take a year. Been 21 years now still fettling with it but she was road legal after 3 years with weekend and late night work..

My '62 deluxe was supposed to take 3 years.... kids arrived and needed the time in the garage so that took 4 years....

Getting some time to myself back, but minis on the ground for sale are getting harder to find..


WHAT WERE YOUR PLANS V'S REALITY...?

[Mini Waco]

Plans, but no reality.. yet. Purchased the first approx 6-7 years ago, then totally stripped it down for a full restoration. Then a barn find of a ‘64 Austin Cooper while visiting family across the country so I used all my restoration money on the purchase. Next year or so, I was given the opportunity of an ‘80 pup there in the UK.. of course could that deal pass me by and purchased it…. Next…. To my incredible surprise found a ‘90 copper up for sale less than 3 miles from my home (Texas). Made a ridiculous low offer which they accepted so I purchased it. Meanwhile life hits and children grow. The first mini is calling my name and I “plan” to make more progress in 2025. I have not lost the desire, but my family comes first knowing I only have a few short years before my girls have families of their own. So.. the reality of it all is that near 10 years now and I have 4 minis to take pride in. I’ve learned a tremendous amount, but still developing better welding skills. The journey continues. Some say the journey is far important than the destination….

[sonikk4]

Mmm, in reality my car has been off the road since 2015. The last three years i have done jack squat as life has got in the way. My engine has been with Oz just prior to Covid kicking off although its now done, just a case of me finding time to collect it.

 

Next year realistically will be a wipe out IF my move finally goes ahead as the house will take take priority, so no chance of attending the IMM in Lewis as i had hoped to do. Plus the extra funds from selling Erm will go into Paddy but again thats a case of when as well.

 

So maybe 2026 he may get some attention again. Bodywork and paint is all done, its just the rebuild and wiring plus interior. 

[nicklouse]

I “finished” mine in ‘97 then again in 2001 and have yet to finish it yet.

[lsto]

I planned a year or so but at the time it was a case of at least I own it now so it will get done when it gets done.
In reality it took about 4 years to get it road legal which was just evenings every so often when I could be bothered after work and the kids weren't running me ragged. It's been on the road about a year and a half now as a daily and you never stop tinkering and planning to change things.

[OzOAP]

Car was in mates lockup for 27 years when I got it off him.
Sat in my garden for 4 years whilst I collated all the parts. Didn't want to start resto then be held up trying to locate bits to finish it.
Body shell was away for 11 months, during that time I rebuilt all mechanical parts and loom.
Had the shell back for a month before paint to do a dummy build, test fit subframes ect.
After getting back from paint, it was 140 hrs of evenings/weekends over 7 weeks to build.

[Icey]

We did one in a month but only because ‘done’ was what ever was enough to pass an MOT. Lasted a few years before being scrapped, but it did its job.

The other, 10 years from being taken off the road to going back on. That was ~15 years ago, and in that time it’s had multiple engine changes, complete suspension change, replaced fuel system, brake lines etc..etc.. they’re never ‘finished’. And to highlight that fact, it’s currently sat with no engine in…

[coopertaz]

first one took around 2 yrs. next took 3 yrs for bare shell rebuild, current one been on with since 2018!! guess you get slower, or lazier in my case, as you get older.

[stuart bowes]

ask when I'm finished lol

 

coming up to 3 years so far but in my defence, full time work, 3 kids and a college course on the go at the same time, I do as much as I can as often as I can

 

bodywork is basically done now, underside painted, pipes to add and then subframes on, 90% of the parts have been refurbed already. so from here on it's mostly assembly, engine build, and top-side paint, I would say there's a fair chance I might finish it within the next 2 years ?

Edited by stuart bowes, Yesterday, 01:57 PM.

[ADRay]

mine has been off the road since August 2019. didn’t have a clear timeline at the onset. Finished buttoning it up last month, but not running properly.

Goal is get it sorted by 4.1.2025

Edited by ADRay, Yesterday, 03:12 PM.